Mark Teague

Amanda Smeedy is a seasoned babysitter. Nothing can get her riled, not even an entire circus appearing in the living room! This funny fantasy is told in rhyme and complemented by larger-than-life illustrations.

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When Ike LaRue is "imprisoned" at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy, he tries everything to get sent home – weepy letters to his owner, even illness. In reality, Brotweiler is more camp than prison, but still, Ike is not cut out for life without Mrs. LaRue and his creature comforts. Finally, he runs away, only to find himself back in Snort City – just in time to save Mrs. LaRue's life.

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Ike LaRue is back! Full of personality, the adventurous dog assumes the role of detective in search of two missing cats. As in the first book (Dear Mrs. LaRue…), Ike’s letters home offer a unique perspective, telling a rather different tale, while full color illustrations chronicle the dog’s actual exploits.

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When asked what he did on his summer vacation, normally quiet Wallace Bleff launches into an over-the-top tale of cowboys and cattle and more. Told in rhyme with richly colored, humorous, and understated illustrations, this book puts a new spin on an old back-to-school assignment.

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When Wendell’s mom declares his room a pigsty and tells him he can live like that if he wants, it’s not surprising that Wendell is delighted. It’s even more fun when two round pigs move in with him – making the bedroom a real pigsty! Kids and the adults in their lives will see themselves in this lively fantasy and will rejoice in its resolution.

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Even young monsters on Mars can have trouble adjusting to the first day of first grade. Not only does Horus miss the comforts of Martiangarten, but a know-it-all student harasses him. At his mother's insistence, a very reluctant Horus returns the next day. Once there, he is able to forget his own problems when he helps a new and even more timid Martian. Characters are vividly colored and peculiarly shaped to create a comical but sympathetic school story of adjustment and emerging friendship.

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They’re back! This time, the creators of How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? take on obnoxious and downright gross behaviors at mealtime. While kids will find delight when the Amargasaurus flips his spaghetti into the air or the Lambeosaurus blows bubbles in milk, adults will appreciate the presentation of calm and more appropriate behavior.

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Short rhyming text contrasts with illustrations of huge dinosaurs who are ailing with sniffles and coughs. Of course, the dinosaurs (with their names tucked into each page) are being helped by a caring but seemingly small adult in this companion to How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

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Ten sleepy dinosaurs get ready for bed in this celebration of funny, endearing, and naughty bedtime behavior. Young children will laugh out loud as they recognize themselves in this larger than life silliness.

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Nergal and the other 1st grade Martians from Ms. Vortex’s pod participate in a running competition during health week. Nergal is nervous; he’s not a good runner. But he learns about healthy eating and that doing one’s Martian best is more important than winning. Zany illustrations and text convey a down to earth message in this book from the First Graders From Mars series.

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Poppleton the Pig befriends a llama and a goat when he moves from the city to his new home in a small town. This first book from the Poppleton series introduces the characters and their everyday activities in straightforward language and engaging illustrations.

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In this tale of the students from Pod 1, purple haired Tera tries to take over, bossing everyone around until even the many eyes of Ms.Vortex, the teacher, glaze over. Human kids will recognize Tera’s know-it-all behavior and laugh at the world shown in the comic, colorful illustrations in this book from the First Graders From Mars series.

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Gracie Rose is an obedient dog who likes her home just as it is: comfy and quiet. When Gracie barks to tell intruding house painters to leave, she is put outside and so begins the Great Gracie Chase, which eventually involves the entire town! The illustrations use flat colors and rounded forms to convey the circular chase that's led by an appealing dog who finds her way back home.

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