Most Popular Books by Cynthia Rylant

This lovely book illuminates all the possibilities a day offers—the opportunities and chances that won’t ever come again—and also delivers a gentle message of good stewardship of our planet. Newbery Medal winner Cynthia Rylant’s poetic text, alongside Nikki McClure’s stunning, meticulously crafted cut-paper art, makes this book not only timeless but appealing to all ages, from one to one hundred.

Here are twelve deeply moving short stories from the perceptive pen of Cynthia Rylant. Each captures the moment when someone''s life changes -- when an animal causes a human being to see things in a different way, and, perhaps, changes his life.

Caldecott Honor Book! "An evocative remembrance of the simple pleasures in country living; splashing in the swimming hole, taking baths in the kitchen, sharing family times, each is eloquently portrayed here in both the misty-hued scenes and in the poetic text." -Association for Childhood Education International

Text and illustrations describe the sights and sounds of nighttime in the country.

An old woman who has outlived all her friends is reluctant to become too attached to the stray dog that visits her each day.

Nigel Chipmunk shares a pleasant life with his friends Dipper the hummingbird, Little Owl, Copper the butterfly, Claudius the garter snake, and Mudpuppy the salamander. Full color.

Life is beautiful--ever changing, sometimes not easy--but it''s always worth waking up in the morning to see what might happen.

This critically acclaimed winner of the Newbery Medal joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!Ever since May, Summer''s aunt and good-as-a-mother for the past six years, died in the garden among her pole beans and carrots, life for Summer and her Uncle Ob has been as bleak as winter. Ob doesn''t want to create his beautiful whirligigs anymore, and he and Summer have slipped into a sadness that they can''t shake off. They need May in whatever form they can have her -- a message, a whisper, a sign that will tell them what to do next. When that sign comes, Summer with discover that she and Ob can keep missing May but still go on with their lives.

At night after the shades are drawn, a small guinea pig shares adventures with the toys in Toytown, the toy store where he lives. Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and artist Tim Bowers once again bring the cozy world of Toytown to life in this easy-to-read picture book.

Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge.

The classic techno-thriller of superpower espionage from New York Times bestselling master of suspense Stuart Woods!

The cousins spend their winter vacation learning to sew with their neighbor Mrs. White and making gifts for a special celebration with Aunt Lucy and her boyfriend Michael. Line art.

When a storm separates Stumpy the squirrel from her newborn babies, her animal friends come to the rescue.

Now an old man, John is haunted by memories of enlisting to fight in World War II, a decision which forced him to face the horrors of war and changed his life forever.

A beautifully illustrated version of the classic fairy tale about a tin soldier’s adventure and his love for a ballerina, retold with a twist. With her signature warmth and lyricism, Newbery winner Cynthia Rylant has crafted a new version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a tin soldier who falls in love with a ballerina. As in the original story, the tin soldier’s love for the beautiful ballerina is thwarted by a goblin. The tin soldier is separated from the other toys and washed down a sewer, where he encounters a rat and gets swallowed by a fish, but somehow, against all odds, he manages to end up back home only to be cast into the nursery fire. Rylant adds her own twist to the end of the tale, however, for in this version, the tin soldier and the ballerina are melded to each other, rather than melted, in the heat of the fire, so they’ll never be parted again. Rylant’s expert storytelling paired with Corace’s stunning illustrations create a beautiful, unforgettable tale of everlasting love. Praise for The Steadfast Tin Soldier “Gracefully written. . . . The book’s large format gives plenty of scope for Corace’s distinctive illustrations, precise ink drawings brightened with watercolor, gouache, and acrylic paints. Sometimes brilliantly colorful and sometimes more subdued, the scenes can be crowded with dozens of toys or other visual elements, but they show up well from a distance. The subtle depictions of the goblin and his shadow are particularly fine. A softened vision of the literary fairy tale.” —Booklist “Text and illustrations weave seamlessly to create an involving, fast-paced update of a much-loved tale. Rylant''s retelling is abridged, yet sprightly, and Corace’s watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and pen-and-ink illustrations add nuance and whimsy to Andersen''s original.” —School Library Journal

In the spirit of her acclaimed Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven, Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant illustrates the King James Bible creation story in a simple yet powerful folk art style. Cynthia Rylant takes the familiar text of the creation story, as told in the King James Bible, and lovingly illustrates it in her simple but bold style that has been called “stunning” by School Library Journal. In striking illustrations reminiscent of folk art, Rylant has created a fresh take on a classic story that will appeal to readers of all ages.

In a rainbow-colored station wagon that smelled like a real car, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and hugged from the kitchen to the front room. All summer they tended the garden and ate up all the strawberries and melons. They plucked banjos and strummed guitars. When they finally had to leave, they were sad, but not for long. They all knew they would be together next summer.

Henry and his 180-pound dog Mudge are best friends forever. And in this book of their adventures, they share the joys of winter.

Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant brings the peaceful sounds, sights, and characters of the coast vividly to life in the fourth book of the Lighthouse Family series, in which the family rescues a trapped turtle. A thick fog has found its way up north to the lighthouse family, surrounding the cliffs and waters below. Always ready to lend a hand, the lighthouse siblings Whistler and Lila help Seabold guide small ships to land. As they overlook the foggy waters, they hear a distant voice echoing from the rocks below. Who could it be? Using only a rope and their hearts to guide them, Seabold, Lila, and Whistler make their way down the side of the cliff. And what they discover will help them weather even the thickest fog—a new friend.

From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant comes a vibrantly illustrated, poetic picture book tribute to the beauty and magic of a rainy day. There is a softness and a quiet before the rain comes… When rain is on its way, some people and animals hurry home and get cozy inside. But others stay out to soak up the glorious showers! Wet drops bounce on leaves and roofs, creeks fill up, trees take a shower, cats have a show, and everyone relishes the rain. With lyrical words by award-winning author Cynthia Rylant and vibrant pictures by celebrated artist Lisa Congdon, this evocative picture book shows that rain is good for everyone.

A deeply compelling collection of poems about God and our everyday world from a Newbery medalist. Cynthia Rylant takes teens on an invigorating spiritual journey as she explores what God''s life on Earth might be like. Rylant''s reflective and often humorous verse follows God as he tries out human activities such as getting a dog, writing a fan letter, and making spaghetti. God Went to Beauty School combines the awesome with the everyday in an accessible, thought–provoking, and intelligent manner.

In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends. Cynthia Rylant''s lyrical language and Jill Kastner''s rich, cozy paintings capture the cherished moments of this autumn month--the moments we spend together and the ones we witness in the world around us.

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Text and illustrations explore the countryside and people of Appalachia.

Life with only the sea can be lonely. Just ask Pandora and Seabold. They''ve lived most of their lives with the sea--Pandora in a lighthouse and Seabold on a boat--and they''re each quite used to being alone. Or they were. But one day, the sea did something extraordinary: It brought Pandora and Seabold together! And even better, the sea gave them the ingredients for an adventure that neither of them had considered before-an adventure called "family."

Meet the Cobble Street Cousins * Lily, who wants to be a poet * * Tess, who wants to be a Broadway star * * Rosie, who wants a little cottage with flowers by the door * It''s spring on Cobble Street, and Lily has a great idea -- the Cobble Street Cousins'' own newspaper! Soon the very first edition of The Cobble Street Courier is hot off the presses, with a poem by Lily, Tess''s favorite jokes, and Rosie''s yummy recipe for shortbread -- even an interview with Aunt Lucy''s boyfriend, Michael. Now it''s time to deliver the paper to all the cousins'' old friends on Cobble Street -- and a couple of new ones!

For Henry and his big dog Mudge, spring means admiring the first snow glory, playing in puddles in the rain, and watching the five new kittens next door.

Henry and his big dog Mudge attend a family reunion.

A little boy gives Valentines out to friends, family, and members of the natural world.

Pandora, Seabold, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny have all been enjoying the love and comfort that being a family brings. It is a comfort they are unexpectedly reminded of when Whistler and Lila hear the cries of a lonely baby beluga whale named Sebastian. When they learn that he has lost his mama, the Lighthouse Family, with the help of a cranky but noble old cormorant named Huck, does all it can to reunite mother and child.Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Preston McDaniels invite readers to brave the elements once again, with a story that reminds us all about the strength and courage of family and friends.

Mr. Putter gets an old cat to share his life with him.

Tells the story of the Meadow family and the life they lead in the quiet country town of Blue Hill, Virginia.

Rosie, Lily, and Tess, three cousins who are living together with their aunt, decide to make a miniature flower shop just like Aunt Lucy''s real shop, and give it to her as a gift.

Originally published: New York: Blue Sky Press, 1997.

A cumulative tale about a small dog named Gracie whose quiet life is disrupted by some noisy painters.

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