New Releases by Audrey Penn

"Are we almost there?" Chester Raccoon asked his mother. Chester is excited about going to his very first sleepover. After his mother drops him off at Pepper Opossum''s house with a Kissing Hand in his palm, Chester and his animal friends have a long day of playing games and eating snacks. But when the animals decide to bed down, Chester can''t go to sleep. While his Kissing Hand has kept him from getting scared, he isn''t in his own bedroom, and he misses his family. When Chester returns home, Mrs. Raccoon welcomes her little cub and reassures him that his home is always there when he needs it. Young readers will enjoy reading about the party fun and take comfort when Chester finds himself in a situation they can relate to.

Will the red fire trucks accept the new green-and-white fire truck at Firehouse #10? Kai is a small green-and-white pumper truck who moves into Firehouse #10. Firehouse #10 has some of the biggest, reddest fire trucks around. So how can Kai fit in with the other fire trucks? When a big fire breaks out, it''s Kai who saves the day! From the New York Times bestselling author of The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn, Kai to the Rescue! is a delightful story that celebrates the differences that make every one of us special. The trucks come to life with the exciting, kid-friendly art of up-and-coming animator and illustrator Mike Yamada! Kai to the Rescue! is perfect for National Fire Prevention Month (October) and Fire Prevention Week (the second week of October). Confidence comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes!

During the last 20 years, parents and teachers have passed along the secret of the Kissing Hand to children facing first days of kindergarten, first grade, and other separations. Now younger children can get in on Mama Raccoon''s secret and find comfort in A Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon, a board-book adaptation of the original picture book. Chester could feel his mother''s kiss leap straight into his heart. "With a Kissing Hand," said Chester''s mom, "We''ll never be apart." "Just press your hand upon your cheek and feel that loving glow. It''s Mommy saying, ''I love you,'' wherever you may go." The Kissing Hand has become a children''s classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents. A Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon conveys the heart of the story in rhyming verse, perfect for read-aloud and easy for even the little ones to remember and recite. With illustrations by Barbara Gibson that capture the warmth and beauty of the original artwork, toddlers now share in the benefits from Mrs. Raccoon''s secret for making a child feel safe and secure.

Little Chester Raccoon, the beloved character who has helped so many children with issues in their lives, learns the meaning of bravery and a method for overcoming his fears in this new Audrey Penn title. After sharing the story of a little bird who is afraid to have flying lessons in front of his friends, Mrs. Raccoon tells Chester that being brave doesn''t mean being unafraid; being brave means not letting that fear stop him. Mrs. Raccoon teaches Chester an important strategy: Think-Tell-Do. When he thinks he is afraid, he tells himself he can do it, and then he just does it. Of course, getting a Kissing Hand helps a little too. This simple strategy can be helpful to children in many different situations.

In this new Kissing Hand board book, Audrey Penn brings us more maternal wisdom to solve another of early childhood''s little issues. Whether on a trip, in a restaurant or a store, children can become bored and fussy. Chester''s Favorite Game provides an activity that will entertain young children anywhere -- finding things in many colors: white, blue, yellow, red, orange, brown, and black.

In this tender sequel to the New York Times bestseller and children''s classic The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn provides parents with another tale of love and reassurance to share with their children. Chester Raccoon has a baby brother—and the baby brother is taking over his territory. When Chester sees his mother give his baby brother a Kissing Hand—his Kissing Hand—he is overcome with sadness, but Mrs. Raccoon soothes his fears with her own special brand of wisdom, finding just the right way to let Chester know he is deeply loved. Brought to life by Barbara Leonard Gibson''s warm illustrations, this story is perfect for families who are adjusting to all the changes new members can bring.

In this latest addition to the Kissing Hand book collection, Chester Raccoon must learn to deal with another common problem of childhood: a bully at school. When Mrs. Raccoon learns that there is a bully problem at school, she decides to investigate the situation. But after seeing the bully for herself, she shares a story about a forest that was full of smooth yellow stones, and how the animals living there changed a pointy stone they found into a smooth stone so that it wouldn''t hurt any tender paws. Chester, Ronny, and Cassy follow the spirit of Mrs. Raccoon''s story when they next encounter the Bully. Approaching him as a group, they invite him to play, proving that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him or her a friend. This book encourages children to understand that many child bullies are themselves unhappy and gives readers a good example of settling differences by peaceful means. Educators will embrace this story about a positive strategy for dealing with a bully.

Chester Raccoon''s good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning - ever. Chester is upset that he won''t get to play with his friend anymore. Mrs. Raccoon suggests that Chester and his friends create some memories of Skiddel, so that they will have good memories when they miss him. Chester, his brother Ronny, and their friends decide to gather at the pond, where they combine their memories and create a touching celebration of their friend''s life. Many young children must face the loss of loved ones or the need to attend a funeral. This sweet story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how "making memories" can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one.

Moving is hard on everyone, but especially children. Chester Racoon, whom readers have come to know and love through the New York Times bestseller The Kissing Hand, and its sequel, A Pocket Full of Kisses, is facing another dilemma common to the lives of many children; he and his family are moving. Young readers will love the way Chester says goodbye to his old home and learns that there are some exciting aspects to his new home.

The sun is up, it''s time for little Chester Raccoon to go to bed, but he is frightened by the shadows the sun is creating on the walls. Mrs. Raccoon soothes him with a Kissing Hand, and he is able to go to sleep. This sweet and decidedly unscary board book is both a light-hearted way to calm children''s fears at bedtime, along with a gentle introduction to Chester Raccoon and the Kissing Hand for the younger child. Funny illustrations will gentle the scary-looking shadows in a bedroom.

Sophie and her brother are excited by the arrival of Hanukkah, and they happily clean the cottage and shine the Menorah as their gift to the family. But when their mother shares her worry that they do not have enough cooking oil to last eight days, their father tells them the story behind the holiday celebration and the miracle of the oil. Inspired by the story, the family creates its own Miracle Jar and watches the oil disappear as they enjoy the special food that each day brings. The family''s hope and faith is confirmed when a last wipe of the cloth produces enough oil to prepare the eight day''s treat.

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester''s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children''s classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

When Penny inquires about a wooden headboard hand-carved by her great-grandfather, she learns of her Cherokee heritage and the special gift The Great Spirit has bestowed upon her with the help of great-great-uncle, Johnny Elk.

As Halloween approaches Ocracoke Island, Billy, Daniel, Stefanie, and Mark are helped by the ghosts of Blackbeard and the eccentric Mrs. McNemmish when they are held captive by the local scoundrel Zeek, who is searching for a hidden treasure.

An insightful and entertaining book that teaches young children what it''s like to have A.D.D.

"Feathers and fur don''t mix!" squawk a pair of ducks when they see Tuesday the Cat licking his chops over a nest of eggs. But when Tuesday sees the eggs in danger from a storm, he takes heroic action, and life-long friendships result in spite of major differences! This heartwarming story was inspired by real events in the author''s own neighborhood, and yes, Tuesday the cat and the now-grown ducks are still the best of friends.

No Bones About Driftiss is a fantasy-adventure about a group of urban kids who discover, excavate and mount the bones of a very unusual dinosaur skeleton, and then-with some innovative thinking and backyard technology-move their creation to the local museum. Subtly and vicariously, through the characters and action in the book, No Bones...meets and challenges the imagination of children, provides compliments for a job well done, and confronts personal dilemmas associated with sharing, responsibility, and cooperation. Also woven skillfully into this story are ethical and scientific considerations that recognize fossils as valuable social and scientific resources and identify museums as institutions where such resources can be properly deposited, studies, interpreted, and exhibited. Twenty-seven black-and-white illustrations provide added depth to the characters and actions in the book.

Surprised to see a snowflake in May, Mandi meets the flukes, who control seasonal weather.