Gibbs Smith Kids
From Outdoorsy Adventure Guides to Cozy Mysteries
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is Agatha Christie’s first detective novel and the debut of Hercule Poirot. Set in England during World War I, it’s a classic, cozy whodunit filled with intriguing characters and clever clues. Monson’s child-friendly retelling captures the essence of the story while making it accessible and fun, with activities, games, and puzzles throughout to spark engagement and inspire young detectives.
The Mystery of the Blue Train
The Mystery of the Blue Train is one of Agatha Christie’s early Hercule Poirot novels, a classic cozy whodunit set aboard a train bound for the French Riviera. Filled with intriguing characters, missing jewels, and clever clues, the story is distilled in Monson’s child-friendly retelling. Activities, games, and puzzles throughout keep young readers engaged and may inspire a few budding detectives.
The Secret of the Old Clock
The Secret of the Old Clock is the first book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, originally published in 1930. In this cozy whodunit, teenage sleuth Nancy Drew searches for a missing will hidden in an old clock to help rightful heirs receive their inheritance. Monson’s engaging retelling makes the classic story accessible and fun for children, with activities, games, and puzzles throughout to encourage participation and inspire budding detectives.
Ghostly Ghastly Tales
Each tale in this magical collection draws readers into a dark, contemporary world inspired by myths and legends from around the globe. From haunted battlefields and talking heads to ghosts and night-dwelling creatures, these stories explore spooky field trips, eerie omens, and cautionary tales. The collection features folklore-inspired stories from Nigeria, the Philippines, the Caribbean, Iceland, England, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Ancient Egypt, Germany, Mexico, and the American South.
Creepy Campfire Stories
Gather around the campfire for 20 spine-tingling tales that blend folklore, urban legend, and our darkest fears. Set in iconic outdoor locations like the Grand Canyon and Redwood National Park, these super-scary stories feature sinister museums, flesh-eating plants, mysterious lights in the sky, and monsters lurking in the snow. This chilling collection will haunt readers long after the campfire embers fade.
A Coven of Witches
A spellbinding collection of 20 original spooky tales that reimagine witches from folklore, myth, and history. Read them before bedtime or share them to spook your friends—if you dare! “A gleefully spooky anthology….good for anyone young or old wanting new takes on scary stories that can be shared around a campfire, in the dead of night, or before bedtime….holds readers captive in both words and imagery.” —School Library Journal
A Kid's Guide to Backyard Bugs
A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Bugs is filled with fascinating facts about the United States’ most common insects, including where they live, what they eat, and how they move. Which insect can live without food for up to a whole year? Which insect grows up to almost 2 feet in length? Packed with over 80 full-color, gorgeous illustrations, this portable field guide will have burgeoning bug lovers excited about exploring the amazing world just outside their door.
A Kid's Guides to Backyard Animals
Learn all about the amazing animals right outside your door in A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Animals—a handy, easy-to-carry guidebook for explorers ages 6 to 8 that shows you how to identify 40 animals that are commonly found in the United States. The book covers five animal types: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Kid's Guide to Backyard Stargazing
Learn all about the amazing night sky in A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Stargazing—a handy, easy-to-carry guidebook for explorers ages 6 to 8 that shows you how to identify 28 celestial objects that are commonly visible in the Northern Hemisphere. nd Rigel), the constellations, and more.
A Kid's Guide to Backyard Birds
A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Birds is filled with fascinating facts about the most common birds, including where they live, what they eat, and how they sound when they sing. Packed with over 80 full-color, gorgeous illustrations, this portable field guide will have burgeoning bird lovers excited about exploring the amazing world just outside their door.
A Kid's Guide to Backyard Trees
Learn all about the towering trees around you in A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Trees —a handy, easy-to-carry guidebook for explorers that shows you how to identify 40 trees that can be found in the United States —using their bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Discover the wild world of trees as you learn about their life cycles, unique features of different types of trees, and why protecting them is important for the planet.
A Kid's Guide to Backyard Animal Tracks and Scat
The book covers eight animal types and how to tell their tracks and scat apart: canines, felines, small and large hooved animals, birds, other small animals, reptiles and amphibians, rodents, and bears. It includes chapters on coyotes, dogs, foxes, wolves, bobcats, house cats, lynx, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, bison, cows, deer, elk, moose, mountain goats, Canada geese, ducks, owls, pigeons, wild turkeys, opossums, otters, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles, beavers, mice, porcupines, squirrels, black bears, and grizzly bears.
Forest Magic for Kids
Come discover the wild magic tucked into the nooks and crannies of forests, thickets, and meadows. Search for fairy dusted glow-in-the-dark mushrooms. Find secret worlds hidden in trees and uncover the tunnels, trails, and dens of gnomes and trolls, and mice and moles. Learn to listen to the forest, make sun-warmed pine tea, and wear an evergreen crown to an elf picnic.
The Book of Fairies
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.
Wild 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.
When a Moose Has a Mustache
Some Cats
Silly or serious, awake or at rest, to those who love them, all cats are the best. The cats in this bright, playful board book come in all shapes, colors, and sizes—but they don’t let their differences keep them from having fun together. Every page turn reveals a new layer to Lydia Nichol’s adorable depiction of a home full of cats—some elegant, some goofy, but each adorable in their own way.
Some Dogs
The dogs in this bright, playful board book come in all shapes, colors, and sizes—but they don’t let their differences keep them from having fun together. Every page turn reveals a new layer to Lydia Nichol’s adorable depiction of a busy dog park. A gentle introduction to diversity and acceptance, this rhyming story helps young children recognize that differences are often only skin deep.
Some Bunnies
No matter where they live or what they look like, to those who love them, all bunnies are just right. The bunnies in this bright, playful board book come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, and while each is special in their own way, they all have things in common like cute wiggly noses and feet that hippity hop. Every page turn reveals a new layer to Lydia Nichol’s adorable depiction of bunnies in their various homes of fields, barns, and houses.
Some Ponies
The ponies in this bright, engaging board book come in many colors, enjoy playing in various ways, and even eat different foods. But for the many things that set them apart, what makes ponies all the same in the end is how happy they are to be your best friend. Every page turn reveals a new layer to Lydia Nichol’s adorable depiction of ponies frolicking in the field, munching on grass, and prancing in the pasture.
Grow Your Own Way
Every page turn of this chunky board book reveals a new layer of Helen Dardik’s bright, graphic depiction of a garden in bloom. A gentle introduction to diversity and acceptance, this rhyming story reminds readers that every kind of flower needs its own mix of sunshine, water, and soil to blossom…and that each flower’s unique beauty is an extraordinary delight.
It's Your Birthday
It's Time for Halloween
It's Time for Christmas
In the Rainforest
In the Rainforest is part of the LAYERED VIEW board book series celebrating the ways in which our differences make the world a diverse place. Whether examining the unique needs of every flower in a garden or the special qualities of every puppy in a dog park, every die-cut page of a LAYERED VIEW book adds a level to the story—all building to one gorgeous, multi-dimensional scene perfect for displaying on a bookshelf or a bedroom shelf. Rich with special effects like foil and embossing, LAYERED VIEW board books are a beautiful, playful way to introduce new perspectives to the little learners in your life.
Good Morning, National Parks
Good Night, National Parks
