But McBroom knows he's got the better of the bargain when the pond dries up to reveal an acre of soil so rich that seeds spring up into full-grown plants in no time and even nickels grow into quarters.

    "There's been so much tomfool nonsense told about McBroom's wonderful one-acre farm?." It's a good thing Farmer Josh McBroom is back, setting matters straight in this pair of hilarious, homespun, illustrated chapter books, issued in an easy-to-read paperback format for the very first time!What better way to find out how it all began than by starting at the beginning-as McBroom, his wife, and their 11 redheaded children pack up their homestead and head West!

    Cavour in her extraordinary garden to complain about their unsympathetic housekeeper, The Gloom. Mrs. Cavour tells them about a wonderful market where children can find new mothers. The Martins like the idea of replacing The Gloom with a real mother, but discover that choosing a mother they really want is harder than they thought.

    It's the award given each day to the child who has been most helpful. When Charley Cornett begins school no one expects him to win the award. Charley's not exactly the helpful type, he's more the curious type. He has to climb out on a tree limb to see how the apple is attached. And he has to hold his hand over the water tap to see if running water can be stopped. Nothing can stop Charley. Then one special day, a day full of rocks and snakes and books, Charley surprises his family and the entire school!