By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Alison Friend

February 2022

 

A group of kindergarten kids plants a sapling on Earth Day and watches it grow into a big leafy tree with resident robins, squirrels, spiders, lizards, caterpillars and more.

 

Told in the rollicking rhyme scheme of This is the House that Jack Built, THIS IS THE TREE WE PLANTED shows kids everywhere how a tree they plant on Earth Day is a home to many of the earth’s animals.  

By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Sujean Rim

March 2021

 

This lovely tribute to the renewal of life and possibilities and the promise of fresh new beginnings is the perfect introduction for young children to the magical renaissance that follows each year’s icy darkness. The narrative zings with exuberance. Though not written in verse, the gently rhythmic text is almost poetic and reads beautifully thanks to its liberal use throughout of well-chosen alliterative and assonant words and phrases, demanding that this book be read aloud. 

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Effervescent and life affirming; a magical ode to a joyful time. (Picture book. 3-7) 

 

Kirkus Reviews

 

 

This appealing picture book begins with a message for “school bus riders / heading out on a

cold, dark morning. / For red-breasted birds / pecking at ice-coated berries, / for all those whose

snowsuits have stuck zippers, / and those with their boots on the wrong feet . . . DO NOT LOSE

HEART!” Reminding us that springtime is coming, bringing longer days and warmer weather, the

words that follow help listeners envision birds building nests, while children play in parks, walk in the rain, and jump in puddles.

 

Gracefully worded and a pleasure to read aloud, the free-verse text exudes warmth, vitality, and

joy while conjuring up what makes this time of year special. . . An effervescent tribute to spring, this vibrant picture book is sure to please all those who delight in the season.

 

— Carolyn Phelan, Booklist

By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Sydney Hanson

Coming Soon!

 

Meerkats sleep in a stack.  Is that how you go to sleep?  Do you poke your nose out of the water and doze-float, like seals do?  Or stand on one foot, like a parrot, with your head nestled in your feathers?

 

No, that can’t be right!

 

Animals around the world have different ways to getting all tucked in.  Visit them in their habitats – and then share your own kiss good night!

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Seals sleep while floating. Dolphins swim in their sleep with one eye open. The meerkat “sleeps in a heap” with the rest of its family. Most interestingly, the octopus changes color during sleep. “How Do You Go to Sleep?” shows children attempting to mimic animal sleeping behaviors. Then a brown-skinned human family wraps up with familiar rituals like turning off the light and bedtime kisses. Young readers will want to cuddle up with the cozy animal babies and may chuckle as the kids try out the different sleeping methods. VERDICT A bedtime book that will soothe and please children and caregivers.

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Richelle Rose, Kenton County Public Library, KY

By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Sydney Hanson

October 2018

 

Everybody needs a bath sometimes, even hippos! But how do they manage it? 
Visit this page to see how some animals bathe.

 

"McMullan offers a rhyming bathtime book that looks at all the different ways our animal friends keep themselves clean. From kittens licking themselves to monkey mamas combing through fur, all animals approach their cleaning routines differently. But what about those lovable little humans in our lives? They can’t let fish nibble on them as turtles do or wallow in mud with the piggies! Kids will enjoy seeing pictures of animal favorites getting clean, but they will really laugh as they see children trying to bathe themselves in the same ways as their animal counterparts."

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Kirkus Reviews

By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Tao Nyeu

Dial Books 2017

 

It's bedtime in the rain forest, but baby panda, elephant, orangutan, and leopard are nowhere to be found. Their mamas set out to look for their wayward little ones, calling them to bed with a soft lullaby. But look! The baby animals are crawling, creeping, hiding, and giggling, playfully staying just one step ahead of their loving mamas.
 

Accolades

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• “McMullan’s rhymes are spot on in every way, and despite spiky moments of mischief, the overall impression is comforting and lulling.“

Publisher’s Weekly, Starred review
 

• “There are countless picture books about mothers and babies, and even more about bedtime, but this charmer is a standout.”

Booklist, Starred Review

Written by Kate McMullan

Illustrated by David McPhail

Cartwheel Books Scholastic, 1996

In print for over 20 years and still going strong!

 

Soon to be available in a StoryPlay™ edition

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I wrote this book the first summer our daughter was off at sleep-away camp.  Only then did it hit me that my nights of singing lullabies were over, which made me sad.  One night at dusk I was sitting on our porch in Sag Harbor, looking out at the cove, and I saw a mother duck leading her line of little ones across the water. 

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I wondered what lullabies she might sing -- er, quack -- to her babies. 

By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Pascal LeMaitre

Workman Publishing, 2011

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Here at last -- a superhero who understands babies!  Meet Supercat and his trusty friends, Super Mouse, and Super Phone.  Be amazed as this super team helps babies everywhere.

By Kate McMullan

Illustrated by Pascal LeMaitre

Scholastic, 2011

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Bulldog is looking for a job. Should he be a fire fighter?  A window washer?  A sign painter? A book seller?  What's the right job for him?  

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Inspired by Kate's bulldogs, Pinkie and Toby.  Learn more about what is behind some of Kate's books on our INSPIRATION page.