Book Nook - Late Summer/Fall Releases from Gibbs Smith

Here are some enjoyable recent releases from Gibbs Smith.

Macbeth: A BabyLit® Potions Primer

BabyLit® is a fashionable way to introduce your toddler to the world of classic literature. With clever, simple text by Jennifer Adams, paired with stylish design and illustrations by Allison Oliver, these books are a must for every savvy parent’s nursery library.

Macbeth: A BabyLit® Potions Primer exposes little ones to the language of Shakespeare and the iconic witches from Macbeth, with their frenzied dancing and filling of the cauldron with eye of newt and toe of frog. The book also includes a bonus glossary of the potion ingredients with the names people from Shakespeare’s time would know along with the contemporary common herbal names.

War and Peace: A BabyLit® Opposites Primer exposes little ones to the writing of Leo Tolstoy and to the glamour and darkness of Russian history with terms such as hot and cold; poor and rich; fast and slow; busy and idle, and happy and sad. With a nod to the length of the adult version of War and Peace, this board book version has 20 extra pages that includes quotations from the story.

It's Time for Christmas

An ode to Christmas and Santa’s workshop, this colorful die-cut board book is a work of art.

Welcome to Santa’s workshop on Christmas Eve!

Hard at work, each elf mixes up treats or makes hundreds of toys. The workshop is full of excitement with building, painting, and lots of noise. The gifts are stacking up as far as the eye can see. Look at them all! I wonder which one might be for me. . . .

Santa’s reindeer and sleigh are all packed and ready to go. Let’s wave goodbye to them before it starts to snow! Every page turn reveals a new layer to Kathrin Fehrl’s adorable illustrations of elves baking cookies, making toys, and loading Santa’s sleigh for Christmas Eve, with a fun seek-and-find for each scene. Perfect for Christmas lovers of all ages, this story is a sweet celebration.

On sale August 5, 2025.

It's Time for Halloween

An ode to Halloween and the joys of trick or treating, this chunky board book is meant to be displayed faceout on nursery bookshelves.

Follow along for trick-or-treating through the neighborhood on Halloween night!

Grab your hat, vampire bat. Fill your tummy, mummy. Dress it up, little pup. Howl at the moon, big baboon. Let’s raise a scare, grizzly bear. Now we’ve made a masquerade, a spooky Halloween parade.

Every page turn reveals a new layer to Kathrin Fehrl’s adorable illustrations of kids dressed up as ghosts, pumpkins, cats, witches, mummies, and fairies, with a fun seek-and-find for each scene. Perfect for Halloween lovers of all ages, this sweet story is a celebration of one of the best times of the year.

C Is for Cats

Learn with your toddler from A to Z all about different kinds of cats and their unique personalities.

A fun collection of illustrations for young readers featuring various personalities and CATittudes found in pet cats of all colors, shapes, and sizes that toddlers might see in their own homes, those of family and friends, or on TV. Little ones will get a kick out meeting cats who are aloof or maybe grumpy. There are friendly, playful, and inquisitive cats, and others who are elegant or even a little vain. And don’t forget about that klutzy one looking all silly as can be! Another delightful BabyLit® alphabet board book featuring Greg Paprocki’s classically retro mid-century art style that’s proven to be a hit with both young children and adults.

The Mystery of the Blue Train

This retelling of Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Blue Train is the second book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

The Mystery of the Blue Train is one of Agatha Christie’s early detective novels (a cozy mystery—no violence or gore), and where she continues to use the fictional detective Hercule Poirot as a major character. The story, set on a train bound for the French Riviera, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters, missing jewels, and teasing clues. Monson’s retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie’s mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to engage children and foster budding detectives. There is also a glossary of terms and French words.

The Book of Fairies

Discover the enchanting world of fairies and how to find them in secret hiding places you would never expect.

Meet the Earth, Air, Fire, and Water fairies! From rainbows in bubbles to dandelion seeds on the wind, come meet the wee folk who enchant our everyday world. Wake with dainty Auroras who paint the sky each dawn. Let the rascally wind fairies dance up some mischief in your life and open your heart to the dear Brownies who keep your
home tidy and your garden growing.

Search for secret fairy signs in snowflakes and the sparkle of a stone. Find out which animals are best friends to each fairy, the best jokes to share with cheeky Knockers, which fairies have dragon blood in their veins, and how to spot these charming beings in your neighborhood. Which enchanted fairy are you most like?

Wild Moon: How the Lunar Phases Light Up Our World

A lyrical picture book featuring the eight phases of the moon and
how they affect wildlife on Earth told from the perspective of the moon.

Some of Earth’s most extraordinary creatures have fascinating connections to our elegant and mysterious friend, the Moon. Did you know that the low glow of a waxing crescent moon helps dung beetles scurry home? Or that coral spawns when the Moon is full?

Wild Moon sheds light on the fascinating behavior of some of the Earth’s most extraordinary creatures in this whimsical nonfiction picture book, perfect for fans of MOON! Earth’s Best Friend and Bedtime for Bo.

Tia Sofia and the Giant Tortilla

Luna and her little brother, Sol, are back for another adventure—this time with a GIANT tortilla!

Distracted by dancing with her niece and nephew in the kitchen, Tía Sofía makes a giant tortilla so big that Luna sees an opportunity for an adventure. Sol and Luna discover that it has a special magic with the power to be a cape, a place mat, a scarf, a blanket, and even more importantly—a way to bring back the memory of someone special. Exhausted by a day of laughing, coloring, ghosts, and broomsticks, Luna and Sol finally enjoy lunch with their favorite aunt and her little dog, Tamayo.

This sweet semi-bilingual story includes a seek-and-find of animals commonly found in traditional Mexican folk art and includes a recipe for Tía Sofía’s flour tortillas!

Count On Minnesota: Baby’s First Book About the North Star State
Count On Utah: Baby's First Book About the Beehive State
Count On South Carolina: Baby's First Book About the Palmetto State

Introduce babies and toddlers to iconic symbols of amazing places with quirky, modern illustrations.

These bright board books make learning about states and cities as easy as 1, 2, 3 and are sure to be a hit with little learners.

Oink and Moo Take a Bath

Join Oink the pig and Moo the cow as they learn that bath time can be fun.

Moo has to take a bath but doesn’t want to. Oink, Moo’s best friend, thinks that baths are fun and offers to take one with Moo. Their friend, Clippity Clop, joins them. The three friends have fun taking a bath together in the pond, by playing pirates and dolphins. They have so much fun they decide to take another bath—and bring toy floats and
boats—the next day!

ABC Animals in the Wild

Colorful and cheerful animals and fun animal facts engage toddlers and preschoolers as they learn the letters of the alphabet and first words.

From Armadillo to Zebra, this joyful early learning book with die-cut pages will engage small children as they learn their letters and increase their vocabulary. Find fun facts on every page and animals for every letter: armadillo, bumblebee, condor, dugong, emu, firefly, gibbon,
hippopotamus, ibus, jellyfish, kiwi, lizard, moose, narwhal, octopus, peacock, quokka, rhinoceros, snake, tarantula, urial, vulture, whale, xerus, yak, and zebra.

My Bible ABCs: A Little One’s Introduction to the Alphabet

Learn the ABCs with images and words that touch on Biblical concepts and help little ones appreciate God’s creations.

God created our diverse world from apples to zebras and everything between. This joyful early learning book will engage small children as they learn their letters and increase their vocabulary, while learning Bible concepts and prayers.