In the beginning, potty time meant the great outdoors . . .

People have been going potty since, well, since the beginning of people! Ever wonder what humans used before potties or paper? You might be surprised at the clever tools that humans came up with over the centuries. From the great outdoors to ceramic pots, bum brushes and bidets, prepare for an adventure as we explore the interesting and sometimes shocking history of human potty practices! Award-winning children’s author Sophia Gholz and illustrator Xiana Teimoy team up to put a humorous spin on the fun and fascinating facts surrounding the history of toilet paper (and other potty tools) in this delightful book.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

RP Kids/Hachette, August 2022

• 2022 Cybils Awards Nonfiction Nominee
• Book Riot’s 12 Must-Read Children’s Book Releases

“A humorous and clever tale about toilet tools”
– Kirkus Reviews

​”Sophia Gholz has a penchant for telling stories that haven’t appeared on children’s shelves before and this book is no exception…A History of Toilet Paper (And Other Potty Tools), illustrated by Xiana Teimoy, is the toilet tale that even Dav Pilkey would have to appreciate.”
—SLJ Fuse Blog

“Gholz found a topic that matters to every reader. She carefully traces the development of “potty tools” from the days of early humans to the present…VERDICT: An engaging look at how various bathroom technology has changed over time; this is sure to appeal to the elementary school sense of humor.”
—School Library Journal

“[A] delightful and funny microhistory about toilet paper… A seriously hilarious and engrossing read!”
—Book Riot

“…a perfect way to combine the history of inventions in a fun and humorous way…Sophia weaved history and humor together that will engage readers from beginning to end. The illustrations by Xiana Teimoy are detailed, colorful, and historically accurate…This informational book is perfect for a classroom inventions unit, or a fun bedtime read aloud.”
—Jen’s Book Talk

“Full of puns and potty humor…readers are drawn through time as facilities, scrub brushes, and wipes change and develop into what we know now…This irreverent and appealing book is sure to draw snickers from kids.”
—Picture Book Buzz

SUBSIDIARY RIGHTS

Foreign

• Chinese (Simplified): People’s Medical Publishing House
• Danish: Forlaget Carlsen

Pug is snug on his rug. Then along comes Bug with a claim to the rug! The two engage in a hysterical battle of wits in this comedic tit-for-tat tale until Slug asks the necessary questions to help them find common ground.

This fun and epic read aloud is a sweet tale of friendship, compromise, owning mistakes, and accepting differences that will engage young readers through word play and rollicking rhyme.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Sleeping Bear Press, April 2022

• 2023-24 Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. Shortlist
• 2022 Cybils Awards Fiction Picture Book Nominee
• Book of the Month Nominee on Long and Short Reviews

“A rollicking, rhyming read-aloud…the rhymes are inventive, and the rug rivals’ words have great texture. A fun way to build reading skills…”
—Booklist

“Author Sophia Gholz has written a fun rhymer with a story that will engage little ones without them ever knowing they are learning some good life lessons about friendship and getting along with others. This will become a fast favorite.”
—San Francisco Book Review

“…a pleasing, comical story about finding common ground, owning mistakes, and accepting differences. Readers will enjoy the hilarious proceedings conveyed through jaunty rhymes that scan well and the characters’ expressive mugging. Lively fun that all readers will enjoy, snug in their own rugs and everywhere else.”
—Kirkus

“Young listeners and emerging readers will return again and again for the crazy antics, heartfelt friendship, and surprise ending, all while developing vocabulary and reading skills.”
—Tanya Konerman Blog

“…a really fun rhyming book about a bug, a pug, and a slug with a message about friendship and getting along. There is some clever word play that adds to the fun. It will make an entertaining read aloud.”
—Literacy on the Mind

“The book will make a favorite addition to home, school, and public libraries for lively and meaningful story times.”
—Celebrate Picture Books

“Kids will find all kinds of rhyming fun in this silly encounter between a pug and a bug on the same rug…This story offers a great opportunity to discuss sharing with others, talking about our frustrations, and being kind.”
—Sincerely Stacie Blog

“With a keen sense of humor, author Sophia Gholz invites us into rhyming rhythmic fun-filled fiction. Her selection of words used to create this tale are delightful, true, and never forced but flowing. She shows readers how discord can be turned into harmony. Your personal and professional shelves need to house a copy of this book.”
—Librarian’s Quest

“Hilarious and adorable! … Written in brilliant rhyme this book is fun to read aloud and a great tool to use with children around sharing and taking a moment to consider another’s perspective.”
—Picture Book Recommendations

“The rhymes and sound effects will especially please adults who choose this book for read-aloud, lending fun to a story which promotes working together, phonics, and understanding cooperative compromise and problem-solving.”
—Midwest Book Review

“The teacher in me loves this story for setting classroom expectations at the beginning of the year. And the parent in me loves this story for reminding my little wild child what it means to show kindness…”
—Two Cents

“This LOL, rhyming, SEL, read-aloud presents a battle of wits set against an inviting bucolic backdrop…This book is an uproarious and engaging approach to teaching phonics to children eager to learn how to read…The dynamic of the character interaction cracks me up…”
—Good Reads With Ronna

“This was such a FUN book to read. Not only did it offer killer rhyming, but it was packed full of laughs. This book teaches the art of sharing and compromise so well. It isn’t preachy or in your face which I love! It is done in such a natural way and doesn’t at all talk down to the children.”
—Beaches and Reads

“Bug on the Rug, written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Susan Batori, is a great read aloud with lots of fun word play! …Bright and bold pictures work perfectly with the sparing text, to cohesively tell pug and bug’s adventure on the rug.”
—Mother Goose Librarian

“…a perfect one for beginning readers…filled with a host of phonetic learning opportunities….There is also the discussion opportunity regarding what might cause someone (or a bug) to become homeless. We all love happy endings, and the goofy pictures throughout the book will keep kids entertained.”
—Pamela Kramer Reviews

“…both hilarious and charming. This book teaches the important skills of rhyming and inference to emergent readers and it’s a perfect read aloud for all ages.”
—Teaching Expertise

“…The rhyming text and silly illustrations make this a fun one to read aloud, and kids will learn an important lesson about forgiveness and finding common ground.”
— Babies to Bookworms

When Jack Horner was a child, nothing fascinated him more than fossils–dinosaur fossils to be exact. He hunted for them at every chance he had, and dreamed of becoming a great paleontologist. But school was hard, reading was even harder, and he struggled to succeed like the other kids in his classes due to severe dyslexia. Forced to find his own way to success, Jack persevered becoming one of the world’s most famous paleontologist and immortalized in Hollywood films.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Sleeping Bear Press, September 2021

• Kentucky Association of School Librarians KBA Award (K-2) Nominee

• Bookstagang Best of Nominee

“An inspiring example of how disabilities don’t have to close doors…”
—School Library Journal

“This picture book biography of world-renowned paleontologist Jack Horner not only details Horner’s passion to discover and study dinosaurs, but also encourages children to persevere when they face challenges…this title will be grabbed off the shelf for recreational reading alone.”
—School Library Connection

“The book will captivate children on its own or as an introduction to a wide range of classroom lessons and is highly recommended for all home, classroom, and public library collections.”
—Celebrate Picture Books

“It’s a really amazing story about a man who struggled in school…but didn’t give up on his dream and found a way to make it happen…”
—Colby Sharp

“I highly recommend this book for its engaging and interesting text and fast-paced story-telling.”
—7 Days of Books

“…the perfect book for a reluctant reader.”
—Children’s Book Watch

“Jack Horner, Dinosaur Hunter! may very well provide readers with the encouragement they need to pursue what they most desire.”
—The Canton Repository

“Any and all kids (and adults) who love dinosaurs will be inspired by Sophia’s telling of Jack’s story.”
— Sandra Nickel

“…this will not only appeal to young readers, but will be a great resource for older reluctant readers.”
—Carol Baldwin Blog

“Gholz did an amazing job of bringing Jack’s story to life and showing that hard work and dedication pay off in the end!”
— Homeschool By The Beach

“…this book will be a huge hit in elementary schools, everywhere!”
— Miller Memo Blog

“…this not only covers his biography and vivid world, but employs dyslexia-friendly fonts to appeal to those who may be reading-challenged.”
— Midwest Book Reviews

“How can kids not walk away inspired to dig into their own interests after reading this book, especially if they feel like their dreams are out of reach or that they lack the skills to attain them? I love this book for the true life story it shares about a kid who grew up exploring the world around him, while paying attention to the details in a way that led to fascinating dinosaur fossil discoveries—discoveries that started small—with fossilized shells. Jack Horner found passion in hands-on science and persevered, despite dealing with the hardship of severe dyslexia…”
— The Shepherd

“…an inspiration to kids with dyslexia and those who love dinosaurs.”
— Sincerely Stacie Blog

“This book will give children with disabilities a chance to believe they can over come and be successful in life. Teachers will love providing this book. Kids and their parents will want to read about Jack.”
—Writing & Illustrating

SUBSIDIARY RIGHTS

Foreign

• French: TuttiStori Editions

Discover the true story of iconic American painter and TV host Bob Ross in this official picture book biography.

Bob Ross continues to inspire young and old alike with his public television painting program, “The Joy of Painting,” almost 30 years after the show went off the air. Bob Ross fell in love with painting and wanted to inspire others to find joy in their happy accidents. Follow his footsteps toward becoming a TV painter icon in this delightful and reverent picture book biography of a gentle soul who loved painting and teaching others how to paint too.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Running Press Kids/Hachette, July 2021

“…Bob’s life was a wandering road…He chose many paths and interests before finding his passion. This message to kids, in a world increasingly pressuring them to ‘figure out’ what they want to be, is such a positive one. No matter what path we are on, the colours of our passion will reveal themselves to us and we will find out way…”
—The Small Protagonist 

“…Beginning with the figure’s Florida upbringing and covering his time as an Air Force sergeant and transition to painting alla prima with TV artist Bill Alexander, Gholz captures the magic of the artist’s lulling, lilting tone…there is comfort in seeing a gentle soul gradually find his voice and his calling through art and community. Boyden gives this arc of self-discovery visual momentum through crisply drawn, cartoonish vignettes, along with a few larger images of the outdoors, that pay full homage to the Bob Ross style…”
—Publisher’s Weekly

“…Creative kids will relate, and those who are not yet sure about their artistic confidence will feel seen. Delightful!”
—Julie Rowan-Zoch Blog

“This is Your World: The Story of Bob Ross is a wonderful book for fans of the kind-hearted artist, as well as an encouragement to dreamers alike. Bob made a difference because he cared and he saw the best in others; that’s a beautiful way to live.”
—Read With Muse.On.Paper

In India, there is a boy who loves nature. The boy treasures his precious river-island and the wildlife who share it with him. But each year he witnesses animals displaced from loss of habitat, while his island slowly erodes away. He worries that if animals whither without trees, people will too. With nothing but a handful of bamboo saplings, the boy sets out on a mission to reclaim the land the river has taken.

The Boy Who Grew A Forest follows the true story of Mishing tribesman, Jadav Payeng, who single-handedly planted over twelve hundred acres of lush forest on a once barren island in northeastern India. 

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Sleeping Bear Press, March 2019

• Shelf Awareness Starred Review
• North Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominee
• Florida State Book Award Gold Medal
• South Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominee
• Green Earth Book Award Honor
• CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
• Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Honor Award
• CBHL Annual Literature Award Nominee
• Nile Delta Book Award Winner
• SONWA Award Winner, Young Children’s Literature
• SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner
• Keystone State Literary Award Shortlist
• WSRA Children’s Literature Committee Recommended Books
• RWR Best Book, Most Inspirational Books category

• The Story Museum Book Exhibition in Oxford, England. 2023-2024

“Gholz’s respect for Jadav’s accomplishments shines through in her endearing presentation of his life…The Boy Who Grew a Forest celebrates an incredible man and arouses in its audience a respect for nature that may motivate them to follow in Jadav’s footsteps. Superb.”
—Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)

“Payeng’s story is eloquently told and beautifully illustrated. It will inspire readers to recognize the power of individual determination…”
—Booklist

“This just isn’t a book for Arbor Day or Earth Day or a unit on plants, trees or biographies, this is a book for now. I highly recommend this title for your professional and personal collections.”
—Librarian’s Quest

“This is a story about soil erosion, ecology and perseverance. Author Sophia Gholz does an incredible job of making these big topics interesting to young readers. Her use of ellipses throughout the text help learners see Payeng’s determination.”
—Library Lessons 

“…Children will marvel at the story of Jadav Payeng’s dedication and lifelong perseverance told through Gholz’s lyrical text. As children learn about Jadav Payeng, they also discover the components of fertile soil and how a lush environment attracts the animals and other wildlife vital to a flourishing community. A gorgeous and beautifully told story about the power of one, The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng will excite children to make a difference in their own way…”
— Celebrate Picture Books

“This is an amazing little book about how one quiet and humble soul can impact millions of lives—including the lives of animals and insects. Ms Gholz’s prose is sweet, simplistic and super-inspirational. The reader can hear the boy’s determination in every word; can actually feel him willing the sandbars back to life with every sapling he plants and every bucket of dirt he hauls.”
— Picture Book Depot

“The soft, earthy tones are simply beautiful. The story is simple, yet effective.”
— Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook

“This story of a young conservationist change-maker many years ago is wonderfully inspiring and relevant today. This is a beautifully written and illustrated environmental biography that will inspire your children/students.”
—Miss Marple’s Musings

“The language in the book is lovely, lyrical and easy to read aloud. It is structured to show a problem, and how Payeng addressed the problem, over and over and over.”
— Annette Pimentel

“This inspiring true story shows how one individual–no matter how young–can make a difference. The book teaches kids about ecology and sustainability while supporting positive life skills such as hard work, persistence, and responsibility. This book is ideal for both parents and educators to share with children.”
—Bicultural Mama

“An inspirational read-aloud for units on plants, the environment, or Earth Day.”
— School Library Journal 

“Young readers learn about environmentalism and see that even the mightiest results really do begin with a small seed of an idea.”
—Sir Read A Lot

“…the story provides young children with a real-life example of the connections between man and nature.”
— Kirkus

“This book is truly inspirational…It’s a fabulous addition for any classroom or school library. Teachers can use it for an introduction to teaching ecology or ecosystems or about the environment.”
— Pamela Kramer

“A fabulous true story of what one person can accomplish through hard work and determination, The Boy Who Grew a Forest is genuinely inspiring for young and old alike.”
— The Reading Eagle

“This is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished with hard work, persistence and patience. A reminder that, even a little progress each day will eventually produce huge results…This is definitely one worth the read!”
— Children’s Bookshelf/Kids Book Guru

“The Boy Who Grew a Forest will acquaint many 5-8 year olds with a forest’s marvels—and with their own potential to see a dream through to its fullness.”
— Spirituality & Practice

“The Boy Who Grew A Forest is an incredible true story of how one small boy’s big dream literally grew into a thriving reality. It is possible for a single person to make a big difference in the world!”
— Feathered Quill

“This story is both educational and inspiring, and the illustrations are beautiful. It promotes conservation and ecology without being preachy. And it includes back matter with more information about Jadav Payeng and his forest, along with instructions for planting seeds, so children can enjoy watching their own forests grow.”
— Rachel Funez

“…A clear example of how one person can make all the difference.”
— Motherly

“I would recommend The Boy who Grew a Forest to kids who like nature, who like learning about real people and who are maybe growing their own garden.”
—Kids Book Buzz

“This is a story of perseverance…”
— Story Monsters Midwest Book Review

“Any age of elementary students would enjoy this story, and it could be used for a read aloud in a science class for middle and high school students as well.”
— Books and Paper Blog

“The story is environmentally themed and is sure to inspire your kid to look up to someone who also saves the world in a different way. “
— My Baby and My Books

“An inspirational true story about how even the youngest among us can make a world of difference…”
— Tanya Konerman

“A great resource…believing in what you think is right and persevering in its pursuit, can really make a difference in the world.”
— Raising Stand Up Boys

“A lovely tale about nature, commitment, and the impact of a single person…”
— Beth Anderson

“It highlights the idea that everyone of us has a part to play in keeping our planet healthy. Children interested in the natural world will find Jadav’s story encouraging and fascinating…”
— LibrisNotes

“An absolutely gorgeous picture book with a message of dedication and strength…”
— Eisenhower Public Library

“Sophia Gholz’s words and Kayla Harren’s illustrations are perfectly woven together–words full of hope and pictures created with calming colors. I appreciate how problem & solution and cause & effect text structures are weaved into the overall chronological organization…”
— Teachers Books Readers

“…a reminder that kids can make a difference. It also helps children understand the relationship between native plants and the rest of the ecosystem.”
— Book Riot

“Jadav models that one child can make a difference. Hopefully it will inspire students to think about what they can do in their own communities to create a healthier environment for everyone.”
— Children’s Book Heal

“Sometimes we need a reminder that even one small person can make a difference. This book is that reminder.”
— Nerdy Book Club

SUBSIDIARY RIGHTS

Foreign

• French: TuttiStori Editions
• German: Zuckersüß Verlag

Media Rights: Film, Television, Stage & Podcast  

Live Stage

• German: Staatstheater Meiningen, Limited Edition 2022-2023 Season