IN THE TREES, HONEY BEES
​2012 California Readers Collection Winner
​2010-2011 FL Reading Association's Children Book Awards Nominee
​2010 Skipping Stones Honor Award Winner
​2010 NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Book K-12 Winner
​2009 Silver Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Winner
2009 IWLA Book of the Year Award Recipient
2009 Disney's iParenting Media Awards for Outstanding Product
Gold Mom's Choice Award Winner
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​"Vibrant colors, lyrical rhyming couplets, and accurate science all make this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2010 ideal to share with younger students."
—NSTA Recommends
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"[This book] brings us a close-up look at the lives of honey bees . . . Lori Mortensen's text dances neatly between a very simple rhyming text for younger readers ("Sisters fly through the sky") and more in-depth prose notes explaining the science involved. That back-and-forth makes [this book] an ideal book for kindergarten and early-elementary schools."
—Boston Globe
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​"Children may never view honey bees in the same way again."
—The Children's Hour
Sourcebooks | Indiebound | Barnes & Noble​​​
COME SEE THE EARTH TURN, THE STORY OF LEON FOUCAULT
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Winner of 2011 NSTA/CBC
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
​Smithsonian's Notable Book for Children 2010
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"Readers will marvel . . . at the genius of this little-known scientific wizard."
—School Library Journal
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​"An atmospheric picture book."
—Wall Street Journal​
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​​​"It should enchant not only science lovers, but any child who has felt awkward and dreamed big."
—Publishers Weekly
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CINDY MOO
Scholastic Book Club Selection
Texas Library Association 2013 2x2 Reading List
One of HarperCollins Essential Books for Newborns
"[This book] . . . stands out for its clever heroine who just won't give up."
—Kirkus Reviews
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​"As fresh as newly churned butter, this takeoff on "Hey Diddle Diddle" is mighty clever. . . Mo(ooo)ve aside your other cow tales, because this lovable bovine really does take off."
—Booklist
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​"A determined cow thinks outside the box to prove that she can jump over the moon in this bouncy barnyard rhyme . . . Underneath its silliness, Mortensen's energetic verse offers readers a can-do message about finding different ways of looking at a challenge."
—Publishers Weekly
Amazon | Indiebound | Alibris
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COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DAWG
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The New York Times Bookshelf: The Wild West ​
One of Amazon's Best Picture Books of 2013 ​
Winner of 2013 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award
​One of Bank Street College's Best Books for 2014
​Charlotte Award Nominee, 2016
​New Hampshire Ladybug Picture Book Award Nominee
Treasure State Award Nominee (2015)
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"Begs to be read aloud . . . Plumb funny fer sure."
—Kirkus, Starred Review
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"A first purchase for most libraries."
—School Library Journal, Starred Review​
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"Should round up even reluctant readers."
—New York Times
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“[Mortensen] offers here another humorous, rhyming picture book, this one filled with clever language and anticipatory page turns that will delight young listeners …This makes a good choice for story hours or one-on-one sharing.”
—Booklist
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HarperCollins | Amazon | Indiebound
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COWPOKE CLYDE RIDES THE RANGE
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Rhyme Revolution's Best Rhyming Picture Book of 2016
​Bill Martin Jr Picture Book Award Nominee 2018
Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee 2018
​"Pitch-perfect rhyming text . . . just begging to be read aloud. . . Another doggone funny cowboy caper chock full o' chuckles."
—Kirkus, Starred Review
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​"Mortensen's melodic and twangy couplets beg to be read aloud . . . it's clear this isn't Mortensen's first rodeo."
—Booklist​
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​"Sure to tickle the funny bone of all who read it or hear it aloud."
—Children's Book & Media Review
HarperCollins | Indiebound | Barnes & Noble
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MOUSEQUERADE BALL, A COUNTING TALE
"A surefire story time selection."
—School Library Journal
"Sets an upbeat rhythm and a jovial tone."
—Booklist
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"It is an enchanting evening to remember."
—Kirkus Reviews
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"The rhymes are sweet and the words are perfect . . . while reading again and again."
—The Children's Book Review
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CHICKEN LILY
South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL)
2018-2019 South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee
"Nice addition to story times and good . . . for anyone who's a little chicken."
—Kirkus Reviews
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"Every classroom has its shy kids, but this picture book thrusts one into the spotlight and lets her shine."
—Booklist
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"Lily is literally and figuratively a chicken . . . Filled with seamlessly incorporated poultry puns and idioms . . . . the wordplay makes this title a good choice for schools and public libraries."
—School Library Journal
IF WENDELL HAD A WALRUS
ILF (Indiana Library Federation)
Young Hoosier Award Book, 2018
"A 'stupendiferous, cosmically colossal' good time for all."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Mortensen's pitch-perfect child humor combined with Phelan's knack for body language and facial expressions brings the pair's joy clearly to the pages."
—School Library Journal
"A delight to read and re-read."
—San Francisco Book Review
MacMillan | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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AWAY WITH WORDS, THE DARING TRUE STORY OF EXPLORER ISABELLA BIRD
Parent's Choice Recommended Award Winner 2019
One of Nonfiction Detective's Best Books of 2019
​Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People/NCSS/ CBC/2020
​“This story is a treat for young, independent and adventuresome souls.”
—Tulsa Book Review
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“Sure to inspire the explorers of tomorrow."
—Bookpage
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​“Children who hope to forge their own paths can take heart from this picture book biography.”
—Booklist
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​“This volume captures the spirit of a woman who embraced new experiences and played by her own rules."
—Publishers Weekly
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NONSENSE! THE CURIOUS STORY OF EDWARD GOREY
New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids 2020
Amazon Best Books of the Month March: Nonfiction for Kids
Amazon Editors' Pick Best Nonfiction for Kids
AML Picture Book Award 2020
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"A stellar biography, as creepy and fun as its subject."
—Kirkus, Starred Review
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"This playful picture book biography is a wonderful and unique introduction to Edward Gorey's life and work."
—School Library Journal, Starred Review
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"Author biographies in picture book form are difficult to do well, but Mortensen and Bristol have partnered to make this one as good as it gets. Do not miss this book!"
—San Francisco Book Review
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"[A] quiet affirmation that being different is interesting—and interesting stories are the very best kind."
—Booklist
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HarperCollins | Indiebound | Barnes & Noble
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ARLO DRAWS AN OCTOPUS
Amazon Editors' Picks Best Books Ages 6-8 ​
Cybils Awards Fiction Picture Book Finalist 2021 ​
Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) Award Nominee 2022 ​
Pennsylvania One Book 2025
"Well-written and full of fun surprises."
—Kirkus Reviews
​​"A playful, reassuring picture book."
—Booklist
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Abrams | Indiebound | Barnes & Noble
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