Best Selling Books by Joan Holub

Perseus and the Olympians face off against the evil, nasty Medusa, who can turn them all to stone with just one look.

Do you love horses? If you do, you''re not alone. There''s so much to know about these amazing animals. Why do horses neigh? What are baby and adult horses called? How do horses communicate? Beginning readers can find out the answers to these questions-and many more-in this lively, fact-filled introduction to these popular animals. Filled with colorful illustrations and dynamic color photos of real horses, this is a perfect selection for any young horse lover. Illustrated by Anna DiVito.

Zeus and the Olympians are tasked with finding a magical horse in this Heroes in Training adventure. When Zeus meets a young boy named Hermes, he claims to have their next quest from Pythia, the Oracle at Delphi. But he wants something for the information: Zeus must hand over the winged sandals he took from Perseus after their last battle. What he doesn’t know is that Perseus had stolen those sandals from someone…Hermes! Could those sandals be another magical object? When Hermes starts to fly, Zeus knows they have found another Olympian for their group—and Hermes lets Zeus know their next adventure will be to “find the force that sings.” Since Pythia never tells them exactly the right words (her glasses tend to get a little foggy), they figure out that they are supposed to find “the horse with wings.” With the help of a reluctant Hermes and another new boy named Ron, the Olympians are off in search of a winged horseu00ad—with a few surprises along the way!

From the authors of the Goddess Girls and Heroes in Training series comes the third book in the School for Magical Monsters series about Cerberus overcoming their fears—part of the Aladdin QUIX line! Cerberus is a three-headed Beast with a scary-dragon tail. Each head has its own name and special sense. But all three share a big secret: they are afraid of EVERYTHING. They are even afraid to test out their bark! At their school, more Creatures than Beasts have earned their specials powers, and Cerberus wants to help their team even the score. When they are triple-dog-dared by the mysterious Sphinx to teach her how to bark, Cerberus is worried she will find out their embarrassing secret. And when their counter-dare to Sphinx goes a little awry, Cerberus leans that they might have more courage than they ever imagined.

From the authors of the Goddess Girls series comes the fourth book in a series steeped in Norse mythology, magic, adventure, and friendship. Skade, the goddess of skiing, is known as one of the best athletes—and a top student—at Asgard Academy. But lately, she’s felt like she’s been in a slump. When three giants appear and offer to mend the rift between the worlds by organizing a ski competition, Skade feels like this is her big chance to prove herself again. After all, the powerful Odin will be choosing the Asgard team based on ability, attitude, and academics! But much to Skade’s embarrassment, Odin is less than impressed with her—and names her as an alternate instead of part of the main team. Aside from Skade’s frustrations, something seems fishy about the whole competition. After one of Skade’s classmates has a strange nightmare about it, they start to wonder if the games are one big cover-up for something more sinister. And when the Asgard team finds themselves on thin ice, it’s up to Skade to overcome a big fear, save her friend—and show everyone what she’s made of!

Ten-year-old Zeus is kidnapped by the terrible Titans, merciless giants who enjoy snacking on humans, and when in self-defense he pulls a magical thunderbolt from a stone he begins an adventure to rescue his fellow Olympians from the evil Cronus.

"Two quests down, one to go! Then hopefully, King Eurystheus will finally forgive Hercules and not declare war on Mount Olympus. Zeus and hercules have acquired the Amazon warrior queen''s golden belt and the Hydra''s scale. all that''s left is to bring Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the Underworld--gulp!--to King Eurystheus. Hopefully, Athena can get Hades to loan them Cerbrus until the quest is completed. But when the trio arrives at the Underworld, they find a zombified hades. Then the mysterious Melinoe steps out from the shadows with her skeleton ghost army known as Nightmares--double gulp! How do Zeus, Athena, and Hercules even fight an army of ghostly skeletones?"--Provided b y publisher.

The Ant Hill kids are back, and this time they are performing in a St. Patrick''s Day parade complete with shamrocks and bagpipes! When a high-spirited leprechaun chase leads them to the end of a rainbow, the ants find a delightful surprise!

The New York Times bestseller. “There’s an old-fashioned, hard-hat appeal to Mighty Dads, a book made for dramatic read-alouds with sound effects.” —USA Today Mighty dads, strong and tall, help their children, young and small. They keep them safe and bolted tight and show them how to build things right. Inventively told through James Dean’s colorful construction vehicle characters, Mighty Dads is an adoring dedication to hardworking fathers and the subtle ways they teach their boys and girls to follow in their tracks. The Dump Trucks learn to get dirty. Crane keeps his little one safe from harm. The busy Cement Mixer gives his daughter a hug. The Forklift cheers his son on. A surprising and touching view of a father’s love for his children, Mighty Dads is the perfect way to say: I’m proud of you! “Like the best 21st-century human dads, the vehicles don’t just show their kids the ropes—they also offer plenty of TLC . . . A book worthy of any young armchair foreman.” —Publishers Weekly “Just the ticket for vehicle-obsessed youngsters who can’t get enough of construction play.” —School Library Journal “This makes for a perfect choice for story hours—the vivid verbs demand to be chanted and dramatized.” —Booklist

Aphrodite and Persephone look for a missing emerald in this eleventh Little Goddess Girls story—part of the Aladdin QUIX line! Aphrodite and Persephone are on a quest to find another missing jewel from Sparkle City, this one an emerald. On their search, the friends find themselves in a new land where a friendly, flying purple dragon might hold the key to helping the girls find the missing treasure!

In 1848, gold was discovered in California, attracting over 300,000 people from all over the world, some who struck it rich and many more who didn''t. Hear the stories about the gold-seeking ''forty-niners!'' With black-and-white illustrations and sixteen pages of photos, a nugget from history is brought to life!

Why Do Rabbits Hop? And Other Questions about Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Gerbils Did you know that rabbits can jump 10 feet in one hop, guinea pigs bump noses to say hello, and baby gerbils are called pups?

Jim Henson broke into television with a five-minute puppetry segment when he was only a freshman in college. He created puppets like none ever seen before, with expressive fabric faces and rod-controlled arms. His Muppets became world-renowned celebrities and formed the backbone of a media empire. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this easy-to-read biography will be published twenty years after Henson''s untimely death.

It''s Halloween, and the Ant Hill kids are all dressed in costume and visiting a spooky fun house! They see and hear all sorts of creepy things, but once they switch on their flashlight, the house turns out to be not so scary at all!

Learn all about artists who changed history in this engaging and colorful board book perfect for creators-in-training! Painting, shaping, making art. With creative joy, hands, and heart. Little artists have great big imaginations. In this follow up to This Little President, This Little Explorer, This Little Trailblazer, and This Little Scientist now even the youngest readers can learn all about great and empowering artists in history! Highlighting ten memorable artists who paved the way, parents and little ones alike will love this creativity primer full of fun, age-appropriate facts and bold illustrations.

Learn all about big leaders who love and protect the Earth in this engaging and inspiring board book perfect for environmentalists-in-training! Now even the youngest readers can learn all about important people who help protect and take care of our Earth! Highlighting ten memorable environmentalists who paved the way, parents and little ones alike will love this discovery primer full of fun, age-appropriate facts and bold illustrations.

Athena learns that she''s a goddess when she''s summoned to Mount Olympus by her father Zeus, and she must quickly adjust to her new status, make friends with the other godboys and goddessgirls, and catch up with all the studies she missed while attending mortal school.

There are many different kinds of dogs and so much to find out about them. Why do dogs bark, howl, or bury bones? Why do they like to lick and sniff people? What jobs can dogs do? You''ll find the answers to these questions and many more in this fact-filled reader about man''s best friend.

A silly twist on the classic tale. The school principal bakes a gingerbread cookie and brings it to school in his lunchbox. When the principal opens his lunchbox, the gingerbread kid winks and jumps off the desk. Where is he off to in such a hurry?

Athena always knew she was smart and special, but she didn''t realize that she was a goddess! When she''s whisked away to Mount Olympus Academy, she worries about fitting in and dealing with her dad, Zeus. Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls and finds the best friends she''s ever had.

Many children love cats, and there is so much to know about America''s most popular pet. Why do they meow, hiss, and purr? Why do they have whiskers, tails, and claws? Beginning readers can find out the answers to those questions and many more in this fun, fact-packed book filled with colorful feline photos and drawings.

Abby was always the best speller at witch school. But now there is a new student who can also spell like magic. And the spelling bee is coming up. Which little witch will win? Read this magical story and find out!

Despite the warnings of her friends at Mount Olympus Academy, Persephone befriends bad-boy Hades, but following her mother''s advice to "go along to get along" complicates her relationships with all of them.

Just in time for baseball season! Babe Ruth came from a poor Baltimore family and, as a kid, he was a handful. It was at a reform school that Babe discovered his talent for baseball, and by the age of nineteen, he was on his way to becoming a sports legend. Babe was often out of shape and even more often out on the town, but he had a big heart and an even bigger swing! Kids will learn all about the Home Run King in this rags-to- riches sports biography. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, a true sports legend is brought to life.

Rediscover the story of the Trojan Horse in this beautifully illustrated Level 2 Ready-to-Read retelling of the myth, from Goddess Girls author Joan Holub! During the Trojan War, the Trojans receive the gift of a huge wooden horse from the Greeks. Thinking the gift means that they have won the war, the Trojans celebrate. But what they don’t realize is that Greek soldiers are hidden inside the huge horse…waiting to attack! This Ready-to-Read retelling of the myth of the Trojan Horse is a perfect introduction to mythology for beginning readers.

Many people like snakes, lizards, and turtles, and there''s so much to find out about all of these scaly-skinned animals. Are all snakes poisonous? Why do snakes shed their skin? What unusual things can lizards do? Do lizards ever lose their tails? Why do turtles have shells? Kids will find the answers—and much more—in this fun, fact-filled introduction to reptiles. Filled with colorful photographs and illustrations, this is just right for any reptile lover.

Everyone is excited to stay up all night at the pajama party. But after pizza, movies, dancing, and ghost stories, it''s hard to stay awake!

After Athena ties Arachne’s shoes for her, Arachne takes the credit for Athena’s hard work. But when their friends ask Arachne to teach them how to tie their shoes, Arachne must admit the truth. So Athena comes to the rescue and teaches everybody this important skill. All is forgiven, and the girls are friends again. Conceived and crafted by Greek-mythology expert Joan Holub and illustrated by the bestselling Leslie Patricelli, this book also includes a summary of the original Arachne myth.

Summer is the perfect time for a picnic -- and everyone knows that ants love a good picnic! Watermelon and corn on the cob -- yum! But when the sun starts to set, the ants must find their way home after a long afternoon in the park.

It''s panda-monium in this rollicking nonfiction picture book about bears habits, habitats, and more. Perfect for the curious cub in your house! Hello! I am Brown Bear, and in this book, you''ll get to learn about ME--the only bear in the forest! Hold on a minute. Polar Bear here, and I am the only bear in this book. Though I live in the Arctic, not a forest. Hey now, Spectacled Bear here, and we are bearly-scratching the surface. There are tons of great bears to learn and laugh with in this fact-filled picture book! New York Times bestselling author Joan Holub teams up with award-winning illustrator Laurie Keller for a paw-sitively hilarious nonfiction picture book about bear classification!

Hercules is not as interested in “playing nice” as he is in playing strong! But when one feat of strength destroys his little sister’s 12-piece tower, he must use his powers for good to restore the tower and seek her forgiveness. She forgives him indeed, and then shows her own strength by gleefully knocking down the stacked blocks herself! Joan Holub’s expertly focused text pairs perfectly with Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Hercules’s Twelve Labors myth at the end. Also available in the Mini Myths series: Don''t Get Lost, Odysseus and Good Job, Athena! Praise for Mini-Myths: Play Nice, Hercules! "These adorable volumes feature the title characters learning important life lessons with slight allusions to their Greek mythology counterparts." --School Library Journal

Meet the engineers who are building our future in innovative and surprising ways in this STEM-based board book in the bestselling This Little series! Now even the youngest readers can learn all about the amazing work engineers do every day! Highlighting ten memorable people who paved the way, parents and little ones alike will love this discovery primer full of fun, age-appropriate facts and bold illustrations.

Something wicked was brewing in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It started when two girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, began having hysterical fits. Soon after, other local girls claimed they were being pricked with pins. With no scientific explanation available, the residents of Salem came to one conclusion: it was witchcraft! Over the next year and a half, nineteen people were convicted of witchcraft and hanged while more languished in prison as hysteria swept the colony. Author Joan Holub gives readers and inside look at this sinister chapter in history.

The authors of the hit Goddess Girls series put a fun and girly twist on another super-popular theme: fairy tales! Once upon a time, in faraway Grimmlandia...A Grimmtastic girl named Cinderella is starting her first week at Grimm Academy on the wrong foot. Cinda''s totally evil stepsisters are out to make her life miserable. The Steps tease Cinda, give her terrible advice about life at the academy, and even make her look bad in front of her new friends, Red, Snow, and Rapunzel! But when Cinda overhears the Steps plotting a villainous deed that could ruin Prince Awesome''s ball, Cinda, her new friends, and a pair of magical glass slippers have to stop them--before the last stroke of midnight!

When Odysseus goes shopping with his mom, she tells him to stay close, and he does—until he is tempted by The Odyssey–inspired play area in the mall and wanders off. He has fun at first, but when he can’t find Mom, he gets scared. Not to worry: Mom was always close behind, and, reunited, they make their way home together. Conceived and crafted by Greek-mythology expert Joan Holub and illustrated by the bestselling Leslie Patricelli, this book also includes a summary of the original journey of Odysseus.

When Pandora is warned by her mother not to open a box, her spirited curiosity trumps her obedience. Pandora harmlessly touches the box, innocently leans on the box, and eventually, albeit accidentally, bursts the box open! The cupcakes that were hidden inside are ruined, except for one last vestige, which Pandora presents in the hope that her mother still loves her. Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively narrative to Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text. Includes a summary of the original Pandora’s Box myth at the end. Also available in the Mini Myths series: Don''t Get Lost, Odysseus and Good Job, Athena! Praise for Mini-Myths: Be Patient, Pandora! "These adorable volumes feature the title characters learning important life lessons with slight allusions to their Greek mythology counterparts." --School Library Journal

Learn about the real man behind the legend.