New Releases by Katherine Battersby

Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm are back in another sweetly silly graphic chapter book as the two friends banish a case of the flu, face an extra-spooky Halloween, and enjoy a wintry cabin getaway—sure to be beloved by fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys! Cranky Chicken isn’t feeling so hot; she’s got the Chicken Flu, which makes her feverish, fuzzy, and extra cranky. Armed with an out-of-tune ukulele song, some questionable soup, and a very tight worm-knit blanket, can Speedy cheer Chicken up? Then Speedy faces fears and frights when Halloween gets a little too spooky for comfort. Can Chicken help Speedy find some calm? Later, a surprise family reunion of the wormy variety sees the friends taking a festive winter vacation. These three delightful stories about friendship and caring for one another—interspersed with laugh-out-loud vignettes—will make readers fall even more deeply in love with their favorite BFFs (that is, best feathered friends)!

All five laugh-out-loud chapter graphic novels with Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm are now together in one collectible paper over board boxed set sure to delight fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys! Cranky beak. Cranky, scratchy feet. That is one CRANKY cranky chicken. Zoom! Zip! Sproing! That is one speedy worm. When Cranky Chicken meets Speedy, the worm who won’t take “go away” for an answer, something unexpected happens: They become Best Feathered Friends. Well…eventually. Young readers will love seeing this mismatched friendship grow over the course of five charmingly zany volumes as Chicken and Speedy become BFFs (best feathered friends) and learn how to be there for each other along the way. This brightly colored paper over board boxed set includes: Cranky Chicken Party Animals Crankosaurus The Cranky-Verse Candy Queen

"Cranky and Speedy have a new turtle friend. But slow down... Has Speedy become a cranky worm? Maybe a camping trip will cheer everybody up. The Cranky Club heads to the great outdoors to be one crank-tacular best feathered family!"--Page 4 of cover.

Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm return in another “sweetly silly” (Kirkus Reviews) illustrated chapter book as Cranky plans a nap and the two friends find a mysterious egg—sure to be beloved by fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys! Cranky Chicken has no time to play with Speedy the worm because it’s nap time—and it is never a good idea for Cranky to skip a nap. Then, Speedy starts having questions of identity: what does it really mean to be a worm? Can Cranky and Speedy find some answers? Later, Cranky and Speedy discover an egg and have to work together to take care of it. These three new stories about listening, helping our friends, and learning new things will make readers fall even more deeply in love with these delightful BFFs (that is, best feathered friends).

Cranky Chicken inadvertently saves the life of Speedy, a very optimistic worm that is looking for a friend.

Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm are back in another laugh-out-loud, brightly illustrated, and heartwarming chapter book as Speedy tries to plan a party for a hungry Chicken—sure to delight fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys! Cranky Chicken is super high on the crank-o-meter! And hungry. A hungry, hangry chicken is never fun, so Speedy races to cheer Cranky up. It’s Cranky’s birthday, so how about a surprise party? But Cranky hates surprises. So Speedy plans an unsurprise party, a day filled with all Cranky’s favorite un-cranky things. After, Speedy wants to go to the beach, which Cranky absolutely does not like (too sandy, too hot, not to mention sharks). Can Cranky learn to try something new? Find even more reasons to fall in love with Cranky and Speedy in these three new stories about friendship, communication, and facing things that seem scary!

Cranky Chicken is super hungry and the crank-O-meter is on high. What can Speedy the worm do to help? How about ... a yummy snack? A day at the beach? An unsurprising party? It''s party time for Cranky and Speedy, two Best Feathered Friends! The second book in a charming illustrated series about mismatched friends who bring joy, companionship and a new perspective to each other''s lives. Perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Elephant and Piggie and The Bad Guys.

A thoughtful and entertaining children''s parable about prejudice, starring a captivating trio of squirrel, mouse, and bear! When a very large bear moves in next door, Squirrel is sure he can only be trouble for her and her beloved pet mouse, Chamomile. He has terrible teeth, and knife like claws, and huge, horrifying hungers . . . at least that''s how Squirrel sees him. But where Squirrel sees trouble, Chamomile sees a new neighbor just trying to be friendly. Who is right.....and who is really causing trouble? Here is a charming story with an important and age-appropriate message about making assumptions.

One plucky pigeon dares to fly against the flock in this brightly illustrated, laugh-out-loud picture book about embracing the things that make us different. A colorful flock of pigeons pride themselves on their perfect unity. All except one: a bespectacled pigeon who is happiest doing its own thing. While the flock all looks the same, this pigeon enjoys wearing cowboy boots. While the flock flies in perfect formation, this pigeon soars like a superhero. When the flock finally confronts their contrary friend, they learn a thing or two about true perfection—and that we don’t all have to be the same to belong together.

"On the smallest island, in the tallest tree, lives the world''s smartest animal. But there are some things that even the world''s smartest animal doesn''t know . . . Meet Little Wing."

Who''s afraid of the dark? Not Squish! Squish Rabbit is a very small rabbit, and he''s afraid of lots of things. Like storms. And chickens (you would be too, if you were small!). And the dark. Especially the dark. But when he goes to meet his good friend Twitch the squirrel one evening, he can''t find her. She''s missing! And it''s getting dark! Squish knows he must be brave to find her, but it takes all of his courage . . . to discover that the dark can be magical, especially when filled with stars. With playful text and adorable illustrations, Brave Squish Rabbit will encourage young readers to face their fears.

Squish is just a little rabbit. But being little can lead to big problems. Sometimes Squish is hard to hear . . . or see. (Which is how he got his name.) And no one notices him. But Squish notices things- especially when someone is about to get into trouble and needs help. Here is little Squish''s BIG chance.