Step into Reading Books

Established in July 2013 in a merger between Penguin and Random House, Penguin Random House, with nearly 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, more than 15,000 new titles published each year, and close to 800 million print, audio, and eBooks sold annually, is the world’s leading trade book publisher. Like its predecessor companies, Penguin Random House is committed to publishing adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print editions and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Its publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Sandra writes picture books, beginning readers, and, most recently, the Baby Code! series of board books. Her picture book The Giant Hug (Knopf, 2005, illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev) was a Junior Library Guild selection and an IRA Children’s Choice, and has been translated into many languages. Family, friends, pets, and nature spark the ideas for many of her stories. In addition to writing children’s books, Sandra also works as the library director of the Chaplin Public Library. Books surround her at home and at work! She lives in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut with her husband, two sons, and a flock of chickens and ducks (all named, of course).

John Bemelmans Marciano carries on the legacy begun by his grandfather, Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of the Madeline books, with stunning watercolor artwork and playful, energetic storytelling. John Bemelmans Marciano is the author and illustrator of several other books including Delilah and Bemelmans: The Life and Art of Madeline’s Creator. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Frank Murphy has taught a wide variety grades at the elementary and middle school level. A popular speaker, Murphy is the author of many fun historical fiction books for young readers. He lives in Holland, PA.

Sue DiCicco is a former Disney animator and the author/illustrator of many beloved storybooks for children.

Tad Hills is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the Rocket and Duck & Goose series, including the New York Times bestselling picture books How Rocket Learned to Read; Rocket Writes a Story; R Is for Rocket; Duck & Goose; Duck, Duck, Goose; Duck & Goose Go to the Beach; and Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo! He also created various board books in these series, including Rocket’s Mighty Words; Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin; the ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book What’s Up, Duck?: A Book of Opposites; Duck & Goose: Here Comes the Easter Bunny!; and several Step Into Reading titles, including Drop It, Rocket! and Rocket’s 100th Day of School. The Boston Globe declared Hills’s work “charming, funny, simple, and surprising” and dubbed him “a master of the light comic touch.” Tad lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, two children, and his real-life dog, Rocket, who has not yet learned to read. Visit Tad online at tadhills.com, and follow him on Twitter at @tadhills.

Richard Walz is the illustrator of many humorous historical Step into Readings. He lives in Northhampton, MA.