Hot Off the Press: A Sneak Peek at Publishers' Newest and Hottest Titles

Last updated September 16, 2008 This unique online bibliography features anticipated bestsellers, either recently published or forthcoming, published by CBC member publishers. Hot Off the Press listings include title, author, illustrator, a brief summary (supplied by the publisher), grade level range, ISBN, price, publisher, and publication date. Best of all, you will find out about these books here before you can find them on bookstore shelves. Some titles may be available through The next Hot Off the Press update will be October 15th.

Arctic Fox: Very Cool! by Stephen Person In the Arctic, winter lasts eight months and temperatures fall as low as -58ºF. Few animals can survive such extreme conditions. The Arctic fox, however, is unique. It lives farther north than any other land mammal in the world. How can it survive the harsh conditions? Biologist Maarten Loonen wanted to find out. Since 1990, he has traveled to the Arctic every year to study these uncommon foxes. In Arctic Fox, kids follow Loonen as he studies the survival techniques of these fascinating animals. Large, full-color photos and a narrative format will keep readers turning the pages for more. Arctic Fox: Very Cool! is part of Bearport's Uncommon Animals series. Grade level: 2-7 ISBN: 978-1-59716-730-7 Price: $18.95 Bearport Publishing

Aye-Aye: An Evil Omen by Miriam Aronin For hundreds of years, a mysterious creature called the aye-aye struck fear into the hearts of people on the island of Madagascar. According to legend, if someone saw this odd-looking animal, a person would soon die. As a result, these small creatures were killed to prevent them from causing harm. Unfortunately, little was really known about the aye-aye. Scientist Eleanor Sterling wanted to change that. In the 1980s, she traveled to Madagascar to study these rare animals. In Aye-Aye, kids follow Sterling as she discovers the secrets of this fascinating, uncommon animal. Large, full-color photos and a narrative format will keep readers turning the pages for more. Aye-Aye: An Evil Omen is part of Bearport's Uncommon Animals series. Grade level: 2-7 ISBN: 978-1-59716-731-4 Price: $18.95 Bearport Publishing

The Donkey's Tales by Adele Bibb Colvin illustrated by Peyton Hamilton Carmichael Present at Jesus' birth and again at his ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the miraculous events of Jesus' childhood are recounted from the perspective of the donkey. He is a scriptural witness to the life of Christ and provides a touching and inspired account of the story of Jesus. Grade level: K-2 ISBN: 9781589806276 Price: $15.95 Pelican Publishing

Find the Magic by Lee Cohen illustrated by Julia Harnett Harvey Rip Squeak returns in a rollicking new adventure as a trip to an old bookshop sends Rip and his friends off on fantastic journeys through imagination and history. The fourth book in the Rip Squeak series. Grade level: 4-8 ISBN: 9781934960134 Price: $16.95 Raven Tree Press

It's Tough to Nap on a Turtle by Christopher Harder illustrated by Rolf Harder Sleepy Nicholas tries to take a nap on a turtle, a log, a duck's beak, and some pretty unusual places until he discovers that the best place to take a nap is in his own cozy little bed. Age level: 2-4 ISBN: 9780972661492 Shenanigan Books

River Beds: Sleeping in the World's Rivers by Gail Langer Karwoski illustrated by Connie McLennan This sequel to the award-winning Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean (2007 Teacher's Choice & 2005 Mom's Choice) takes readers on an around-the-world boat ride to learn how mammals sleep in or around ten major rivers of the world on all continents except Antarctica. Row down the Mississippi and watch two river otters slip into a hollow tree or look to the bank of the Brisbane River as a platypus pops into a hole and disappears into a narrow tunnel. Told in a soothing style, this book serves as a bedtime/naptime story for younger children or an animal geography book for older children. Adults may learn something, too! Grade level: K-3 ISBN: 978-0-9777423-4-9 HC; 978-1-934359-31-0 PB Price: $16.95 HB; $8.95 PB Sylvan Dell Publishing

Runaway Radish/El rabano que escapo by Janice Levy illustrated by Sydney Wright Don Pedro wants to carve the best radish sculpture in town but one feisty radish won't cooperate. Based on the annual festival in Oaxaca, Mexico. Written in a style of reminiscent of The Gingerbread Man. Bilingual full text in both English and Spanish. Grade level: 4-8 ISBN: 9781932748826 Price: $16.95 Raven Tree Press

Scottish Alphabet by Rickey Pittman illustrated by Connie McLennan From A's Saint Andrew's Day to T's thistle, this journey through the alphabet and across the breathtaking beauty of Scotland is an educational adventure for all readers. With a glossary of important Scottish figures, historical places, and events, this book is a perfect addition to any child's library. Age level: 1-5 ISBN: 9781589805965 Price: $15.95 Pelican Publishing

Whistling Wings by Laura Goering illustrated by Laura Jacques Marcel, a young tundra swan, is tired from the first half of a winter migration. One thousand miles is a long way to fly - too long for Marcel, so he hides in the rushes to stay behind while his parents and the flock continue south. But with the lake nearly frozen over, he soon realizes that he is not cut out for life on ice. Other animals offer advice about how to survive the winter, but their ways of living aren't right for the swan. Hungry and scared, he falls asleep - only to be awakened by a big surprise! Grade level: K-3 ISBN: 978-1-934359-12-9 (HB); 978-1-934359-30-3(PB) Price: $16.95 HB; $8.95 PB Sylvan Dell Publishing