Most Popular Books by Cari Best

When Ava and her sister Arlie see the "Write a Poem / Win a Pet" sign in Mr. Noah''s pet shop window, Ava is sure the prize is going to be a dog and convinces Arlie to enter the contest with her. The girls write the best poem they can, and while waiting and hoping to win, they decide that "Lucille" would be the perfect name for a dog. But when Mr. Noah finally announces that they have won, Ava is so disappointed when she sees the prize, a parakeet, that she says, "You''re not the real Lucille!" Ava must discover for herself that with a little patience, a little imagination, and a lot of love, her new pet will be every bit as much fun as a dog—and a fine friend besides.

When Charlie turns a cardboard box into a car, he can''t wait for Mama to be his first passenger--and she is happy to go along. He adjusts the mirror, checks to make sure there is enough gas, and reminds Mama to buckle up. Then off they go--rev rev vroom--on their adventure. There are places to visit and obstacles to avoid and even a traffic jam. When they are done, Mama is exhausted, but Charlie can''t wait to take her on another trip. Rev rev vroom!

An Amazon Best Book of the Month Eleven-year-old Shirley Alice Burns lives with her domineering mother, Hurricane Anna, and loving Grandmother. One day she unexpectedly discovers that her beloved father isn''t in Absentia as her family would have her believe, but dead. And she understands all too well why they haven''t told her; she''s always been shy and quiet, and Anna has always been protective of her. But if Shirley doesn''t start speaking up, she isn''t going to be able to do the things she wants to do: go on vacation to Lake Winnipesaukee with her cousins, stop taking ballet lessons, and talk about her father. Through the help of a mouse, her hero Pippi Longstocking, and her cousin Phillie, Shirley finds the strength to give her dreams a voice and convince everyone, even Hurricane Anna, that she doesn''t need to be sheltered, especially from the truth. In the Country of Queens is the debut novel from acclaimed picture-book author Cari Best.

In this bouncy, playful picture book for very young listeners, follow two baby friends who live in facing buildings through their day--playing, singing, and napping--till they meet in the park! Somewhere in the big, big city two happy babies look out their morning windows at the very same time. Just what will these two babies do today? Well, this baby meows like his cat, and that baby barks like her dog. This mellow baby listens to a story, and that rambunctious baby sings a song. Soon enough, both babies get hungry...and a bit cranky. How will this Mama and that Papa help them feel better? Perhaps a play date in the park will help! Critically acclaimed and award-winning creators--author Cari Best and illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh--team up for this delightful read-aloud that will have listeners clapping and giggling right alongside this baby and that baby.

It''s bedtime, but Sasha can''t fall asleep because of the scary things she sees in her room. But she doesn''t need to call her parents-- she''s brave! She''s strong! She''s five! Sasha has had Mama''s stories and Papa''s jokes and coffee kisses on both her cheeks, but she''s not tired. So she makes a star with her flashlight, a car with one headlight, and a lighthouse that blinks on and off. She checks out the noises outside her window and sees the moon--it is like a giant eye staring right at her! But when she closes her curtains, there are shadows and more noises and scary faces. Instead of calling to her parents, Sasha handles each situation herself--because she''s brave, she''s strong, she''s five--and finally, she''s ready for sleep. This energetic, gorgeously-illustrated bedtime book is perfect for young readers learning to conquer bedtime fears by themselves.

Violet, who is very shy and hates for anyone to look at her in school, finally comes out of her shell when she is cast as Lady Space in a play about the solar system and saves the production from disaster. Listen as you read along with this book and CD set.

"Zulay is a blind girl who longs to be able to run in the race on field and track day at her school"--

Mabel Beecher loves Kindergarten. And she loves her teacher, Mrs. Ampersand, because she''s funny and smart and makes the class work hard, but brings Popsicles every Friday if everyone really tries. But then Mrs. Ampersand announces that she''s leaving for the rest of the year because she''s going to be having a baby. Mabel is not happy. Especially because her new teacher, Mrs. Windbag, is so boring. And she doesn''t bring the right snacks. And she''s not very good at reading out loud. So Mabel thinks about what Mrs. Ampersand would do. And she starts leading the class. There''s a lot to learn in Kindergarten, even for Mrs. Windbag. And by the end of the year, Mabel is certain she''s going to be a great future teacher! Cari Best''s delightful new picture book introduces a clever, determined new heroine, and celebrates the power of learning, however old you are.

Jacob learned the rules of baking from watching Chef Monty on TV, and now he is ready to make his own peach pie in his Easy-On Oven. Even when things get messy and Jacob''s parents say there is no more time for baking, he is determined to see his pie through to the end. Cari Best''s tasty text and Melissa Sweet''s scrumptious collage illustrations combine to make a picture book as satisfying as a perfect slice of pie. Easy as Pie is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

Beatrice enjoys learning to spell, and gets really excited about it after some encouragement from her grandmother, but she has trouble convincing her classmates that spelling is not boring.

A young girl learns what it really means to sparkle in this charming picture book about the challenges and joys of making new friends. Lightning-bug-loving Maude wants to be a member of the Bug-of-the-Month Club in her new neighborhood, and decides that her entrance speech will be about fireflies. She reads, she researches, she prepares, and she delivers a speech that all the club members love—except for hard-to-please Louise. Louise won''t even let Maude in the club! So Maude vows to really let Louise have it for being so rude. But when she does, it''s not in the way anyone expects. Featuring wonderful illustrations by Jennifer Plecas, Cari Best''s Bug Off! is a sparkly story about friendship, kindness, and inclusion—packed with info about fireflies, too!

After taking the train downtown, Lizzie spends the day at the public library, helping her mother who is a children''s librarian.

Sara''s Russian grandmother has requested that there be no presents at her seventy-eighth birthday party so Sara must think of a gift from her heart.

Wendy enjoys walking with her family on Rambling Road and always finds something to add to her collection.

In the spring when trees unfreeze and grass grows green, Nell and her dog, Rusty, go have fun digging in the dirt, getting dirty and finding treasures.

Benny the parrot, an amazing bird with the ability to read, has everything a bird could want, until he has to share his owner''s attention with a rare flower.

Readers are in for another rousing good time with Sara and Catherine the Great The unsinkable heroine of Three Cheers for Catherine the Great! is back! Sara’s Russian grandma, Catherine the Great, has promised to teach Sara how to float in the sea like a flower. So, on a sizzling summer day, they pile into Mr. Minsky’s old car with Mama and their neighbors and set out for the beach. At first things are fine. But then they’re not: there’s a forgotten bathing suit, car trouble, and so many delays that everyone wonders if they’ll ever get there. Everyone except Catherine the Great. With an enthusiastic “Da!” (Yes!), Sara’s grandma keeps Mr. Minsky’s car chugging down the road, until finally they arrive – just in time for Sara to learn one more lesson from her beloved grandma. With pictures full of charm and whimsy, this lively sequel to Three Cheers for Catherine the Great! demonstrates that when things go wrong, a positive attitude can make all the difference.

Every spring, the geese touch down on the pond in a honking, flapping celebration. But this year, one of them is different. As it stands on one leg--shunned by the other geese, unable to search for food, to swim, or even to fly away--a young girl wonders: how can a goose with one foot survive? "A heartwarming story with a tender message about accepting others in spite of their differences and helping those who are less able." --Starred, School Library Journal "Best''s simple prose is rhythmic and beautiful . . . Every child who has nursed an injured creature will recognize the bond, the distance, and the hope. " --Starred, Booklist

While attending his first "night party" to celebrate Great-Gran Sadie''s 100th birthday, Robert''s manners disappoint family members and relatives but please the guest of honor, who loves his dance steps.