When fifteen-year-old Soli, aka Shifty, is assigned to a new foster home, he tries hard to keep cool and stay out of trouble.  But soon he and his seven-year-old foster sister Sissy are launched into a series of escapades involving a homeless woman, an unfriendly social worker, and the mysteries Shifty discovers in his case file.

Award-winning author Lynn E. Hazen has crafted a fast-paced young-adult novel that vividly captures the emotional territory of a teenage boy who knows all about moving around and nothing about where he came from.

2008 Smithsonian Notable Book for Children

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) Choice 2009

“This combination of personal flaws and situational difficulties create a realistic story that resonates. Smart writing and an engaging narrative keep the story fresh, while an interesting plot will keep readers turning the pages.” —Kirkus Reviews

“…the realistic relationships between the four foster family members, their ability to believe in each other in a world where each of them has already had more than their share of bad breaks and Soli’s survivor-humor make these characters memorable.” —Shelf Awareness

“… Shifty doesn’t know anything about his parents or if his future holds any hope, but he does know that his brief existence has had more than its share of pain and loss. In deceptively straightforward prose, author Lynn Hazen brings Shifty’s San Francisco world to life on the page. Original, telling details, a compassionate eye, and Hazen’s intuitive understanding of how love and trust can save us make “Shifty” a book to treasure.” —Alison McGhee, author of New York Times bestseller Someday

LYNN E. HAZEN is the author of the middle-grade novel, Mermaid Mary Margaret which was hailed “a winner” by Kirkus Reviews. She lives with her family in San Francisco, California. For  more information visit www.shiftythebook.com .

Shifty

by Lynn E. Hazen

$7.99 PB • 978-1-58246-322-3

5 ½ x 8 ½ inches • 192 pages • ages 12 and up

On sale: 3/23/10

Also available in hardcover: $15.99 • ISBN-13: 978-1-58246-257-8

For more information, digital cover art, to arrange an interview, or to receive a review copy, please contact: Hayley Gonnason, Publicist, Tricycle Press at: hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com, 510-559-1600 ext. 3087.

Bananas, bruised

Coffee grounds, with filters, used

Just add to the pot

and let it all rot

into Compost Stew!

Calling all cooks and gardeners! Here is a recipe that your home compost bin will love. Some of the ingredients—eggshells and grass clippings—may be familiar, while others—laundry lint and seaweed strands—not so much…yet!

Ashley Wolff’s colorful and collage illustrations echo the book’s eco-friendly message by incorporating recycled and found materials like teabags, newspaper clippings, and seashells. To keep young environmental chefs fully informed about composting do’s and don’ts, there’s a note in the back about what’s not fit for the bin.  and for schools with gardens, this book is sure to become a great resource and a welcome addition to the classroom library.

MARY MCKENNA SIDDALS is the author of Millions of Snowflakes and several other picture books for the very young. In addition to her books, she has written dozens of children’s stories, articles, poems, and activities appearing in a variety of magazines including Owl. A former teacher, she lives in British Columbia, Canada.  Visit www.siddals.com.

AHSLEY WOLFF is the author and/or illustrator of more than 55 children’s books including Baby Beluga; I Love My Mommy Because; I Love My Daddy Because; Mama’s Milk; Stella and Roy Go Camping; I Call My Grandma Nana; I Call My Grandpa Papa and the beloved Miss Bindergarten series. She lives in San Francisco, California. Visit www.ashleywolff.com.

Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth

by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrations by Ashley Wolff

$15.99 HC • ISBN-13: 978-1-58246-316-2

10 x 10 inches • 32 pages • Ages 3 to 7

On sale: 3/23/10

To receive a review copy, digital cover art, or for more information, please contact: Hayley Gonnason, Publicist, Tricycle Press, hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com, 510-559-1600 ext. 3087

Toddlers will be delighted to see these colorful birds performing actions that they can do, too— like jumping and dunking, scratching and catching, and a whole lot more.

JOHN SCHINDEL is busy working on the next Busy Book—Busy Gorillas. He lives in Oakland, California.

STEVEN HOLT is a wildlife photographer whose work has appeared in publications like Science, Sunset, Sierra, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He lives in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Busy Birdies

 by John Schindel • photographs by Steven Holt

$6.99 BD • 978-1-58246-317-9

Full-color photographs

7 x 5 inches • 20 pages • Ages 1 to 3

On sale: 4/13/10

Coming fall 2010: Busy Gorillas

For digital cover art or anyother information, please contact Hayley Gonnason, Publicist, 510-559-1600 ext. 3087, hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com

Also Available:  

  Busy Bunnies                                            Busy Horsies                      

 978-1-58246-242-4                                 978-1-58246-223-3

 Busy Barnyard                                        Busy Penguins

978-1-58246-168-7                                 978-1-58246-016-1

 Busy Doggies                                          Busy Kitties

978-1-58246-090-1                                 978-1-58246-130-4

 Busy Monkeys                                         Busy Piggies

978-1-58246-082-6                                 978-1-58246-169-4

 Busy Chickens                                         Busy Pandas

978-1-58246-275-2                                 978-1-58246-259-2

Busy Bear Cubs

978-1-58246-302-5

Small shirts

Look spiffy with

Short shirts

Long shirts— 

Polka-dot boots!

In this light-hearted, spunky new book, children can “dress” a cheerful group of children with a mere turn of the page. But no matter what they’re wearing, they’ll find that all of the youngsters have on their favorite polka dot boots with every outfit, in every activity.  

 Ellen Olson-Brown knows good rhythm as well as she knows kids—especially the polka-dot-boot-wearing variety—and Christiane Engel’s colorful illustrations create cheerful and fun characters that every child will want to emulate.  

 Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots will have young readers scrambling to find their favorite polka-dot-boots and matching them with their favorite outfits!

ELLEN OLSON-BROWN has taught kindergarten and preschool and is the author of three other Tricycle Press books, Bake You a Pie, Ten Stinky Babies and Hush Little Digger. She lives with her family in Massachusetts.

 CHRISTIANE ENGEL has illustrated many children’s books. She lives in London, England. Visit www.desertfriends.com.  

Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots

by Ellen Olson-Brown, illustrations by Christiane Engel

$14.99 HC • 978-1-58246-287-5

9 x 7 inches • 24 pages • full color • ages 2 to 4

On sale: 3/9/10

To arrange an author interview, receive a digital cover image, or for any other information, please contact: Hayley Gonnason, Publicist, 510-559-1600 ext. 3087, hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com

Also available:

Ten Stinky Babies                                                                              

$12.99 POB with Velcro enclosure • 978-1-58246-137-3

$6.99 BD • 978-1-58246-23108

Hush Little Digger

$12.99 HC • 978-1-58246-160-1

Fiesta Babies dance two by two

the cha-cha-cha…

and the choo-choo-choo!

 Fiesta Babies just love fiestas!

CARMEN TAFOLLA’s poems and stories have appeared in more than two hundred poetry anthologies. This is her third book with Tricycle Press.  She lives in San Antonio, Texas. Visit www.carmentafolla.com.

 AMY CÓRDOVA is a self-taught fine artist who lives in the mountains of northern New Mexico. She was awarded the Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Award for her previous book with Carmen Tafolla, What Can You Do With a Rebozo? Visit http://www.amycordova.com/.

Fiesta Babies

by Carmen Tafolla • illustrations by Amy Córdova

$12.99 HC • 978-1-58246-319-3

8 x 8 inches • 24 pages • ages 1 to 3

On sale: 3/9/10

Also available:

What Can You Do with a Paleta? $14.99 HC • 978-1-58246-221-9

What Can You Do with a Paleta?/¿Qué puedes hacer con una paleta? $14.99 HC • 978-1-58246-289-9

What Can You Do with a Rebozo?, $14.99 HC • 978-158246-220-2

What Can You Do with a Rebozo?/ ¿Qué puedes hacer con un rebozo?

$7.99 PB • 978-158246-271-4

$14.99 HC • 978-158246-270-7

For author interviews, digital cover art, or more information contact: Hayley Gonnason, Publicist, 510-559-1600 ext. 3087, hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com

Since fall, Gee has been busy promoting the award-winning book based on her story, Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee by Marissa Moss. Moss will be accompanying Gee to Washington DC in March to see her receive the medal during a ceremony at The United States Capitol. The following day, March 11, from 11 am to 1 pm, the public is invited to celebrate Women in Aviation at the Smithsonian Insititute’s National Air and Space Museum and to meet Maggie Gee as she describes what it was like to fly for WASP during the war. She will also be signing copies of the book with Marissa Moss.

About the book:

As a girl, Maggie dreamed of flying across oceans and deserts just like her favorite pilot, Amelia Earhart. But in the 1920s and 1930s, few girls were allowed to fly.  But when the United States entered WWII, Maggie’s world changed overnight.

Out of thousands of applicants, very few were accepted into flight school and even fewer graduated. Maggie was one of them.  As a WASP, she flew in formation with other WASP on various missions for the U.S. Airforce and helped male fighter pilots train for combat (the WASP were used as targets during exercises with live ammo!).

Highlighting the stories of three generations of Chinese American women, this inspirational tale beautifully demonstrates that determination and bravery are not bound by race or gender. Readers will be captivated by Maggie Gee, a real girl who refused to let obstacles stand in the way of her dreams. Author’s note includes photos of Maggie Gee then and now, as well as background on the U.S. Air Force during WWII. Learn more about the WASP at  www.wingsacrossamerica.us.

• Amelia Bloomer Project Selection 2010

• Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2010, A joining project of the NCSS and CBC

• Starred review, Booklist magazine

MARISSA MOSS has written more than 50 books for children, including the best-selling Amelia’s Notebook series. She lives in Berkeley, California. Visit www.marissamoss.com.  CARL ANGEL has illustrated numerous books. He is a fine artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. He lives in San Leandro, California. Visit www.carlangel.com.

To arrange for an interview with Maggie Gee, Marissa Moss, or Carl Angel, contact: Hayley Gonnason, Publicist, Tricycle Press, hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com, 510-559-1600 ext, 3087

Join a young boy as he mimics the movements of a variety of construction vehicles in I Am a Backhoe, available this spring from Tricycle Press.

Through spare text and vibrant illustrations, a young child shows readers how easy it is to become a bulldozer, a crane, a dump truck, a roller, and much more.

Children and grown-ups alike will be inspired by the boy’s simple game of pretend, and will share in his contentment when his father, acting as a flatbed truck, delivers him to the couch for a quiet moment. 

ANNA GROSSNICKLE HINES has written and illustrated more than 60 books for children. The Horn Book called her a “sorceress of the ordinary,” who is able to “touch her wand to a simple event and transform it into a delightful picture book.” Anna’s books have been honored by numerous awards, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the Parent’s Choice Award. She lives in Gualala, California. Visit www.aghines.com.

I Am a Backhoe

by Anna Grossnickle Hines

$12.99 HC • 978-1-58246-306-3

8 x 8 inches • 24 pages • ages 1 to 4

On sale: 3/9/10

For more information or to receive a review copy, contact:  Hayley Gonnason, publicist, Tricycle Press, 510-559-1600 ext. 3087, hayley.gonnason@tenspeed.com.

To learn more about the Charlotte Zolotow Award, visit the CCBC website. 

To learn more about this book, visit What Can You Do With a Paleta?

Parent reviewer Katy Killilea thinks this entertaining picture book is perfect for “kids who are ready to tread gently into horror stories and who enjoy toying with the concepts of “story” and “book” as in Jon Scieszka.” 

To read her entire review, visit Kidoinfo.

“’Did you know that thirty percent of children in American schools are either bullied, or bully other kids?’ asks award-winning Australian author Susanne Gervay in her “Author’s Note” for the first U.S. edition of her already bestselling novel. Inspired by her own son Jack’s experiences of being bullied, Gervay tells both a story and offers concrete paths to finding solutions, as well.”

To read the whole review, visit  BookDragon and learn why Terry thinks “this is one title that children, parents, and educators should read together.”

Also visit I Am Jack to learn more about the book.