New Releases by Bob Shea

Two friends invent an imaginative new game in this laugh-out-loud story that captures the silliness of playtime, from award-winning author-illustrator Bob Shea When a bear suit–wearing turtle and his best friend are left to their own devices, the fun and games begin! Pass the ball, but be careful—the grass is hot lava! As “bearsketball” gets increasingly off-the-wall, the two friends compete to see who can find the biggest stick in the forest, roll down the hill without dropping the ball, and guess the number each one is thinking. Who will be the winner? And what are the rules to this game, anyway? From Bob Shea, author-illustrator of the popular Dinosaur vs. series and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, this charming and hilarious tale is an ode to the joy and freedom of childhood. With true-to-life kid dynamics, offbeat humor, and memorable characters, this picture book companion to Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend proves that everyone wins when you’re having fun.

Fall in love with a turtle wearing a bear suit—determined to prove that he’s a “for-real” bear—in this laugh-out-loud silly friendship story from the award-winning Bob Shea, author-illustrator of the popular Dinosaur VS. series and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great When a turtle in a bear suit claims he is a “for-real” bear, he must prove himself to another turtle who just so happens to be a for-real bear expert. Hilarity ensues as Bearsuit Turtle proves he can climb trees, hibernate, and do other for-real bear stuff . . . like riding bikes, eating ice cream, and smashing pumpkins. But when Bear-Expert Turtle reveals a secret, Bearsuit Turtle has to admit a truth of his own. Whether or not these two turtles are for-real bears or experts, they just might become for-real friends. With a fabulously endearing, offbeat, and memorable new character; playful, true-to-life child dynamics; and a goofy, kid-perfect sense of humor, Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend is sure to charm readers everywhere. Includes a page of “for-real bear facts” at the end.

"There once was a very sleepy penguin, who was best friends with a not-so-sleepy lion... A pitch-perfect comedy for anyone who has ever craved sleep -- and anyone too full of energy to settle down." --

Cute Pups! Big Trucks! These three puppies must swap their beloved trucks in this original board book that's perfect for toddlers with big building dreams. Dig Dug, Puddles, and Cheddar have some very important work to do . . . but it seems absolutely impossible to drive some-puppy else’s truck instead of their own beloved truck, but with a lot of teamwork, these pups just might be able to finish their task before snack time.

Three pups must learn to drive trucks that are not their own to finish their task before snack time.

These cute pups are in big trucks and ready to dig! Book two of this original board book series is perfect for toddlers with big building dreams. Dig Doug, Puddles, and Cheddar are ready for a big day at puppy school. Today they have an extra big project—using their construction trucks to dig a swimming pool! Dig Doug is so happy because Dig Doug LOVES to dig. But when he digs a bit too deep, his puppy friends must figure out a plan to save him.

From the creator of the mega-popular Dinosaur vs. series comes a hilariously deadpan look at new parenthood—from a baby’s point of view. I am not sleepy. I am not sleepy because I am a baby. Mommy is sleepy. Mommy is sleepy because I am a baby. With humor and sympathy, Bob Shea looks at the chaos of life with a baby as amiably narrated by the new arrival. Repeating the mantra (and blithe explanation) “because I am a baby,” the tiny narrator leads us through scenes of exhaustion, grumpiness, squishy diapers, spilled milk, cowering kittens, and chubby overfed pups (oopsie!). Playing against the simple, matter-of-fact text are freewheeling illustrations of mess and mayhem, in which the grown-ups’ exaggerated body language is sure to send older children into fits of giggles. With its endearing, unabashedly self-pleased star, I Am a Baby will find a place at showers, in nurseries, on parents’ shelves, and in the hands of appreciative big siblings, as it celebrates the changes a little one brings, at once challenging and full of love.

Introducing an irresistible new board book series filled with cute pups, big construction trucks, and laugh-out-loud humor! It’s the first day of puppy school and Dig Doug, Puddles, and Cheddar can’t wait to start digging, building, and loading in their trucks. But when their teacher, Miss Polly, gets stuck under some rocks, they’ll have to come together and use teamwork to get her free! Closing their eyes to make the rocks disappear doesn’t work . . . so which of Miss Polly’s lessons can Dig Doug, Puddles, and Cheddar save her? Beloved children’s book author Bob Shea and illustrator Brian Won have created an endearing new board book series with the cutest construction workers around.

"Dig Doug loves to dig, but when he digs a little too deep, his puppy friends must use their trucks and work together to save him"--

During the first day of puppy school, Dig Doug, Cheddar, and Puddles must work together and use their trucks to free their teacher, Miss Polly, from some rocks.

Ever since Unicorn moved into the neighborhood, Goat has been feeling out of sorts. Goat thought his bike was cool-until he saw that Unicorn could fly to school! Goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but Unicorn made it rain cupcakes! Unicorn is such a show-off, how can Goat compete?

"A lazy alligator comes up with a plan to lure his prey by opening up a restaurant for birds--until he realizes that birds are even better as friends"--

When Reuben the bear brings doughnuts to his forest friends, they discover that his pants are wet and he angrily accuses them of the dirty deed.

In this hilarious tale of blame, compassion, and forgiveness, a very embarrassed bear is reminded that accidents can happen--but with the support of good friends, life goes on. Reuben the bear's got donuts for everyone in his scout troop, but his friends are all staring at something else: there's a wet spot on Reuben's pants, and it's in a specific area. "WHO WET MY PANTS?" he shouts, and a blame game starts. His buddies try to reassure him there was no crime. Just an accident. It could happen to anyone! But as all the clues begin to point in Reuben's own direction as the culprit, Reuben must come to terms with the truth. Who Wet My Pants? isn't a potty-training book. It's a witty and wise story about embarrassment and anger, empathy and acceptance, and ultimately...forgiveness.

Calling all daredevils! It's time to play CRASH, SPLASH, OR MOO! in this boisterous picture book with all the excitement of a game show. Mr. McMonkey is your host, and your contestants are America's favorite stunt clam, Action Clam...and a cow! These unlikely daredevils face off in a zany sequence of challenges--and readers get to guess the outcome of all the wacky stunts. The winner gets a Golden Banana! Readers will be laughing, cheering, and giving themselves a round of applause as they play the game over and over again. Bob Shea, creator of many favorite funny books, including Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great and the Ballet Cat series, provides endless storytime fun with high-energy audience participation. Don’t miss these other funny books by Bob Shea! Chez Bob Pizza for Birds Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime The Scariest Book Ever!

Reader beware! This is the scariest book ever! Or so claims its melodramatic ghost narrator. You can go ahead and turn the page, but don't expect him to come with you. Anything might pop out of that black hole in the middle of the forest. What do you mean it's just a bunny? Well, it's probably a bunny with big fangs. Watch out, it's--picking pumpkins with its friends, you say? Actually, despite the ghost's scare-mongering, none of the animal characters in the illustrations seem scary at all. . . . What's up with that? Many delights, such as surprises after the page turn, an alarmist narrator, and punch lines to anticipate make this book a scream for both kids and parents.

Ballet Cat and her cousin Goat are preparing a show for Grandma. Each is trying to outdo the other--Ballet Cat with an elaborate dance routine (of course), and Goat with his amazing (amazingly lame, that is) magic tricks. Neither act goes off quite as planned, but it doesn't matter . . . because Grandma falls asleep during the performance!

À quoi Pirouette et Galopin le poney vont-ils jouer aujourd'hui? Comme d'habitude, Pirouette veut sauter, tourner et virevolter. Galopin l'accompagne sans entrain. Il a un secret. Un secret qu'il ne veut pas révéler à Pirouette par crainte de la blesser. Mais. surprise! Pirouette a aussi un secret. Qu'adviendra-t-il de leur amitié une fois leurs secrets partagés? Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests - making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade - goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own. Once their secrets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever? Original title: Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret

Ballet Cat and her friend Butter Bear have practiced a dance to perform for an audience, but Butter Bear will need a lot of encouragement to try the super high leaps.

Envy turns to admiration and finally to friendship for Goat and Unicorn.

Drywater Gulch has a toad problem. Not the hop-down-your-britches, croaking-all-night toad kind of problem. The thievin', hootin' and hollerin', steal-your-gold never-say-thank-you outlaw toad kind of problem. Then hope rides into town. Sheriff Ryan might only be seven years old, and he might not know much about shooting and roping. But he knows a lot about dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs. And it turns out that knowing a thing or two about paleontology can come in handy when it comes to hoodwinking and rounding up a few no-good bandits. From Bob Shea and Lane Smith comes this hilarious picture book, Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads. This title has Common Core connections.

"Little Dinosaur gets ready for Christmas"--

Dinosaur is going to one of his favorite places: the library! On the way, he invites his friends--a lonesome turtle, a sad owl and more-- to roar along with him. But how will his roaring go over at the library? Has Dinosaur finally met his match in Storytime?/DIV DIVBy combining everyone's favorite feisty red dinosaur with a variety of animals and a celebration of reading, author-illustrator-designer Bob Shea has created another irresistable romp for toddlers and parents to enjoy together.

A boastful shark is not afraid of anything, which impresses his underwater friends until they ask about spiders.

Daddies . . . They can be funny and lovable and really, really silly. Oh, Daddy!

Ready . . . Set . . . Go to Bed! Jet to bed to get to bed! Don't be fooled or be misled! I'm gonna beat you, beat you to bed! It's a race to bedtime—but who will get there first? This zippy read-aloud will make bedtime a fun time for those little ones reluctant to make it to the nightly finish line.