Although not likely, if one ever finds themselves stuck in quicksand, this is the book you need! Two children, one stuck in the muck, receives information about quicksand and how to respond if caught. Tomie dePaola’s signature illustrations are as witty and appealing as when the book first appeared in 1977.
The Quicksand Book
Peter and Ernesto and other sloths lose their tree homes — destroyed by a hurricane. Their search for a new home is fraught with danger — alligators, jaguars, and more (oh my!). Finally they find a new home with a surprising roommate. Limited text and cartoons tell a raucous, silly adventure, the second story in this series. (See also: Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths (opens in a new window))
Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths
Mr. Penguin and Colin, his Kung Fu kicking spider sidekick share another slapstick adventure. Will they and their new friends be able to thwart the nefarious Rodent Gang? Can they solve the mystery of the peculiar noises coming from the fortress? Lots of illustrations help move their adventure quickly to its satisfying conclusion in this followup adventure to Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure (opens in a new window).
Mr. Penguin and the Fortress of Secrets
A sterling storyteller and wonderful writer with a word-spinning pen turn Captain Rottingbones and his word-pilfering pirates into fantabulous farmers. Lush language and humorous illustrations capture the zany story which demands to be shared aloud. This is a fitting homage to this creative team’s friend (author and storyteller Margaret Mahy) and may lead readers to find additional tales.
The Word Pirates
A child looks out from an apartment window assured that the wind and sky will be there if she wants to fly. The lyrical reassurances continue as children continue on different adventures, imaginatively portrayed in the artist’s signature bold, childlike style. Altogether, this is a comforting, cozy book to share again and again.
Just in Case You Want to Fly
1942, the United States is reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Army Air Corps joins forces with the Navy to create a top secret plan, a bombing raid unlike any raid ever planned. Sixteen bombers set out. How many will return? (Book 7 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)
Raid of No Return
Araminta Ross was born a slave in Delaware. After years of backbreaking labor, she escaped and traveled north to freedom. Follow in the footsteps of one of the most daring leaders of the Underground Railroad. (Book 5 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)
The Underground Abductor
With help from Rapunzel (and her trusty braids), a pixie from Jack’s past, and a man with inventions from the future, they just might out-swindle the evil giants and put his beloved city back in the hands of good people. This graphic novel is a follow-up to Rapunzel’s Revenge.
Calamity Jack
The story of John Wesley Powell, the one-armed geologist who explored the Grand Canyon with 10 other men in 1869. Equal parts gruesome and hilarious, this latest installment in the bestselling series takes readers on an action-packed adventure through American history. (Book 9 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)
Major Impossible
The story of Nathan Hale, who was an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. This lively, rigorously researched, visually engaging graphic novel highlights the unusual and just plain unbelievable truth of the historical Nathan Hale. (Book 1 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)
One Dead Spy
Captain Alfred is sailing home with new ducks for his farm when his little boat is caught in an unexpected and mighty storm. Everything aboard the ship is flung to the far reaches of the sea, including the very special and beautiful duck egg he had nestled safely inside his fiddle case. But perhaps all is not lost: the little duckling stumbles out of his shell and discovers Captain Alfred’s fiddle, floating not too far away in the waves. And when the duckling embraces the instrument with all his heart, what happens next is pure magic.
The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling
Mr. Penguin longs for adventure with his Kung Fu kicking spider sidekick, Colin. They find it in the Museum of Extraordinary Things many times over. The author/illustrator (opens in a new window) of the “Claude” series has begun a new series with quirky, over-the-top, always comic characters as Mr. Penguin and Colin save the day and the museum, putting the bad guys where they belong.
Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure: Book 1
A boy insists that they not leave until the whale accidentally caught in their fishing net is extricated. No words are needed as the tale is revealed in dramatic illustrations from various perspectives. The author cautions readers that this is more fable rather than a realistic portrait but effectively conveys the whale’s struggle and one child’s empathetic response to it.
The Fisherman and the Whale
An eerie tale of magic and friendship. When Jack is sent to Hazelwood, Iowa, to live with his strange aunt and uncle, he expects a summer of boredom. Little does he know that the people of Hazelwood have been waiting for him for quite a long time.
The Mostly True Story of Jack
Princess Violet is plain, reckless, and possibly too clever for her own good. Particularly when it comes to telling stories. One day she and her best friend, Demetrius, stumble upon a hidden room and find a peculiar book. A forbidden book. A different kind of fairy tale, about the power of stories, our belief in them, and how one enchanted tale changed the course of an entire kingdom.
Iron Hearted Violet
Warring nations, mysterious stone figures, and the running thread that magic is alive and dangerous all add to the gripping cnarrative of two children who find strength and ingenuity from being pushed out of their comfort zones. Áine, the daughter of the Bandit King, is haunted by her mother’s last words: “The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.”
The Witch’s Boy
Little Red is one tough cookie. When a menacing wolf blocks the path to her grandmother’s house, she looks him in the eye, answers his questions, and continues on her journey. The wolf “might have scared some little girls. But not this little girl.” This phrase is repeated throughout the story. Woollvin’s street-smart character cannot be fooled by the wolf, even when he dresses up as her grandma.
Little Red
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan, again. Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him.
Crenshaw
Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.
Endling
When the human crew goes missing, the trained space dogs — the Barkonauts — must survive on the ship, Laika. Will they find the astronauts? Can they complete the mission? This space saga moves along at a quick clip.
Voyage of the Dogs
Absolute silliness results when a chicken is caught up in a struggle with a Norse god. The result is a superhero chicken. The hybrid clucker (half god, half fowl) is sure to cause readers to chuckle as well as groan with its heroic absurdity.
Thundercluck!
The classic tale of the Revolutionary War is now 75 years old. An introduction by Nathan Hale in his signature graphic history style is likely to bring this to a new audience.
Johnny Tremain
Striking illustrations and short chapters capture the drama of the man who walked from the United States to Canada — on a tightrope — over Niagara Falls. This little known event took place in the mid-19th century. Additional information is included.
Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin
Alberto lives in a remote town called Allora. After his family is gone, Alberto is lonely until he rescues a desperate boy. They share a folktale and see it come true in this evocative store with elements of magic realism.