He’s craving something just a little bit different: something soft, something sweet, something covered in luscious pink icing. There are no cupcakes in Antarctica, but Penguin’s heard that the Northern Hemisphere is a veritable paradise of cupcakes. So, he heads north. On his long journey, Penguin encounters some other cold-weather natives. Polar Bear and Walrus might not know much about cupcakes, but they have a thing or two to say about Penguin’s storytelling skills! Created with vibrant collage art, this delightfully tongue-in-cheek picture book flows like a graphic novel.

    That's a fact!Sandwiches. Pretzels. French Fries. You bring 'em to the beach, he's going to swipe 'em. But when a crab with even better swiping skills comes along, this seagull will have to decide if there are enough treats on the beach for everyone . . .Maddie Frost's unforgettable characters and bright, kid-friendly illustrations combine in this humorous story about patience, sharing, and wicked good snacks.

    In this quirky twist on The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a boys excuses turn out to have an unexpected element of truth.

    Children aren't always prepared for the emotions that overcome them. Adults aren't either. Kappy is a regular little kid who feels a variety of emotions all day long. Sometimes she feels happy and glad, sometimes she feels blue and sad.Talking with her Dad about her feelings helps her understand her feelings and gives her ideas for things she can try when some days are blue.Parents appreciate the opportunity to talk with their children about happiness and sadness. It honors emotions while problem-solving how to perk up when feeling sad.Please note: if you suspect your child suffers from depression, please seek help! The National Alliance for Mental Illness can be reached at www.nami.org

    Roderick's loving parents--fed up with the distractions and demands that have become his anti-bedtime ritual--decide to get him a stuffed animal to cuddle with and help him wind down. However, Sleepy quickly proves to be a bit high-maintenance. Just when we fear the night may never end, Sleepy's antics become too exhausting for Roderick to bear.

    After rattling around the Prince's bedroom, it flies out the window and floats into the dark forest, where it has no business to be. The King decides to do something about it. He orders the Knight to climb on his horse, ride into the forest, and bring back the kiss. But the forest is filled with spooky things that frighten both the Knight and his horse. How will they ever succeed in bringing the kiss back to the castle? This funny story features Daivd Melling's atmospheric and richly colored illustrations on every page. It makes a great bedtime story for kids who are about the same age as the Little Prince. (Ages 4-7)

    After a decade fighting wars on two fronts, tens of thousands of service members are coming home having trouble adjusting to civilian life; this includes struggling as parents. Why Is Dad So Mad? Is a narrative story told from a family’s point of view (mother and children) of a service member who struggles with PTSD and its symptoms. Many service members deal with anger, forgetfulness, sleepless nights, and nightmares.This book explains these and how they affect Dad. The moral of the story is that even though Dad gets angry and yells, he still loves his family more than anything.

     "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad"? Well, forget 'em! Songwriter and comedy writer extraordinaire Alan Katz has turned those and other old favorites on their ears and created new nonsense songs kids will love. With zany, spirited pictures by illustrator and cartoonist David Catrow, this kooky collection guarantees laughs and plenty of silly dillyness for kids everywhere!

    However, instead of being petrified by the apparition, Mary decides to help the hideous beast by giving him a makeover. In the process, it is Mary who undergoes the biggest transformation.

    Next, some oil is generously applied. (It's really water.) And then some tomatoes. (They're really checkers.) When the dough gets tickled, it laughs like crazy.

    His curiosity is kindled by hydro-turbines and a tidal-powered city where he attends school. Earth's endless clean power drives his intellect; while the hills free his adventurous spirit. Susie, the cat, narrates as the watchful conscience to Andy. But, has Andy's love of adventure taken him too far this time?

    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.

     Can SpongeBob change his mind?

    Each tale discusses an important aspect of childhood and how a child might come to understand it. Young readers will be able to easily relate to the honest and innocent characters, and enjoy the situations those characters find themselves in. The lessons they will learn comprise an important part of growing up.

    Why? Because on every other day of the week, McToad mows Big Island, but on Thursdays, McToad mows Tiny Island. To do so, he puts his mower on the back of a truck, which drives to a train, which goes to a helicopter, which flies to a boat, which uses a crane to put the lawn mower onto Tiny Island. There McToad mows and drinks some lemonade, and before you know it, it’s time to turn around and go back home. But first, the mower has to get lifted by a crane, to get put back on a boat, which is lifted by a helicopter, and . . . well . . . you get the idea. From master storyteller Tom Angleberger and celebrated illustrator John Hendrix comes this playful narrative that treasures the journey over the destination, with lots of planes, trains, and automobiles to boot. Also available by John Hendrix: Miracle Man