When Papa arrives, Maomao hardly recognizes him at first. But before long, the family is making sticky rice balls, hearing the firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the street. Maomao loves doing ordinary things with Papa - getting a haircut, fixing things around the house, and sleeping tucked between her parents. But all too soon it is time for Papa to go away again.

    When big sister Viola promises to help him, he comes to the table. But he finds broccoli on his plate, and carrots! Ever resourceful and imaginative, Viola convinces Ferdie that dinosaurs ate broccoli to escape their fiercest predators, and that carrots are just like the Orange Power Sticks that aliens eat for super vision. Doesn't Ferdie want to be just like them? Viola continues to persuade Ferdie to eat up, but when her energy finally flags, it's Ferdie's turn to create a wonderful surprise.Just as in A Few Blocks, an ordinary event seen through a child's eyes becomes an amazing adventure. This time the children switch back and forth between the lunch table and the elaborate fantasy worlds they imagine (shown in Cybele Young's intricate paper sculptures, which she has created from paintings of the children's surroundings). At the end of the story, the world of the imagination and the everyday magically come together, and Viola and Ferdie each enjoy a few bites.

    You can go ahead and turn the page, but don't expect him to come with you. Anything might pop out of that black hole in the middle of the forest. What do you mean it's just a bunny? Well, it's probably a bunny with big fangs. Watch out, it's--picking pumpkins with its friends, you say? Actually, despite the ghost's scare-mongering, none of the animal characters in the illustrations seem scary at all. . . . What's up with that? Many delights, such as surprises after the page turn, an alarmist narrator, and punch lines to anticipate make this book a scream for both kids and parents.

    Their debate escalates when funny animals and props arrive—starting with 1 alligator, 2 bears, and 3 cars. Who is this book really about? In the end, the answer is clear. This fresh and funny picture book plays with both numbers and letters in the most imaginative way.

    This volume showcases his extraordinary vision of urban trees and their often precarious, sometimes triumphant place in the human landscape.

    Every morning he put on a navy blue police flight suit, grabbed his flight helmet, and prepared to work on the police helicopter. He could be called to anything during a shift, to search for a missing child, to pull an injured driver from a wrecked car, or a dangerous sea rescue. He saw his fair share of trauma and dealt with it like most coppers would: he quickly put each dangerous job out of his mind as soon as it was over. But one particular rescue job in Bass Strait brought about a reckoning - and Cameron was never the same again.This is the brilliantly told, white-knuckle story of one cop learning every lesson the hard way - and coming to find out that being not quite bulletproof doesn't mean that you're not a good cop.

    Who wants to go to bed when you can play with dinosaurs, have a tea party, or get a piggyback ride from Papa Bear? Brother Bear and Sister Bear are doing everything they can to postpone their bedtime -- even if that means putting Mama Bear and Papa Bear to bed first!

    Detlefsen, illustated by Madeline Valentine, shows young readers how to conquer the pool. From what to wear (a bathing suit, of course!) to what to expect (no, your teacher will not be a mermaid), 1, 2, 3, Jump! covers the what-if’s and how-to’s of getting in the pool for the first time. There’s a lot to worry about (can I be sucked in the filter?) and even more to be excited about (when can I wear flippers?), and our narrator has thought of everything. By the time she’s ready, you to will want to jump in!

    With the same emotional intensity that he brought to his New York Times bestselling, New York Times Best Illustrated, and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book A Ball for Daisy, Raschka has created a story that explores fear as only he can. Any child who has ever felt lost will relate to Daisy's despair upon finding herself in an unfamiliar part of the park after chasing a squirrel. In a nearly wordless picture book, Daisy encounters the unease of being lost and the joys of being found. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers, teachers, parents and, of course, the legions of Daisy fans out there.

    Come along as they explore their neighborhood, splash through puddles, see where the animals hide, and make footprints in the mud. From the first small drops of rain to the clear blue sky of a bright new morning, "Peter Spier's Rain" will delight parents and children again and again.

    9, Rescue Squad No. 9 must spring into action when a young sailor and her dog are stranded during a storm!   Follow the crew as they scramble aboard their helicopter and speedboat, racing to the rescue through the waves and winds. The high action is communicated through minimal sound words and bold, graphic art reminiscent of that in Donald Crews’s transportation books.

    And his owner, Harry, has all the best hopes that George will be a well-behaved dog when he leaves him alone for the day. But when George spies a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table, his resolve starts to waver. You see, George loves cake. . . . Uh-oh. What to do now? It’s so hard to be a good dog when there are cats to chase and flowers to dig up! What ever will Harry say when he gets back? Chris Haughton’s fetchingly funny story and vibrant, retro illustrations are sure to lure dog lovers of all ages — and anyone who has ever met a temptation too good to resist.

    Wishy-Washy. "Oh lovely mud", think the three friends. But Mrs. Wishy-Washy says, "Just Look at you!" and washes them clean: wishy-washy, wishy-washy.But what do you think happens the moment Mrs.Wishy-Washy turns her back on this mud-loving trio? Better have a scrub brush ready!Children around the world have laughed at the fastidious Mrs. Wishy-Washy as they first discover the joy of reading. A perfect introduction to the delightful storytelling of joy Cowley.

    The prince is holding a magnificent ball for every young lady in the kingdom, except Cinderella - her mean stepsisters refuse to let her go! But help arrives at the last minute with FLASH and a POP! Can the Fairy Godmother help Cinderella live happily ever after?

    Lola knows everything about dogs. One day they go to the park with Lotta, Marv and his dog, Sizzles."Honestly, we do promise to look after your dog." And Marv says, "Definitely no taking him off the lead."