Rory Haltmaier

Puffling is a curious little bird that just discovered what muffins are—and now she's determined to make them herself! With the help of her quirky seaside buddies, Puffling embarks on a rollicking adventure to surprise Mama Puffin with an extra special treat.

Join Hermit Crab, Seagull, Otter, and Sandpiper as they lend their unique talents and tastes to Puffling's big idea—with delicious results! Their sweet quest captures all the fun of a summer beach day and all the excitement of baking a treat from scratch.

Muffins for Puffins playfully explores the concepts of teamwork, following the spark of creative inspiration, and the deep satisfaction of making things by hand (or claw... or paw... or wing!)

"Rory Haltmaier has done it again! In these charmingly illustrated pages, she has crafted a story that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and cooperation...and we learn fascinating facts along the way! With love in her heart, Puffling sets out to make a gift for her mama; together with her seashore friends, she shows us how to solve a problem using her imagination and the resources at hand (or wing...or claw... or beak...). Adults prepare: young readers will want to run out and gather ingredients for their own muffins the moment that final page is turned!"

—A. Wildrick, Primary School Visual Arts Educator

"Muffins for Puffins is a sweet and engaging story that resonates with themes of friendship, curiosity, and caring for others. Perhaps most importantly is the recognition that the contribution of others is the recipe for success. Our Kindergarten and Pre-K classes were captivated by the story of these adorable characters—making clever and focused connections between themselves, their lives, and the little animals. The kids kept scooching in closer to the book with every turn of the page—the mark of a fantastic read-aloud!"

—J. Wilfahrt, Early Childhood/First Grade Teacher

• WINNER: 2022 Royal Dragonfly Award for Best Picture Book, 5 & Younger, 6 & Older
• WINNER: 2022 American Book Fest Award for Best Children’s Book, Mind/Body/Spirit

Obie Owl and Bitsy Bat have never met a daytime animal or flown in a sunny blue sky—because they're always asleep during the day! But all that is about to change for these nocturnal buddies...

Join Obie and Bitsy on a high-flying adventure as they take on the challenges of a bright and unfamiliar landscape. With the help of some "wonderfully odd" new friends—including an acrobatic squirrel, a sharp-shooting frog, and a gentle giant of a badger—the little night creatures come to understand that what makes us different is also what makes us special. They return home from their rollicking day of exploration sleepy but inspired—with new ideas about self-acceptance, friendship, and the power of kindness.

This big-hearted tale is brimming with humor and charm—and is brought to life in dazzling watercolor illustrations by award-winning artist Rory Haltmaier.

“This is a beautiful book! A luscious forest fairy tale, this story offers a roadmap to practicing  kindness. There are so many ways to be wonderful! The quirky woodland creatures are perfect role models: kind, friendly, curious, and genuinely accepting of differences. Each character has its own distinct—and funny!—personality, warmly conveyed in gorgeous watercolor. Ms. Haltmaier, THANK YOU for showing us how easy and fun it is to be kind and to make the world a happy and safe place for everyone.”

—M. Black, M.Ed., Librarian, Elementary School Educator

“How Wonderfully Odd! is about a sweet friendship, but it also thoughtfully teaches children quite a bit! This rich story models kindness, bravery, and the importance of appreciating our unique talents. For these characters, ‘odd’ is something we simply haven't encountered yet, and it is wonderful to be odd. Being 'wonderfully odd' is a lesson I want for all of my students! It's such a well-crafted story accompanied by beautifully detailed illustrations!”

—S. Light, Second Grade Teacher, Early Education Social Studies Coordinator