Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

Zeb comes from a long, proud line of zombie farmers. In his family, brains are strictly considered food, not friends. Every week, his parents harvest, bake, and fry up their grain-fed brains to sell at the local market. Zeb has always understood the rules, until one day he stumbles across the tiniest, pinkest, and most adorable little brain he has ever seen. Suddenly, Zeb does not want to eat this squishy little guy; he wants to play with him! But keeping a brain as a best friend is not going to be easy when your entire family thinks of them as dinner. You will be cheering for Zeb as he tries to hide his new buddy and comes up with a plan to prove that brains are better off as playmates than on a plate. This hilarious and heartwarming story proves that true friendship can pop up in the most unexpected places.

Losing a beloved pet is incredibly tough, and finding the right words to say goodbye can feel impossible. When your heart hurts and you are not sure what to do with all your sadness, a backyard funeral can be a special way to honor your furry or feathery best friend. This gentle and surprisingly funny guide steps in to help you navigate those confusing feelings of loss. It walks you through everything from picking out the perfect little box and choosing a quiet resting spot, to sharing a heartfelt speech and wiping away your tears. With quirky humor and genuine warmth, you will discover that saying a proper goodbye is an important step in healing. Most importantly, it promises that even when something wonderful ends, your heart will eventually be ready for something wonderful to happen again.

Look closely around you, and you might discover something bright and warm hiding in plain sight. Hope is not just a big word; it is the feeling you get when a poppy turns its face to the sun or a firefly lights up the dark night. It is the brave feeling inside your chest when you try your hardest to ride a bike or ask a friend to play ball. Through gentle, comforting rhymes, this uplifting story invites you to find those tiny sparks of joy in your everyday life. Whether it is a wagging puppy tail, a cozy shelf full of books, or waiting at the window for someone you love, hope connects us all. It reminds you that even on tough days, warmth and wonder are always nearby, ready to help you shine your brightest.

When a young girl learns that a beautifully bright light in the night sky is actually a dying star, she makes a special promise. She promises to keep the lonely star company until its light finally goes out. Night after night, the girl looks up at the sky to reassure her glowing friend that she is still there and that it is never alone. As the years pass by, the girl grows up and learns everything she possibly can about planets, space, and the vast universe. Her dedication to her celestial friend fuels a lifelong passion for science and discovery. Eventually, she realizes she needs to do something even greater to reach the star she loves so much. This touching story celebrates the wonders of the cosmos and shows how a simple act of kindness can lead to a lifetime of amazing achievements.

The loud alarm rings, and suddenly today does not feel like a normal school day. When it is time for a lockdown drill, Henry tries to make himself as small and quiet as possible. Even though he knows it is only a practice drill, his stomach twists up tightly like a bunch of tissue paper butterflies. It is a scary, overwhelming feeling that lingers even after the drill ends. You are not alone if school drills make you feel worried or anxious. Follow Henry as his gentle teacher steps in to help him untangle those nervous butterflies. Together, they practice calming breathing exercises and focus on what they can smell and see in the room to feel grounded. This reassuring story helps you navigate big, complicated feelings and proves that it is always okay to talk about your fears until you feel safe again.

Vern wants nothing more than to soar high above the playground, swooping through the air until his toes can finally tap the clouds. But no matter how hard he pumps his legs and grips the chains of the swing, he just remains close to the ground. It is frustrating to watch all the other kids fly while you are stuck at the bottom. Everything changes when a clever and funny new friend named Gretchen steps in to share her swinging secrets. With her hilarious advice and a little bit of encouragement, Vern realizes that mastering a new skill just takes patience and the right kind of push. This uplifting story is perfect for anyone who is on the edge of learning something completely new, proving that with a little help, you really can reach the sky.