She rolls in it, digs in it, even tastes it.But one day, while she's making mud pies, all that dirt changes her. Gert sprouts leaves, grows roots, and begins to photosynthesize in the sunlight! Gert is delighted, but the neighborhood can't believe it. . . and soon the notoriety becomes too much for the grungy, green girl.Luckily, Mom and Dad know just what to do!Told in rhythm and rhyme and full of fun, tongue-twisting vocabulary, Dirty Gert is a celebration of individuality and unconditional love. . . and, of course, of the fun of playing in the dirt. Tedd Arnold's cartoonish illustrations--complete with a cast of whispering worm commentators--express the joy of making mudpies, playing with worms, and most importantly, spending time with your loving family.

    "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, please let down your hair!"Called the prince from down on the bottom stair.But Rapunzel just sat -As still as a wall;She didn't think much of the prince at all.Rapunzel sits on the sixteenth floor of an inner city block, bored, dreaming and looking out at the rain.ÿ No one can rouse her from her apathy, not the milkman or the postman or the baker or her aunt - or even the prince. But when at last a letter is delivered, it contains news that has Rapunzel on her feet again. She has a new job at the library! And suddenly her life is busy, sparkling, exciting and stimulating. "For despite her long hair and her ravishing looks, she loved nothing better than reading good books!"

    Spend the holidays with your favorite blue cat! In this rockin' spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.

    B. Lewis, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's hilarious romp through the land of be-careful-what-you-wish-for offers a whole year's worth of holiday fun magic.This year, I was very specific in my letter to Santa Claus.Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they've had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one — but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants — and on Christmas morning, guess what's waiting for him under the tree! Santa has brought him a living, breathing, black-and-white penguin named Osbert. Will anything in Joe's life ever be the same?

    You've been waiting all year long, and now it's finally Christmas Eve! Is this the year you'll finally catch an elf? Start a new Christmas tradition with this hilarious children's book from the creators of the New York Times best-seller How to Catch a Leprechaun!"It's Christmas Eve! Hip hip, hooray!Yes, Santa's coming 'round.He's bringing toys to girls and boysin every house in town.""Some kids have tried to catch him, but Santa's fast, you see!So they've set their eyes on a smaller prize, and now they're after me!"

    From sleet and fluff snow that isn't good for anything to angel snow, snowball snow, driveway snow (which can lead to the best forts), tracking snow, sledding snow, snow day snow, and all the way to the last snow which is exciting in its own way:Soon, soon, all gone snow.We've waited for so long snow.Please, please, no more snow.Our bikes are whispering. Beautiful verse and evocative energetic illustrations perfectly hit all the right exciting and cozy notes that children will savor every winter!

    Then one day Katie comes home to find a gift from her mother: a mysterious machine designed to help her create that one-of-a-kind creature. Each time she feeds different items into the machine, out comes a marvelously colorful new animal—like a purple monkey, rainbow-spotted horse, and green bunny! But none of them is just right. Through trial and error, Katie figures out the formula for her absolutely perfect SURPRISE pet.

    Snow falls, animals burrow, and children prepare for the wonders winter brings. Caldecott Medalist and award-winning author Kevin Henkes’s striking text introduces basic concepts of language and the unique beauty of the winter season. Laura Dronzek’s expressive paintings beautifully capture the joyful wonders of winter.This is an engaging companion to the best-selling When Spring Comes and In the Middle of Fall. Winter Is Here is an ideal choice for story time, seasonal curriculums, and bedtime reading.

    He scoffs at the beautifully sculpted creations of the old chandler and instead purchases a simple, inexpensive Christmas candle that the chandler warns him he may find costly. The young man soon realizes that the old man meant, as the poor and ill he encounters on his journey, illuminated by his Christmas candle, become the faces of his relatives, so he feels compelled to help them. He arrives home cold and penniless, but richer for his newfound realization that we are all part of one family. This beautifully illustrated original fable by the acclaimed author of The Christmas Box will become a treasured part of many families' Christmases for years to come.

    Can this cutie pig find someone to adopt him who means business, too?   Right from the start, everyone at the barnyard could tell Jasper wasn’t like his siblings: “I believe what we have here is a gen-u-WINE Business Pig!” No wallowing in the mud or rooting for grubs for Jasper; he’d rather help with the bookkeeping or conduct a meeting. Though everyone at the animal sanctuary loves him, Jasper longs for a forever home. But no matter how many business cards he hands out, no one wants to adopt him. Can this above-average pig find his special person to cut deals with?

    The Easter Bunny and his special assistant demonstrate how to make Easter eggs.

    Oscar can’t contain his excitement—and before his boy Matt knows it, Oscar is off on a wintry adventure. Dashing through the woods, Oscar finds another dog playing in the snow—Daisy! Together they find all sorts of adventures—ice skating, making dog angels in the snow, and they even build an igloo! Snow Friends is a seasonal friendship story with all the timeless understated charm of The Biggest, Best Snowman, by the same bestselling team of Margery Cuyler and Will Hillenbrand. Christy Ottaviano Books "

    But Finklehopper learns that it’s best to be himself and do what he loves--because that’s the perfect way for him!Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 3/1/2008 Pages: 32 Reading Level: Age 3 and Up

    But instead, with a loving touch, this mommy shows her child ways to do things for himself, going far to encourage her child’s independence. And there is still plenty of opportunity for snuggling under the stars.This warm and humorous testament to all the loving things a supportive mom does each day is every bit as heartwarming as its predecessor and is sure to become a favorite for families everywhere.

    . . little ones everywhere are watched over with care. Most special of all, Mary and Joseph watch over their newborn babe . . .and the world is filled with love.