Best Selling Books by Jean Van Leeuwen

"Basing her story on the published accounts of her true-life heroine, Mary Ellen Todd, Van Leeuwen describes a family''s tumultuous journey along the Oregon Trail in 1852." --Publishers Weekly With only a guide book to show them the way, the Todd family sets out from their Arkansas home on a two thousand mile trek to claim unchartered Oregon Territory. Crossing rough terrain and encountering hostile people, the Todds show their true pioneering spirit. But as winter draws near, will the Todds have the strength to complete their journey? And if they make it, will Oregon fulfill their dreams? “This is a convincing picture of a pioneer journey that does a good job of showing the tremendous sacrifices people made to follow their dream of a better life.” –School Library Journal

For use in schools and libraries only. Young readers will enjoy sharing the adventures of the charming and likable Amanda Pig and her big brother Oliver as they deal with the everyday fears and challenges of childhood and school.

Children''s author Jean Van Leeuwen describes her life and writing process and how they are interwoven.

Amanda Pig, the youngest member of the Pig family, isn''t little anymore. But is she big enough to do all the things her brother Oliver does? Can she eat her breakfast? Can she make up games? Can she go to sleep by herself? Amanda knows she can!

Award-winning author Jean Van Leeuwen tells the moving story of a pioneer family during the Westward Expansion One day in early spring they packed everything they had into our wagon, and set out to find a new home. Sleeping under the stars, weathering terrible storms, and fording swollen rivers, Hannah and her family made the journey of a lifetime. An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. "Like pages torn from a frontier journal, stirring sketches and lyrical text form a moving tribute to the brave families to whom the book is dedicated."—Publishers Weekly

Amanda Pig may be the youngest in her family, but she''s growing up. She''s big enough to care for her stuffed-animal babies, and she''s big enough to help Oliver make a bubble bath. But is she too big to snuggle with Sallie Rabbit?

It is the hottest day of the summer, and poor Amanda pig is as droopy as the plants in her father’s garden. Her knees are hot, her nose is hot, even her hair ribbons are hot! How will this little pig stay cool? it is not easy, but plucky Amanda is determined to beat the heat. with four funny chapters filled with adorable illustrations, this story will have readers giggling over Amanda’s muggyday woes and her quest to keep cool.

When her brother goes off to school, Amanda finds new things to do, including ballet dancing, cleaning her room, and making a very sad, mad day go away, with the help of hugs from Mother Pig.

Oliver makes friends with Albert, the new boy in class, and they have fun together, playing kickball and collecting bugs.

When Grandmother Pig comes for a visit, Oliver and Amanda learn just how much fun it is to have a grandmother in the house.

Amanda wants to do everything her big brother, Oliver, does. She wants to run as fast and jump as high, but it seems she never can. Is there anything Amanda can do as well as Oliver?

Finally it is the day Amanda Pig has been waiting for. It is the first day of school. Whether making a new friend, coloring a picture to put up in the classroom, or twirling around in the sandbox, Amanda is everyone''s favorite schoolgirl.

Whether building a snow fort, braving the big hill on their sleds, or building a snow pig, the lovable Oliver and Amanda Pig find plenty of fun after the "big snow." "The warm interactions among family members continue to make these gentle stories a delight for early readers."-- The Horn Book

In 1779 in Fairfield, Connecticut, Hannah and her family try to maintain a sense of normalcy as the Revolutionary War rages around them, threatening to destroy their way of life.

After clearing enough forest to build a log cabin for their new home, Pa returns east to fetch the rest of the family, while young brothers Daniel and Will stay behind to watch the land. Pa had planned to return within six weeks . . . but something must have gone wrong. Now the boys must survive the winter with only a few supplies and their ability to invent and improvise. But are they alone in the woods? Jean Van Leeuwen?s engrossing novel of pioneer survival is based on a true incident.

Oliver and Amanda Pig''s Halloween activities include making their costumes, getting a pumpkin for a jack-o''-lantern, and going trick-or-treating.

Amanda Pig is ecstatic! She has her first wiggly tooth, and she can?t wait for the tooth fairy to come! But her loose tooth won?t fall out. Her father offers to pull it out, but Amanda is scared that it will hurt too much. Disaster strikes when Amanda realizes that her tooth has fallen out on its own. Where can it be? Will the tooth fairy still come if Amanda?s tooth is really lost?

Amanda Pig is going to be a first-grader! This year she won''t have to take naps, she''ll play on the big playground, and, best of all, she''ll learn how to read. But something is wrong, because when Amanda tries to read, she can recognize the letters but not the words! Is first grade going to be harder than Amanda thought? Will she ever be able to read? Once again, Jean Van Leeuwen and Ann Schweninger create a funny, friendly, and kid-relevant world.