Jolly Fish Press

THE BEAR AND HER BOOK won silver in the 2024 Moonbeam Book Awards (Picture Books – 4–8)! 🐻 Congratulations to Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O'Connor! See the full list of winners here: https://lnkd.in/e2gwkVEx A book-loving bear sets off to see the world. She takes one special thing—her Bear’s Big Book of Being Wise. But when she meets different creatures, each needing her help, she discovers that books aren’t just brilliant at fixing problems–they can also help you make new friends. And if you’re lucky, books can take you to a very special place indeed . . .

THE SONGBIRD AND THE RAMBUTAN TREE won gold in the 2024 Moonbeam Book Awards (Pre-Teen – Historical/Cultural)! ❤️ Congratulations to author Lucille Abendanon! See the full list of winners here: https://lnkd.in/e2gwkVEx After sabotaging her only chance to evacuate before the Japanese army invades Batavia in 1942, eleven-year-old Emmy is confined in the Tjideng prisoner-of-war camp, where she must overcome a tragedy from her past to find her voice and truly be free.

Today we are so excited to share the cover of the upcoming middle grade novel, JOEY THE GOOD by Erin M. Fry! 🏔️✨️ Illustration by Chloe Quinn and design by Kate Liestman. 💙 This middle grade contemporary releases May 20, 2025. Stay tuned for news about eARCs! 👀 Synopsis: Twelve-year-old sweat-averse Joey is psyched for his summer of relaxation and perfecting his butt-shaped indentation on the couch. Sure, he wishes that his best friend, Xander, wasn’t always busy with his new cross-country team, but Joey is certain that Xander will still have plenty of time for the things they love: watching Italian soccer, making homemade pasta with Joey’s Nonna, and debating the merits of their favorite superheroes. But Joey’s summer plans are upended when his perfect older cousin, Leo, comes to stay at his house for the summer. Leo is the kind of guy who runs marathons and jumps off cliffs. Hanging out with Leo is dead last on Joey’s list of Ways I’d Like to Spend a Day, partly because the two cousins have a tense history that goes back to the death of their Nonno. But now, Leo’s training to climb the highest mountain in California, and he wants Joey to do it with him. The plan is nuts—Joey usually avoids climbing stairs, so seriously, a mountain? But somehow, he’s roped into hiking with Leo anyway, which is how he accidentally learns Leo’s secret: His cousin has young-onset multiple sclerosis. So newsflash: This climb will most likely be his cousin’s final adventure, and he needs Joey’s help to do it. With Xander spending more time with his new running friends, Joey’s mom on his back about being a good family member, and Leo’s disease slowly progressing, Joey feels the pressure building. And as the hikes get harder, Joey must confront not only his own physical limitations, but also a friendship he thought was unbreakable, his feelings for a girl who’s way out of his league, and a changing relationship with his cousin that will test his strength—and courage—in ways for which he’s not prepared. https://lnkd.in/gGWV9N9r

WALKING ON EGGSHELLS by Jennifer Phillips is now available for early review! 🥚 After a first episode of psychosis lands him a stay in a psychiatric hospital, all sixteen-year-old Kai Lum wants to do is reclaim his life. But now that he’s back home, everything is different. He has medications to take, his dad is always hovering, and everyone at school keeps staring at him. Kai’s determined not to let any of that distract him from proving he can make it as a chef, though. He has his culinary arts program to focus on, and he won’t let his diagnosis change his plans. But finding his new normal is harder than Kai expects. His medications have side effects that he doesn’t know how to control. His dad pushes him to accept more clinical help, even though Kai’s not sure he wants—or needs—it. And Kai’s best friends are ghosting him. On top of all of that, Kai isn’t sure if the voices he’s hearing are real or in his head. Kai’s life begins to spin out of control as he struggles to know who he can trust. With his health and dreams on the line, he has to decide whether he’s willing to accept help in order to manage his newly diagnosed mental illness. Characterized by exciting, fast-paced plots and themes that are relevant for high school students, Horizon’s Hi-Lo books are both engaging and easy to read. Short chapters, simple sentence structures, and an accessible format make these books perfect for teen reluctant readers. Horizon books are written at a 2nd- to 3rd-grade reading level with an interest level of ages 14 and up. NetGalley: https://lnkd.in/gxiPF8eM Edelweiss+: https://lnkd.in/g7F2qwBA

JIU-JITSU GIRL is the silver winner in the 2024 Moonbeam Book Awards (Pre-Teen – General)! Congratulations to author Jennifer Dutton! See the full list of winners here: https://lnkd.in/e2gwkVEx When her mom forces her to take Jiu-Jitsu lessons, twelve-year-old Angie’s plans for befriending the popular girls at her new school seem derailed. She’ll need to navigate the perils of sixth grade and the “grossness” of Jiu-Jitsu to find out just what kind of girl she is . . . and what kind she wants to be.

A SWING FOR SAMARA by Nancy Carlson is now available for early review on NetGalley and Edelweiss+! This picture book releases April 1, 2022. ☀️ Marco and Samara are best pals and have fun doing all sorts of activities together. But there’s one thing they can’t do together—swing. That’s because wheelchairs don’t fit on swings. So, Marco and the other kids at school decide to raise money for swings all kids can use. Inspired by the true story of the students at Glen Lake Elementary in the Hopkins school district in Minnesota, A SWING FOR SAMARA celebrates the power of compassion and inclusion and highlights the many ways accessible playground equipment benefits all children. NetGalley: https://lnkd.in/gY42UwNg Edelweiss+: https://lnkd.in/gfkwAsSH

We are delighted to share that three Jolly Fish Press titles are 2024 Moonbeam Award winners! 🌙 Congratulations to Jennifer Dutton, Lucille Abendanon, Frances Tosdevin, and Sophia O'Connor ✨️ JIU-JITSU GIRL by Jennifer Dutton Silver Medal – Pre-Teen – General THE SONGBIRD AND THE RAMBUTAN TREE by Lucille Abendanon Gold Medal – Pre-Teen – Historical/Cultural THE BEAR AND HER BOOK by Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O'Connor Silver Medal - Picture Book – 4–8 Check out the full list of winners here: https://lnkd.in/e2gwkVEx

Before Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up for 2024, meet Maria and Mateo! ❤️ The new series MARIA AND MATEO GO ON FIELD TRIPS is available now.⁠ Cousins Maria and Mateo are two curious second graders who love experiencing new things, and their school’s field trips are the perfect opportunities to do just that. Join these high-spirited cousins as they learn more about themselves and the world around them through field trips to a zoo, a natural history museum, an orchestra, and a flower farm.⁠ And catch up on their theater adventures in the series MARIA AND MATEO TAKE THE STAGE! https://lnkd.in/gD3uNvA2

SPOON by Stephanie Peters is now available for early review on NetGalley and Edelweiss+! 🏐 Two varsity volleyball players butt heads over a new social game when it gets one of them benched for the season in this gripping hi-lo sports fiction. Characterized by exciting, fast-paced plots and themes that are relevant for high school students, Horizon’s Hi-Lo books are both engaging and easy to read. Short chapters, simple sentence structures, and an accessible format make these books perfect for teen reluctant readers. Horizon books are written at a 2nd- to 3rd-grade reading level with an interest level of ages 14 and up. NetGalley: https://lnkd.in/gZ7bGGmQ Edelweiss+: https://lnkd.in/gDaMJcYq

Looking for the perfect chapter book series to curl up with this fall? Here are some fun and spooky recommendations! 👻 Featured: MONSTER MAYHEM from MAGIC FACES https://lnkd.in/gj6zpJ2v THE SPIRIT HAUNTINGS https://lnkd.in/de5RiUeF HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA https://lnkd.in/gmqCDhzc