Out Now: Even Steven & Cover Reveal: Penguins Don't Wear Pants
Plus May book events and upcoming book releases.
Out Now
Congratulations to our April release!
Even Steven: A Book About Sharing by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (April 14, 2026 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers): A lighthearted, humorous picture book from the author/illustrator duo behind Don’t Hug Doug about a boy who wants everything to be perfectly even.
Say hello to Steven. Steven likes to share! He knows the best way to share something is to split it in half. It’s fun! It’s fair! And it’s EVEN.
But some things aren't so easy to split in half . . . Like a nickel. Or a book. Or a slide. Sometimes taking turns is better. Or giving one of something to each person. Steven likes these options because they're fun, and fair, and still EVEN!
But...can some things be even, but not fair? Can some things be fair, but not even? Steven isn't so sure, and he'll need YOUR help to figure it out!
Buy this book on our Bookshop (affiliate link)
Cover Reveal
We’re excited to present the cover for Abi Cushman’s upcoming picture book, Penguins Don’t Wear Pants!
Have you ever seen a penguin wearing pants? No? Not ever? Would you like to? Acclaimed author Abi Cushman’s signature silliness is on brilliant display in this laugh-out-loud funny, wonderfully interactive, and unpredictable picture book that is custom-made for school, library, and family storytimes. For penguin fans and readers who love Where’s Waldo? and Dragons Love Tacos. Releases October 13.
You can read Abi’s cover reveal interview with Mr. Schu here.
Pre-order this book on our Bookshop (affiliate link)
Releasing Soon
The Quiet Ocean by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Abi Cushman (May 5, 2026 | Beach Lane Books): When a playful pufferfish’s actions cause a snowball effect disrupting the peace of the other sea creatures, it’s up to the ocean and a baby whale to restore quiet once more in this delightfully funny picture book companion to The Quiet Forest.
Pre-order this book on our Bookshop (affiliate link)
Mark your calendars...
Connecticut
May 7, 2026. Join Valerie Bolling at the Read To Grow Annual Gala, 6:00pm - 9:00pm at the Westport Library in Westport, CT
May 15-18, 2026. Join Valerie Bolling at the NESCBWI Annual Spring Conference in Stamford, CT
May 17, 2026. Join Valerie Bolling at the Stamford Book Festival, 12:30pm - 2:30pm in Stamford, CT
Massachusetts
April 25, 2026. Join Carrie Finison for an Independent Bookstore Day Celebration! Even Steven & Plenty of Pancakes Story Time, 11am at Book Ends inWinchester, MA
May 13, 2026. Join Carrie Finison for Double Story Time – Touch a Truck Day
and Breathe a Rainbow by Julie Koon, 10:30am at Whitelam Books in Reading, MA
May 16, 2026. Join Carrie Finison for Plenty of Pancakes Story Time, 10:30am at Molly’s Bookstore in Melrose, MA
New York
May 2, 2026. Join Carrie Finison and Valerie Bolling for the Hudson Children’s Book Festival, 10am-3pm at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, NY
May 30, 2026. Join Carrie Finison and Valerie Bolling for the Sullivan County Youth Book Festival, 10am-3pm at Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello, NY
Tennessee
April 23-26, 2026. Join Valerie Bolling for CDF Freedom Schools Black Children’s Literature Gathering in Clinton, TN
British Columbia (Canada)
April 25, 2026. Join Vicky Fang for Independent Bookstore Day at 11am at KinderBooks in New Westminster, BC
About Soaring ‘20s
We are a diverse and award-winning group of authors and illustrators. We create books for all ages including board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and adult—with over 150+ books published collectively. Read more about us here.