For Little Historians & Young Explorers

Kelsi Fairgate, a fourth grader and only child living on a ranch in the middle of Texas, awaits the end of the school year. When her parents bring in an orphan lamb from a pasture, her prospects for the summer look up. Kelsi and her friend, Ampara, run into some serious rattlesnake trouble one day. The lamb saves Kelsi, but then it is the girls’ turn to try to save the lamb!

Welcome to Texas! Parent and child Armadillos tour the Lone Star State in best-selling author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock's Hello! board book series for children. In Hello, Texas! join the pair as they explore Big Bend National Park, spend the day at the State Fair of Texas, discover the Alamo and splash at the beach. Along the way they stop for some yummy barbecue, pretend to be astronauts at Space Center Houston, wave to prairie dogs, watch bats fly in Austin, and end their day floating on a river boat in San Antonio! For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Told with a Texas twang, this tale features a dozen icons of the Lone Star state. Clever rhymes count down the days of Christmas, revealing such surprise gifts as silver spurs, oil wells, and armadillos. Festive illustrations fill the pages of this western romp.

Not so fast Rudolph-Willy guides Santa's sleigh in Texas! When Santa visits Texas, he encounters dense fog and needs a local's help to deliver gifts. Willy, a longhorn longing to fly with Santa, jumps at the opportunity to help. With the help of glowing blue paint, his horns light the way. Follow Willy and Santa on their journey to every house in the Lone Star State as they fly over Texas landmarks to deliver presents and a Texas-sized portion of cheer.

In the tradition of Little Legends and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes The City We Built: Black Leaders of Austin, an illustrated children’s book honoring the extraordinary African American men and women who played a critical role in shaping Black Austin’s social, political, and cultural heritage. A collaboration between The Black Leaders Collective; The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center; and renowned Texas visual artist Sadé Lawson, The City We Built will take readers on an empowering and inspiring journey through Black Austin’s history, highlighting such local luminaries as:Ada Anderson, Charles Atkins, Berl Handcox, Johnny Holmes, Azie Taylor Morton, Velma Roberts, Dorothy Turner, Willie Wells, and more.

            Featuring full-page biographies and vibrantly illustrated, full-color portraits, The City We Built will not only educate young readers and inspire a new generation of Austin Black leaders—but celebrate the heroes who helped build this remarkable city.

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Texas combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Lone Star State, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Texas is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

What do you call a Texas cow without any legs?
Ground beef!

Fun Factoid: Texas big! The State Fair of Texas boast’s North America’s highest Ferris wheel. It’s called The Texas Star!

The patriotic sacrifice of Texas remembered. This tribute to the famous 13 day siege gives the stories of real-life heroes including David Crockett, Sam Houston, and William King (who, at 15 years old, was the youngest defender to die during the conflict.) These accounts, lacking in sensationalism, reveal the true characters in one of the most important events in Texas history. This reference includes a timeline of events.

With a team of Longhorns, Santa arrives at a sod shanty and drops down the chimney to fill the young�uns� boots with toys.

"This is not just a story—it’s a legend in the making." —Macaroni KID

Meet Lucas the little longhorn, a pint-sized dreamer with a heart as big as the Lone Star State. When Lucas decides to build the greatest ranch Texas has ever seen, he knows he can’t do it alone. So he rounds up his team of small critters (even tiny Meadow Mouse Pete) and “little by little, they build something great—the biggest little ranch in the whole darn state!”

With its rollicking rhymes and vibrant illustrations, Lucas the Little Longhorn invites readers big and small to remember that little bodies can build great things, especially when we work together. “There’s something about doing things as a crew, that can make almost anything more fun to do!”

A celebration of friendship, courage, and teamwork, Lucas the Little Longhorn will delight and inspire even the littlest readers to follow their dreams, no matter how big!

Ghost stories from Deep South Texas have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Welcome to the spooky Texas Tropics!

Stay Alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see the Rio Grande Valley forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Did you know that camels were imported to Texas to serve the U.S. Army in the 1850s? They carried supplies and mail to isolated forts and settlers. Young readers will be fascinated to learn of this little-known part of American history.

A wacky spin on an Old West favorite. This tall tale about a famous American cowboy takes readers on a romp into the Wild West. When Pecos Bill cannot seem to find the best hat to fit his head, he searches for creative ways to keep his noggin covered. His often humorous ideas lead to the invention of the cowboy hat. A glossary includes cowboy terms.

This fun Texas romp through the Mother Goose tales yields such results as Mary Had a White-Faced Calf, There Was an Old Cowgirl Who Lived in a Boot, Cactus Jack Horner, and many more. Western illustrations enhance the Texas theme and add a sense of humor to this beloved classic.

Ghost stories from Dallas, Texas have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Welcome to the spooky streets of Dallas!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. 

Did you know that the Sammons Center for the Arts is said to have a haunted elevator? Or that sounds of music and laughter sometimes drift up and down the halls of the Adolphus Hotel... even when no one is there? Can you believe the friendly ghost at Catfish Plantation has been known to make coffee for its hosts?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Dallas and have you sleeping with the light on!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Houston’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that NASA’s Manned Space Center has a home in Houston? Or that camels and ostriches race at the Sam Houston Race Park? Have you ever been to the annual Livestock Show and Rodeo? From the Astrodome, to the Texas Medical Center, Super Cities!: Houston covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make the Space City great. Dive into Galveston Bay, shop till you drop at the Galleria, and attend a Beyonce concert, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Houston!

Ghost stories from this Texas town have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Granbury, Texas’s, haunted history comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Meet inmates past that haunt the historic Hood County Jail. See the mysterious woman in red who inhabits the home of one of Granbury’s most famous residents. Venture into the Granbury Opera House to encounter the spirit of John Wilkes Booth. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

The story of the Alamo encompasses far more than a thirteen-day siege that ended in a battle on March 6, 1836. In Voices of the Alamo, that story begins in the 1500s with the Native Americans who inhabited the area we now call Texas. Page by page, different voices—among them Spanish, Tejano, Texian, Mexican, and American—are heard, as they describe history from their individual viewpoints.

Acclaimed author Sherry Garland and artist Ronald Himler have joined together to create a beautiful book. Voices of the Alamo sensitively depicts history from the perspectives of the men and women who lived it. It is an unforgettable tribute to one of our nation’s most enduring symbols.

Ghostly adventures await! Dive into your favorite, SPINE-TINGLIEST tales from Texas!

Welcome to Spooky Texas! In this thrilling anthology, spooky stories and ghostly tales bring the Lone Star State to life! Discover haunted cathedrals, phantom pirates, and eerie cities filled with secrets! From the "spirited" streets of Austin to the spooky shores of Galveston, each tale will take you on a chilling adventure pulled right from history, changing the way you see Texas forever.

Whether you’re a brave ghost hunter or just curious about the supernatural, the GHOSTLIEST TALES anthologies from ACB’s bestselling Spooky America series will give you goosebumps. . . and have you sleeping with the lights on! 

Tex the armadillo is learning his Texas colors.

Waltz across Texas with him and see how colorful his state can be, from the blue in the bluebonnets to the green of a prickly pear cactus.

This colorfully illustrated rhyming board book teaches your littles about the great state of Texas.

From the size of the skies to the height of Aunt Birdee's hair, we all know it's bigger there!

This colorfully illustrated rhyming board book covers the Texas summers using playful comparisons.

From Texas spice to sweet tea on ice, this book is sure to keep your little ones as cool as a cucumber.

Kelsi's fifth-grade year takes unexpected turns with new friends, a mysterious egret, and surprising adventures

After a summer of adventures with her lamb Dopey and best friend Ampara, Kelsi Fairgate looks forward to fifth grade. She seems destined for disappointment from the moment she arrives at school and finds a boy named Toby in her favorite seat by the tall window.

Back at the ranch, a great egret makes one of his unexpected appearances just as Toby’s family shows up for lunch. At first Kelsi is dismayed, but she soon learns why Toby had wanted that quiet back window. Kelsi and Ampara seek out the mysterious white bird, along with the ways they can help their new friend. 

Ghost stories from Old Town Spring have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Welcome to the spooky streets of Old Town Spring, Texas!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. 

Did you know the spirit of a girl who died in a barn still plays with her friends in Doering Court? Or that a headless railroad worker is known to chase phantom trains? Can you believe that on some nights, a ghostly bride and her husband can be seen dancing in the moonlight? 

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Old Town Spring forever, and have you sleeping with the light on! 

Bursting with delightful colors and bright illustrations, Local Baby: Austin engages babies’ attention and encourages families to explore what makes their city so great.

Swim in the Barton Springs Pool, watch out for bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge, stroll through the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, and catch a UT Longhorn football game. Explore your city with this joyfully grabbable and wonderfully local board book that is sure to bring generations together.

Learn colors and numbers with a Lone Star twist!

From one black horse to ten purple pinwheels, this lively board book takes children on a colorful journey through Texas! Everything from four espátulas (“spoonbills”) to five botas (“boots”) to six garza (“egrets”) come to life in vivid photographs of Lone Star backyards and open fields. This bilingual picture book will spark the imagination and creativity in every child—Texan or not! Children will enjoy the educational nature of this book, counting from place to place and picking up a few Spanish words along the way! An enjoyable and relatable counting adventure, the beautiful photographs make learning colors and numbers in two languages as easy as uno, dos, très!

When the cotton candy machine at the Texas State Fair malfunctions, Jake leaves a very sticky situation in his wake.

Gaston� the Green-Nosed Alligator, the Deep South's most celebrated children's book character, is off on another adventure, this time to cowboy country. Taken in by a group of rough-looking cowboys, he learns firsthand the difficult life of a cowboy on the range, but he meets the challenge, winning the grudging respect of his fellow cowhands.

�Aye Chihuahua! The sky is falling. Join the colorful desert bird, Chachalaca Chiquita, and her feathered friends in this Southwestern spin on the Chicken Little tale. The story incorporates Spanish vocabulary for un peque�o fun as the amigos set off to tell the jefe that the sky is falling. The story takes a turn when they meet sly Tacito Ocelote.

Encounter the spirits of North Central Texas—wealthy families lingering in their mansions, notorious outlaws still trapped in their jail cells.

Welcome to spooky North Central Texas! 

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. 

Did you know that on stormy nights, ghosts bound in chains roam the halls at The Old Collin County Prison? Or that in Arlington, a haunted bridge echoes with screams of the dead? Can you believe the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas is home to a haunted elevator?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see North Central Texas forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on! 

Adapted from Haunted North Central Texas by Teresa Nordheim

How much can a tall Texan eat?

In this humorous retelling of the classic tale, a tall Texan devours a toad, a rattlesnake, a bat, a bull, and more to get rid of the flea he accidentally ate. The Texan gets bigger and bigger as he eats more and more-all to get rid of a silly old flea! Whoo-ee!

"A small gem of a story." —Kirkus

Dwindling water supplies have driven desperate cattlemen to snip fences in order to water their herds—targeting thirteen-year-old Jesse's farm several times. When a lone drifter arrives in town, he's quickly hired to work the farm. Jesse suspects the man is more than just a hired hand and is determined to uncover his mysterious secret. This Society of School Librarians International Honor Book includes an author's note and bibliography.

Ghost stories from this Texas town have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

San Antonio’s, historic haunted history comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Meet the spirit of a long-dead monk who still paces the floors of the San Fernando Cathedral. Visit the site of the 1842 Battle of Salado Creek and see spectral soldiers roaming the battlefield. Stay a night in the hotel that was built on top of the Old Bexar County Jail and perhaps you’ll meet one of the old inmates roaming the halls. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from Texas’s capitol have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of Austin comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Chat with the ghosts who roam the hallways of the capitol building downtown. Or visit Mount Bonnell and learn about Antonia, who threw herself from the cliffs after her fiancé perished trying to rescue her. Learn the history of the great flood of 1900 and then witness the ghostly orbs at Lake McDonald. Are they the spirits of the dead? Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.