6 Books Published by Baker & Taylor Publisher Services on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

Discover the eye-opening journey of a single piece of plastic in Marina: A Story About Plastic and the Planet, a thought-provoking picture book that introduces young readers to the impact of plastic pollution.

When Marina tosses away the plastic wrapper from her sandwich, she never expects to see it again. But the ocean has other plans. Swept by the wind and carried by the waves, the wrapper disturbs sea creatures, including a shrimp who mistakes it for a UFO, before washing up on a beach—right at Marina’s feet.

This engaging and accessible environmental story helps children understand the consequences of single-use plastics and inspires them to take action. With humorous yet insightful storytelling, young readers will follow Marina’s realization about how plastic never truly disappears and explore simple, actionable ways to protect our oceans.

Key Features & Benefits:

• An engaging and relatable environmental story that shows how one small action can have a lasting impact.
• Humorous and thought-provoking storytelling makes complex topics approachable for young readers.
• Educational backmatter, including Ocean Plastic Facts and Ocean Plastic Solutions, providing real-world knowledge and actionable steps for reducing plastic waste.
• Encourages eco-conscious habits such as using reusable bags and reducing single-use plastics.
• Perfect for classrooms and home learning to spark conversations about sustainability and protecting marine life.

Ideal for children ages 5–8, Marina: A Story About Plastic and the Planet is a must-read for young environmentalists, teachers, and parents looking to inspire the next generation of ocean protectors.

The Switch: A Lesson in Humility and Teamwork for Young Readers

Dive into the inspiring story of Kibwe, the star player on his second-grade basketball team, whose talent and success on the court begin to inflate his ego. As Kibwe’s confidence morphs into overconfidence, his behavior starts to affect his relationships with his teammates and friends. Realizing the need for a change, Kibwe’s dad steps in with a surprising plan to teach his son a valuable lesson in humility and teamwork.

Key Features:

• Engaging Storyline: Follow Kibwe’s journey as he learns the importance of humility, respect, and collaboration both on and off the basketball court.
• Relatable Characters: Young readers will see themselves in Kibwe and his friends, making the story more impactful and memorable.
• Life Lessons: The narrative emphasizes essential values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and the balance between confidence and humility.

Benefits for Young Readers:

• Character Development: Children will learn important social skills and the value of humility through Kibwe’s experiences.
• Encourages Positive Behavior: The story promotes positive interaction with peers and the importance of being a team player.
• Builds Reading Confidence: The relatable plot and approachable language help young readers develop their reading skills and enjoy storytelling.

The Switch is perfect for young basketball enthusiasts, parents, and educators seeking a fun yet meaningful story that teaches life lessons through sports.

Two students are inspired by art during a visit to the museum and are propelled into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

The Museum Lives in Me ^TM is a picture book series that explores concepts of self-discovery, identity, empowerment, and the power of art, as inspired by our world’s museums and the collections within them.

Each book follows a fictional story that features a diverse classroom of children and their teacher as they visit a specific museum, and various sub-stories of emotional growth unfold as each child becomes awestruck and engaged with the exhibits they see.

First inspired by a partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Art, the series was conceptualized and will be written by author and children’s bookseller, Victoria Scott-Miller, and the first book in the series will be illustrated by visual artist, Francisco Santoya, with different artists to illustrate subsequent installments.

In this first book, Miss Edmonia’s Class of Wildfires, readers are introduced to Miss Edmonia (a nod to American sculptor, Edmonia Lewis) and her class of elementary-aged WILDFIRES during a day at the art museum. The story follows two main characters, Kara-Clementine and Attilio, as they explore the museum and discover the character traits that make them special.

Big Sister Coco is sassy and smart, and she absolutely adores her little brother, Bo!

Together, Coco and Bo are ready to have fun and solve any problem or mystery that comes their way!

In A Birthday Surprise, three interconnecting stories told as an easy graphic novel will introduce emerging readers to this dynamic duo while highlighting their first mystery: How will Coco’s help Bo figure out, prepare for, and enjoy his big fifth?birthday surprise!

Martine is a girl who is always ready to greet the day with a smile on her face, a bounce in her step, and a great big HELLO!

When a hurricane named Willis takes away her neighborhood’s sweet smells, pretty colors, and beautiful music, it isn’t long before Martine comes up with a plan to bring joy back into the lives of neighbors and friends.

Seeking Shanti: A Family’s Story of Climate Migration is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that tells the emotional story of a young girl and her family who are forced to leave their home due to rising floodwaters in Southeast Asia. As climate change disrupts their way of life, they must make the difficult choice to rebuild or migrate in search of safety and stability.

Inspired by real-world humanitarian efforts, this book is created by the same team behind Create-Structure and Better Shelter—organizations that have provided shelter to over 60,000 displaced families across more than 60 countries. The story offers a gentle but powerful introduction to climate migration, family resilience, and global awareness, making it an ideal choice for socially conscious storytelling.

Key Features:

• Children’s Book About Climate Change and Migration – Introduces kids to the effects of global warming and climate displacement through a relatable and heartwarming story.
• Socially Conscious Storytelling for Ages 5–8 – Engages young readers with themes of family, loss, courage, and rebuilding after natural disaster.
• Supports SEL and Classroom Learning – Great for social-emotional learning (SEL) programs and classroom discussions around climate justice, global citizenship, and environmental education.
• Created by Climate Relief Experts – From the founders of Better Shelter and Create-Structure, drawing on real-world humanitarian experience in over 60 countries.

Perfect for educators, caregivers, and young readers ages 5–8, Seeking Shanti: A Family’s Story of Climate Migration encourages empathy, critical thinking, and hope for a better, more sustainable future.