Spring 2025 Preview

Welcome to our Spring 2025 Preview!

Dive into reading some of the books we’re most excited about for spring! Tour Sandy Shorts, an underwater town full of weirdly wonderful and friendly sea creatures in Axolotls!, and learn about cultural and religious holidays and celebrations in the new companion series to the beloved Yasmin stories in Holidays and Celebrations with Yasmin. Among our new picture books include two exploring and celebrating beauty—through honoring the Indigenous nations, cultures, and ancestral lands in I Am on Indigenous Land, and showcasing the stunning variation of beauty norms around the world in The Glam World Tour. Take a sneak peek at highlights of Capstone’s Spring 2025 titles before they hit the shelves.

Axolotls!

Starring adorable axolotls, this new early chapter book series is a-lotl silly fun!

Hugs-a-Lotl Can’t Show the Love
By C.W. Estes, illustrated by Irene Saluzzi
Ages 5-8

Welcome to Sandy Shorts, an underwater town full of weirdly wonderful and friendly animals. But no critter is more friendly than the axolotl! Each stand-alone story in the new Axolotls! series follows the hijinks of a plucky young amphibian as they tackle itty-bitty challenges, try new activities, and more—all with a smile on their face! In this story, Hugs-a-Lotl loves nothing more than giving a warm embrace to friends. But after jumping rope too fast at school, the axolotl’s little arms pop right off! Losing the limbs isn’t a problem. They’ll grow back. Hugs is only worried about one question: Who will hug for him?

Image of artwork and 3d book cover of Hugs-a-Lotl Can’t Show the Love by C.W. Estes and illustrated by Irene Saluzzi

Holidays and Celebrations with Yasmin

New Yasmin series inspires young readers to learn about cultures and traditions

100th Day of School with Yasmin
By Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Ages 5-7

Yasmin is a spirited second grader who likes to know things about her world—but first, she has to learn them! In this companion series to the beloved Yasmin stories, readers will join Yasmin in making discoveries about various cultural and religious holidays and celebrations. Shy but curious, Yasmin finds the courage to ask questions, make new friends, try new foods, and explore traditions. Along with her classmates and her multigenerational Pakistani American family, Yasmin will inspire readers to learn new things too. In this story, it’s almost the 100th Day of School and Yasmin and her friends are celebrating 100 days of learning! But what will Yasmin wear for the special day? 

Image of artwork and 3d book cover of 100th Day of School with Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi and illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Picture Books

Image of 3d book cover of I Am On Indigenous Land by Katrina M. Phillips and illustrated by Sam ZimmermanImage of 3d book cover of I Am On Indigenous Land by Katrina M. Phillips and illustrated by Sam Zimmerman

I Am On Indigenous Land
By Katrina M. Phillips
Illustrated by Sam Zimmerman

Image of 3d book cover of The Glam World Tour by Rachel Werner and illustrated by Octavia InkImage of 3d book cover of The Glam World Tour by Rachel Werner and illustrated by Octavia Ink

The Glam World Tour
By Rachel Werner
Illustrated by Octavia Ink 

Image of 3d book cover of Do Super Heroes Make Mistakes? by Michael Dahl and illustrated by Omar LozanoImage of 3d book cover of Do Super Heroes Make Mistakes? by Michael Dahl and illustrated by Omar Lozano

Do Super Heroes Make Mistakes?
By Michael Dahl
Illustrated by Oman Lozano 
TM & © DC. (s24)

Image of 3d book cover of Write Here, Write Now by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Andreana BoattaImage of 3d book cover of Write Here, Write Now by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Andreana Boatta

Write Here, Write Now
By Rebecca Gardyn Levinton
Illustrated by Andrea Boatta 

Image of 3d book cover of Up, Up High by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Katie RewseImage of 3d book cover of Up, Up High by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Katie Rewse

Up, Up High: The Secret Poetry of
Earth's Atmosphere

By Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated by Katie Rewse 

Sumaya Solves It

Charming stories showcase a Black girl protagonist with a keen interest in STEM

Sumaya Solves the Woodpecker Problem
By Aisha Ahmed, illustrated by Hamnah Rizwan
For ages 5-7

Eight-year-old Sumaya is curious about the natural world around her. An immigrant from Somalia, Sumaya is eager to learn how her new home compares to her home country. Her adventures often lead her to use her STEM skills to solve a problem, while having plenty of fun along the way. In this story, Sumaya discovers a busy woodpecker in her backyard and worries the bird could be hurting its head and neck. She sets out to create some inventions to help protect the bird. How will Sumaya solve the woodpecker problem?

Image of artwork and 3d book cover of Sumaya Solves the Woodpecker Problem by Aisha Ahmed and illustrated by Hamnah Rizwan

Golda & Ezra

Celebrates growth mindset and community-building through stories of stepsiblings in a multi-racial family

Golda and Ezra's Dinner Dilemma
By Hollie Michaels, illustrated by Claudio Cerri
Ages 5-8

There's usually something up in Golda and Ezra's neighborhood—a tricky problem to solve or someone who needs a little encouragement. And Golda and Ezra are always up to the task! With an eagerness to pitch in and some clever ideas, they always save the day for their neighbors, their neighborhood, and even each other. In this story, Golda and Ezra’s neighbor Ms. Ortega has to go out of town unexpectedly. But she was supposed to cook a big meal for the senior center using the harvest from her garden—like she does every Sunday. That's a problem Golda is certain they can solve! Can Golda and Ezra figure out how to make sure the seniors at the senior center get their special dinner anyway?

Image of artwork and 3d book cover of Golda and Ezra's Dinner Dilemma by Hollie Michaels and illustrated by Claudio Cerri

Early Readers & Chapter Books

Image of 3d book cover of Jade's Pet Dinosaur by Natasha Deen and illustrated by Lays BittencourtImage of 3d book cover of Jade's Pet Dinosaur by Natasha Deen and illustrated by Lays Bittencourt

The Pets Are Missing
By Natasha Deen
Illustrated by Lays Bittencourt 

Image of 3d book cover of This Journal Belongs to Mason E. Pig by Jose Cruz and illustrated by Danesh MohiuddinImage of 3d book cover of This Journal Belongs to Mason E. Pig by Jose Cruz and illustrated by Danesh Mohiuddin

This Journal Belongs to Mason E. Pig
By Jose Cruz 
Illustrated by Danesh Mohiuddin

Image of 3d book cover of The Music Blues by Keith Wain and illustrated by Michela Di CecioImage of 3d book cover of The Music Blues by Keith Wain and illustrated by Michela Di Cecio

The Music Blues
By Keith Wain
Illustrated by Michela Di Cecio 

Image of 3d book cover of The Super-Sneeky Substitute! by Michael  Anthony Steele and illustrated by M. JohnsonImage of 3d book cover of The Super-Sneeky Substitute! by Michael  Anthony Steele and illustrated by M. Johnson

The Super-Sneaky Substitute!
By Michael  Anthony Steele
Illustrated by  M. Johnson

Image of 3d book cover of Stranded in the Mojave Desert by Ailynn Collins and illustrated by Syd FiniImage of 3d book cover of Stranded in the Mojave Desert by Ailynn Collins and illustrated by Syd Fini

Stranded in the Mojave Desert
By Ailynn Collins
Illustrated by Syd Fini

My Animal Migration Story

Fun, engaging introductions to migratory animals from the point of view of the animal

My Caribou Migration Journey
By Nancy Loewen, illustrated by Paula Zorite
Ages 5-7

These engaging read alouds are perfect introductions to the concept of animal migration. Help young readers discover some of nature's most incredible journeys! Adorable, first-person narratives relay the migratory habits of different animals. The illustrated nonfiction picture books combine science and humor to deepen students’ understanding of why some animals migrate and how they do it. In this title readers come along on a caribou’s lifelong journey. Follow a young calf and its herd from the coasts of the Arctic Circle to the mountains of the Yukon and back. Learn how these hardy animals survive in the barren landscape and cold temperatures of the world’s northernmost habitat.

Image of artwork and 3d book cover of My Caribou Migration Journey by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Paula Zorite

Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz

Nonfiction narrative shares the unknown story of the children who lived on Alcatraz Island

Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz
By Emma Bland Smith
For ages 8-11

Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay is notorious for its prison, which held some of the world's most dangerous criminals. But it was also home to more than 100 children and their parents who worked at the prison. Engaging narrative, historical photos, primary sources, and more will give readers an inside look at daily life on Alcatraz and the children who called it home.

Image of 3d book cover of Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz by Emma Bland Smith

Nonfiction Selections

Image of 3d book cover of Grow Your Own Basil by Lisa J. AmstutzImage of 3d book cover of Grow Your Own Basil by Lisa J. Amstutz

Grown Your Own Basil
By Lisa J. Amstutz 

Image of 3d book cover of Triceratops by Laura K. MurrayImage of 3d book cover of Triceratops by Laura K. Murray

Triceratops
By Laura K. Murray 

Image of 3d book cover of Jewish Festivals and Traditions by Emily RaijImage of 3d book cover of Jewish Festivals and Traditions by Emily Raij

Jewish Festivals and Traditions
By Emily Raij 

Image of 3d book cover of Secret Agents of Honor by Matthew K. Manning and illustrated by Leo TrinidadImage of 3d book cover of Secret Agents of Honor by Matthew K. Manning and illustrated by Leo Trinidad

Secret Agents of Honor: 
Bold Spies of World War II

By Matthew K. Manning
Illustrated by Leo Trinidad

Image of 3d book cover of Boiling Point: Understanding Earth’s Rising Temperatures by Golriz GolkarImage of 3d book cover of Boiling Point: Understanding Earth’s Rising Temperatures by Golriz Golkar

Boiling Point:
Understanding Earth's Rising Temperatures

By Golriz Golkar 

Image of 3d book cover of Home Run: The Science Behind Baseball’s Most Amazing Plays by Eric BraunImage of 3d book cover of Home Run: The Science Behind Baseball’s Most Amazing Plays by Eric Braun

Home Run: The Science Behind
Baseball's Amazing Plays
 
By Eric Braun

Image of 3d book cover of Baseball's Origin Story by Matt ChandlerImage of 3d book cover of Baseball's Origin Story by Matt Chandler

Baseball's Origin Story
By Matt Chandler 

Browse Our Spring 2025 Catalogs - Coming Soon!