Best Selling Books by Helen Lester

It looks like trouble when Fragility, a hippopotamus whose feelings are easily hurt, meets Rudy, a rude elephant, on the soccer field.

So begins the story of Helen Lester, author of Tacky the Penguin and many other popular books for children. By sharing her struggles as a child and later as a successful author, she demonstrates that hurdles are part of the process. She even gives writing tips, such as keeping a "fizzle box." Helen Lester uses her unique ability to laugh at her mistakes to create both a guide for young writers and an amusing personal story of the disappointments and triumphs of a writer's life.

Pinkerton Pig always has to be first -- first to eat, first off the bus -- until, running to be first for a sandwich, he finds himself in trouble with the Sand Witch.

Pookins always manages to get her way until the day she meets a gnome who can grant her every wish.

A hilarious romp about a bunny who just can't seem to listen. He is constantly confusing instructions. For example, when his parents ask for a slice of bread, he saws off a piece of his bed. But everything changes when he takes a wrong turn and meets up with Scruffy Varmint.

Tacky the exuberant penguin accidentally goes sailboarding and winds up on a tropical island, where he meets an elephant who demands proof of Tacky's identity.

Mousetta, a painfully shy field mouse, must overcome her fears to save her fellow mice from a fox attack.

An arrogant and greedy princess's chances with a handsome prince are ruined when her parrot repeats to him all the rude comments the princess has made.

Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect have spent weeks planning the perfect party to celebrate Tacky's hatchday, and while nothing turns out quite as they expected, the penguins and their special guest have a wonderful time.

Twitchly Fidget won’t shampoo, eat his cereal, or put on his sneakers. He won’t even go to a parade (what if he got sucked up into a trombone?) or a marshmallow roast (might he get stuck?) or a Fourth of February party (would he be buried in confetti?). In Twitchly’s imagination, each opportunity poses the threat of disaster. So he just sits alone in his dreary, windowless, doorless hut and waits for his fears to be realized. Then one day something does happen: Twitchly’s Aunt Bridget Fidget drops in for a visit, and she can see right away that Twitchly needs a fixin’. But will Aunt Bridget be able to persuade Twitchly to confront his fears?

A porcupine named Fluffy is happier with his name after he meets a similarly misnamed rhinoceros. OThe humor is just absurd enough to make the picture-book set howl along with Hippo and Fluffy."N"The New York Times Book Review." Full color.

Ewetopia must save the day and embrace who she is after her flock's Costume Ball takes a catastrophic turn. Includes a bonus audio download. Full color.

Tacky the penguin does not fit in with his sleek and graceful companions, but his odd behavior comes in handy when hunters come with maps and traps.

How do you keep a crowd of energetic young penguins entertained? Put on a play, perhaps? But will they pay attention through an entire performance? If Tacky’s center stage, they might. Even in his flowing blond wig and little red “skipping shoes,” everyone’s favorite misfit penguin imbues the character of Goldilocks with his own indomitable personality and style. So what if the set is in shambles? This is one performance Mrs. Beakly’s students won’t soon forget.

This resealable package comes with a paperback and a two-sided cassette tape. The professionally narrated audio production includes lively sound eVects and original music. Side one includes page-turn signals; side two features an uninterrupted reading.

When accidents happen to Murdley Gurdson, they are usually his own fault, but when a bird lays an egg on Murdley's head one day, he tries hard to find someone else to blame.

In this hilarious picture book, bestselling author/illustrator duo Lester and Munsinger ("Tacky the Penguin") shows how Greedy Gruntly learns that sharing just might have its own rewards. Full color.

It’s common knowledge that Tacky was never the best-dressed penguin, but when he and his friends prepare for the arrival of the emperor, Tacky gets carried away and ends up in more than just elegant attire! Tacky brings his own unique brand of humor and entertainment to the emperor’s visit. Here is another wacky addition to Tacky’s myriad adventures in which friendship, kindness, and laughter always win out! Tacky fans will be carried to new heights of hilarity by this latest Tacky tale.

Now in paperback--Lester and Munsinger's humorous tale that celebrates the value of individuality and being true to oneself. Full color.

When three boastful magicians try to outdo one another, they create a problem that can be solved only when they work together.