Recommendations based on "Very Special You"

A New York Times Bestseller!A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!“Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.” -- Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See HereFor fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopusAfter Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

"The astounding new novel from the bestselling and Costa-shortlisted author of Time Travelling with a Hamster, this is a story for everyone of 10 and older who loves adventure, laughs and tears. One of my favourite middle-grade writers Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars When 12-year-old Georgie makes friends with an eccentric retired scientist, she becomes the test-subject for a thrilling new experiment: a virtual reality, 3D version of the future. Then a deadly virus threatens to wipe out every dog in the country, and Georgie s beloved dog Mr Mash gets sick. Which is bad but worse is still to come. As the world is thrown into chaos, Georgie embarks on a desperate quest: to save every dog on earth and all of humanity... ... without actually leaving the room. An extraordinary quest with the biggest stakes of all, and a huge idea at its heart, this is time travel but not as you know it. "

From the New York Times bestselling creators Ame Dyckman (Wolfie the Bunny)and Cori Doerrfeld (The Rabbit Listened) comes a witty send-up of inspirational greeting card wisdom that reminds readers of life's unpredictability and messiness—and beauty.After Life literally knocks on their door, one kid discovers that Life is truly what you make it. It's weird and may not always cooperate, but Life's beauty becomes apparent when it's embraced for all of its quirks. This story is filled with tongue-in-cheek idioms that will appeal to readers of all ages and will impart deeper wisdoms about life's many milestones.Ame Dyckman's clever text combines with Cori Doerrfeld's sweet illustrations to create the perfect gift for readers who are starting school, moving, graduating, or imparting on any new phase of life.

Otters are some of the most delightful animals on the planet.These long, lean, furry creatures embody pure joy in so many ways – they live for napping, playing, making friends and eating, and forget about the rest. Pretty inspiring, right?In a world that can often seem divided, lonely, and just plain cruel, the otter reminds us of what’s important in life.What other animal:• Holds hands with their friends whilst napping so they don’t float away?• Communicates in a flurry of whistles, chirps, chuckles, clicks and coos?• Builds a waterslide on a daily basis?• Befriends other species, just because?• Eats food off their tummy while floating peacefully with their pals?These intelligent, adorable, water-dwelling mammals have a lot to teach us about the way we live. So, kick back, grab a pal, dive in and reconnect with your playful side, just like you otter!

The majestic mare Bella gathers her horse friends to help an imprisoned girl and her animal friends escape from Styginmoor castle. In this first book in the series, Bella comes to be a great leader in the magical world of North of North.

A rhythmically told and vibrantly illustrated picture book biography of Dolly Parton: an American icon beloved by all. You’ve likely heard of the performer Dolly Parton. But do you know where this dazzling songwriter and musician draws her roots? As one of twelve children growing up in rural Tennessee, Dolly was determined to be seen and heard. From her front porch to her church choir, every stage was an opportunity to perform and share her many talents. While balancing farm chores with schoolwork, Dolly never lost sight of her dreams, composing her first song at age five and performing at the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen.  With lilting language and vibrant artwork, this childhood story captures the unique gifts of Dolly Parton, while also honoring the measures of her success: resilience, confidence, family, and kindness. "A profile of the Queen of Country Music that conveys the spirit and spunk of a little girl with a big vision." ―Kirkus

Don't miss this humorous and heartwarming picture book by debut creator Breanna Carzoo about an unlikely everyday hero: a fire hydrant! Perfect for fans of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed. Meet Lou. Lou has an important job . . . as the neighborhood toilet for dogs on their walks. Useful as he may be, he gets the feeling that deep down inside, there might be more to him than that. He just doesn't seem to know exactly what yet. When disaster strikes, will Lou find out what he's made of and save the day From debut creator Breanna Carzoo comes a charming and funny story that reminds us to never let anyone--including yourself--hold you back from sharing your gifts with the world. Kids will fall in love with Lou and his journey of self-discovery as he saves the day from a fire that breaks out in an apartment building nearby. You'll never be able to look at a fire hydrant the same way again! A BARNES & NOBLE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS SHORTLIST PICK! A KIRKUS BEST PICTURE BOOK OF 2022! A 2024 COLORADO CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD NOMINEE! A 2023 GRAND CANYON READER AWARD NOMINEE! THE NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023! A MISSOURI BUILDING BLOCK PICTURE BOOK AWARD NOMINEE! CHOSEN FOR THE 2022 SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS ORIGINAL ART SHOW! A 2024 DONNA NORVELL OKLAHOMA BOOK AWARD NOMINEE! A BLUE CRAB YOUNG READER AWARD HONOR BOOK! A 2024-2025 LOUISIANA YOUNG READERS AWARD NOMINEE! AN OKLAHOMA REDBUD READ-ALOUD AWARD NOMINEE! A 2023 MICHIGAN LIBRARIAN ASSOCIATION TOP ELEVEN MITTEN AWARD FINALIST!

Everyone's favourite cat is now available in a delightful board book format, introducing even the youngest babies and toddlers to Judith Kerr's forgetful cat. Meet Mog and her family, cat family that is. There is her Mummy and Daddy who live on a farm, her Grandpa who is always hungry, her brother James who has frogs in his garden, her aunt Emma who takes care of a shop and many more. It'll be a big party when they all get together for Mog's birthday. Children will delight in looking at all the different cats, one tabby, one black and white, one long haired and scruffy and some very very young.

Share in fifty years of a really remarkable cat... Mog is everyone's favourite family cat! Join her in this delightful collection of three favourite adventures, full of her warm-hearted and funny escapades... From the creator of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat comes three delightful family adventures about a really remarkable cat! The stories included are: Mog and Bunny Mog and the V.E.T. Mog and the Granny Mog the Forgetful Cat was first published fifty years ago, and Mog has been delighting children all over the world with her adventures ever since. These books are the perfect gifts for boys, girls and families everywhere!

When young fruit bat Stellaluna is separated from her mother, she's adopted by a family of birds with very different habits in this award-winning and bestselling picture book classic. Knocked from her mother's safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird's nest. This adorable baby fruit bat's world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. Two pages of notes at the end of the story provide factual information about bats. "Delightful and informative but never didactic; a splendid debut." --Kirkus Reviews