Ellie Has a Secret

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

“Gentle and magical. A story that purrs with a full heart and a Secret.” —Hanna Cha, Caldecott-Honor artist of The Truth About Dragons

“A slyly-told modern fable about keeping a secret, with dazzlingly cinematic spreads.”—The Fan Brothers, creators of The Night Gardener and It Fell from the Sky

“Gorgeous, immersive, and a crucial conversation starter to help readers of all ages feel safe in revealing weighty secrets of their own.” —Devin Elle Kurtz, creator of The Bakery Dragon and illustrator of Seven Ways Through the Woods

A gorgeously illustrated social-emotional picture book debut about releasing the secrets that weigh us down, featuring a mysterious creature who’s not as it first seems—perfect for fans of the stunning characters and worlds by David Wiesner, the Fan Brothers, and Aaron Becker. Pure magic!

Ellie would never dream of taking something from her classroom without asking her teacher first. But the shell she finds during recess is particularly peculiar—and has a mysterious critter living inside it! Surprising even herself, she pops it in her pocket as a little secret when no one is looking. It’s not long before the creature outgrows the shell and starts to weigh Ellie down.

Does Ellie have a Secret or does the Secret have her?This spectacular debut by author-illustrator Amelia Bothe explores the delights and perils of keeping secrets as well as the rewards of being honest.

About the Author

Amelia Bothe is an illustrator and author from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The idea for her debut book comes from a moment in her own childhood where she remembers swiping a seashell from her classroom and bringing it home, only to find herself overwhelmed with guilt by the end of the day! Her love of illustrating whimsical beasts led her to tell this story with a fantastical twist. Amelia graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2024 with a BFA in illustration.