3 Books Published by West Margin Press on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

The follow-up to the bestselling book The Noisy Classroom, this new adventure explores how creative (scientific) thinking can lead to fun and unexpected surprises.

Ms. Johnson is a bit, well, odd. So when she announces she’s taking the class on a field trip to the natural history museum, the class can’t help but worry. Everyone at school already knows Ms. Johnson, but what will strangers think of her? As the day of the field trip draws nearer, the students decide to hatch a plan for their teacher’s sake.

From the same award-winning team who had brought you the first book, The Noisy Classroom Goes to the Museum playfully combines science and humor in this new adventure of Ms. Johnson and her noisy class.

A fun, lively story of Black family and cousin culture that celebrates individuality and embraces differences.

This endearing picture book from Shant� (The Noisy Classroom, 2020) is a beautiful ode to Black families and the bond cousins have… Shant�’s love letter to Black families and the typical relationship Black children have with their cousins is smartly complemented by Morris’ bold, vivid illustrations of the cousins’ summer antics, often from the main character’s perspective. This story about wanting to feel included will be a storytime must!
—Booklist

An adorable book about being true to yourself and the joys of family, especially cousins.
—Kirkus Reviews

Layered, collage-style art by Morris features rounded panels and centers warm relationships. Shant� aptly portrays the experiences of a young city denizen, peppering the family-centered tale with resonant cultural details.
—Publishers Weekly

A good story to share when discussing different family units, this will keep children guessing at story hours. A rite-of-passage story that honors and amplifies the importance of extended families.
—School Library Journal

Comical, poignant and richly illustrated, When My Cousins Come to Town honors the importance of identity and the value found in family traditions.
—BookPage

Fitting in can be hard, but standing out isn’t easy either!

Every summer a young girl eagerly waits for her cousins to come visit and celebrate her birthday. All her cousins are unique in their own ways and have earned cool nicknames for themselves… except for the girl. But this year things are going to be different. This year before summer ends, she’s determined to earn her own nickname!

Filled with warmth, love, and laughter, When My Cousins Come to Town brings all the energy and love of a big family to prove that you don’t need to be anyone else to be special—just the way you are is exactly right!

Silver Medalist, 2020 Wishing Shelf Book Awards: Books for 6-8 Year Olds
Winner, 2020 American Fiction Awards for Best Cover Design: Children’s Books
Finalist, 2020 American Fiction Awards for Children’s Fiction

The first day of school is coming… and I’m going to be in the noisy class. Any class but the noisy class will do!

A young girl is about to enter the third grade, but this year she’s put into Ms. Johnson’s noisy class. Everything about the noisy class is odd. While all the other classes are quiet, Ms. Johnson sings and the kids chatter all day. The door is always closed, yet sounds from it can be heard in the hallway. With summer coming to an end and school starting, the girl realizes that soon she’ll be going to the noisy class. What will school be like now?

Featuring the honest and delightful humor of debut author Angela Shant� and the bold, graphic imagery of debut illustrator Alison Hawkins, The Noisy Classroom encourages those with first-day jitters to reevaluate a scary situation by looking at it from a different angle and to embrace how fun school can be, even in nontraditional ways.