Dexter Bexley has bumped square into a Big Blue Beastie. A bored Big Blue Beastie that ponders eating Dexter Bexley right up just for fun. Thinking quickly, Dexter suggests a much better idea. He and the Big Blue Beastie go into business together. No matter how many adventures Dexter can think up to distract him, the Big Blue Beastie continually finds himself bored and hungry. It seems that this might finally be the end for Dexter Bexley … or is it? Joel Stewart spins a darkly comic yet ultimately reassuring tale about friendship.
Picture Book
The Little Golden Lamb
In this joyfully retold Hungarian version of “The Golden Goose,” a shepherd lad befriends a lamb whose fleece is the color of gold. The lad and the lamb set off on a journey, with the lamb dancing and frolicking as the boy plays his flute. Along the way they meet one person after another who tries to put an end to their merriment, but soon enough each has no choice but to join the cheerful procession and help the shepherd boy win his fortune and fulfill his destiny. Whimsically illustrated in delicious colors, this lively tale about the magic of music and the infectiousness of a light heart will have young children ready to join in the celebration.
Goldie And The Three Bears
In this spirited new version of “Goldilocks,” we meet a determined heroine with a mind of her own. Goldie knows exactly what she likes — and what she doesn’t. Can she help it if everyone she invites over is too bossy or too boring or too snobby or too rough? What she desperately wants is a friend who is just right — someone she can love with all her heart. Then one day, Goldie gets off the bus at the wrong stop, walks to a nearby cottage to find help, and opens the door. . . Diane Stanley, author and illustrator of Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter, once again takes an old tale and gives it a fresh spin that is funny as well as perceptive. Readers will love accompanying Goldie on her up-to-date adventure and discovering the clever, heartwarming surprise at its end.
Tam Lin
A retelling of the old Scottish ballad in which a young girl rescues the human knight Tam Lin from his bondage to the Elfin Queen.
The Fairytale Cake
“We make a cake, We bake a cake, And send it on its way! “Beloved characters from classic nursery rhymes — everyone from Humpty Dumpty to Little Bo Peep to Old King Cole — collaborate to bake the most perfect, towering, delicious cake . . . and roll it along to its special recipient — the birthday boy or girl! Mark Sperring’s spare but sweet text combined with Jonathan Langley’s bright, timeless artwork make for a fun, read-aloud book that allows readers to pick out their favorite nursery rhyme characters in the illustrations. Ideal for birthdays . . . or any occasion!
Little Bo Peep Can’t Get To Sleep
Little Bo Peepcan’t get to sleep.She kicked her blankets to a heap. When Little Bo Peep can’t get to sleep, her mother suggest counting sheep. But Peep can’t count her sheep because she’s lost them. Her brother, Little Boy Blue, who scared off the sheep in the first place, warns Peep she’ll be in big trouble if she tells Mom and Dad. It’s no wonder Peep can’t catch a wink, even when Humpty Dumpty finds her flock. That tummy ache just won’t go away until she tells her parents the truth about her missing sheep.From the same winning team who created Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox, Little Bo Peep Can’t Get to Sleep will strike a chord with every child who’s ever had trouble fessing up!
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
“Nothing ever happens here,” the shepherd thinks. But the bored boy knows what would be exciting: He cries that a wolf is after his sheep, and the town’s people come running. How often can that trick work, though?B.G. Hennessy’s retelling of this timeless fable is infused with fanciful whimsy through Boris Kulikov’s hilarious and ingenious illustrations. This tale is sure to leave readers grinning sheepishly.
The Little Red Hen
“Not I,” said the duck.
“Not I,” said the pig.
“Not I,” said the cat.
Arthur and the Sword
A retelling of the events that culminated in Arthur’s ascent to the throne depicts his dramatic removal of Uther’s sword from the stone and is accompanied by illustrations made to look like stained glass. Children’s BOMC Alt.
The Gingerbread Girl
The lonely old woman and the lonely old man decide to bake a girl this time, but when they open the oven, she runs off like her brother did. Never fear, this smart cookie has a plan to outfox the fox. Will it work? Let’s just say that the ending is sweet for everyone.
“Ernst’s familiar art, here placed against gingham-check backgrounds, utilizes the oversize format to best advantage, with large characters leaping out of their frames. On the cover, the candy-studded Gingerbread Girl with licorice-whip hair stares boldly out at readers. Kids won’t be able to resist following her inside.”—Booklist