So you can imagine his disappointment when his parents get him...a puppy. Everyone knows shark lovers can never become dog lovers. Or can they? Full of humor and heart, this book explores the idea that sometimes, getting exactly what you don't want turns out to be exactly what you need.

    But as soon as Thomas starts to go fast—screech!—he has to slow down. A goat is in the way, the wind is pushing him back, the tunnel is very dark, and logs are on the track! As soon as Thomas gets past each delay, he gets to go fast—at last! But will they reach the show on time? Go, Thomas, go!

    OKAY! YOU CAN STAY." But watch out! That porch is starting to sway....Jane Yolen's uproarious chant-aloud story is brought to life by Rilla Alexander's dazzling retro-hip illustrations in an exuberant collaboration sure to take its place alongside such cumulative classics as This is the House that Jack Built and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

    But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesn't know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself.

    Oh, no! Swiper swiped Boots's Halloween candy! Follow the candy trail and lift the flaps to help Dora and Boots find where he hid it -- and a few spooky surprises along the way!

    -- For beginner readers - phonics-based text is cleverly blended with a funny story-- Includes phonics guide for parents...and some pages have fold-out flaps!

    The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either: he's too excited about going back! The book's simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe any child's fears about the first day of school.

    What can Princess Peepers do? Take off her glasses! But that leads the princess into all kinds of trouble.Can she prove she doesn't need her glasses and get to the ball in time to dance with the prince? Find out in this hilarious story, as Princess Peepers changes the rules of cool around the castle!Tuesday Mourning's vibrant illustrations using mixed media add to the fun in this quirky read-aloud about fitting in.

    Fish wants to help his friend Ms. Clam when she loses's her pearl, but though he's fast as a sailfish, as smart as dolphin, and as strong as a shark, Mr. Fish has a secret: he's scared of the dark!Very young children will swim along with Mr. Fish as he journeys deep into the ocean to new and mysterious places. They will discover, as Mr. Fish does, the power of friendship to light the way through the big-big dark.

    But he's very, very hot . . . and he isn't sure he wants to go in the water. The water looks scary! When his brother Bob offers to give him a surfing lesson, will Pete give it a try?Rock and roll with Pete in this brand-new story about everyone's favorite groovy cat, perfect for beginning readers!

    Using conversational, "question-and-answer" prose and expressive acrylic paintings, this comforting story embraces the reader like a warm hug and gently reassures a child that love is for always - despite grouchy moods or physical separation. I Love You So... is the perfect pause in a hectic day, offering the gift of love to a treasured child.

    But big-brother penguins, just like human ones, sometimes think that little brothers are pests. Flip wants to play with a buddy his own size, someone like Hip, the polar bear. And that leaves little Flop out in the cold.How Flop finds a friend of his own -- and a game that everyone can enjoy -- makes for an endearing tale, written and illustrated with snowy sparkle.

    Together, they jump, they play, they chase, and they march. And they always have fun!

    Peep has so many questions for her older brother Hoot: Does snow drop, polppety splop, like the rain's song? Does it scrinkle scrattle like falling leaves? But Hoot can't remember snow very well. The one thing he knows for sure is that it is worth waiting for.But Peep doesn't have his patience, and as she flies around the gorgeous Paris skies, she tries her best to make up her own snow song. But once those first snowflakes start to fall, Peep realizes just how wise her older brother really is for waiting...and just who she wants to cuddle up to when the snow starts to really sing.With all the wonder and the joy of a first snow day, and perfect for fans of The Quiet Book and Little Owl's Night, this tender follow-up to Hoot and Peep is certainly worth waiting for, too.

    From birthday cakes to gardens with rainbows, Foxy is able to make everything Emily loves magically appear—but sometimes he makes a mistake (Emily loves balloons, not raccoons!)Luckily Foxy can always find a good solution when things go wrong . . . and he knows just the right way to make Emily's Valentine's Day card complete! Foxy and Emily figure out exactly what Valentine's Day means to them in this sweet sequel to Foxy.