Best Selling Books by Jane Thayer

Petey the puppy has one wish for Christmas: to have a boy of his very own. But boys are in short supply this year, and he can''t seem to find one who is just right!

Thirty-five million Americans are living beyond the age of sixty-five, a twenty-five year increase in life expectancy since 1900. This longevity, once the gift of a few, has become the destiny of many. This time of life is not just about retiring; in fact many who retire return happily to some type of employment. It is a new stage of life filled with its own unique challenges and opportunities. Co-authors Jane Thayer and Peggy Thayer, a mother-daughter team of psychologists, have named this stage of life, ''elderescence.''

You could hardly blame Dexter, ordinarily a well-behaved young dragon, for showing off when he suddenly found that he could make clouds of smoke. The temptation is irresistible, but Dexter quickly becomes insufferable. First he watches his own reflection in the river in order to admire the smoke. Then he puffs it in the faces of his friends: the zebra, the giraffe, and the elephant. He even blows smoke rings around his own tail to prove how clever he is. Soon Dexter has no friends left. He is a very lonely dragon indeed, until quite by accident he discovers a way his talent can be used to win back his playmates. This wonderful story -- first published in 1953 -- will delight both young readers and their parents, and so will Lisa McCue''s appealing new pictures of this lovable show-off.

Gus the ghost neglects his housecleaning chores while Mr. Frizzle is on vacation and fears that this dereliction of duty will cause him and his animal friends to lose their home with Frizzle.

Gus determines that ghosts needn''t always wear white.

A ghost decides to go to school and learn to spell when a publisher returns his autobiography.

Andy is so shy that he will speak only to his mother and his dog. One day he gets lost, but won''t tell anyone who he is.

Relates what happens at Mrs. Meadow''s house when it is isolated by a snowstorm. Illustrations introduce the basic principles of new math.

The adventures of Gus the ghost who takes a trip to Mexico.

First published in the January 1960 issue of Humpty Dumpty under the title: the dog who thought he was a cat.

The dinosaur Mary Ann finds has trouble adjusting to the noise of the twentieth century.

There was once a friendly ghost, by the name of Gus, who lived in an old house in the country. Mr. and Mrs. Scott and their twins, Susie and Sammy, lived there too during the summer. Then autumn came and the Scott family left. Which meant Gus had nothing to do but sit around. One day, during a walk, he met Mouse, who was cold and hungry. "Come spend the winter at my house!" cried Gus. Thus begins an unlikely but heartwarming friendship. First published in 1962, children have delighted in this story and other Gus the Ghost books for over fifty years. Seymour Fleishman''s sweet, nostalgic illustrations bring Gus, the Scotts and Mouse to life.

People can be Christians for years and yet fail to be growing more Christlike in their character, values, and behaviors. Preaching or teaching the Bible can add knowledge and even provide motivation, but more is needed for real life transformation. The purpose of this book is to teach Christian pastor/teachers and lay leaders how to teach, specifically, how to teach for transformational growth leading toward maturity in Christ. Someone who doesn''t know how to teach and has had no instruction in teaching can take this book and learn how to teach. The book is laser-focused on teaching and specifically, teaching for transformation which is the goal of discipleship. To encourage teaching for transformation, the book presents a unique model of how transformation of worldview occurs and gives strategies to help initiate it.

Elmer, an appealing and industrious elf who cannot be seen by people, finds a way to tell them how they can thank him for all the help he gives them.

A homeless little dog finds supper at one house, a comfortable couch at a second, and breakfast at a third.

The dinosaur Mary Ann finds has trouble adjusting to the noise of the twentieth century.

The adventures of Gus the ghost who takes a trip to Mexico.

A homeless little dog finds supper at one house, a comfortable couch at a second, and breakfast at a third.

When Petey the puppy decides that he wants a boy for Christmas, he discovers that he must go out and find one on his own.

A cat spends the summer as a back-door member of a fancy beach club, but when the club closes for the winter he finds that his old master and mistress have moved away.

When Josie, Mr. O''Flaherty''s horse, finds an Easter bonnet, all their problems are solved.

A ghost and a mouse have a summer house all to themselves while the folks are away for the winter.

Gus the ghost neglects his housecleaning chores while Mr. Frizzle is on vacation and fears that this dereliction of duty will cause him and his animal friends to lose their home with Frizzle.

Andy, pretending to be a worm, has his mother guess what wild animal he is.

Emerald''s late night walk to see the moonlight on the lake results in many misadventures for Mrs. Bucklestone, who is pursuing the kitty to bring him into the house for the night.

Skunk leads the animals in a search for Squirrel who has disappeared from the garden and woods.

Gus, the Christmas ghost, tries to help unfriendly Mr. Frizzel have a happy Christmas Eve.

A lazy little elf finds out what a green thumb is when he works hard to care for Mrs. Gardener''s prize flowers.

A young robot finds his vocation in a bakery and earns a baker''s hat as the result of his devoted work.