New Releases by David Ezra Stein

Will Mr. Popperman ever call on the little red chicken? She knows the answers! A beloved, ever-excitable character can’t help but be in the frame when Caldecott Honoree David Ezra Stein leads a class trip to the museum. The little red chicken’s class is going to the art museum today, and their teacher, Mr. Popperman, is cautioning them to be on their best behavior. This means raising their wing when they want to say something and not calling out. But there’s so much to see and learn at the museum! For instance, what feeling does Edvard Munch convey in his painting The Scream? What animal would you add if you were the painter of The Peaceable Kingdom? Chicken knows all the answers, but amazingly, she’s never called on, even when she calls out, raises her wing (while calling out), or jumps around moaning (but not calling out). Will Chicken ever have a chance to express herself? With insight and signature visual humor, David Ezra Stein brings back the Interrupting Chicken in a scenario that kids everywhere will find all-too-frustratingly relatable.

A hilarious new read aloud from Caldecott Honor-winning author/illustrator David Ezra Stein, about a grumpy bear whose animal friends are determined to wake him up after a long hibernation. Pairs perfectly with Grumpy Monkey and Ryan T. Higgins''s Bruce books. Spring is here. The world is awake and abuzz, but one animal is still sleeping. Bear! When will he finally wake up from his slumber--and what sort of mood will he be in? Caldecott Honor artist David Ezra Stein dares to poke the bear with hilarious results and reveals that spring is indeed the best season to be out and about.

"Stein’s metafictive narrative is sidesplittingly funny, capturing with aplomb young children’s endearingly exasperating tendency to speak up when it’s least convenient." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) At her first ballet ever, can an excitable little Chicken resist helping the story along? Fans will cheer as their favorite interrupter puts her spin on a beloved holiday classic. “Hi, Clara! Like my tutu?” “Ahem,” said the narrator. “Chicken!” said Papa. “You can’t go onstage!” It’s winter vacation for the little red chicken and, with promises of best behavior, she’s on her way to see The Nutcracker with Papa. She can’t wait! In fact, she’s so excited that Papa is worried she might get a little carried away . . . Take your seats and get ready to giggle as a certain irrepressible audience member dances onstage at key moments, determined to save the nutcracker from that bully Fritz and the sword-wielding Mouse King. But what happens when a revered classic has its storyline turned on its head? In this special holiday tale for loyal followers and new fans alike, David Ezra Stein moves the meta from page to stage as Chicken gleefully breaks the fourth wall.

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein returns to the world of Beaky Barnes with this follow-up graphic novel featuring David''s signature humor and unmistakable art style. Watch out for the devious duck! A new bird has arrived in Simpleton and is here to ruffle some feathers with a plan to trick the townspeople out of their money. For what, you might ask? Buying freshly baked bread! (A duck’s favorite snack, of course.) Meanwhile, the chef wants to hire a baker, the inspector is looking to get strong, and the inventor is trying out some new (explosive) ideas for a kitchen invention contest. But what about our favorite chicken? Well, her egg is now an adorable baby chick, and Beaky Barnes is catching on to the duck’s tricks.

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein takes readers on a slapstick journey in his debut graphic novel series, featuring Beaky Barnes, a no-nonsense chicken who''s determined to save her desirable egg. But with a hungry inspector, a desperate chef, and an entrepreneurial woman on her tail, Beaky has to use every tool in her chicken coop to make her grand escape. All the inspector wanted was an egg to go in his sandwich, so he heads to the cafe. The problem? The town is entirely out of eggs, and the local chef is panicked. Luckily, he spots a lovely duo having lunch: a woman and a chicken named Beaky Barnes. It''s his lucky day. But when the woman and Beaky have a fight over an offensive business arrangement (chicken-pulled coach service, anyone?), chaos ensues. With a chicken on the run, and an inspector and woman in hot pursuit, three stories emerge with hilarious results! With laugh-out-loud madcap comedy on every page, David Ezra Stein''s (Caldecott Honor winner of Interrupting Chicken) signature humor is on full display in this debut graphic novel!

Just try not to smile! A positively inspiring picture book from the creator of the Caldecott Honor–winning Interrupting Chicken. Because Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send a care package of cookies to her grandson Lionel in Mexico. The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe in England! And so the good feelings that started with Amelia’s smile make their way around the world, from a goodwill recital in Israel, to an impromptu rumba concert in Paris, to a long-awaited marriage proposal in Italy, to a knitted scarf for a beloved niece back in New York. Putting a unique spin on "what goes around comes around," David Ezra Stein’s charmingly illustrated story reminds us that adding even a small dose of kindness into the world is sure to spur more and more kindness, which could eventually make its way back to you!

The little red chicken wakes up hungry for one thing: cookies! Papa thinks nursery rhymes would make a better morning treat--and an excuse to rest in bed a little longer. But with little Chicken, nothing happens quite as planned.

Surprise! The little red chicken is back — and as endearingly silly as ever — in David Ezra Stein’s follow-up to the Caldecott Honor–winning Interrupting Chicken. It’s homework time for the little red chicken, who has just learned about something every good story should have: an elephant of surprise. Or could it be an element of surprise (as her amused papa explains)? As they dive in to story after story, looking for the part that makes a reader say “Whoa! I didn’t know that was going to happen,” Papa is sure he can convince Chicken he’s right. After all, there are definitely no elephants in “The Ugly Duckling,” “Rapunzel,” or “The Little Mermaid” — or are there? Elephant or element, something unexpected awaits Papa in every story, but a surprise may be in store for the little red chicken as well. Full of the same boisterous charm that made Interrupting Chicken so beloved by readers, this gleeful follow-up is sure to delight fans of stories, surprises, and elephants alike.

It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story—and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters from doing some dangerous or silly thing. Now it’s the little red chicken’s turn to tell a story, but will her yawning papa make it to the end without his own kind of interrupting? Energetically illustrated with glowing colors—and offering humorous story-within-a-story views—this all-too-familiar tale is sure to amuse (and hold the attention of ) spirited little chicks.

This sweet companion to David Ezra Stein''s award-winning Leaves celebrates the joy of savoring something you love. Bear is ravenous when he wakes up from his winter sleep and has one thing on his mind: honey! Alas, it is too soon for honey, so Bear tries hard to be patient. The world around him is waking up, too, and he soon remembers all the other things he loves, like warm grass, berries, and rain. He''s almost content, until, one day, he hears a welcome buzzing sound . . . and finally it is time for Bear to delight in the thing he relishes above all others--and it is as warm, golden, sweet, and good as he remembered.

Tired of helping others cool their drinks, Ice Boy proceeds to sneak out of the freezer and heads to the beach, where his edges begin to blur.

"A growing tadpole loves his frog dad so much he never gives him a moment''s peace"--

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein has fans at his command with this comical dog’s-eye view of having a best friend. Many dogs have human owners. Not this dog. He fetches his own slippers, curls up at his own feet, and gives himself a good scratch. But there is one spot, in the middle of his back, that he just can’t reach. So one day, he lets a human scratch it. And the poor little fella follows him home. What can the dog do but get a leash to lead the guy around with? Dog lovers of all ages will revel in the humorous role-reversal as this dog teaches his human all the skills he needs to be a faithful companion.

This board book provides an introduction to manners and playing nice.

Enjoying the excitement of the world, newly hatched dinosaur Dinah stomps and chomps through the day before seeing a kiss, then resolving to kiss someone herself without whomping, chomping or stomping them first.

Ol'' Mama Squirrel has raised many babies and kept them all safe from predators, but she may have met her match when a determined grizzly bear threatens her nest. Full color.

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein''s delightful tale of a baby kangaroo''s first hops toward independence is perfect for board book audiences. Joey wants to go exploring, but at first he isn''t sure he''s ready to leave Mama''s safe, warm pouch. Touching on a universal childhood experience, this sweet tale celebrates trying new things.

When Cowboy Ned tells his faithful horse, Andy, that it’s his birthday, Andy goes in search of the perfect birthday present. After meeting a cricket, an owl, and finally making a friend, Andy realizes that being with Cowboy Ned is the best present of all. Now in paperback, this tender tale of friendship will appeal to anyone who has ever wanted to do something special for a friend

An action-packed romp for friends who like to play with gusto! From the time they leap out of bed until they hug each other good-bye, two rambunctious young monsters make the world their playground. Playtime between such great friends is colossal fun and sometimes earth-shaking business!

It''s a young bear''s first autumn, and the falling leaves surprise him. He tries to put them back on the trees, but it doesn''t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it''s spring, and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, welcoming him. Graceful illustrations and a childlike main character offer the perfect way to talk with children about the wonder of the changing seasons.