Roy Digs Dirt

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Roy is a terrier. He’s also a knucklehead. And he digs dirt – literally and figuratively. It’s his favorite thing. From sun-up to sundown, he burrows in it, plays in it, rolls in it and digs up buried treasures. Roy doesn’t dig baths – baths are the opposite of dirt. Readers will see themselves in Roy’s childlike delight at the glories of all things… dirt!

No, David!

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

In this boisterous exploration of naughtiness, David, a little dickens, careens from one unruly deed to the next – drawing on the walls, tracking mud all over the carpet, jumping on the bed in red cowboy boots. Meanwhile, all those timeless phrases moms use echo in the background: “Stop that this instant!” “Be quiet!” “Not in the house, David!” and most vigorously, “No, David!” This dead-on take on childhood shenanigans ends on a high note, with a penitent David (he broke a vase with a baseball) enfolded in his mother’s arms as she assures him, “Yes, David, I love you.” 1999 Caldicott Honor.

David Goes to School

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

He’s b-a-a-ac-k! And better than ever. The rascal first unleashed in No, David! Returns to wreak havoc in the classroom. Whether he’s goofing off at the blackboard (“Sit down, David!”), cutting in line at the cafeteria (“Wait your turn, David!”), or engaging in a food fight (“I don’t care who started it!”), David is clearly a handful. Kids will get a big laugh learning the ups and downs of school rules along with David and an array of students in all-too-familiar situations.

David Gets in Trouble

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

When David gets in trouble, he always says… “NO! It’s not my fault!”… “I didn’t mean to!”… “It was an accident!” Whatever the situation, David’s got an excuse. But excuses only go so far, and eventually he learns that the best way to feel better is to apologize. Once again, Shannon entertains us with young David’s mischievous antics and a lighthearted story that’s sure to leave kids (and parents) laughing.

It’s Christmas, David!

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages, sneaking sweets, and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. And always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire engine or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are all the common Christmas activities – but with David’s naughty trimmings!

Grow Up, David!

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

David can’t resist bugging his big brother. Sometimes he gets away with it, sometimes he doesn’t. Since the beginning of time, older brothers and sisters have been saying “Stop following me!”… “That’s mine!”… “You’re too little!” It’s a complex relationship, but in there’s a big, warm hug (or is that noogies?).

A Bad Case of Stripes

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school can’t stand them! And Camilla is very, very worried about what other people think of her. So worried, in fact, that she breaks out in a baaad case of multi-colored stripes… and it doesn’t stop there! Join Camilla on her strange journey as she learns the dangers of trying to be all things to all people, and the joy of just being herself.

Duck on a Bike

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. “I bet I could ride a bike,” he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on, and began to ride. At first he rode slowly and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun! Duck rode past Cow and waved to her. “Hello, Cow!” said Duck. “Moo,” said Cow. But what she thought was, “A duck on a bike? That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever seen!” Follow Duck as he continues his bike tour of the barnyard where each animal has a different greeting (and an amusing reaction to) a duck on a bike!

Duck on a Tractor

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

What does a duck do after he learns to ride a bike? He decides he’s ready to drive a tractor, of course! As in the bestselling Duck on a Bike, all the barnyard animals share their humorous comments as they watch Duck do the unthinkable. Then, they all pile on to go for a ride!

But what happens when Duck drives the big red tractor through town and past the diner where the local humans are having lunch? What will those folks really think when they see a bunch of animals riding around on Farmer O’Dell’s tractor? And will they even admit what their own eyes are seeing?!

Alice the Fairy

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Alice is a fairy… but only a Temporary Fairy. She has a magic wand, fairy wings, and a special blanket, all of which she uses fly, disappear, transform her dad into a horsy, or turn his cookies into her own! There are still a few things Alice needs to learn to become a Permanent Fairy, like how to float her dog on the ceiling or make her clothes put themselves away, but she’s working on it – sort of. Here’s an endearing, funny story about a girl and her magical imagination, sure to delight every fairy in training!

Too Many Toys

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Spencer has too many toys! They cover his bedroom floor and spill out into the hallway and down the stairs. His father steps on them, his mother trips over them. Mom has had it up to here and announces it’s time to give some away. Of course, this leads to an exhausting day of negotiation, melodrama, and maneuvering as Spencer and his mom labor to fill a cardboard box with donations. Finally, the box is filled but there’s one problem. Spencer wants to keep the box – it’s the best toy of all!

Good Boy, Fergus!

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Follow Fergus as he experiences his usual, perfect doggy day – well, except for his bath, of course. From chasing cats and motorcycles to being scratched on his favorite “tickle spot,” this sweet and silly character will inspire young readers to laugh out loud at this naughty but lovable dog!

Mr. Nogginbody Gets a Hammer

(Norton Young Readers)

Mr. Nogginbody has a very large head but a very small brain. After snagging his toe while sliding down the hall in his socks, he makes a visit to his local hardware store in search of solutions. Armed with a shiny new hammer, he successfully fixes what he discovers is a nail protruding from his floor. Carried away by the satisfaction of his first repair, he figures anything resembling a nail – from a lamp switch to a fire hydrant – can be fixed with a good whack of his trusty hammer. The results are predictably hilarious (and disastrous), until Mr. Nogginbody arrives at a gentle awakening and realizes that not everything is a nail.

Mr. Nogginbody and the Childish Child

(Norton Young Readers)

Grownupish grownup…

What in the world does that mean?

Babysitting should be pretty straightforward: if you give a child a chocolate soda, he’ll do his homework. Unfortunately for Mr. Nogginbody, he doesn’t realize the soda’s suppose to come after the homework is done. When the child refuses to study and begins jumping on the couch, Mr. N jumps up after him, determined to put a stop to the shenanigans. But he quickly discovers how much fun acting like a child can be. There’s a fine line between childish and grownupish, as readers of this playfully slapstick picture book will discover.

Bugs in My Hair

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Finally, a picture book that shows the funny side of waging war against – oh no! – head lice! From the opening picture of a happy, oversized louse appearing with his suitcases, you know these bugs are determined to stay, and Mom is about to go nuts!

Nobody talks about them, but they’re everywhere (it’s estimated that 20 million children a year host them) Oh, the shame and humiliation of having bugs in your hair! But if you go to school, or have play dates, chances are good you might meet them someday. Maybe you already have!

Luckily, the unwelcome bugs in this story are so funny they take the sting out of this scourge of childhood. And each hilarious scene is peppered with fun, “nitpicking” facts about these lousy critters in a fresh, highly entertaining read-aloud.

Jangles: A Big Fish Story

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Big Lake is the home of Jangles, the biggest trout anyone has ever scene – or heard! That’s right, his enormous jaw has so many hooks and lures broken off in it that he makes a jingly-jangly noise when he swims. That’s how he got his name. People have tried everything to catch him – even using turkeys for bait – but no one could. He’s too big and too smart.

Then a young boy, fishing all alone at dusk, hooks the giant fish and is pulled overboard and down to the bottom of the lake. To his amazement, he finds he can breathe and even weirder, Jangles can talk! Jangles befriends the boy and tells him tales of adventures from the dawn of time. A surprise ending relates the connection between fishing and storytelling.

Bizzy Mizz Lizzie

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Lizzie is the busiest, buzziest little bee in Hivetown! Talk about overscheduled! With endearing charm and determination, she juggles school, multiple sports, dance, violin, and art lessons. But more than anything she dreams of meeting the Queen. And when a spelling “contest” at the palace is announced, it looks like she might get her chance. Unfortunately, poor Lizzie studies so hard for the big day that she falls asleep in the middle of the competition. She wakes up three days later, heartbroken by her missed opportunity. She is advised to spend time in the Garden, resting, and who does she meet there but the Queen herself! She teaches Lizzie to stop and smell the flowers, “which, when you think about it, is exactly what little bees are supposed to do.”

How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

Chosen by the New York Times as Best Illustrated Children’s Book, How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball is an expressive, emotional tale of a time when it was always winter in America. An angry dictator has declared baseball illegal, and without baseball spring never comes. The once-happy citizens have fallen into a dull life of endless ice, snow, factories, and drudgery. It’s up to Georgie Radbourn, an odd little boy born with an extraordinary talent for baseball, to overcome the tyrant and restore life as it once was.

The Rain Came Down

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

“On Saturday morning, the rain came down. It made the chickens squawk.

The cat yowled at the chickens, and the dog barked at the cat.

And still, the rain came down.”

And so begins a chain of reactions to the rain that eventually will have the whole block of this small town “honking, yelling, bickering, and barking.” But then the rain suddenly stops – and a sunny break in the clouds make the bad moods melt away. What was everyone upset about, anyway?

The Diaper David Board Book

Oh, David!, Oops!, and David Smells

(Scholastic/Blue Sky Press)

David was making a mess even when he was a toddler! This series of board books are filled first words, colors, senses, and lots of fun.

Hiawatha and the Peacemaker

Written by Robbie Robertson
(Abrams)

Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, musical icon Robbie Robertson learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Now he shares the same gift of storytelling with a new generation.

Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker’s message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14^th century. This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves – a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution.

How I Became a Pirate

Written by Melinda Long
(HMH Books for Young Readers)

Pirates have green teeth – when they have any teeth at all. I know about pirates, because one day, when I was at the beach building a sand castle and minding my own business, a pirate ship sailed into view.

So proclaims Jeremy Jacob, a boy who joins Captain Braid Beard and his crew in this witty look at the finer points of pirate life by storyteller Melinda Long. Jeremy learns how to say “scurvy dog,” sing sea chanteys, and throw food… but he also learns that there are no books or goodnight kisses on board. “Pirates don’t tuck.” A swashbuckling adventure with fantastically silly, richly textured illustrations that suit the story to a T.

Pirates Don’t Change Diapers

Written by Melinda Long
(HMH Books for Young Readers)

When the pirate crew turns up at Jeremy Jacob’s house and accidentally wakes his baby sister, that wee scallywag howls louder than a storm on the high seas. Sure, there’s buried treasure to be found, but nobody’s digging up anything until Bonney Anne quits her caterwauling. So, quicker than you can say “scurvy dog,” Braid Beard and his swashbuckling pirates become… babysitters? Blimey!

This hilarious companion to How I Became a Pirate reveals that minding the nursery can be even more terrifying than walking the plank – especially if you’re a pirate.

Robot Zot!

Written by Jon Scieszka
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

From the minds of Scieszka and Shannon comes a tale of a quixotic robot determined to conquer earth. The only problem is the earth he lands on is a suburban kitchen and he is only three inches tall. Robot Zot, the fearless and unstoppable warrior, leaves a trail of destruction as he encounters blenders, toasters, and televisions. But when he discovers the princess – a pink cell phone – his mission takes a new course. Robot Zot must learn to be a hero… in the name of true love.

The Rough-Face Girl

Written by Rafe Martin
(Puffin Books, reissue)

From Algonquin Indian folklore comes one of the most haunting, powerful versions of the Cinderella tale ever told.

The Shark God

Written by Rafe Martin
(Arthur A. Levine Books)

Rafe Martin and David Shannon reunite in this folktale interpretation of a dramatic flood myth set amidst the unmatched beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.

Encounter

Written by Jane Yolen
(HMH Books for Young Readers)

When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador, what he discovered were Taino Indians. Told from a young Taino boy’s point of view, this is the story of how the boy tried to warn his people against welcoming the strangers, who seem more interested in gold ornaments than friendship.