Posts in My Books

Releasing June 10th, 2025 from Candlewick Press, the story of a merbaby washed ashore…

This is my first picture book starring humans…and mermaids! A book with a very special place in my heart, dedicated to my mom. <3 Preorders will be rewarded with mermaid mail, so drop me a line and let me know if you have ordered in advance. Offer good until June 9th, 2025!

Order link to all online retailers here:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/786775/orpheline-a-mermaid-lost-and-found-story-by-katelyn-aronson-illustrated-by-dow-phumiruk/

Discovering a baby mermaid on the beach is a dream come true—until Cora realizes that her wonderful find is someone else’s loss. A beautifully illustrated story for mermaid fans and tenderhearted readers everywhere. 

“I’m Cora,” I say. “Don’t be afraid. You aren’t lost anymore. You’re found.”

Combing the beach after a lashing storm, Cora is busy filling her bag with sea glass when she spies an amazing sight by the water’s edge: a tiny mermaid nestled in an abalone shell. Mama’s face turns pale when she sees her, but soon the half baby, half fish is squirming in the bathtub, giggling on wheelbarrow rides, exploring tide pools, and playing shadow games with Cora. 

All is blissful until Cora hears some strange whispering coming from the baby’s shell necklace, a voice that calls “Orpheline, Orpheline . . .” Protest as she will, Cora knows that this precious baby belongs to the sea—and to someone who misses her dearly. Poignant, atmospheric, and shimmering with mermaid magic, Orpheline will win the heart of every child who’s longed to have their fantasies come true, if only for a little while.

On shelves October 29th is my cozy Clovis mystery, illustrated by Benji Williams and published by Page Street Kids. (And pssst! A 3rd Clovis story is coming one year from now–October 2025!)

You can also order a copy at the link below:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clovis-suspects-a-sneak-katelyn-aronson/1144473276?ean=9781645678991

With winter in full swing, Clovis’s shop has never been cozier, and Clovis never calmer. Holiday decor, mugs of Earl Grey tea, and batches of his granny’s caramel recipe put him in a cheery mood with not a flurry of his temper in sight. 

Though his bullying days are over, Clovis is still working on trust, and as things disappear from his shop, he can’t help but suspect those closest to him. Soon, he’s hovering over regular customers, accusing his best friends, and even questioning his cat! His mounting mistrust drives everyone away and leaves Clovis feeling like a cold, soggy teabag that no kettle could warm. 

Desperate to crack the case, he again takes inspiration from Granny, stirring up a sweet setup to catch the culprit. But when the mystery of the missing items is not what it seems, can Clovis keep his cool and warm his heart enough to restore peace to his shop? After all, he’s a bull, not a bully. 

Ready to be read aloud on frosty winter days or at any time of year, this heartwarming tale is a perfect reminder to trust in friends and be gentle and generous even in tough moments.

POO-DUNIT? released from Candlewick Press in 2022, and just arrived in paperback March 4th, 2025!

Link to all online retailers (paperback):

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706405/poo-dunit-by-katelyn-aronson-illustrated-by-stephanie-laberis/9781536240870

Link to all online retailers (hardcover):

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706405/poo-dunit-by-katelyn-aronson-illustrated-by-stephanie-laberis/

PRAISE for POO-DUNIT:

Aronson’s rhymed verses will be a treat to read aloud, assuming, that is, they can be heard over audience laughter. . . . should reduce any storytime group to pandemonium.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

Aronson’s story of a scatological stumper will elicit giggles. . . The quiz and the paean to poo at the close add a little fun and science, respectively. Laberis’ digitally created cartoon illustrations are worthy of Disney—if Disney did doo-doo. . . Stinky science with a sprinkle of silly.
—Kirkus Reviews

In this deeply silly but impressively informative rhyming mystery tale, young people can learn to be dropping detectives. . . . In addition to a lot of silliness, the book ends with a visual guide to poo of many sorts, and an explanation of the environmental role it plays.
—The Virginian Pilot 

SYNOPSIS:

Sniff, sniff! went Mouse. Whiff, whiff! went Mouse.
“Who left this poo outside my house? I must undo this mystery. Poo-dunit?”

Mouse is dismayed to step outside her house one morning only to discover a giant pile of poo! Who could have done such a dastardly deed? Mouse questions all the animals of the forest, but it’s too big to be Squirrel’s, too dark to be Coyote’s, and too messy to be Deer’s. Will Mouse ever track down the culprit—and will she find a way to make the best of this smelly situation? Between giggles, children will learn to identify eight different animals’ scat and discover how droppings can help plants to grow, all while enjoying Katelyn Aronson’s rhyming text and Stephanie Laberis’s expressive animals. Back matter includes a mini “poo-dunit” mystery challenging children to match scat with the correct animal, as well as a note on why poo is precious.

The long-awaited story behind the proverbial bull in the china shop is here, illustrated by Eve Farb and releasing from Page Street Kids on August 17th, 2021.

Your pre-order would be so appreciated, and I’d be happy to send you a little “thank you” in the mail–Simply contact me with your proof of purchase at: katearonson (at) gmail (dot) com. You can purchase CLOVIS and support your favorite indie bookstore at the same time using either of the following links:

https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=clovis+keeps+his+cool

https://bookshop.org/books/clovis-keeps-his-cool/9781645672135

This spring, I’ll be welcoming the scrumptious sequel to Piglette. In these books, I’ve sought to celebrate the senses, while also exploring questions of the heart.

While the first Piglette focused on fragrances and finding one’s place in the world, Piglette’s Perfect Surprise is all about flavor and patisseries (plus a look at striving versus simplicity–I may have been preaching to myself there). Eva Byrne’s luscious illustrations will have your mouth watering!

Authors’ careers are often determined by pre-orders these days, before their books even hit the shelves. That’s why I’d be so grateful for your pre-order, which makes future Piglettes a possibility. The book is available at any of the links below. Indiebound in particular supports your local bookshop, which could surely use the support at this time. Merci beaucoup! and please enjoy a sneak peak inside the book here.

Indiebound

Penguin Random House

Bookshop.org

At last, my book is out in the wild. Welcome, Piglette! Bienvenue au monde!

 This story was written and illustrated with such love.

If you’d be willing to request it at your library, purchase it from your indie bookshop, or order it online,

I’d be so grateful. May it bring you and your little ones many happy moments.

Merci beaucoup!

IndieBound.org

Bookshop.org

BarnesandNoble.com

***Receive a FREE Piglette printable paper doll when you sign up for my mailing list here!***