Europe

Materials from Europe

Monsters Aren’t Real

Beaten down by a ubiquitous chorus of denials (see title), a monster suffers an existential crisis.

Surrounded by emphatic claims that it doesn’t even exist, a monster sets out not only to prove the contrary, but to establish its scariness credentials too. Alas, neither blasting the world with graffiti and printed fliers nor rearing up menacingly over a baby in a carriage, children at the barre in a ballet class and other supposedly susceptible victims elicits any response. Juggling some cows attracts attention but not the terrified kind. But the monster’s final despairing surrender—“That’s it! It’s over! I give up! … /  Monsters aren’t real (sniff)”—triggers an indignant denial of a different sort from a second, smaller but wilder-looking, creature. It takes the first in hand and leads it off, declaring “We’re two big, strong, scary monsters, and we’ll prove it.” In truth, it won’t escape even very young readers that neither is particularly scary-looking. Indeed, the protagonist-monster is depicted in the sparsely detailed cartoon illustrations as a furry, almost cuddly, bearlike hulk with light-blue spots, antlers and comically googly eyes, certain to provoke more giggles than screams.

Small Bunny’s Blue Blanket

Small Bunny does everything with Blue Blanket.  Blue Blanket helps him paint the best picures, go the highest on the swings, and read the hardest words.  They need each other.  But one day, Small Bunny’s mother insists Blue Blanket must be washed.  She says Blue Blanket will be as good as new after.  But Small bunny isn’t sure he like “new”.  Will his friends ever be the same?

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

Artemis Fowl’s archenemy Opal Koboi has masterminded a way to simultaneously secure her release from prison and bring the human and fairyworlds to their knees.  And, unless Artimis can stop her, the evil pixie’s next move will destroy all human life on earth.  Ground zero is the Fowl estate, where Opal has reanimated fairy warriors who were buried there thousands of years ago.  Their spirits have possessed any vessels they can find–corpses, Artimis’s little brothers, assorted wildlife–and they are bound to obey Opal’s evry command.  Defeating the motley troops and their diabolical leader will require all of Artemis’s cleverness– as well asButler’s bravery, Holly’s skill, and Foaly’s gadgetry.  But if their best efforts aren’t enough, Armageddon will surely follow.

New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the Blockbuster series.

The Big Adventure Of The Smalls

It’s the night of the Small Hall Ball, and everyone in the Small family is getting ready for one of the BIGGEST parties of the year. Everyone, that is, except for Paul and Sally Small, who are too young to join in the fun. But when Paul’s tiny teddy bear goes missing, he and Sally have no choice but to sneak into the festivities, and nothing–not secret doors, spooky passageways, or even a swinging chandelier–will stop the smallest of the Smalls from finding Paul’s furry little friend.

Florentine And Pig

After a week of rain, Florentine and Pig are ready to do something outdoors and decide to have a picnic, but getting the apples needed for Pig’s favorite treat proves to be a challenge. Includes directions for making “Pig’s Pretty Picnic Bunting” and recipes for “Apple and carrot muffins with squidgy lemon icing” and “Florentine’s home-made pink lemonade with fresh berry ice cubes “.

Aliens In Underpants Save The World

Aliens love underpants. It’s lucky that they do. For underpants saved our universe. Sounds crazy, but it’s true!

Aliens in Underpants are back and on a mission to save the Earth from a meteor that is plummeting toward it! What will happen to their supply of underpants?

Wolf Won’t Bite!

Come to the Big Top!  Three circus pigs share the stage with a wild Wolf!  They can make him stand on a stool or dress him in a bow, but don’t worry, because wolf won’t bite!…Will he?

Beloved author Emily Gravett gives readers another charming picture book–with bite.

The Perfect Present

Henry has the Perfect Pet– a duck called Spot– who thinks he’s found the Perfect Present for Henry’s birthday. But when the big day comes, Henry’s grandparents arrive with a Perfect Present of their own– a large, wobbling box with something inside that could change Henry and Spot’s friendship forever.

First introduced in Wanted: The Perfect Pet, Fiona Robertson’s irresistable dup returns in this touching friendship tale about never letting good friends go.