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Bookshop Staff's Favorite Kids & YA Books

Give the gift of reading with our delightful collection of kids' books! From board books for babies to chapter books for older kids, Bookshop Santa Cruz's selection has something for every age group! Star your child on a lifelong journey of learning and exploration with our captivating children's books.

April & Esme Tooth Fairies by Bob Graham

April and Esme are two little tooth fairy sisters ready for their first solo assignment without Mom and Dad. Daniel's lost a tooth and his grandma calls April and Esme on their cell phone. Can they do the job? Whimsically told. — Noreen

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April and Esme Tooth Fairies By Bob Graham, Bob Graham (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Bob Graham, Bob Graham (Illustrator)
$7.99
ISBN: 9780763663476
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick - April 9th, 2013

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say

Allen Say tells his grandfather's story of leaving Japan to explore North America. The author uses expressive watercolor illustrations to connect his grandfather's personal story to his own. (Caldecott Medal 1993) — Noreen

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Grandfather's Journey: A Caldecott Award Winner By Allen Say, Allen Say (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Allen Say, Allen Say (Illustrator)
$7.99
ISBN: 9780547076805
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Clarion Books - October 27th, 2008

Seedfolks written by Paul Fleischman

Thirteen different voices tell the story about a garden that creates a neighborhood. It's a perfectly told tale of how to make a community. Sometimes the shortest stories reveal the deepest truths about human nature. — Noreen

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Seedfolks By Paul Fleischman, Judy Pedersen (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Paul Fleischman, Judy Pedersen (Illustrator)
$10.99
ISBN: 9780064472074
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperTeen - December 14th, 2004

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

This first of three volumes introduces us to the Raymie, Beverly and Louisiana who have each suffered deep losses early in their lives. Middle school readers accustomed to real-life novels will appreciate the way each girl finds a way to develop trust again as well as the courage to move on in life. Sensitive readers will appreciate how these stories mirror their own. — Noreen

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Raymie Nightingale By Kate DiCamillo Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780763696917
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick - April 10th, 2018

When Stars Are Scattered written by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed

An unforgettable true story of two Somali brothers living in a refugee camp in Kenya. Separated from their mother, Omar tries to find hope through education. He also cares for his younger brother who has a seizure disorder and can't speak. Through hope, love and resilience, the author paints a powerful picture of refugee life. — Noreen

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When Stars Are Scattered By Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, Victoria Jamieson (Illustrator), Iman Geddy (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, Victoria Jamieson (Illustrator), Iman Geddy (Illustrator)
$13.99
ISBN: 9780525553908
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Dial Books - April 14th, 2020

Zoey & Sassafras Book 1: Dragons and Marshmallows written by Asia Citro

A beautiful mash-up of science and fantasy! Zoey is a young girl who discovers she can see magical creatures (just like her mom), which turns out to be a useful skill because they are secretly running an urgent care in their backyard. Each book in this series features a different magical creature with a malady that needs attention (and some of these healed creatures make an appearance in later books so it's worth reading in sequence). Written by a science teacher, this series is a great introduction to the scientific method, with lots of magic thrown in for good measure. Really fun. — Michelle

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Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras #1) By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator)
$6.99
ISBN: 9781943147090
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Innovation Press - March 14th, 2017

Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis

Now in paperback, this Caldecott Honor picture book transports you to another world. Wildly imaginative bugs embrace the growth of seedling as it pushes through the soil, all while speaking a language that we know but don't know. It's a lesson in observation, resilience, and keeping your mind open to all the possibilities. Worldbuilding at its finest. — Michelle

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Du Iz Tak? By Carson Ellis, Carson Ellis (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Carson Ellis, Carson Ellis (Illustrator)
$9.99
ISBN: 9781536223521
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick - March 14th, 2023

A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Phillip Stead

Philip Stead takes us through the thoughtful routines of Amos McGee's usual workday at the zoo, where "he always made time to visit good friends" the elephant (who needs a chess partner), the owl (who is afraid of the dark), and the rhinoceros, the tortoise & penguin. One morning Amos wake sup with a bad head cold and calls in sick. After waiting and worrying and missing their friend, the animals hop on the busy and pay Amos a visit, giving him the care he has so kindly provided them every other day of the week. Erin Steady's lovely pencil-and-color illustrations hold the attentions of read and child alike, with new things to discover with every reading (look for the tiny mouse!). So cozy. — Michelle

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A Sick Day for Amos McGee: (Caldecott Medal Winner) By Philip C. Stead, Erin E. Stead (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Philip C. Stead, Erin E. Stead (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781596434028
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Roaring Brook Press - May 25th, 2010

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

"When the sky grows dark and the moon glows bright, everyone goes to sleep except for the watchful owl." And so begins a fanciful animal tour of different sleep habits, all under the owl's big-eyed gaze. The watercolor and pencil illustrations in this board book pull you into the animal parade, but it's the vibrant colors against the dark blue sky that beg for a closer look. — Michelle

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A Book of Sleep By Il Sung Na Cover Image
$6.99
ISBN: 9780375866180
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers - January 11th, 2011

If I Were a Whale written by Shelley Gill

Beautiful and detailed renditions of 9 different whale species accompany this simple rhyming celebration of these magnificent creatures. With just a smidgeon of technical detail (a distinguishing feature for each species), this little board book calls to us to delve deeper and keep our eyes open. — Michelle

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If I Were a Whale By Shelley Gill, Erik Brooks (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Shelley Gill, Erik Brooks (Illustrator)
$10.99
ISBN: 9781632171047
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little Bigfoot - February 21st, 2017

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