Most Popular Books by Jean Van Leeuwen

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!

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.

"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

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

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.

A 17-year-old minister''s daughter who feels her world is crashing down suffers an emotional breakdown which eventually forces her to make some difficult decisions.

Marvin the Magnificent, Fats and Raymond are three mice fond of the good life. When Marvin returns one day to the toy department of Bloomingdale''s store where they live, he finds Raymond distraught. The doll''s pram that Fats likes to nap in has been sold - with Fats in it! But Marvin is not worried. He puts his detective brain to work and comes up with some terrific rescue plans, which involve planes, parachutes and smoke bombs. Luckily, Raymond has some more practical ideas for rescuing Fats. A very funny book.

Amanda the pig sees monsters at night, but her family finds ways to convince her that there are no monsters.

Grandpa''s fanciful tall tales of ticklish worms, cows, and toes help three rambunctious children get ready for bed.

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

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.

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.

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?

Tired of gangster movies and a steady diet of candy wrappers, three theater mice try to rob a cheese shop.

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.

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

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

It is remarkable that the author perceives so accurately the vision of a young child and that she manifests such perceptions without complicating, adult interpretation. --Booklist