Everyone knows that rascally egg, Humpty Dumpty, but few have met the rest of his family which includes his younger sister, Dimity. Painfully shy, Dimity comes out of her shyness (her shell, so to speak!) to help her rambunctious brother. Humor abounds in both text and illustration on this take-off of the traditional rhyme.
Dimity Dumpty: The Story of Humpty’s Little Sister
When a bird builds its nest on Elephant’s head, his buddy Piggie suggests that Elephant simply ask the bird to move to another location. The bird honors Elephant’s polite request and takes up residence on Piggie’s head! Humor abounds in the understated text and simple illustrations of this easy-to-read book.
There Is a Bird on Your Head!
Ollie longs to be the best of anything in his class and ultimately discovers that he is the class’ best chef when he brings in his family’s favorite dishes. This delights a special visitor – the teacher’s sister who is a television chef! This satisfying story will be appreciated by creative cooks everywhere.
The Best Chef in Second Grade
Stink gets a huge batch of jawbreakers when he writes a letter of complaint and so is inspired to write other companies. While he receives other things for his letter writing, Judy Moody’s little brother comes to realize that there are really more important things in his life.
Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker
According to his new motto, “A Writer’s Job Is to Turn His Worst Experiences Into Money,” Jack Henry is going to be filthy rich even before he gets out of junior high, for his life is filled with the worst experiences imaginable. In the course of the few months Jack is humiliated by a gorgeous synchronized swimmer, gets a tattoo the size of an ant on his big toe, flubs an IQ test and nearly fails wood shop, and has to dig up his dead dog not once but twice. And that’s not the half of it.
Jack’s Black Book
Braid Beard’s band of pirates has bad teeth, bad breath, and bad manners — and now, in order to get their treasure they have Jeremy Jacob’s baby sister with a dirty diaper. Shiver me timbers and aargh! It’s enough to gross out a grown pirate! This fantastic adventure is fun, fast — and not a little odiferous.
Pirates Don’t Change Diapers
What do you do when you’re in a funk and full of the grumblies? Well, you can take that gross, dark day and bake it into something sweet. And like Mrs. Biddlebox, you can eat it to make your tummy full of tasty crumblies to enjoy the starry night before bedtime. Energetic lines and a jaunty rhyme reveal a fresh way to look at bad moods.
Mrs. Biddlebox: Her Bad Day and What She Did About It!
Bovine buddies Minnie and Moo are getting ready for their farmer’s birthday. They give him their last cream puff — leaving it in his slipper…and the sweater they’ve made seems to be haunted! And where is Elvis the rooster? Nothing could be grosser than stepping into a cream puff or wearing a sweater that talks, but it sure makes a funny tale!
Minnie and Moo and the Haunted Sweater
Julius’ mom is making cupcakes with candy corn atop for a Halloween party; Julius is told not to touch them. He doesn’t, but does count the candy corn — as he eats them! Crisply lined illustrations stand out on each sturdy page as Julius (some may recognize him from Julius, Baby of the World) tastes the best part of the cupcakes — before guests arrive.
Julius’ Candy Corn
It’s hard enough for Oscar to be a “wiener-dog” (you know the kinds that are twice as long as they are high). Add a really dumb, gross Halloween costume, and the other mutt’s behavior toward Oscar deteriorates even more. That is, until Oscar saves the day in this funny, off-beat, canine Halloween tale.
The Hallo-wiener
Jack and his family are moving to North Carolina now that his father has joined the navy. In school there, nine-year-old Jack falls hopelessly in love with his new teacher. Told through Jack’s crisp, often funny, sometimes poignant narration in a format that emulates a journal, this is the prequel for the Jack series.
Jack Adrift: Fourth Grade Without a Clue
The Flint Future Detectives are back for another wacky adventure in which the dog owned by Steven’s friend, Russell (first introduced in Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money) inadvertently launches an out-of-this-world series of events. Readers will see the satire in this improbable, funny, and fast-reading novel.
Mr. Chickee’s Messy Mission
Could it be real? A quadrillion dollar bill? In this funny, fast-paced tall tale, nine-year-old Steven, helper and friend of his blind neighbor, Mr. Chickee, solves the mystery of this strange money.
Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money
Sam uses a great deal of initiative to make just the right birthday present for his mother. But when he combines all of her favorite smells to make the perfect perfume, disastrous (and odiferous) results permeate this worthy sequel to All About Sam.
Attaboy, Sam!
Travel back in time with a bunch of cowpokes and their cattle from Texas all the way to Kansas on the old Chisholm Trail. Cartoon-like illustration and surprisingly informative language of a traditional folksong blend laughter and learning as the tale unfolds — with or without the tune (though music is included).
The Old Chisholm Trail
Life in a large family sometimes presents special challenges, such as preparing for a day at the beach. Everyone forgets something, so after many trips to retrieve everything — from Fido (the dog) to a favorite beach pail — a sudden storm prevents the trip — but not the fun!
To the Beach!
A loving father takes his children, Alice and Baxter, to take a look at the ocean. But they soon realize their visit to the beach would be so much better with stuff they didn’t bring; and after all, and a trip back home will take only half an hour! After lots of back and forth travel, the panda family figures out how to have all the fun possible.
A Day at the Beach
Humans like the beach in the sunlight but bats prefer it in when it’s “moony.” Children will enjoy the wordplay and the bat activities in this rollicking, rhyming romp as they recognize familiar beach goings-on, reflected in the appealing illustrations.
Bats at the Beach
A lovable Rottweiler named Carl has everthing under control while Mom steps out on an errand. Or does he?
Good Dog Carl
As a gift from his magician uncle, Joe receives The Book setting into motion a series of humorous time travel adventures. Joe and his friends, Fred and Sam, travel to King Arthur’s England where they meet dragons, knights, and more in this first Time Warp Trio trip. Smith’s black/white illustrations punctuate the action in this fast-paced tale.
Knights of the Kitchen Table
Fact and fiction, old and new styles of illustration, wit and seriousness combine in this pithy, lighthearted look at four luminaries in American history. Only mature readers will appreciate the title’s name play but are sure to chuckle at the take on John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin. Fact is clearly differentiated from fun at book’s end.
John, Paul, George and Ben
This classic children’s favorite contains stories and activities that can be enjoyed independently or shared with an adult. From poetry to puzzles, from short fiction to informational stories, each carefully crafted part of the magazine is a teaching tool that reads like a comic book. Pattern recognition and reading comprehension activities are placed alongside lessons on morals and courtesy in a format that is kid-friendly and fun!
Highlights for Children
Varied topics and a lively style are sure to engage new readers. From games to activities to stories, kids are encouraged to participate and will enjoy alone or with an adult.
Chickadee
On a cold morning, a little old lady decides to make pancakes for breakfast, but has a hard time finding all of the ingredients. This wordless picture book tells a story of determination and humor, ideal for young readers who can narrate the story as they go.