New Releases by Erica S. Perl

A festive pun-filled story perfect for the holidays! In this follow-up to When Carrot Met Cookie, Christmas is fast approaching, and Carrot and Cookie are both worried—they can''t find the right present for each other! But when they hear a crash on Christmas Eve and find a sick Santa too ill to keep flying his sleigh, they know there are more important matters at hand. Can these friends conjure up enough Christmas magic to step into Santa''s shoes, deliver the presents themselves, and save the day? Hilarious and heartwarming, this is the perfect gift for future foodies or anyone looking for some special holiday cheer.

In this standalone sequel to instant New York Times Bestseller Dolly Parton''s Billy the Kid Makes it Big, Dolly''s favorite god-dog is back with a tale about the true meaning of Christmas. French bulldog Billy the Kid is one lucky pup. He has everything he could ever want: a place in Nashville, a great band, and even a cross-country tour. It''s all totally tail-riffic...but he can''t help but feel that something''s missing. When Billy''s band is scheduled to perform at Barkafeller Center on Christmas Day, he''ll have to decide what matters most to him: fame or family? Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a hilarious yet heartwarming picture book about the importance of family, friendship, and of course, paw-some music.

This collection of stories and poems by sixteen Jewish writers portrays the magic of Hanukkah for each person who celebrates it, as well as what it means to be Jewish. Celebrate Hanukkah with a diverse collection of poems and stories filled with history, humor, and hope. Cheer on a young baker as he tries to make sufganiyot from a family recipe. Learn about code breakers in England during World War II. Imagine hosting a refugee cousin or finding long-lost relatives. In this anthology, characters make discoveries, connect with family and friends, and mourn loved ones. Encompassing a range of genres and experiences, there’s something for readers of all faiths in the illuminating pages of The Festival of Lights.

Whale, Quail, and Snail are back in the third Level 2 Ready-to-Read about friendship from award-winning author Erica S. Perl! Whale sees a mango! It’s growing on the tree on Tiny Island, but it’s not ready to eat. When will it be ripe? It’s a mystery, and waiting is hard, but Whale, Quail, and Snail will get through it together!

From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee. French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out. But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he''s barking up the wrong tree. He''ll need his favorite songs ("Jowlene" and "I Will Pawlways Love You," of course), a group of scrappy new friends, and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be. Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a delightful picture book about standing up to people (and dogs) who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams.

A laugh-out-loud retelling of The Three Little Pigs, The Three Little Guinea Pigs is perfect for fans of fairytales and guinea pigs alike. This clever story by prolific children''s book author Erica S. Perl and dynamic illustrator Amy Young makes a perfect read-aloud and includes nonfiction backmatter with additional fun facts about guinea pigs. Once upon a time there were three little pigs... three little guinea pigs! Their names were Rosie, Minty, and Pumpkin. They lived with their mama in a cozy little house. Then they bid her a fond farewell and set off on their own. So far, so good.... But what will they do if a hungry fox comes along? Will they go wheek, wheek, wheek all the way home? Or can they find a way to save their fluffy behinds?

Young dog lovers will enjoy sniffing out the TRUTH about their favorite animals in this innovative Step 3 nonfiction reader. Dogs don''t sniff each other''s butts as often as we think, right? That''s a LIE! The TRUTH is, dogs almost always greet each this way! It gives them lots of information about other dogs. Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique Q&A format, proficient readers are quizzed about dogs to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book''s mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed book, which features photos and illustrations of a wide variety of canines. Step 3 Readers feature easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

Whale, Quail, and Snail are back in the second Level 2 Ready-to-Read about friendship from award-winning author, Erica S. Perl, as Snail teaches Whale to fly! Snail likes to surf. Quail likes to explore. And Whale just wants to fly! With a little help from her friends, Whale just might find a way to try.

Charming and quirky friends Whale, Quail, and Snail have a tea party in this all-new Level 2 Ready-to-Read from award-winning author Erica S. Perl! Meet a whale named Whale. She spends most of her time exploring the area near Tiny Island, dreaming of a day when she’ll have real friends, not just rock friends. One day, Whale decides to throw a tea party…and it changes everything, especially when Quail and Snail show up!

Budding cat fanciers will love hunting down the TRUTH about their favorite animals in this innovative early reader. Cats were domesticated before dogs, right? That''s a LIE! The TRUTH is, dogs were living with people for 10,000 years before cats ever were! Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique Q&A format, proficient readers are quizzed about cats to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book''s mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed book, which features photos and illustrations of a wide variety of felines. Step 3 Readers feature easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

Can a vegetable and a dessert really be friends? Find out in this sweet story of solidarity! Cookie and Carrot are a true dynamic duo. Carrot teaches Cookie how to dip (in hummus), and Cookie teaches Carrot how to dunk (in milk). But when Cookie and Carrot''s other pals make fun of their friendship, the two start to wonder if different food groups can ever really be friends. Packed with plenty of puns, this satisfying tale of acceptance and forgiveness will leave kids asking for more. Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.

Budding inventors and science fair nerds will love hunting down the TRUTH about some groundbreaking inventions--past and present--and the people behind them in this innovative early reader. The computer mouse was invented by Steve Jobs, right? That''s a LIE! The TRUTH is, it was invented by a man you''ve probably never heard of named Doug Englebart!! Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique Q&A format, proficient readers are quizzed about inventions and their inventors to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book''s mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed book, which features photos and illustrations of a wide variety of inventions--from the printing press to velcro to a light-up soccer ball. With funny, kid-appealing art by Michael Slack. Step 3 Readers feature easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

It''s Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are excited to light the menorah in their family''s new apartment. But, unfortunately, their Hanukkah box is missing. Luckily, their neighbors happily help, offering thoughtful, often humorous, stand-ins each night. Then, just as Hanukkah is nearly done, Max and Rachel, inspired by the shamash ("helper") candle, have a brilliant idea: to celebrate the Ninth Night of Hanukkah as a thank you to everyone!

Learning to read doesn''t need to be ruff with this rhyming tail about a pair of lovable pups, now with a fresh look! Penny and Clover are playing with a ball. They chase it as it bounces all over their backyard, bounding in every direction. But when they go to retrieve it once more, they''re surprised to find a new friend at the same time!

Learning to read doesn''t need to be ruff with this rhyming tail about a pair of lovable pups, now with a fresh look! Penny is a small, frisky puppy. Clover is a big, careful canine. While Penny has no problem jumping over a log, Clover isn''t so sure she can do it. Can Clover come up with the courage to take a leap of faith and follow her friend?

Every day is a good day for a history lesson with this entertaining Step 3 History Reader! Confident young readers will enjoy hunting down the TRUTH about several of our U.S. presidents in this funny, fact-filled quiz book. President William Howard Taft, the twenty-seventh president of the United States, got stuck in the White House bathtub, right? That''s a LIE! The TRUTH is, he never actually got stuck in the bath during his presidency, but he did go on to become a Supreme Court chief justice after his term. Though 100% fun, 25% of this engaging early reader is FALSE! In a unique question-and-answer format, proficient readers are quizzed about funny, interesting presidential trivia, to see if they can separate facts from "lies." Our mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this entertaining and fact-packed book, filled with historical photos and kid-appealing art and humor. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics for children who are ready to read on their own.

There''s too much fun to be had in the snow to sleep through the winter season! At least that''s what Louise thinks. In this story designed to engage early readers, charming characters combine with simple text, lively illustrations, and laugh-out-loud humor to help boost kids'' confidence and create lifelong readers! Snow has fallen and the pond is frozen, so Arnold knows that--as a bear--it''s time to hibernate! But Louise insists that he''ll miss all the fun winter things if he does, so she convinces him to try hibernating like a chipmunk instead. They''ll sleep for a short time, wake up to go sledding or have a snowball fight, and repeat! The only problem is, Arnold can''t seem to keep his eyes open. What if he can''t stay awake for the winter fun? Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.

Arnold wants to celebrate the start of the cozy autumn season indoors. Louise does not. How can they celebrate fell if they''re not celebrating together? In this story designed to engage early readers, charming characters combine with simple text, lively illustrations, and laugh-out-loud humor to help boost kids'' confidence and create lifelong readers! On one brisk, chilly day, Arnold the bear is determined to stay inside and make popcorn balls. But his best friend, Louise the chipmunk, wants to be outside and make leaf piles. After all, the leaves have finally fallen to the ground, bringing the first day of what Louise calls fell, the season between fall and winter. An argument ensues, so they decide to do their preferred activities separately. But when they both realize that one thing is missing--each other--can they find a way to celebrate together? Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.

Dinosaur fanatics will love hunting down the TRUTH about their favorite prehistoric reptiles in this innovative new Science Reader series. Tyrannosaurus rex''s closest living relative is the alligator, right? That''s a LIE! The TRUTH is, the massive carnivore was actually more closely related to chickens!! Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique question-and-answer format, proficient readers are quizzed about dinosaurs to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book''s mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed Step 3 Reader, which features photos and illustrations of dinosaurs and fossils, with funny, kid-appealing art by Michael Slack. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

Shark lovers will enjoy hunting down the TRUTH about their favorite ocean predators in this innovative new Science Reader series. Baby sharks are toothless at first, right? That''s a LIE! The TRUTH is, sharks are born with a mouthful of teeth to protect themselves and hunt right away. Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique question-and-answer format, proficient readers are quizzed about their favorite ocean predators to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book''s mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed Step 3 Reader, filled with photos of sharks in action, as well as kid-appealing art and humor. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

Prepare to be amazed as Louise (AKA The Great Louweezie) predicts the future in the first book of this easy-to-read series! Arnold is a large black bear. His best friend, Louise, is a small chipmunk. But one day, Louise insists she is NOT Louise--she''s the Great Louweezie, and she can predict the future! But when the Great Louweezie''s demands begin to test Arnold''s patience, the game feels much less fun. What will happen if friendship isn''t in their future?

Unlikely best friends Arnold and Louise--a big bear and a chatty chipmunk--are back in this easy-to-read chapter book series! When Louise borrows Arnold''s newly found treasure, he''s sure he''ll never see it again. After all, she loses just about everything he lends her. Louise swears she hasn''t lost it, but to get it back, she sends Arnold on a treasure hunt of her own--or is it a wild goose chase?

While preparing for their bar mitzvahs, comedy-obsessed Noah and Dash find their friendship threatened by a personal tragedy in this funny, honest, and deeply affecting novel by the author of "The Capybara Conspiracy."

Fans of Tim Federle and Louis Sachar will love this hilarious story of what happens when the non-jocks kidnap their sports-obsessed school’s beloved mascot. Seventh-grade playwright Olive Henry is frustrated by her middle school’s lack of appreciation for anything but sports. While the principal drones on and on during morning announcements about the sports teams’ victories, all non-athletic club meetings are relegated to the school basement, never to be mentioned on the loudspeaker. So Olive and her best friend, Reynaldo, hatch a plan to kidnap the school’s capybara mascot, planning to return it, heroically, just in time for the school’s pep rally and claim a reward: permission for their drama club to practice in the auditorium. And, hopefully, some overdue respect for the school’s non-athletes. But when an animal-rights student activist and an undercover athlete with murky motivations join in the conspiracy, their plans—along with Cappy the capybara—veer wildly out of Olive’s control.

Mr. Drake’s second grade class has a new class pet. Fluffity appears to be a cute and docile hamster—but the kids soon discover that she is not the cuddly pet they expected. From the moment her cage door opens, Fluffity becomes FEROCIOUS—biting and chasing everyone down the hall and into the library! Will the class be able to tame this beast and bring peace back to their school? The bestselling team behind Chicken Butt! and Chicken Butt’s Back! has crafted another laugh-out-loud tale that’s sure to be a hit with any child who’s ever wanted a pet. Erica Perl’s pitch-perfect rhymes and Henry Cole’s over-the-top animal character make for the perfect classroom read-aloud.

It’s Ida’s first day of school. She carries her new lunch box and a long, blue string with her special friend Dotty attached to it. A big, colorfully spotted pal with horns, Dotty just happens to be invisible. On that first day of school, Ida and Dotty find out there are plenty of other imaginary friends in attendance. But as the year passes and fewer and fewer imaginary friends come to class, Ida begins to wonder if Dotty is welcome at school anymore . . . Perceptive and warmly funny, with charming art from exciting illustrator Julia Denos, Dotty is a celebration of the power of friendship and imagination. "Denos’ colorful, stylish, mixed-media illustrations emphasize the sweetness, discovery, and common worries that come with leaving home and entering the wide world of school for the first time. An appealing story that merits repeat visits." —Booklist "Denos''s paintings are an unadulterated delight." —Publishers Weekly "A charmer." —Kirkus Reviews "This enjoyable tale of maturing at one’s own pace and on one’s own terms will resonate with children and parents alike." —School Library Journal "This picture book will help young students overcome their nervousness and realize that everyone needs a friend. It would be a wonderful opening day read-aloud." —Library Media Connection

Erica S. Perl and Henry Cole team up once again to deliver spot-on humor with their unforgettable chicken character. In this cheeky (sorry!) sequel to the wildly fun Chicken Butt!, the young jokester and his chicken muse are back, but this time they''re trying to trick Mom. She thinks she has caught on to the gag, but as she distractedly does the grocery shopping, she falls victim to a flurry of jokes using homonyms and homophones—words such as "dear" and "deer," and "which" and "witch." Wordplay has never been so much fun. Like Chicken Butt!, this story encourages children to participate in a call-and-response reading format that reinforces their reading skills. Praise for Chicken Butt''s Back! "Coles’ tickled-pink cartoonish artwork gets right into the mix, the chocolate chip to the cookie dough. The denouement is so merrily explosive that just to imagine the shrieking voices of a read-aloud is mightily cheering.” –Kirkus Reviews “Cole''s kinetic, acrylic and colored pencil cartoons strike the right tone of mild disobedience.” –Publishers Weekly “Fans of Chicken Butt! are going to love this sequel. This is the kind of book that siblings will beg to read to each other, especially since it’s set up for two voices.” –School Library Journal

You know what? What? Chicken butt! The classic schoolyard joke has been recast as an irreverent picture book, with call-and-response parts for parent and child. The word repetition in Erica S. Perl’s text, and wonderfully comic illustrations by beloved artist Henry Cole, make this a particularly inviting book for new readers, as does the opportunity to “trick†? a parent or other adult into participating in a very silly joke. The humor builds to a surprising and satisfying conclusion. Warning: Kids will want to read this one over and over and over again! “An unhinged piece of slap-happy rhyming...rocket-propelled artwork...the romp is a powerful piece of cacophony, more frenetic by the moment.†?—Kirkus Reviews

Totally Tardy Marty just can’t seem to get to school on time. Not when there are so many better things to do in the mornings, like invent Toast-on-a-Rope, fight a giant squid in the laundry, or follow some ants up a tree. And so he’s tardy, every day, much to the smug delight of Never-Late Kate, who thinks she’s sooo great. But then one day, Kate helps Marty out of a jam (or rather, a tree), and the two end up playing together, have a surprisingly good time, and are both late. An unlikely friendship is born, through which Marty learns a trick or two for punctuality, and Kate discovers the virtues of stopping to smell the roses. From Chicken Butt! author Erica Perl and celebrated illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes this playful story of opposites who don’t just attract, but also learn a lot from their complementing personalities.