Announcing the Key Colors 2026 Shortlist!

A surprising picture book about history and code language.For codebreakers ages 6 years and up.

Charlotte loves puzzles. On her ninth birthday, she receives a cardfrom her great-grandmother, on which she finds a difficult code.Soon she embarks on a quest full of codes and riddles. While she triesto solve them, Charlotte discovers important details about the roleher great-grandmother played in the Second World War. She alsolearns about three historical sites in England: Parker’s Piece, the River Cam, and Blechley Park. You’ll learn about these places, too!

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Hardback | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605379999

Author-illustrator: Cedar Wang

Silver Medal Winner of the 2022 Key Colors Competition, the two-yearly national contest for illustrators of children’s books.

Everyone loves it when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit. There are hugs and kisses and sometimes even treats. But beware! There might be a Grampire hiding under there! If you know what clues to look for, you can avoid getting nibbled on and turned into a tasty treat in the middle of the night!

A funny picture book with tips and tricks on how to spot a grampire. For curious children ages 5 years and up.

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Hardback | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605379678

Author: Leslie McCrary

Illustrator: Sharon Lane Holm

A sweet picture book about a little polar bearand his helpers. And about lots of ice cream,of course! For children ages 5 years and up.

Waking from his nap, a little polar bearfinds himself floating alone on the open sea.His home has broken off from the ice floeand is melting! Just in the nick of time,he arrives in a new land. He needs help,but no one pays him any attention. Until akind girl with an ice cream cone walks by . . .

Also available in Spanish as Todos los helados del mundo.

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Hardback | 40 pages | ISBN: 9781605379920

Author-illustrator: Masoud Gharehbaghi

"A magical circus becomes a vehicle for a thoughtful message of conservation in this dreamy picture book. In a village 'with too many worries and too few trees,' feathers float down from the sky—invitations to the legendary Flying Circus. As the audience gathers, they are treated to a show of sprouting forests, crashing waves, breaching whales, and juggling bears before being sent on their way with two souvenirs: a seed and a reminder to protect all the wonders Earth has to offer." —Foreword

On an ordinary day in a sleepy village, the most extraordinary invitations fall from the sky. THE FLYING CIRCUS is coming! There’s an invitation for everyone, even the little ones. When the people gather at the appointed time, a flying circus tent descends, and the spectacle begins. Join the villagers as they experience a magical show filled with laughter, awe, and a lesson they’ll never forget.

An enchanting picture book with an essential message from nature. For children ages 7 years and up.

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Hardcover | 40 pages | ISBN: 9798890630803

Author: Patrizia Levi

Illustrator: Laura Barella

"A sensitive portrayal of a family working through grief together. A must-have for every library." —Starred Review, School Library Journal

“There is no playbook for mourning, but this tale provides a gentle guide for the unthinkable.” —Kirkus Reviews

Mom, Dad, and I have the happiest days together, full of delicious meals, arts and crafts, and goodnight hugs. One day, though, Mom gets sick. She will never get better. Like a ball of yarn, I unravel and get tangled up in my emotions. But when Dad and I talk about the sadness, the knots slowly loosen a bit. And in time, sharing our grief frees up some room for beautiful memories, old and new.

A comforting book about loss, love, and strength. For children ages 5 years and up.

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Hardcover | 40 pages | ISBN: 9798890630834

Author-illustrator: Airien Ludin

Suzie loves to sing and dance and read and dream, but she prefers to do these things alone. Because when she feels other children are watching her, Blush shows up. At school, Suzie can usually hide Blush well, but when the teacher asks her a question one day, she notices that her cheeks suddenly start to glow . . .

A picture book about a shy girl who overcomes her insecurities. For children ages 5 years and up.

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Hardback | 32 pages | ISBN: 9798890630827

Author-illustrator: Sue Rinaldi

"A sweetly satisfying holiday tale of generosity and compassion." —Kirkus Reviews

"This wintry tale will lead readers to develop an understanding of multicultural holiday traditions as well as to learn the practice of everyday philanthropy." —School Library Journal

"The Last Pomegranate is a heartwarming tale that celebrates Yalda and the spirit of nature’s generosity." —Booklist

Little Pouya is looking for a pomegranate. He needs it for Yalda, a Persian festival celebrated on the longest night of the year. To celebrate, families gather to read poems, eat special foods, and look forward to a beautiful spring together. Finally, Pouya finds one: the very last pomegranate! But on the way home, the wind whips his precious treasure away. Will he find it again, and will he and his family be able to celebrate Yalda night after all?

A magical folktale about kindness and generosity. For children ages 5 years and up.

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Hardcover with jacket | 32 pages | ISBN: 9798890630896

Author-illustrator: F. Nakhaei

“A fabulous fable about points of view and a creative lesson on opposites.” —Starred review, Booklist

“Don’t be a square: Everyone gather round for this adorable concept book.” —Kirkus Reviews

Mr. Round and Mr. Square live opposite each other. Every day, they look outside. At Mr. Round’s house, it’s sunny, but at Mr. Square’s house, it’s cloudy. They always see things differently. Or do they? 

In this delightful tale readers are treated to a humorous exploration of perspective and perception. Through the amusing antics of Mr. Round and Mr. Square, children discover that differences in opinion can stem from individual viewpoints. Perfect for sparking discussions and learning about opinions, perspectives, and opposites, this book encourages young readers to embrace diverse viewpoints and consider alternative perspectives. 

Recipient of the Silver Medal at the 2022 Key Colors Competition Worldwide, this charming story captivates hearts and minds with its endearing characters and thought-provoking themes.

A funny story about things that are different and yet the same. For children of all shapes and sizes ages 4 years and up.

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Hardcover | 32 pages | ISBN 9798890630810

Author-illustrator: Patricia Fitti

Whoosh! Bear’s hat is blown away. The wind blows the hat to all of Bear’s friends. Will Bear get his hat back?

A colorful and funny story about hats and animals. For readers ages 3 years and up.

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Hardcover with jacket | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605376172
Author-illustrator: Hong Hai

“While he’s out for a walk in the autumn woods, Mr. Cat discovers a wee, thumb-sized girl who brings love, light, and laughter into his regimented days. The little sprite spreads joy and inspires creativity, brightening the cold winter months. Her bare feet and sunny yellow dress stand in contrast to Mr. Cat’s formal manners. This is a bittersweet tale of hope; it celebrates the beauty and transience of life and the passing seasons.” —Foreword Reviews

"A story with quite engaging illustrations.” —Kirkus Reviews

"The careful, softly shaded illustrations are gently luminous.” —Publishers Weekly

Mr. Cat spends his days alone. When he goes out to paint a beautiful winter landscape, he finds a little girl. He decides to take her home. The girl colors his world… until she disappears.

A poetic story about friendship and saying good-bye. For daydreamers ages 5 years and up.

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Hardcover | 32 pages | ISBN 9781605374888
Also available in paperback: ISBN 9781605375007
Author-illustrator: Wang Yuwei

Silver medal winner of the 2020 Key Colors Illustrators Competition!

"An alphabet book with just the right amount of toothy mayhem." —Publishers Weekly

Doris the gharial crocodile has her motherly hands full with twenty-six misbehaved hatchlings. Follow along on a journey through the alphabet as she tries to bring peace back into her home.

An amusing book about a crocodile and her cheeky hatchlings, whose names all start with a specific letter of the alphabet. For readers who know their ABCs ages 4 years and up.

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Hardcover with jacket | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605376905
Author-illustrator: Emma Ward

"Readers will delight in this enchanting book…and be eager to befriend the moon themselves." —Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)

Silver Medal Winner of the 2022 Key Colors Competition, the two-yearly national contest for illustrators of children’s books.

When three friends have many questions, they soon discover their greatest question of all: Will the moon ever come to stay with us? But no matter how hard they try to find the answer, she still doesn’t come. Until one special night . . .

A sweet story about curiosity and friendship. For everyone ages 4 years and up.

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Hardcover | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605379661

Author-illustrator: Ghazaleh Bigdelou

Gold Medal Winner of the 2022 Key Colors Competition, the biennial national contest for illustrators of children’s books.

A girl living in a very normal house in a very normal neighborhood gets a new bicycle. She starts riding it and travels to a fantasy landscape. She visits the zoo and feels bad for the elephant locked up in his cage. So, she frees him and brings him all the way to his homeland. Then she goes back home. This little road movie has a simple, strong main message as well as clear underlying messages. The art is full of imagination and refers to existing works of art. Very well done.

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Hardcover | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605379647

Author-illustrator: Darcy Day Zoells

Silver Medal Winner of the 2022 Key Colors Competition, the two-yearly national contest for illustrators of children’s books.

It’s bedtime already? But I don’t feel like going to sleep. There’s so much to think about. I have so many questions! What happened to my other sock? Why is dad losing his hair? What does the sun do at night? And most of all: why am I so sleepy? The everyday questions of a little girl are visualized in the pictures with a lot of imagination.

This is a classic ”I don’t want to go to bed yet” story. The everyday questions of a little girl are visualized in the pictures with a lot of imagination, which would surely create laughter and extra stories at the side of the bed when reading this book together. The pictures are clear and very readable for young children, with a nice color scheme.

"Delightful bedtime fare, and, ironically, a potential get-to-sleep tool." —Kirkus Reviews

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Hardcover | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605379654

Author-illustrator: Muge Li

Gold Medal Winner of the 2020 Key Colors Illustrators Competition!

When two ordinary objects land on a city sidewalk, a little girl’s dull day becomes an odyssey of new places and unusual faces. Led far away on a dragon boat, she makes use of her found objects to get past the locked library doors, where erudite elephants open her eyes to the beauty of books and faraway lands. Faced with fantastic animals and discoveries, has she found the secret to make dull days a thing of the past?

A magical book that celebrates libraries and the power of imagination. For brave explorers ages 5 years and up.

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Hardcover with jacket | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605376899
Author-illustrator: Amal

Silver medal winner of the 2020 Key Colors Illustrators Competition!

Soomi’s new sweater arrives, but it doesn’t quite fit. Mom makes it just right and Soomi can’t wait to show her friends. Soon, Soomi’s brand new sweater isn’t so new anymore. Her friends try to patch it up, but nothing works. Thankfully, Mom knows just what to do. She creates something better than brand new!

A heartwarming book about a little girl and her brand new sweater. For children ages 4 years and up

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Hardcover with jacket | 32 pages | ISBN: 9781605376912
Author-illustrator: Susie Oh

“A simple story of boundless imagination and a child’s willingness to believe." —Kirkus Reviews

It’s always peaceful in our city. Except for today. Because today, an elephant has suddenly appeared. Just like that. Out of the blue. In the street in front of Ben’s house. What on earth?

An Elephant in Our City is a delightful and humorous book that offers a whimsical take on friendship and surprises. With its unique illustrations featuring different textures and papers, the story brings to life the fun and comical situations that arise as the elephant interacts with people going about their day, including trips to the swimming pool and more. Because what can go wrong when an elephant lives among us?

Awarded second place in Clavis’ International Key Colors Competition 2020, this endearing tale is designed to ignite the imagination and entertain young readers with its charming and unexpected twists.

A funny book about friendship... and an elephant. For children ages 4 and up.

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Hardback | 32 pages | ISBN: 9798890631459

Author-illustrator: Friederike Dammermann