Ella Josephine and the Perfectly Imperfect Day: Book 3 (Hardcover, 2026)

"Readers will want to move in here and meet these folks."--Kirkus Reviews

Ella Josephine is back! And ready for more adventures with her wonderfully eclectic neighbors in their bright pink home on Poppy Hill. She has a secret surprise for Cleo that will make the opening day of Poppy Hill Records a smashing success, helps Jacques understand that art is everywhere, and discovers that even when a campout doesn't go as planned, it can still be perfect--especially on Poppy Hill.

Highlighted by lively illustrations throughout, the Ella Josephine series celebrates community, friendship, family, and home. A fan favorite from the start, it's the first chapter book series from the acclaimed author of picture books, adult literary fiction, and YA novels, including We Are Okay, recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association, which is awarded annually to the best book written for young adults.

EVERYONE LOVES ELLA JOSEPHINE: The Apartment House on Poppy Hill, the first book in the series, was celebrated for its charm, diversity, and heartwarming storylines.

• Winner of the 2024 Lambada Literary Award for LGBTQ+ Children's Literature
• A Junior Library Guild selection
• A Kids' Indie Next selection
• An Amazon Best Children's Books of the Year (Ages 6-8)
• A San Francisco Chronicle 10 Best Children's Books to Gift
• A We Are Teachers 60 Best Second Grade Books to Update Your Library

CHAPTER BOOK READERS LOVE A SERIES: Newly independent and emerging readers love to immerse themselves in familiar characters and places. Ella is a strong protagonist that readers of all ages and genders will love. She is bighearted, curious, and just a tad mischievous.

DIVERSE CAST OF CHARACTERS: Featuring many different family structures, this story is wonderfully diverse and inclusive. Any reader can imagine themselves living at 1106 Wildflower Place. The series combines the eccentric joy of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City and the fun of Ivy + Bean.

INSPIRED BY AUTHOR'S LIFE: The charming characters and their stories were conjured by LaCour and her young daughter during the long walks they took through San Francisco during the early days of Covid-19 and inspired by the people they encountered along the way.

Perfect for:

• Parents, teachers, and librarians
• Readers who love Nina LaCour's books and such bestselling series as Ivy + Bean, Clementine, Judy Moody, and Junie B. Jones
• Gift-givers looking for entertaining chapter books for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart