"When I was quite young and quite small for my size, I met an old man in the Desert of Drize." The old man looks like a cross between a cartoon granddad and a swami; he sits on top of a cactus, and tells his young listener that the best way to get over any sadness is to imagine all the ways you could be worse off. "Suppose, just suppose, you were poor Herbie Hart, who has taken his Throm-dim-bu-lator apart!" This has a more hurried, formulaic feel than the best Seuss, and it seems to showcase a less acute grasp of child psychology than usual. (Does it really make a child feel better to think of poor Harry Haddow, who, "try as he will, can't make a shadow," or Gucky Gown, "who lives by himself ninety miles out of town"?) But the illustrations alone make this morality tale a minor classic. (Ages 4 to 8) —Richard Farr

Doreen Cronin (Author)/ Betsy Lewin (Illustrator) The crafty barnyard crew from Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is back, and this time Farmer Brown has decided to take a vacation. But not to worry—he—he's leaving his brother Bob to mind the farm: "I wrote everything down for you. Just follow my instructions and everything will be fine. But keep an eye on Duck. He's trouble." Of course, fans of Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's last brilliant book already know to keep an eye on that manipulative mallard. Now, wait a minute... what's Duck doing eyeing that pencil?

Poor Bob has no idea what he's in for, and Duck and friends have shrewdly seized this chance to move on from collective bargaining to outright subterfuge: "Bob gave Duck a good long stare and went inside. He read the first note: 'Tuesday night is pizza night (not the frozen kind!). The hens prefer anchovies.'" Well, seems like strange way to run a farm, but... "Twenty-nine minutes later there was hot pizza in the barn." Giggle, giggle, quack, indeed.

Clearly, Duck and his cow pals aren't the only ones around to have mastered the pencil and the keyboard. Cronin and Lewin have put their talents to good use yet again, offering up another simple but clever story fit for kids and grownups alike. Lewin seems to snicker throughout her playful watercolors (gotta love those monogrammed towels: "FB"), and Cronin has a ball with the animal cast and their human patsy. (What do the cows pick on movie night? "The Sound of Moosic," of course. Giggle, giggle, moo.) (Ages 4 to 8) —Paul Hughes

Tony Porto/ 3CD Every kid can relate to the typical homework task of doing a report about Mars. But when Get Red!'s young narrator turns to his trusty red crayon - which has grown less and less cooperative the more he's used it - he discovers that it has run away! So begins a fresh and zany narrative about the many talents and guises of the color red.

Pam Adams Classic Books-with-Holes, There was an Old Lady\nSince they were first published thirty years ago, the Classic Books-with-Holes have become known and loved world-wide, with sales into the millions. This special board book edition shares the charm and fascination of the originals and is suitable for the smallest hands. Ingenious die-cut holes bring much-loved nursery rhymes to life, and Pam Adam's illustration lend humor and vibrancy to the proceedings.

Pam Adams In this famous series, magical die-cutting draws the reader from page to colorful page. Soon, the story can be read-pr more probably sung-by heart. 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" For children ages 3-8 years

Roddy Doyle/ Brian Ajhar A talking dog, the Mack children, and the small elf-like Gigglers themselves must try to stop the prank that the Gigglers have mistakenly set in motion to punish Mr. Mack for being mean to his children.

Roddy Doyle/ Brian Ajhar 100% $$$ BACK REFUND ON RETURN, WE COMBINE SHIPPING !!! ROVER SAVES CHRISTMAS BY RODDY DOYLE ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRIAN AJHAR PUBLISHED BY ARTHUR A. LEVINE BOOKS A STATED FRIST EDITION FIRST PRINTING NOVEMBER 2001 BOOK WITH NO DUST JACKET, BOOK IS LIKE NEW EXCEPT A BIT OF FADING OF THE GOLD INK AND SOME 1/8 OR LESS INCH SPOTS ON THE FREONT COVER... VERY SLIGHT... LIKE NEW CONDITION !!!

Chris Van Allsburg A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa

Martha Sears/ William Sears/ Christie Watts Kelly/ Renee Andriani The authors of the acclaimed Sears Parenting Library introduce two new books for young children to read with caregivers. Eat Healthy, Feel Great gives kids the tools to make their own wise food choices. Quick and easy recipes that kids can make with adult supervision are also included. You Can Go to the Potty clearly introduces the basic steps of toilet learning in a natural, non-pressured way. The text encourages a child's motivation in using the toilet, while offering tips to parents on developmental readiness. With concise and reassuring text and lively illustrations, these two books by the foremost authorities on attachment parenting are must haves. Both books include detachable posters as learning aids.

Martha Sears/ William Sears/ Christie Watts Kelly/ Renee Andriani A guide for parents and children to use for toilet training.

Nancy E. Shaw/ Margot Apple "Beep! Beep! Sheep in a jeep on a hill that's steep."This story, much like the jeep, gathers momentum from page one. When five foolish sheep cram into one jeep, their high spirits and occasional lack of foresight (like forgetting to steer) combine to make a riotous, if ill-fated, road trip. Plummeting over a hill, tumbling into a mud puddle, yelping for help, these muttonheads just can't get their act together, much to the delight of young readers.

Nancy Shaw's Seussian rhymes are guaranteed to tickle every reader's funny bone, while providing a great little learning tool, as well. Who wouldn't want to learn how to read, after hearing lines like this: "Jeep goes splash! Jeep goes thud! Jeep goes deep in gooey mud!" Well-loved illustrator Margot Apple humorously captures the dopey expressions and preposterous predicaments of Shaw's sheep. More wild and woolly misadventures can be found in any of Shaw and Apple's other sheepish titles, including Sheep on a Ship and Sheep Take a Hike. (Ages 2 to 7) —Emilie Coulter

John Archambault The 26 characters in this rhythmic, rhyming baby book are a lowercase alphabet with attitude. "A told b, and b told c, 'I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree'"—which probably seemed like a good idea until the other 23 members of the gang decided to follow suit. Lois Ehlert's chunky block illustrations show the luxuriant green palm standing straight and tall on the first page, but it begins to groan and bend under its alphabetical burden. First the coconuts fall off, then ("Chicka chicka... BOOM! BOOM!") all the letters also end up in a big heap underneath. A very simple board-book version stops there, but this original text goes on to introduce the helping hands of the 26 uppercase "mamas and papas and uncles and aunts." (Baby to preschool) —Richard Farr

Tedd Arnold I just don't know what's going on Or why it has to be But every day it's something worse What's happening to me? So begins this uproarious new story from the best-selling creator of No Jumping on the Bed!,Green Wilma, and other popular books. The young narrator has discovered a disturbing trend: There's fuzz in his belly button his toes are peeling and something just fell out of his nose. The last straw is a loose tooth, which convinces him of the awful truth his parts are coming unglued! Parts deals with a subject of deepest interest to every young child: the stuff our bodies shed. Parents will appreciate the reassuring message that it's all quite normal, while Tedd Arnold's comical illustrations and rhyming text are guaranteed to make young readers laugh their heads off.

Cathy Hapka/ Disney Storybook Artists For kids who just can't get enough of the hilarious Monsters, Inc. from Disney and Pixar, here's a read-aloud storybook that allows them to giggle at the antics of Mike, Sulley, and Boo over and over again. The adapted version covers all the highlights, so readers who have seen the movie can relive their favorite scenes. Remember when Boo sneaks out of the gym bag at the fancy restaurant where Mike and his girlfriend are having a romantic evening? How about when Sulley finally has to say good-bye to Boo, knowing that her door will be shredded and he'll never see her again? Sixty-four pages of full-color illustrations and read-aloud text ensure a monstrously good time. Fans won't want to miss the other exciting Monsters, Inc. titles, including Monsters, Inc. Essential Guide, Monsters, Inc. Sticker Book, and M Is for Monster. (Ages 5 to 8) —Emilie Coulter

CHRISTOPHER AWDRY From Christopher Awdry, whose father created Thomas and his friends, come four more classic tales of very helpful steam engines and their adventures on the cozy little Island of Sodor.

CHRISTOPHER AWDRY This wonderful collection contains three complete favorites: Thomas and the Tiger, Thomas and the Birthday Party, and James and the Balloons.

David Mitton/ Britt Allcroft Co/ W. Awdry Kids can read along with Alec Baldwin as he narrates three charming tales of adventure, bravery, and perseverance from the hit TV series Story Time with Thomas.

W. Railway Series Awdry/ W. Awdry There’s a rumor out that Sir Topham Hatt is going to get rid of the trains! James learns a lesson about bragging, and Percy saves the day when there is a wedding on the Island of Sodor. This endearing collection of Thomas the Tank Engine stories is illustrated with photos from the beloved TV show.

W. Awdry/ David Mitton/ Terry Palone/ Terry Permane/ Britt Allcroft Co/ W. Railway Series Awdry Gordon crashes through the wall of Sir Topham Hatt's new train station. Toby gets washed downstream by a flash flood. Oliver's brakevan, Toad, careens out of control . . . backward! This collection of Thomas the Tank Engine stories is chock-full of runaways and rescues and illustrated with photos from the beloved TV show.

W. REV AWDRY In the title story, Gordon and Henry laugh at Edward when some cows break his train. But when a cow blocks the line several days later, it's Edward who has the last laugh. Also included are "Double Trouble," "Old Iron," and "Percy Takes the Plunge."

W. REV AWDRY Four classic stories about Gordon the Big Engine who pulls the express train. Gordon is very large and very proud but sometimes his pride gets him into trouble.

W. REV AWDRY Henry the Green Engine hates the rain and won't come out of his tunnel.  But when the mighty Gordon breaks down, it's up to Henry to save the day.

W. REV AWDRY Full-color photos . James makes fun of his friends because they need paint

jobs, but when an accident ruins his appearance, James finds himself in a real

jam! Also included are "Bertie's Chase," "Percy and the Signal," and "Percy

Proves a Point."

W. REV AWDRY These are the original adventures of Percy, that cheeky locomotive who just loves to play practical jokes. After Thomas himself, Percy is kids' favorite Thomas & Friends character.

W. REV AWDRY Thomas the Tank Engine learns not to tease the big engines and pulls his first passenger train.

W. REV AWDRY Since the publication of the original Thomas the Tank Engine in 1946, millions of children and their parents all over the world have loved this series of bedtime stories about Thomas and his friends. All 26 of the Reverend W. Awdry's classic stories are here in one beautiful gift volume, with an introduction by the author himself. Illustrated in full color.

W. REV AWDRY Based on The Railway Series by the REV. W. AWDRY

A is for All Aboard! Filled with fun photographs from the popular TV show,

Shining Time Station, Thomas's ABC Book will delight children while

teaching them the alphabet along the way.

W. REV AWDRY Four classic stories about Toby the Tram Engine—the small wooden steam tram who runs a branch line and is a great friend of Thomas. Toby is the third most popular engine after Thomas and Percy!

W. REV AWDRY Full-color photos from the videos. Thomas once again finds himself off on

the wrong track in the title story of this group of four train tales featuring

the lovable tank engine.

Mary Azarian Revealing the variety of life underground, the bright comfort of a greenhouse on a winter's day, or the anticipation of starting seeds indoors in early spring, this striking alphabet book celebrates the simple joys of gardening. Without neglecting the frustrations — the nibbling critters and the toil — or wry, humorous moments spent in the garden. Mary Azarian's spare words and lovely woodcuts capture the essence of turning a bare plot of ground into fragrant flowers and lush vegetables and trees. Her depictions of insects, manure, and compost piles are as delightful as her fountains, pumpkins, and Queen Anne's lace. Whether we are young or old, our gardens both exhaust and renew us. They are our source of magic and wonder and perhaps our best way to live closer to the land and to the rhythm of the seasons.

Lisa Baker The complete retelling of favorite Disney movies in a true read-aloud style.

Liza Baker The complete retelling of favorite Disney movies in a true read-aloud style.

LIZA BAKER The complete retelling of favorite Disney movies in a true read-aloud style.

Judi Barrett/ Ron Barrett If food dropped like rain from the sky, wouldn't it be marvelous! Or would it? It could, after all, be messy. And you'd have no choice. What if you didn't like what fell? Or what if too much came? Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be squashed flat by a pancake?

Byron Barton From the excitement of arrival to the wonder of taking off — a picture book that captures in joyous and powerful images all the magic of an airport.

Byron Barton Byron Barton's best-selling series of transportation books are now available as classic board books. Boats, Planes, Trucks, and Trains feature simple text and vibrant illustrations that are sure to spark the interest of even the youngest of readers.". . . will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers." Kirkus Reviews

OWAIN BELL Let's get one thing straight right off the bat. Children love books with flaps. They can't get enough of them. And this book has many, many flaps—over 60, in fact. Something else: children are crazy about Thomas the tank engine. Translation? Very young readers will happily spend a lot of time lifting and learning with this big, bright, colorful board book. Early learning concepts are reinforced on each page, as readers are encouraged to explore their knowledge of colors, numbers, sizes, everyday objects, and the alphabet. Thomas the tank engine travels through the pages, starting out early in the morning in the train shed and moving through the stations, dropping off parcels and passengers, and finally ending up in the freight yard with car after car full of important objects to be delivered, such as milk, doors, a piano, a kangaroo, and xylophones. Children should be allowed to roam freely over the pages of this book, making up their own stories related to the pictures they discover under the flaps. (Ages 2 and older) —Emilie Coulter

W. REV AWDRY/ OWAIN BELL Illus. in full color. Just 50 words tell how Thomas the Tank Engine races

Gordon, a big engine, to see who can get to the other side of the hill first.

Included is a page of cut-out mini learning cards—one for each word in the

story.

W. REV AWDRY/ OWAIN BELL Illus. in full color. That cheeky blue engine refuses to be sidetracked from

his goal of taking schoolchildren home after their visit to the train

yard—despite a host of obstacles along the way.

Zoe Benjamin The complete retelling of favorite Disney movies in a true read-aloud style.

STAN BERENSTAIN Now joining forces with The B Book and The C Book is the reissue of The Berenstains' A Book—an astonishing album with almost any A word children can say. It's guaranteed to make learning to read a bundle of fun!

STAN BERENSTAIN Describes a circus balancing act using only words beginning with the letter "C."

Stan & Jan Berenstain

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN As the gradually increasing number of bears on wheels adds up through all kinds of combinations and permutations, beginning readers are offered a unique counting book, courtesy of the Berenstains.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN When Sister Bear asks her mother about God, Mama tries to explain.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN Illustrated in full color. Mama Bear is tired of hearing how many Bearbie

dolls Lizzy Bruin has and how many Game Bear video games Cousin Freddy just

got. During a thunderstorm, Mama gets her cubs to realize that love and a good

home are much more valuable than material possessions.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN "When Mama Bear's efforts to improve her family's manners are unsuccessful, she devises a Politeness Plan—a chart listing a chore as a penalty for each act of rudeness. Basic etiquette is presented in a practical way. Berenstain illustrations add humor and understanding."—School Library Journal.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN "Though Grizzly Bob's Day Camp looks exciting, Brother and Sister Bear are apprehensive. But after spending a few days trying things out, they discover they can have fun."—The Reading Teacher.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN When Papa Bear tells the cubs why they should never talk to strangers, Sister begins to view all strangers as evil until Mama brings some common sense to the problem. "The Bears' rules for safe conduct among strangers are listed on the last pages, including a rule about the privacy of a bear's body. A good book to start awareness in young children."—School Library Journal.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN Illus. in full color. "In a delightful tale told in rhyme, the Bears cope with weightlessness, meteor showers, and moon dust. A winner for beginning readers."—School Library Journal.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN Brother and Sister Bear know some things about money. They know that money can be used to buy things like baseball cards, ice cream, candy, and balloons. What they don't know is how to manage their allowances.

Then Mama comes up with a terrific idea to help them learn the value of money and how to save it — a checkbook! A series of tear-out checks is included in the book so that kids can use them at home just like the cubs do in Bear Country.

STAN BERENSTAIN/ JAN BERENSTAIN Illus. in full color. "This brightly illustrated story tells of a youngster's happy acceptance of a new addition to the family and how Mama and Papa Bear assist him with the adjustment."—Booklist.

Bob Berry

KERRY MILLIRON/ THOMAS LAPADULA/ ERIC BINDER Bertie the Bus wants to race, and Thomas happily takes up the challenge. Bertie takes an early lead, but a patient Thomas proves there are advantages to riding on tracks instead of roads. Beginning readers will delight in this charming adaptation of the classic Thomas the Tank Engine story Thomas and Bertie.

Tony DiTerlizzi/ Holly Black The first book in a beautifully produced series of five, The Field Guide sets up the story of the Grace children—13-year-old Mallory and 9-year-old twins Jared and Simon—who with their mother move into the dilapidated Spiderwick Estate only to quickly find themselves sucked into a dark and fascinating world of faeries.

Superficially, the Spiderwick Chronicles smack of Lemony Snicket, with its "true story" setup and breathless warnings ("Go away/close the book/put it down/do not look"). But Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black owe no one for the intensely absorbing world they've created. Black certainly showed fey promise in her slightly freaky debut and DiTerlizzi has weird cred to spare, from his zany Jimmy Zangwow to countless credits for the Magic: The Gathering card game.

By combining their ample skill with thoughtful art direction and demanding production values, the duo has succeeded in creating a series with irresistible appeal. Each book promises a quick read, snappy plot progression, and dozens of DiTerlizzi's imaginative pen-and-ink drawings. So if you're drawn to The Field Guide at all, you might as well save yourself the trouble and make sure you have the second book (The Seeing Stone handy. (Ages 6 to 10) —Paul Hughes

Tony DiTerlizzi/ Holly Black In the Spiderwick Chronicles' second book, things get even more exciting—and kind of scary—for the Grace kids, as the strange faerie world hinted at in The Field Guide blooms to full life around them.

After making tentative peace with Thimbletack (a coveralled house brownie who's "the size of a pencil"), Jared chooses to ignore the creature's pleas that he destroy his great-great-uncle's mysterious tome, Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. Thimbletack warns, "You kept the book despite my advice./Sooner or later there'll be a price." Sure enough, the brownie soon sniffs out a "fell smell in the air," and the disappearance of Simon's new cat starts to make sense. And if the chapter titled "IN WHICH Mallory Finally Gets to Put Her Rapier to Good Use" doesn't get your heart racing as fast as the kids', just wait till you get a load of the troll. ("Cooome baaack. I haaave something for youuu.")

The series' already-fast pace picks up quickly in the second installment, and we can begin to imagine what other sorts of trouble these three will turn up as they learn the rules to this odd (and dangerous) new world—while, of course, trying to explain away the strange goings-on to their mother. Next up, book three, Lucinda's Secret. (What's her secret? I want to know. Now! (Ages 6 to 10) —Paul Hughes

ROALD DAHL/ QUENTIN BLAKE Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, along with Roald Dahl's other tales for younger readers, make him a true star of children's literature. Dahl seems to know just how far to go with his oddball fantasies; in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, for example, nasty Violet Beauregarde blows up into a blueberry from sneaking forbidden chewing gum, and bratty Augustus Gloop is carried away on the river of chocolate he wouldn't resist. In fact, all manner of disasters can happen to the most obnoxiously deserving of children because Dahl portrays each incident with such resourcefulness and humor.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a singular delight, crammed with mad fantasy, childhood justice and revenge, and as much candy as you can eat. The book is also available in Spanish (Charlie y la Fabrica de Chocolate). (The suggested age range for this book is 9-12, but nobody this reviewer has met can resist it, including New York City bellhops, flight attendants, and grumpy teenagers.)

Sharon Creech/ Harry Bliss On weekends, redheaded Tillie climbs trees and teaches her little brother how to skip. During the week, of course, she goes to school. Her principal, Mr. Keene, is the kind of gung ho leader any school would be lucky to have. That is, until he goes a little over the top. "Oh!" he says. "Aren't these fine children? Aren't these fine teachers? Isn't this a fine, fine school?" And then this exuberant administrator decides five days isn't nearly enough for such a fine school. "From now on, let's have school on Saturdays, too!" The teachers and students are not thrilled, but no one is willing to burst Mr. Keene's bubble. Soon their well-meaning principal has done away with weekends, holidays, and summer vacation. It's time for someone to take action... gently, though. Young Tillie has just the right amount of subtlety and tact—and motivation—for the job.

Sharon Creech is the bestselling author of many fine, fine books for kids and teens, including the Newbery Medal-winning Walk Two Moons, and a Newbery Honor Book, The Wanderer. Wonderfully clever touches by the illustrator, award-winning New Yorker cartoonist and cover artist Harry Bliss, include signs in the cafeteria ("Why not study while you chew?") and the priceless expressions on students' and teachers' faces as Principal Keene announces yet another plan to increase school daze. Wonderful! (Ages 6 to 10) —Emilie Coulter

Harold Bloom

Judy Blume Fans young and old will laugh out loud at the irrepressible wit of peter Hatcher, the hilarious antics of mischievous Fudge, and the unbreakable confidence of know-it-all sheila tubman in Judy blume’s five Fudge books. brand-new covers adorn these perennial favorites, and will entice a whole new generation of Fudge—and Judy blume—fans.

Judy Blume Fans young and old will laugh out loud at the irrepressible wit of peter Hatcher, the hilarious antics of mischievous Fudge, and the unbreakable confidence of know-it-all sheila tubman in Judy blume’s five Fudge books. brand-new covers adorn these perennial favorites, and will entice a whole new generation of Fudge—and Judy blume—fans.

Judy Blume Passed on from babysitters to their young charges, from big sisters to little brothers, and from parents to children, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and its cousins (Superfudge, Fudge-a-mania, and Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great) have entertained children since they first appeared in the early 1970s. The books follow Peter Hatcher, his little brother Fudgie, baby sister Tootsie, their neighbor Sheila Tubman, various pets, and minor characters through New York City and on treks to suburbs and camps.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first of these entertaining yarns. Peter, because he's the oldest, must deal with Fudgie's disgusting cuteness, his constant meddling with Peter's stuff, and other grave offenses, one of which is almost too much to bear. All these incidents are presented with the unfailing ear and big-hearted humor of the masterful Judy Blume. Though some of her books for older kids have aroused controversy, the Hatcher brothers and their adventures remain above the fray, where they belong. (Peter's in fourth grade, so the book is suitable for kids ages 8 and older.)

Bob Dorough & Friends, Grady Tate, Blossom Dearie, The Lemonheads, Jack Sheldon/Terry Morel, Essra Mohawk, Zachary Sanders, Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough/Jack Sheldon, Val Hawk and Bob Dorough, Patrick Quinn, Dave Frishberg, Sue Manchester, Lori Lieberman, Bob Dorough/Blossom Dearie/Essra Mohawk/Jack Sheldon, Essra Mohawk & Friends, Goodness, Joshie Armstead, Mary Sue Berry, & Maeretha Stewart, Jaime Aff & Christine Langner, The Tokens, Darrell Stern and Bob Kaliban

Jerry Pallotta/ Fred Stillwell/ Bolster Rob/ Rob Bolster Rob Bolster's vivid illustrations will send you soaring through the skies in this dynamic celebration of flight.

Sandra Boynton Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.

Sandra Boynton Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.

Sandra Boynton Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.

Sandra Boynton For a little one who is reluctant to go to bed, sometimes a silly book is just the ticket. And when it comes to silly books, Sandra Boynton is the undisputed queen. In The Going to Bed Book, an ark full of animals watches the sun go down and then prepares for bed. They take a bath ("in one big tub"), find pajamas, brush their teeth, do exercises up on deck (imagine an elephant jumping rope, a moose lifting weights, and a pig doing handstands), and finally say good night.The moon is high. The sea is deep.
They rock
and rock
and rock
to sleep.
Boynton's inimitable animal characters have graced the pages of scads of picture books over the years. She has an extraordinary knack for knowing what appeals to small children: simple rhymes, goofy animals in goofy settings, and sweet, comforting stories. This book, along with her many other board-book titles (Moo, Baa, La La La!, But Not the Hippopotamus, and others) will surely remain a favorite. (Baby to preschool) —Emilie Coulter

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton

Berkeley Breathed

Eve Bunting/ Jan Brett

RAYMOND BRIGGS

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

MARC BROWN

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

MARC BROWN

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

MARC BROWN

MARC BROWN

Jane Bull

Jane Bunting

FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT

Cake, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, Guster, Dan Zanes, Glen Phillips, John Ondrasik Of Five For Fighting, Billy Bragg & Wilco, Darius Rucker, Ivy, Remy Zero, Dan Wilson, Bleu, Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida, Sixpence None The Richer, Tom Waits

Bill Martin Jr./ Eric Carle

Bill Martin Jr./ Eric Carle

Bill Martin Jr./ Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Eric Carle As a tiny green caterpillar eats his way through the book, he is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, in a board book edition of the classic picture book.

Eric Carle

Cynthia Furlong Reynolds/ Pam Caroll/ Pamela Carroll

Devin Scillian/ Pam Carroll/ Pamela Carroll

Alan Katz/ David Catrow

Michael Chabon

Deborah Chancellor

Eileen Christelow

Eileen Christelow

Eileen Christelow

Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer

W. REV AWDRY/ RICHARD COURTNEY

Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech

Janet Stevens/ Susan Stevens Crummel

ROALD DAHL

W. REV AWDRY/ C. REGINALD DALBY

W. REV AWDRY/ C. REGINALD DALBY

W. REV AWDRY/ C. REGINALD DALBY

W. REV AWDRY/ C. REGINALD DALBY

J.K. ROWLING/ JIM DALE

Daniel Leanse

ROBERT MUNSCH/ ALAN DANIEL

Robert N. Munsch/ Alan Daniel/ Lea Daniel

Bruce Degen

Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola

RAFFI/ JOSE ARUEGO/ ARIANE DEWEY

Margaret Wise Brown/ Leo and Diane Dillon

Random House Disney

Dr. Seuss

Laura Driscoll

LAWRENCE DAVID/ DELPHINE DURAND

TISH RABE/ JIM DURK

Helen Palmer/ P. D. Eastman

P.D. EASTMAN

P.D. EASTMAN

P.D. EASTMAN

P.D. EASTMAN

P.D. EASTMAN

P.D. EASTMAN

Clement C. Moore/ Mary Engelbreit

Cathy Hapka/ Random House Disney/ Judith Clarke/ Lori Tyminski/ Rudyard Jungle Book Kipling/ Rudyard Second Jungle Book Kipling/ Walt Disney Enterprises

Ian Falconer

Christopher Finch

Dr. Seuss/ Theodor Seuss Geisel

Dr. Seuss/ Theodor Seuss Geisel

Dr. Seuss/ Theodor Seuss Geisel

Dr. Seuss/ Theodor Seuss Geisel

W. REV AWDRY/ JANE E. GERVER

Lynne Cheney/ Robin Preiss Glasser

Bob Graham

J. K. Rowling/ Mary GrandPré

J. K. Rowling/ Mary GrandPré

J. K. Rowling/ Mary GrandPré

Lois Gresh

Andrew Griffin

Eric A. Kimmel/ Robert Sauber/ Jacob Grimm/ Rob Sauber/ Wilhelm Grimm

Gill Davies/ Gill Guile

AL PERKINS/ ERIC GURNEY

Kate Banks/ Georg Hallensleben

Emily Hutta/ Atelier Philippe Harchy

HEIDI KILGRAS/ ATELIER PHILIPPE HARCHY

LIZA BAKER/ ATELIER PHILIPPE HARCHY

Marie Heinst A visual approach to learning about numbers presents an entertaining and educational reference that helps children master the concepts of numbers, counting, sorting, pairing and matching, and simple arithmetic.

Sarah Heller

Sarah Heller

Sarah Heller

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket/ Brett Helquist

CARL HIAASEN

Lillian Hoban Arthur, afraid of pulling his loose tooth, and his little sister, Violet, learn something about being brave in the seventh adventure about two favorite chimps. `An engaging story that has a firm hand on the foibles of early childhood.' —BL.

100 Favorite Paperbacks 1989 (IRA/CBC)

Ellen Titlebaum/ Mary Hogan

Kathleen Zoehfeld/ Mary Hogan

Sharee Hopler

Polly Horvath

Margaret Wise Brown/ Clement Hurd

Kimberly Weinberger/ Bill Jankowski

Sam McBratney/ Anita Jeram

Carol Jones

Lenny Hort/ G. Brian Karas

Dorling Kindersley

Kline/Rubini

Cynthia Furlong Reynolds/ Bruce Langton Exploring the wonders of Indiana by using each letter of the alphabet, "H is for Hoosier" is a delight for readers of all ages. From the "musical" dunes along Lake Michigan to the Grissom Air Museum in Peru, from the natives who gave the state its name to James Whitcomb Riley, "H is for Hoosier" gives students a chance to learn fascinating facts about their state through poems and explanatory text for each letter.

Doreen Cronin/ Betsy Lewin

Jae Soo Liu/ Jae-Soo Liu The perfect book for a rainy day, but also for an art lessen, a lazy afternoon, or a quiet classroom. Accompanied by a CD of original and evocative piano music, this is a book meant to be enjoyed by all people, connecting us through music and art and transcending language and cultural barriers. Readers, "lookers" and listeners of all ages will love this slice of a rainy day.

Kitty Richards/ Laurie Struck Long

ROBERT LOPSHIRE

Lisa Maizlish

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Carole Marsh

Random House Disney/ Lisa Ann Marsoli

Robert Munsch/ Michael Martchenko

Robert N. Munsch/ Michael Martchenko

Lynne Jonell/ Petra Mathers

MERCER MAYER

MERCER MAYER

Mercer Mayer

Mercer Mayer

MERCER MAYER/ GINA MAYER

Catherine McCafferty

Robert N. Munsch/ Sheila McGraw

Neil Gaiman/ Dave McKean

ALICE LOW/ ROY MCKIE

Lucy Micklethwait

Lucy Micklethwait

Matt Mitter

Kathy-Jo Wargin/ Michael Glenn Monroe/ Michael Monroe

L.M. MONTGOMERY

Morgan & Morgan/ Neil Morgan/ Judith Morgan

Art Spiegelman/ Francoise Mouly

Robert Munsch/ Robert N. Munsch

MARGERY WILLIAMS/ WILLIAM NICHOLSON A stuffed toy rabbit (with real thread whiskers) comes to life in Margery Williams's timeless tale of the transformative power of love. Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all of the other toys, waiting for the day when the Boy (as he is called) will choose him as a playmate. In time, the shy Rabbit befriends the tattered Skin Horse, the wisest resident of the nursery, who reveals the goal of all nursery toys: to be made "real" through the love of a human. "'Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'" This sentimental classic—perfect for any child who's ever thought that maybe, just maybe, his or her toys have feelings—has been charming children since its first publication in 1922. (A great read-aloud for all ages, but children ages 8 and up can read it on their own.)

Anna Nilsen These innovative learn-to-spell books are colorful, educational, and fun. A unique lift-the-flap spelling tool features a choice of brightly colored picture cards and a row of snappy alphabet cards, in an ingenious double-spiral binding. Select a picture card, then flip the alphabet cards to spell a familiar word. Then flip the picture card over to reveal a simple definition. Three-letter word and four-letter word versions allow kids to reinforce spelling and alphabet skills as their abilities grow. A terrific tool for the home or classroom, and a great way to educate and entertain. Durable double-spiral binding keeps parts from getting lost. Perfect for taking on trips. Supplementary sentence-building guide.

Anna Nilsen

Tomie De Paola Good for Tomie dePaola! Few of us get to go back to childhood and explain just what in the world we were thinking when we did things like (a) licking a bedpost to see if it tasted like maple syrup (Tomie's mom told him his furniture was "genuine maple"), (b) wearing lipstick and pretending to be Mae West, or (c) refusing to go to the bathroom for days (Tomie was pretty distressed to have his mom trapped in the hospital after delivering his brand-new baby sister). But award-winning author-illustrator dePaola elaborates on all of this and more in a charming—and winningly evenhanded—tell-all memoir, recounted in an artfully convincing 5-year-old's voice.

The sequel to the 2000 Newbery Honor winner 26 Fairmount Avenue, Here We All Are has Tomie, his 9-year-old brother, Buddy, and Mom and Dad settling into the new house on Fairmount as Tomie continues kindergarten with Miss Immick. Part Linus Van Pelt, part Calvin (minus Hobbes), the budding performer Tomie proves to be as endearing—and sometimes aggravating—as you'd expect a 5-year-old to be. In this second installment of the 26 Fairmount series, Tomie enrolls in tap classes at Miss Leah's Dancing School, upstages Peter Rabbit in a school play while hamming it up as Flopsy, and faces off against his hilariously terrifying Italian grandmother, Nana Fall-River. (Ages 7 to 10) —Paul Hughes

Tomie De Paola The story of Patrick's life, from his noble birth in Britain, to his being captured and taken to Ireland by a group of bandits, to the "dreams" that led him to convert the Irish people to the Christian faith. DePaola also retells several well-known legends, including the story of how Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Full color.

Jan Greenberg/ Sandra Jordon/ Robert Andrew Parker One late spring morning the American artist Jackson Pollock began work on the canvas that would ultimately come to be known as Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist).

Award-winning authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan use this moment as the departure point for a unique picture book about a great painter and the way in which he worked. Their lyrical text, drawn from Pollock's own comments and those made by members of his immediate circle, is perfectly complemented by vibrant watercolors by Robert Andrew Parker that honor his spirit of the artist without imitating his paintings.

A photographic reproduction of the finished painting, a short biography, a bibliography, and a detailed list of notes and sources that are fascinating reading in their own right make this an authoritative as well as beautiful book for readers of all ages.

Todd Parr Best friends can be pretty remarkable, especially if they're anything like Todd Parr's pals. For him, a best friend is someone who "will tell you funny jokes even if you blow milk out of your nose when you laugh." Best friends "will forgive you even if you step on their paw." And best friends "will keep in touch with you even if you move a million miles away." This delightful, bright book sets high (if sometimes silly) standards for friendship. Even with the exceptionally goofy lines ("Best friends will share their pizza with you even if you want to wear the pepperoni"), the point is well made: friendship is unconditional and terrifically important. Kids of all ages will enjoy the bright colors, bold lines, and unambiguous, fun message.

Parr's little square books with big color and cheerful commentary on life (The Okay Book, This Is My Hair, and Do's and Don'ts) will surely brighten the gloomiest moods. (Baby to Preschool) —Emilie Coulter

Todd Parr Todd Parr likes to keep things simple. In his world, there isn't much gray area between good and bad... and in his small, square books, blazing with primary colors and positive "it's okay to be you" reinforcement, there is no gray at all! Do's and Don'ts could be called an etiquette primer—sort of. "Do change your socks every day," he tells us. "Don't make anyone smell them," he adds. "Do have lunch with a monkey," but "don't eat his bananas." "Do brush your teeth after every meal," but "don't brush with peanut butter." You get the idea. With all of the titles in this series—Things That Make You Feel Good, Things That Make You Feel Bad, This Is My Hair, and The Okay Book—young children will no doubt giggle at Parr's childlike, funny illustrations of various slapstick scenarios as well as his references to smelly feet, food in the hair, chocolate-covered bugs, worm stew, and the like. Sometimes all you need is a little silliness, and these bold, colorful books fit the bill. (Baby to preschool)

Todd Parr Todd Parr likes to keep things simple. In his world, there isn't much gray area between good and bad... and in his small, square books, blazing with primary colors and positive "it's okay to be you" reinforcement, there is no gray at all! Do's and Don'ts could be called an etiquette primer—sort of. "Do change your socks every day," he tells us. "Don't make anyone smell them," he adds. "Do have lunch with a monkey," but "don't eat his bananas." "Do brush your teeth after every meal," but "don't brush with peanut butter." You get the idea. With all of the titles in this series—Things That Make You Feel Good, Things That Make You Feel Bad, This Is My Hair, and The Okay Book—young children will no doubt giggle at Parr's childlike, funny illustrations of various slapstick scenarios as well as his references to smelly feet, food in the hair, chocolate-covered bugs, worm stew, and the like. Sometimes all you need is a little silliness, and these bold, colorful books fit the bill. (Baby to preschool)

Todd Parr There are so many different types of families, and THE FAMILY BOOK celebrates them all in a funny, silly, and reassuring way. Parr includes adopted families, step-families, one-parent families, and families with two parents of the same sex, as well as the traditional nuclear family. His quirky humor and bright, childlike illustrations will make children feel good about their families. Parents and teachers can use this book to encourage children to talk about their families and the different kinds of families that exist.

Todd Parr "Sometimes I feel silly ... Sometimes I feel cranky ... Sometimes I feel like kissing a sea lion." There are so many different ways to feel, and author-illustrator Todd Parr believes people should not keep their feelings to themselves: "Share them with someone you love."

Big round heads, stick-figure bodies, bold outlines, and vibrant colors mark the work of the creator of such lovably goofy books as The Okay Book and Zoo Do's and Don'ts. Straightforward feelings (lonely, scared, brave) are interspersed with less conventional, but equally valid feelings ("Sometimes I feel like standing on my head"), encouraging children to identify and label their constantly shifting emotions. Grownups can validate young readers as they read and chuckle together and discuss all the feelings they might experience in a given day. Parr's childlike illustrations are tremendously appealing to one and all. (Ages 3 to 6) —Emilie Coulter

Todd Parr

Todd Parr

Todd Parr

Todd Parr

Todd Parr

Todd Parr

Todd Parr

Merle Peek

Philadelphia Orchestra

Pooh

Brian P. Cleary/ Jenya Prosmitsky

RAFFI

RAFFI

H. A. Rey "A is an alligator with its mouth wide open, B is a big blue bird, C is a crab with two clamping claws...." You get the idea. It's never too early to get your babies chewing on books and ruminating on the alphabet, and children of all ages enjoy the company of H.A. Rey's intrepid monkey, Curious George. In this board book, the letter itself mimics the shape of the animal or object in question. The A is actually the gaping jaw of the alligator, the B is the head and body of the big blue bird, and so on. In most of the pictures—not-so-curiously, 26 in all—youngsters will delight in finding a tiny Curious George, just about to get into mischief, no doubt. Adult Curious George fans will get a kick out of sharing their long-time monkey friend with their favorite little chimps, and preschoolers will enjoy the comical illustrations that offer just the right amount of detail to keep things interesting. (Baby to Preschool) —Karin Snelson

H. A. Rey/ Margret Rey

Sarah Kirwan Blazek/ James Rice

Jon Richards

Dana Richter

PAUL STEWART/ CHRIS RIDDELL

David Rubel

ARISTIDES RUIZ

Kent Salisbury

Kent Salisbury

Walt Disney/ Walt Disney Productions/ Felix Bambi Salten

Sandra Boynton

Angela C. Santomero

Victoria Saxon

Richard Scarry

Karen Schmidt

Charles Schulz

The Seldom Herd, Meryl Streep, The Bacon Brothers, Keith Boynton, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz, Patti LuPone, Caitlin McEwan, Aaaardvarks, John Stey, The Heath Sisters, Kevin Kline, Michael Ford, Darcy Boynton, Beth Andrien, Scott Bakula, Adam Bryant, Natasha Richardson

Elsa Holmelund Minarik/ Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS

DR SEUSS/ Theodore Seuss Geisel/ Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss "It's awfully awfully awful / when you can't make up your mind!" For one poor boy, this indecision takes the form of dozens of Seussian Hunches—a Sour Hunch, a Very Odd Hunch, the Homework Hunch, a Four-Way Hunch, the Nowhere Hunch—all with elaborate finger-pointing hats and strong opinions of their own. Pretty soon the boy's head is "frightfully ga-fluppted" and "murky-mooshy:"

By now my mind was so mixed up
I really didn't know
if I wanted to go to the barber shop
or to Boise, Idaho.

After much arguing and "barg-uing" and shoving and yelling, a decision is made and our hero follows a Munch Hunch to lunch. The nonsense and cleverly crafted message in Hunches in Bunches is right up to par with Dr. Seuss's many other classic picture books. It's easy to become overwhelmed by advice when you have a mind—but can't make it up. Sometimes the best plan is to trust your own hunches, and disregard the vocal bunch of Hunches clamoring for attention. This makes a great gift for well-meaning flakes and ditherers of all ages. (Ages 4 and older) —Emilie Coulter

Dr. Seuss "It's a pretty good zoo," said young Gerald McGrew, "and the fellow who runs it seems proud of it, too." But if Gerald ran the zoo, the New Zoo, McGrew Zoo, he'd see to making a change or two: "So I'd open each cage. I'd unlock every pen, let the animals go, and start over again." And that's just what Gerald imagines, as he travels the world in this playfully illustrated Dr. Seuss classic (first published back in 1950), collecting all sorts of beasts "that you don't see every day." From the mountains of Zomba-ma-Tant to the blistering sands of the Desert of Zind, Gerald hunts down every animal imaginable ("I'll catch 'em in countries no one can spell, like the country of Motta-fa-Potta-fa-Pell"). Whether it's a scraggle-foot Mulligatawny or a wild-haired Iota (from "the far western part of south-east North Dakota"), Gerald amazes the world with his new and improved zoo: "This Zoo Keeper, New Keeper's simply astounding! He travels so far that you think he would drop! When do you suppose this young fellow will stop?"

But Gerald's weird and wonderful globe-trotting safari doesn't end a moment too soon: "young McGrew's made his mark. He's built a zoo better than Noah's whole Ark!" Some of the text and illustrations—imaginative as they are—are obviously dated, such as the following passage: "I'll hunt in the mountains of Zomba-ma-Tant/ With helpers who all wear their eyes at a slant,/ And capture a fine fluffy bird called the Bustard/ Who only eats custard with sauce made of mustard." And your children may be the first to recognize that attitudes have changed since the xenophobic '50s. But that doesn't mean this tale need be discarded; instead, it should be discussed. Ironically, Seuss was trying here—in his wild, explosive, and sometimes careless manner—to celebrate the joys of unconventionality and the bliss of liberation! (Ages 4 to 8)

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel Description coming soon...

Dr.; Geisel, Theodor Seuss Seuss There's a Wocket in my Pocket is yet another prime catch in the vast sea of delectable Dr. Seuss books. It's difficult to find a Dr. Seuss book one wouldn't recommend highly, and this is no exception. Seuss's simple rhymes are consistently as amusing as they are useful; his books are bastions of creative nonsense that simultaneously encourage the joy of wordplay.

This edition of the 1974 treasure features vibrant full-color illustrations, with the added bonus of a virtually indestructible board-book format. Kids can hunt for the zamp in the lamp, the jertain behind the curtain, even the nooth grush on the toothbrush, and no matter how exuberant their exploring gets, the book will remain intact for the next reading. (Ages 0 to 4)

Theo Lesieg/ Joseph Mathieu/ Dr. Seuss

David Shannon

David Shannon

David Shannon

David Shannon

David Shannon

David Shannon

Mike McClintock/ Fritz Siebel

Lauryn Silverhardt

Shel Silverstein

Nicola Smee

Jon Scieszka/ Lane Smith

Jon Scieszka/ Lane Smith

Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket "The Baudelaire orphans looked out the grimy window of the train and gazed at the gloomy blackness of the Finite Forest, wondering if their lives would ever get better," begins The Miserable Mill. If you have been introduced to the three Baudelaire orphans in any of Lemony Snicket's previous novels, you know that not only will their lives not get better, they will get much worse. In the fourth installment in the "Series of Unfortunate Events," the sorrowful siblings, having once again narrowly escaped the clutches of the evil Count Olaf, are escorted by the kindly but ineffectual Mr. Poe to their newest "home" at the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Much to their horror (if not surprise), their dormitory at the mill is crowded and damp, they are forced to work with spinning saw blades, they are fed only one meal a day (not counting the chewing gum they get for lunch), and worst of all, Count Olaf lurks in a dreadful disguise as Shirley the receptionist just down the street. Not even the clever wordplay and ludicrous plot twists could keep this story buoyant—reading about the mean-spirited foreman, the deadly blades, poor Klaus (hypnotized and "reprogrammed"), and the relentless hopelessness of the children's situation only made us feel gloomy. Fans of these wickedly funny, suspenseful adventures won't want to miss out on a single one, but we're hoping the next tales have the delicate balance of delight and disaster we've come to expect from this exciting series. (Ages 9 to 12)

Lemony Snicket Picking up from the final pages of the Pentultimate Peril, this farewell installment to the ridiculously (and deservedly!) popular A Series of Unfortunate Events places our protagonists right where we last left them: on a large, wooden boat in the middle of the ocean, trapped with their nemesis Count Olaf, who has armed himself with a helmet-full of deadly Medusoid Mycelium.

The situation quickly and—this being the Baudelaires—predictably deteriorates. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find themselves tossed in a storm so terrible that our beloved narrator spends four pages describing how he cannot describe it. From this point on, fans of the series' smarty-pants wordplay and acrobatic narrative can rest assured that they're in for more of the same (and how) in this 368-page finale, and Daniel Handler's deadpan Snicket continues to tutor a generation in self-referential humor (including one particularly funny bit regarding three very short men carrying a large, flat piece of wood, painted to look like a living room). Snicket notes, of course, that if you read the entire series, "your only reward will be 170 chapters of misery in your library and countless tears in your eyes."

There's one big question, though, for anyone who's made it through "the thirteenth chapter of the thirteenth volume in this sad history": is the final book a fitting end? That question is probably best-answered by one of The End's most oft-repeated phrases: It depends on how you look at it. Those looking for conclusive resolution to the series' many, many mysteries may be disappointed, although some big questions do get explicit answers. Not surprisingly for a work so deliberately labyrinthine, though, even the absence of an answer can be sort of an answer—and reaction to The End can be something of a Rorschach test for readers. Or, as Lemony Snicket says, "Perhaps you don’t know yet what the end really means." —Paul Hughes

Lemony Snicket It's tough when the things that stand between you and your desired sugar bowl are a host of deadly mushrooms and an uncomfortable diving suit. The unlucky Baudelaire orphans find themselves in deep (once again) in this eleventh book in Lemony Snicket's odd-and-full-of-woe-but-quite-funny Series of Unfortunate Events. In The Grim Grotto, the siblings find themselves headed down Stricken Stream on a broken toboggan when they are spotted by the submarine Queequeg, carrying Captain Widdershins, his somewhat volatile stepdaughter Fiona, and optimistic Phil from Lucky Smells Lumbermill. The adventures that follow as the crew tries to get to the aforementioned sugar bowl before Count Olaf are so horrible that the narrator inserts factual information about the water cycle so that readers will get bored and stop reading the book. It doesn't work. As per usual, readers will want to soak up every awf! ul detail and follow the Baudelaires all the way back to the place we first met them—Briny Beach. (Ages 9 and older) —Karin Snelson

Amazon.com Exclusive Content
Lemony Snicket Door Poster
Keep the wrong people out of your room! Print, personalize, and post this important sign.

An Interview with Lemony Snicket
Lemony Snicket has captured the hearts of childen and adults alike with the hilariously gloomy series that began, of course, with The Bad Beginning. Amazon.com had a chance to question the author of this marvelously morbid and delightfully depressing series, and the communication was grim indeed. Read the cumbersome communique and see for yourself.

A Few Words from Daniel Handler
Due to the world-wide web of conspiracy which surrounds him, Lemony Snicket often communicates with the general public through his representative, Daniel Handler. We were lucky enough to hear from Daniel, and asked him the questions we ask every author, Amazon.com's The Significant Seven

Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket 10 Second Interview: A Few Words with Daniel Handler

Q: Your Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) entry defines you as author, screenwriter, and accordionist. Is that how you would describe yourself?
A: I find that nothing makes people back away faster at a social gathering than "accordionist." Except perhaps "screenwriter." And, even "author" always makes people nervous, so I usually say "writer."

Q: How long have you been writing?
A: All my life really, since I was able to write all I wanted to do was write. I think largely I ended up becoming a writer because I could think of nothing else that I was good at—at all. As a kid, I always wanted to be a writer, and I had no backup plan whatsoever as an adult.

Q: Are the Baudelaire children ever going to be happy?
A: Well, they are happy on a regular basis, just not for very long. Um, are they ever going to be happy permanently? I don't know any permanently happy people, thank goodness.

Q: Okay, then is the series going to end on a happy note?
A: Well, I always remind readers of the Snicket books that happy is a comparative term, so the end will be happier than some people would think, but less happy than others.

Q: When can fans expect the final book?
A: I believe the thirteenth volume will be released in the fall of 2006, although something terrible could happen to the author at any moment and then the books would not be released at all.

Looking for more from Daniel Handler? Check out his answers to Amazon.com's The Significant Seven.
Amazon.com Exclusive: The Horrendous Heap

Experience Snicket in the worst way possible: from the very beginning. Here are twelve books contained in four boxes in one terrible shipment. The Horrendous Heap also contains four unfortunate gifts, more upsetting than an itchy sweater in an unflattering color, including:

*A full-color print of one of Brett Helquist's most worrying illustrations, suitable for framing or burying in the backyard.
*A door-hanger, designed to keep unfortunate events out of any room with a door.
*A full page of black-and-white stickers, fit for sticking wherever unfortunate events arise.
*An iron-on, which can render any piece of clothing a part of the uniform of a secret organization.

Please be warned. This offering is a great deal of misfortune. Lemony Snicket advises against the reading, framing, hanging, sticking, or wearing of unfortunate events. In fact, you might be better off ordering a less horrendous heap, if you prefer that sort of thing.

Make Your Own Misfortune Teller

Fans of the Lemony Snicket books can download and fold their own Misfortune Teller, by following these simple instructions. Once the Misfortune Teller is complete, all that is necesary is a willing victim, er, subject, and let the games begin!
An Interview with Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket has captured the hearts of childen and adults alike with the hilariously gloomy series that began, of course, with The Bad Beginning. Amazon.com had a chance to question the author of this marvelously morbid and delightfully depressing series, and the communication was grim indeed. Read the cumbersome communique and see for yourself.

Beverly Barras Vidrine/ Patrick Soper

Art Spiegelman

Art Spiegelman

Spin Doctors, OK Chorale, Blues Traveler, Mark Lanegan, Billy J. Kramer, Billy J Kramer, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé, The Bacon Brothers & Mickey Hart, Kate Winslet & "Weird Al" Yankovic, Alison Krauss, John Ondrasik Of Five For Fighting, John Ondrasik & Five For Fighting, The Phenomenauts, Rob Hyman & Eric Bazilian, Billy J. Kramer & Mootopia, Doshie Luther, Hootie & The Blowfish, John Popper & Brendan Hill

Anna Nilsen/ Mandy Stanley

Anna Nilsen/ Mandy Stanley

DR SEUSS/ JAMES STEVENSON

Genichiro Yagyu/ Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

Genichiro Yagyu/ Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

Jun Nanao/ Tomoko Hasegawa/ Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

Shinta Cho/ Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

Taro Gomi/ Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

STORYBOOK

KEN STOTT

JANE E. GERVER/ TOMMY STUBBS

SERIES BY THE REV W./ TOMMY STUBBS

Mike Wazowski/ Ricky Nierva/ Walt Disney Enterprises/ Pixar Animation Studios

T//K

Simms Taback

Mary Thompson

Iza Trapani

Priscilla Turner/ Whitney Turner

Amy J. Tyler

Cindy Kenney/ Greg Hardin/ Robert Vann

Various

Erin Dealey/ Hanako Wakiyama

Ellen Stoll Walsh

Annie Appleford/ Michael Monroe/ Kathy-Jo Wargin

Cicely Mary Barker/ Frederick Warne

William Wegman

William Wegman

William Wegman

Jennifer Liberts Weinberg

Rosemary Wells

Rosemary Wells

Susan Welsh-Smith

Mary Ann Hoberman/ Nadine Bernard Westcott

Mary Ann Hoberman/ Nadine Bernard Westcott

Mary Ann Hoberman/ Nadine Bernard Westcott

Nadine Bernard Westcott

Nadine Bernard Westcott

RAFFI/ NADINE BERNARD WESTCOTT

Jean Marzollo/ Walter Wick

RAFFI/ SYLVIE WICKSTROM

David Wiesner

Angela Wilkes

Angela Wilkes

Mo Willems

Judy Shasek/ Wendy Anderson Schulz/ Jonathan Wilson

Audrey Wood/ Don Wood

Audrey Wood/ Don Wood

Linda Yeatman

Wong Herbert Yee

Wong Herbert Yee