The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne
Laura Alary, Illustrated by Yas Imamura
January 27, 2026
978-0-80285-515-2
Hardcover Picture Book
8.5 in H | 9 in W
56 Pages $19.99
Juvenile Nonfiction World; unenhanced, enhanced eBook rights
An incredible picture book biography about how the trailblazing astronomer found her people—and figured out what stars are made of.
Cecilia Payne loved learning to see nature’s wonders, even things other people called impossible. While studying at Cambridge, she dreamed of becoming a great astronomer like the ones she read about in the library But too many people thought women didn’t belong among stars or atoms.
So, Cecilia packed her bags for Harvard, where she could surround herself with women who also loved astronomy and physics. These “Harvard Computers” shared their treasures with her—thousands of photographs of starlight. Cecilia found a way to read the patterns in these photos and started asking big questions. Could these photos show her what stars are made of? What if they showed Cecilia something all the great astronomers called impossible?
KEY SELLING POINTS
• A MUST FOR CELEBRATIONS OF WOMEN: Just in time for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Feb. 11) and Women's History Month (March).
• FOR FANS OF LAURIE WALLMARK: Fans of Laurie Wallmark's titles (esp. Journey to the Stars and Her Eyes on the Stars) will devour this book.
• RICH BACKMATTER MAKES THIS BOOK IDEAL FOR STUDY: An author's note, timelines, a list of Cecilia's honors and awards, and resources for further reading are included.
• INSPIRING THEMES: Themes of STEM, curiosity, women in science, and community beg for discussion.
• PROFESSIONALLY VETTED: The book was vetted by Katie Mack, noted astrophysicist and Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.the p
Laura Alary has written over a dozen books for children, including The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can), Here (Paraclete), What Grew in Larry’s Garden (Kids Can), and All the Faces of Me (Owlkids). She hopes that Cecilia’s story inspires children to follow their curiosity and find confidence in their own unique voices. Laura lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her website at lauraalary.ca.
Yas Imamura is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including Love in the Library (Candlewick), Can You Imagine? (Atheneum), Winged Wonders (Sleeping Bear), and The Bicycle (Balzer + Bray). She frequently works with gouache and watercolor, and she is often drawn to playful and slightly offbeat projects. Yas lives and works in Portland, Oregon. Follow her on Instagram @yas.illustration.
Jennifer Grant is an award-winning author of books for children and adults, including Consider the Birds (Eerdmans), Finding Calm in Nature, and Maybe God Is Like That Too (both Beaming). As a child, her imagination was captured by the song “Consider the Lilies” and the idea that God cared for the flowers just because God loved them. She lives in Chicago and enjoys flowers wherever she spots them—whether that’s in Australia, around her neighborhood, or on her own windowsill. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jennifergrantwriter and visit her website at jennifergrant.com.
Julianna Swaney is the illustrator of over a dozen books, including Consider the Birds (Eerdmans), The Garden We Share (NorthSouth), and the #1 New York Times bestsellers The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be and We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines (both Thomas Nelson). She lives in Portland, Oregon, in a craftsman bungalow where she enjoys breadmaking, gardening, and carving the occasional wooden spoon. Follow her on Instagram @julianna_swaney and visit her website at juliannaswaney.com.
KEY SELLING POINTS
A NEW BOOK IN THE CONSIDER SERIES: The second title in the well-received Consider series. The third book, Consider the Night Sky, releases in F26.
ACCLAIMED CREATORS: Award-winning author Jennifer Grant has a strong fan base that continues to grow, paired with #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Julianna Swaney (The Wonder You See, The World Nees Who You Were Made to Be).
A MUST FOR PAROCHIAL PRESCHOOL SPRING AND GARDEN
STUDIES: This warm book invites multiple units of study, including color, spring, insects, and gardening.
LYRICAL TEXT, ENCHANTING ILLUSTATIONS TRANSPORT
READERS: An accessible exploration of colors and flowers, punctuated by Grant's voice and Swaney's signature charming art.
Poems for Every Season
Bette Westera, Translated by David Colmer, Illustrated by Henriette Boerendans
February 17, 2026
978-0-80285-652-4
Hardcover Picture Book
10.5 in H | 8.5 in W
56 Pages $18.99
Juvenile Nonfiction World English; unenhanced eBook rights
Poetry and the beauty of nature combine for this breathtaking celebration of the year.
In this stunning combination of wordcraft and woodcuts, readers meet the changing seasons with thirteen poems, all in different poetic structures, from award-winning Dutch author Bette Westera. Each season opens with a haiku, following with the season’s months and their poems. Readers will dance into March with a rondel for a newborn lamb, wave in the August wind with a five-line tanka for a summer sunflower, snuggle in for December with a limerick for all those who stayed home instead of going south.
Exquisite woodcut art from Henriette Boerendans, an artist making her US and UK debut, showcases the wonder of the natural world. Back matter offers further details about the poems’ structures—offering the perfect opportunity for young writers to write their own sonnet for February or quatrain for September. Translated from the Dutch by David Colmer
KEY SELLING POINTS
STARRED REVIEW FROM KIRKUS: "Thoughtful and immersive....A remarkable collaboration." —Kirkus Reviews
A MUST-READ FOR APRIL: Celebrate Poetry Month and Earth Day with this salute to poetic forms, nature, and seasons.
A WIDE-RANGING STUDY OF VERSE FORMS: From haiku and rondel to limerick and sonnet, this book covers all major poetic forms. BACKMATTER IS THOROUGH AND BEAUTIFUL: More information on each featured verse form is included in the book's beautifully designed final pages.
BRILLIANTLY TRANSLATED FROM DUTCH BY DAVID COLMER: Translator and poetry expert David Colmer worked meticulously with the author to adapt the different verse forms for English-speaking readers.
Bette Westera has written over fifty books for children, including Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise and the Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book Later, When I’m Big (both Eerdmans). She has also translated books by Dr. Seuss, Astrid Lindgren, and Julia Donaldson into the Dutch language. Bette lives in the Netherlands, where her books have received two Golden Pencil awards and six Silver Pencil honors. Visit her website at bettewestera.nl.
Henriette Boerendans is an Amsterdam-based printmaker and illustrator Poems for All Seasons is her English-language debut. While walking in nature together one day, Bette and Henriette brainstormed new projects and came up with the idea for this book. Follow Henriette on Instagram @henriette.boerendans and visit her website at boerendans.com.
David Colmer is an Australian writer and translator of Dutch and Flemish literature. He has translated over eighty books throughout his career, including I’ll Root for You, A Pond Full of Ink, and Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise (all Eerdmans). His work has been honored with many awards, including the PEN Translation Prize and the Dutch Foundation for Literature's James Brockway Prize, which recognizes a translator's body of Dutch-language poetry. David lives in Amsterdam.
Little Monk Writes Rain
Hsu-Kung Liu, Translated by Rachel Wang Yung-Hsin
March 3, 2026
978-0-80285-657-9
Hardcover Picture Book 11 in H | 8 in W
48 Pages $18.99
Juvenile Fiction World English; unenhanced eBook rights
A Buddhist monk practices calligraphy every single day—calming his heart and bringing an unexpected gift to a nearby city.
As rain falls, Old Monk invites Little Monk to practice calligraphy. “Let’s write the character for rain!” he says. And with each brushstroke, Little Monk’s restless, anxious heart grows quiet. For the next twenty years, as Little Monk becomes Big Monk, he sits down with his brush every day, meditating on and writing the character for “rain.” Until one day someone comes to the temple asking for help: the city has no water. Big Monk packs his things, hoping to do his part. But will a pile of calligraphy sheets make any difference?
This stunning book is horizontally bound, creating a vertical reading experience inspired by Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy hung on scrolls. With poetic text and watercolor art from Taiwanese author-illustrator Hsu-Kung Liu, Little Monk Writes Rain is an evocative tale of mindfulness, self-expression, and compassion. Sure to start conversations about how to find—and share—a sense of calm amid life's storms. Translated from Chinese by Rachel Wang Yung-Hsin.
KEY SELLING POINTS
A UNIQUE AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT READING
EXPERIENCE: This book is horizontally bound, creating a vertical reading experience inspired by Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy hung on scrolls. A singular, immersive experience.
A TIMELY, MEDITATIVE BOOK FOR YOUNG READERS: Mindfulness and meditation continue to be areas of focus for educators, parents, and children.
BOOKS REFLECTING AUTHENTIC TAIWANESE CULTURE ARE IN NEED: The state of Taiwan's independence continues to be in peril, so books celebrating the country's culture are significant.
Hsu-Kung Liu is a Taiwanese author and illustrator whose books include The Orange Horse and Look at You! Look at the Mess You’ve Made! (both Reycraft). He has won several awards, including the Golden Tripod Award and the Hsin-Yi Children’s Literature Award, and his art has also been featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Liu lives in Taipei, Taiwan.
Rachel Wang Yung-Hsin is a writer, translator, and interpreter with several decades of experience in intercultural communication and international education. She earned an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University and won the Lee & Low and Friends Scholarship in 2017. Born in Taiwan, Rachel moved to the US as a child, lived in Asia for four decades as an adult, and currently makes her home in Massachusetts.
KEY SELLING POINTS
STARRED REVIEW FROM KIRKUS: "A profoundly thoughtful look at the push and pull needed to forge a truly deep bond." —Kirkus Reviews
ALREADY A SPRING 2026 FAVORITE: Librarian Betsy Bird called it "maybe my favorite picture book on this list."
A FUN SEL READ ALOUD: Lively text with friendship themes pairs with playful illustrations for a fun and meaningful read aloud experience.
RELATABLE RELATIONSHIP STORY FOR FRIENDS, FAMILIES: The characters experience very relatable challenges of pet-owner relationships, sibling chaos, boundaries, and self-awareness.
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE DEBUT FOR AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR
JOHAN LEYNAUD
Johan Leynaud is a French artist, illustrator, and author who studied at the Beaux-Arts de Marseille and spends most of his time drawing. He hopes Arthur’s Cat, his Englishlanguage debut, will help children respect animals as living beings who sometimes need their space. One day Johan watched his niece play with her cat—and Arthur’s Cat began to grow in his mind. Follow Johan on Instagram @johanleynaud.
Sarah Ardizzone has translated over fifty books from the French, including Thread by Thread, Sweet Dreamers, and Letters from Bear (all Eerdmans). Her translations have been named to best-of-the-year lists by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Bank Street College of Education. Sarah lives in Brixton, England, with her family and a fluffy black cat named Hector. Follow her on Instagram @sarahtranslatorardizzone.
Who Hid the Stars?
Danio Miserocchi and Maciej Michno, Illustrated by Valentina Gottardi
March 24, 2026
978-0-80285-651-7
Hardcover Picture Book
11.4 in H | 9 in W
44 Pages $18.99
Juvenile Nonfiction World English; enhanced, unenhanced eBook rights
A richly illustrated picture book exploring light pollution and its impact on nature and wildlife.
When streetlights outshine the stars, what does that mean for plants, animals, and us? This absorbing nonfiction picture book pairs lush ink, acrylic, and digital illustrations with scientifically sound yet approachable text to explore the concepts of light pollution, conservation, and biodiversity
Translated from Italian by Batchelder Award winner Sylvia Notini, Who Hid the Stars? also includes a glossary of terms, a further reading list, and a link to the authors’ bibliography. The browsable book is ideal for STEAM units along with Earth Day and World Wildlife Day celebrations.
Part of Eerdmans’ Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers series. The book’s original edition was shortlisted for Italy’s Premio Piccolo Galileo (Little Galileo Award).
KEY SELLING POINTS
AN URGENT TOPIC WITH COMPELLING ART: Light pollution is very current and has been covered in several photographic books for children; however, this title's text is elevated with absorbing, infographic-style illustrations that demand repeated readings.
HIGHLY CREDIBLE CREATORS: Authors are science- and education-focused; translator is a Batchelder winner
SOLID BACKMATTER: Includes a glossary of terms, further reading, and a link to the authors' bibliography
EBYR'S BROWSABLE NONFICTION HAS BEEN A CRITICAL SUCCESS: Eerdmans' Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers titles have earned positive and starred reviews, awards, and esteem from educators and librarians.
Danio Miserocchi is an Italian naturalist and teacher who works with museums and community organizations on conservation and biodiversity initiatives. He enjoys researching and exploring neglected species of flora and fauna in their environments. Follow Danio on Instagram @daniomiserocchi.
Maciej Michno earned a degree in computer science and now uses his skills to help communicate science and technology through text and images. At the Italian publisher Cocai Books, based in the city of Rovereto, he is an editor and administrative manager passionate about writing, proofreading, and all other sorts of processes.
Valentina Gottardi has pursued her dual passions of art and nature since childhood. At the Italian publisher Cocai Books, she serves as artistic director and designer for all projects, including this one. Learn more about Cocai Books on Instagram @cocaidesign.
Sylvia Notini has translated over 200 titles from Italian into English. Her translation of Just A Girl: A True Story of World War II (HarperCollins) won the 2023 Mildred L. Batchelder Award, and her translation of Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia (Princeton Architectural) was a finalist for the AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Sylvia lives in Castenaso, just outside of Bologna, Italy. Visit her website at sylvianotini.com.
The Children of the Sun
Micaela Chirif,
Translated by
Lawrence Schimel, Illustrated by Juan Palomino
March 31, 2026
978-0-80285-654-8
Hardcover Picture Book
8.5 in H | 9.6 in W
44 Pages $18.99
Juvenile Fiction North America English rights
The birth of human civilization is recounted in this retelling of a celebrated Incan legend
How was the world’s first city formed? How did people learn to plant crops, cook food, and weave fabric?
One day, back when the world was new and no one built houses, the Sun saw himself reflected in the waters of Lake Titicaca. He came closer to his own shining face, and a flame fell into the lake, giving birth to a young man and young woman. The Sun gave his son and daughter an important task: to found the very first city, a place where they could teach humans better ways of living.
With rich language and striking art, poet Micaela Chirif (Peru) and New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book winner Juan Palomino (Mexico) retell a story from the Incan empire that once ruled western South America. Translated from Spanish by award-winning translator Lawrence Schimel, the book is part of Eerdmans’ Stories from Latin America series.
Micaela Chirif is a Peruvian poet and author whose books have been translated into Korean, Japanese, English, Portuguese, and French. Sheep Count Flowers (Levine Querido) was called “utterly beguiling” in a starred Kirkus review, and A Sleepless Night was named a USBBY Outstanding International Book and a Mildred D. Batchelder Honor Book. Visit Micaela’s website at micaelachirif.pe or follow her on Instagram @micaelachirif.
Juan Palomino is a prolific Mexican illustrator who started his own illustration teaching program at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Letters in Charcoal (Lantana) was nominated for the Carnegie Medal for illustration, and The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent (Eerdmans) was named a USBBY Outstanding International Book and New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book. Follow Juan on Instagram @juanpalomino.ilustrator
KEY SELLING POINTS
A FRESH, MORE DETAILED RETELLING OF A WELL-KNOWN
INCA ORIGIN MYTH: Tells the story of the founding of the city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca civilization. It's a legend promoted to Peruvian travelers and native museums.
AUTHENTIC, STRIKING ILLUSTRATIONS: A NYT/NYPL Best
Illustrated honoree, Mexican artist Juan Palomino brings an arresting, bucolic touch to this story.
PERFECT FOR FABLES, MYTHS, AND LEGENDS CURRICULUM:
This myth is taught in Peruvian schools and is an engaging way to explore fables, myths, and legends as well as South American culture during Indigenous People's Day and Hispanic Heritage Month.
BACKMATTER: Includes a glossary, more about the Inca and the Legend of Manco Cápac and Mama Occlo.
Lawrence Schimel has written or translated over 300 books, including Niños, 9 Kilometers, and the Batchelder Honor Book Different (all Eerdmans). His works have received many awards, including three PEN Translates Awards, two SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards, and two Américas Award Honors. Lawrence lives in Madrid, Spain. Follow him on Bluesky @lawrenceschimel.bksy.social.
The Visit
Núria Figueras, Translated by Lawrence Schimel, Illustrated by Anna Font
April 14, 2026
978-0-80285-655-5
Hardcover Picture Book
10.9 in H | 8.5 in W
56 Pages $18.99
Juvenile Fiction North America English rights
A young fox makes friends with Silence in this celebration of solitude, quiet, and independence
When her mother leaves the den, Little Fox expects to spend the next few hours by herself. But then she hears a knock at the door—she has a visitor.
At first, Little Fox is scared: Silence is so big and strange. Then they share a snack, and Silence helps her hear her heartbeat, even her own thoughts. Maybe time spent with Silence isn’t so bad after all.
This allegorical story from Spanish author Núria Figueras was inspired by the first time she stayed home alone as a child—and by her experiences working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illustrated by Spanish artist Anna Font, the original edition of The Visit was selected for the White Ravens list and received the Fundacion Cuatrogatos Award and Compostela International Award. Translated from Catalan by Lawrence Schimel.
KEY SELLING POINTS
CHILDHOOD QUIET TIME IS TIMELY, NECESSARY: The Compostela Award jury highlighted that "in a society like today's, saturated with noise and noise pollution, the demand for moments of silence and solitude is increasingly necessary."
SEL BOOKS CONTINUE TO TREND: Educators and librarians continue to champion SEL picture books for the ever-changing emotional needs of today's young readers.
AWARD-WINNING TRANSLATOR: Award-winning, prolific translator Lawrence Schimel produced the text for English readers.
AN ACCLAIMED BOOK FROM SPAIN MAKING ITS ENGLISHLANGUAGE DEBUT: the original edition of The Visit was selected for the White Ravens list and received the Fundacion Cuatrogatos Award and Compostela International Award. It has been translated into over ten other languages.
Núria Figueras has a graduate degree in journalism and is currently the editor of the Spanish children’s magazine El Tatano. Her writing has been recognized with the Mercè Llimona and Comte Kurt prizes. The Visit is Núria’s English-language debut and has been translated into over ten other languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Turkish, Slovenian, Portuguese, and Dutch. Núria lives in Barcelona, Spain. Visit her website at nuriafigueras.com.
Anna Font is a Spanish illustrator who has thrice been shortlisted as a finalist at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair She previously worked with Núria on the magazine El Tatano, and she was delighted when Núria reached out to collaborate on a new project for the Compostela International competition —the original version of The Visit Anna lives in Barcelona, Spain. The Visit is her English-language debut. Visit her website at annafont.net and follow her on Instagram @annafontgarcia.
Lawrence Schimel has written or translated over 300 books, including Niños, 9 Kilometers, and the Batchelder Honor Book Different (all Eerdmans). His works have received many awards, including three PEN Translates Awards, two SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards, and two Américas Award Honors. Lawrence lives in Madrid, Spain. Follow him on Bluesky @lawrenceschimel.bksy.social.
Music and Silence
Christy Mihaly, Illustrated by Mariona Cabassa
April 21, 2026
978-0-80285-551-0
Hardcover Picture Book
10.5 in H | 8.5 in W
56 Pages $19.99
Juvenile Nonfiction World; unenhanced, enhanced eBook rights
World-renowned cellist Pablo Casals fights 20th century fascism with music—and his silence.
One day in Catalonia, Spain, eleven-year-old Pau Casals was captivated by the cello—setting him on a path toward international fame as a cellist and extraordinary courage as an advocate for social justice.
Playing the cello would take Pau all over the world, performing in palaces, concert halls, even the White House. People called him Pablo Casals now, and he was famous and beloved. But when the events of Spanish Civil War and World War II left his homeland ruled by a dictator, Pablo made a dramatic decision: he would silence his music until Spain was free.
Illustrated in vibrant color by Catalonian artist Mariona Cabassa, Music and Silence introduces children to a man who was not just a master of the cello, but a remarkable model of sacrifice and artistic protest. Backmatter includes creator notes, historical notes, a timeline, a bibliography, and links to performances and interviews.
