New Releases by David McPhail

A bug, a cow,and even a hippo can jump. Kids and animals leap into the air in this sweet, simple book by beloved children''s author-illustrator David McPhail. Cozy watercolor illustrations depict the very basic text, helping beginning readers predict unfamiliar words and decode the story.

The boy in this book is growing and changing-- but that isn''t a bad thing. A sweet Level C story that teaches kids that it''s okay to change. I am too big for my crib. I am too big for my shirt. Celebrate growth and self-acceptance in this simple, sweetly illustrated story about a bunny who is getting too big for baby things-- but who is just right all the same. The boy in this book is too big for his crib, his shoes, and his tricycle. And he is too big for Grandpa to pick up. But he is just right for his big-boy bed, his new shirt, and his bicycle. And he is just right for a hug from Grandpa, for his sister, and for this book. David McPhail''s simple story and softly colored, warm illustrations create a book that''s just right for preschoolers and kindergarteners, who are growing up themselves. It''s just right to share with the little ones in your life. For readers who have mastered basic sight words, Level C books feature slightly longer sentences and awider range of high-frequency words than Level B books. Level C books are suitable for mid-to-latekindergarten readers. When Level C is mastered, follow up with Level D. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based uponFountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, TheodorSeuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high quality illustrations that supportcomprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own!

A companion to Ben Loves Bear, Bella Loves Bunny, and Peter Loves Penguin, Olivia Loves Owl features a little girl and her beloved stuffed owl. Olivia and Owl pick apples and frolic through piles of colorful leaves. After enjoying a perfect fall day, they go inside to wish upon a star and hoot at the moon. The youngest readers will relate to the loving bond between a child and her favorite stuffed animal and how this sweet friendship makes each day special.

"An adaptation of the action words vocabulary from David McPhail''s My Mother Goose"--

"Board book adaption of the clothing words vocabulary from David McPhail''s My Mother Goose"--

Peter and Penguin wake up to snow on the ground and immediately get bundled up to play outside. After making snowballs and a snowman and enjoying the perfect winter day together, they return inside to warm up and share some cocoa. In this companion to Ben Loves Bear and Bella Loves Bunny, the youngest readers will relate to the loving bond between a little boy and his favorite stuffed animal, and how this sweet friendship makes each day special.

Meet beloved adventurer Pig Pig as a baby! Baby Pig Pig is delighted to imitate the sounds he hears—a cat’s meow comes out as “Duba;” a snake''s hiss becomes “Hissa;” a duck’s quack becomes “Quacka.” The more he hears, the closer he gets to making the right sound himself. But however he tries to copy his mother''s speech as she points out the animals and objects around them, nothing he says seems to come out right. What will Baby Pig Pig''s first real word be? A must for baby showers and new-baby gifts.

Meet beloved adventurer Pig Pig as he masters the art of walking! Baby Pig Pig is sitting in his playpen with the kitten. Bored, he decides to leave the pen and find Mama. He pulls himself up. He stands! He falls. He tries again. With perseverance and pride, Baby Pig Pig makes his way out of his pen and down the hall and right into Mama’s arms. Youngsters will love the building excitement of Baby Pig Pig''s first steps, following David McPhail''s adorable illustrations to their delightful conclusion. A must for baby showers and new-baby gifts.

The New York Times–bestselling illustrator of Budgie & Boo presents a cuddly raccoon in a tender tale of love and friendship. Waddles the raccoon loves to eat. In fact, he eats so much that his usual walk has turned into a waddle! He also loves to spend time with his best friend, Emily the duck. One day, Emily asks Waddles to sit on her unhatched eggs so she can go for a swim, and the very cuddly Waddles is happy to help. But he gets a big surprise when the ducklings begin to hatch! Waddles soon finds himself very attached to the new family of ducklings, so when it''s time for them to fly south for the winter, Waddles wonders if he will ever see his friends again . . . Tenderly crafted and illustrated, Waddles introduces readers to a delightful new character who learns that love and friendship are the only things that make someone truly "full." Praise for Waddles "McPhail celebrates interspecies camaraderie in another picture book divided into four short chapters. . . . McPhail''s ink-and-watercolor illustrations elevate the familiar story of mismatched, devoted friends, coaxing expertly drawn emotion from his endearing characters. A tender, year-round reminder of the sustaining power of friendship." — Booklist

The friendship between a little boy and his favorite stuffed animal makes each day special, from morning till night.

There''s nothing quite like a boy and his . . . lion? Pig Pig wakes up one morning to a BIG surprise. While Mama makes breakfast, Pig Pig and the lion run down the stairs, through the kitchen, over the furniture, and romp around the house. Prepositions and positional language abound in this playful story, and an unexpected friendship is forged. But will the lion be able to stay, or will the two new friends be separated forever? An action-packed laugh-out-loud read-aloud for youngsters fond of boisterous and imaginative play.

Green Light Readers Level 2.

A big brown bear turns blue with paint when a little bear accidentally knocks over his ladder with her baseball bat.

Pity the passenger climbing aboard this cruise ship, for this peaceful vacation is about to be perturbed by a pack of impertinent pigs! Whether poolside or at the captain''s side, the porkers turn this cruise into a catastrophe. Full color.

Reading everything he can after learning how to read, young Edward finds his imagination soaring and particularly enjoys adventure stories, and one day he wakes up to find himself surrounded by pirates.

One minute, the narrator of this cleverly rhyming romp is quietly reading. The next minute, pigs descend upon his house in every imaginable getup, by every available means, from every possible place—even “Pigs from France” and “Pigs just in their underpants.” What results is lovable porcine mayhem and a pizza pig-out! * “A must for all picture-book collection.”—School Library Journal, starred review * “McPhail presents a magnificent group of porkers, whose capacity for costumes and capers is truly wondrous . . . Kids will find this a very good book indeed.”—Booklist, starred review * “This is McPhail at his whimsical best.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review A Booklist Children''s Editors'' Choice

Emma''s search for a soft, cuddly pet has a surprising ending.

One morning Emma gets up early to watch television. But the TV won''t work. No one can fix it-not Mom, not Dad, not even the repairman. Neither can a balloon or a song or playing horsey fix Emma''s disappointment. But then Emma''s mother reads her a book. "Read it again," says Emma. "And again." And when Emma''s father finally realizes what''s wrong with the TV-it was just unplugged!-Emma is too busy reading to care. The power of books to enthrall has rarely been presented in such a clever, simple way for the TV-savvy preschool set.

While waiting to have his picture taken, Pig Pig practices saying "Cheese" as he looks through a photo album and is amazed at the outcome.

Beloved illustrator McPhail offers a child's magical view of the natural world.

When a little boy overcomes his fear of water, fantastic things begin to happen: The birds who live by the sea bring him treasures, the waves sing to him, and suddenly, he is able to perform incredible tricks, like parting or purifying water. He uses his special powers to transform not only himself, but also the world around him.

Award-winning author and illustrator David McPhail uses his exquisite paintings and a touch of magic to illustrate the connection between people and nature and to encourage young readers to help take care of the environment. A beautiful and evocative picture book unlike any other, Water Boy will captivate children, adults, and environmentalists alike.

“Water Boy began as a series of little drawings (I try to do at least one every day). Water images kept showing up in my sketches and soon became a theme. After I'd done about eight or ten, I tried to connect them, but nothing worked, so I put the idea aside.

“I continued to draw, and my drawings were still infused with water. Then, without really trying, they began to reveal some continuity. I kept drawing and drawing, and the story continued to take shape. It came together so magically that it informed my new approach: Do the art you want, and the story will follow . . .”

—David McPhail

A boy and a bear find a Star Baby in their back yard and try to fix its spaceship so that it can return to its mother.