New Releases by Mark Teague

From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author-illustrator Mark Teague comes a funny bedtime picture book that is “storytelling hog heaven” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) about a pig who can’t go to sleep no matter how hard he tries! Pig knows it’s time for a nap, but he just can’t fall asleep! He tries to catch that elusive shut-eye in a series of hilarious hijinks but can’t escape interruptions and distractions. Then, a rowdy friend arrives who also seems to be in need of sleep, and Pig has a flash of inspiration… Can his latest idea finally send them both to dreamland?

An egret and a rhinoceros navigate the ups and downs of their symbiotic relationship—which is more like a friendship!—in this warm and witty book from bestselling author-illustrator Mark Teague. In a not-so-simple symbiotic friendship between two pals, Egret does his best to teach Rhino about how to be a friend. Friends eat together, have fun together, and help each other out, right? But they also respect boundaries, recognize their differences, and compromise (sometimes). When Egret ends up in a sticky situation, it’s Rhino to the rescue as this unlikely pair realizes that communication and kindness are the key to any friendship.

From bestselling author-illustrator Mark Teague comes a laugh-out-loud, black-and-white picture book introducing Junior, King Kong’s cousin! Junior wants to be as big and as strong and as special as his cousin, Kong, but he always seems to come up short. Kong climbs skyscrapers; Junior is afraid of heights. Kong does whatever he wants; Junior does chores. When Junior’s beloved cat gets stuck in a tree, will this be his chance to save the day?

Long before the name Mark Teague became known nationally in football coaching circles, he was like any other ordinary kid growing up in the South. He loved sports; had a vivid, creative imagination; and was a dreamer. He learned early on that life has a way of presenting obstacles that often stand in the way of those dreams. Those obstacles would teach him the focus and intestinal fortitude needed to reach the far-reaching goals he set for himself at a young age. From the struggles of a bad speech impediment as a child, tough financial struggles growing up, homelessness as an adult, and two separate bouts with cancer, his spirit was tested. Coach Teague puts the bold power of human resolve on full display in this book. Allow him to take you on his personal journey through life to help you unlock the power within you to conquer your dreams.

A dog laments his fate at obedience school through a series of hilarious letters home. When Ike LaRue is imprisoned at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy, he tries everything to get sent home -- from weepy letters to his owner to illness. In reality, Brotweiler is more like camp than prison, but still, Ike''s not cut out for life without Mrs. LaRue. Finally, he runs away only to find himself back in Snort City -- just in time to save Mrs. LaRue''s life. This classic picture book by How Do Dinosaurs...? illustrator Mark Teague is now available as a trade paperback!

“Teague proves that a picture can be worth a thousand words—and almost as many laughs.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Engaging illustrations and the baby bird’s wild ideas will entertain audiences of all ages.” —Booklist (starred review) “Funny, feathery finesse.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Mama bird thinks it’s time for Baby bird’s first flight, but Baby bird has other ideas in this humorous wordless picture book from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Mark Teague. It’s a big day up in the tree that Mama bird shares with her baby. Mama bird thinks Baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest and learn to fly so he can migrate south with the rest of their flock. But Baby bird isn’t so sure. Can’t his mother keep bringing him worms in their nest? Can’t he migrate in a hot air balloon instead? Or perhaps a car? This silly wordless picture book will keep young readers giggling as Baby bird figures out that he must flap his wings and learn to fly—whether he likes it or not!

Mom dropped me off at the swimming pool. The 9 foot section of the pool was separated from the 5 foot section by a concrete wall that lay just beneath the surface of the water. You couldn''t see it, but it was there. On this particular morning, I did what I always did. I crossed the wall, climbed the diving tower, and did a beautiful cannonball. Then it happened. I swallowed some water and began to panic. Literally, I began to drown. It wasn''t like you see on TV where people are yelling "I''m drowning, Help me!" My drowning was going to be a silent death. I did all I could to get above the water, to start swimming, but I couldn''t. I tried to get my head above the water, to get a breath, to get composed, but couldn''t. I tried to cry to the lifeguard for help, but nothing came out. I could not do anything to get his attention. It wasn''t his fault. To him, I just looked like a kid playfully bobbing underwater. To me, it was a violent fight for air, fighting to stay alive. After great effort, I surrendered to the fact that I was going to drown. I did the one last thing I knew to do. In my heart I prayed "Lord, Please help me". I swung my arm out a last time. My fingers skimmed that 9 foot, under-the-surface wall. I reached again. My hand grabbed it. I lifted myself up, pulled above the surface gasping for air. I held on trembling, breathing deeply. Finally my lungs relaxed, I was saved. God heard my cry. He had provided that wall. "Living Your Way Out of the Mess" is a wall people can grab hold and find the God who loves them. This book deals with the struggles of hardship, hurts, defeat, depression, divorce, death, relationships, chaos, sin, and addiction to name a few. Real-life stories are shared of how people faced the same things you face, and how they made it through. This will give you courage to know that you can live through the trials you face.

Felipe (a grumpy cat) and Claudette (a rambunctious dog) are the only animals left at a pet shelter. One of the two friends is adopted and taken to a new home. Soon, Felipe is no longer quite so talkative. And Claudette doesn''t bark or chew or play in circles. Could they actually miss each other? Full color.

A funny twist on the traditional tale, The Three Little Pigs. The pigs are in their usual trouble with a somewhat bad wolf but there is a focus on character building in this story.

The award-winning author/illustrator of the bestselling Dear Mrs. LaRue series delivers a zany retelling of the beloved fairy tale classic with a delicious twist! Full color.

Pirates Blackbeard Johnson and his brothers, Eyepatch Sue, and others sail over to Peg Leg Jones'' for a happily chaotic pirate jamboree--until the S.S. Clean Your Room (otherwise known as Mrs. Jones) arrives and playtime is definitely over.

In this humorous version of the traditional tale, Chicken Little panics when an acorn falls on her head and sets off a dance frenzy among the other chickens, and while squirrel and the other animals understand what really happened, they soon join in the dancing--because it is fun.

This wildly funny twist on the "How I spent my summer vacation" school-essay ritual details one child''s imaginary adventures over the summer and is perfect for back-to-school reading! Most kids go to camp over the summer, or to Grandma''s house, or maybe they''re stuck at home. Not Wallace Bleff. He was supposed to visit his Aunt Fern. Instead, Wallace insists, he was carried off by cowboys and taught the ways of the West--from riding buckin'' broncos to roping cattle. Lucky for Aunt Fern, he showed up at her house just in time to divert a stampede from her barbecue party! Perfect for back-to-school read-alouds, here''s a western fantasy with sparkling illustrations and enough action to knock kids'' boots off!

Lift-the-flap pages and colorful illustrations of dinosaurs help demonstrate the concept of opposites.

Edward and his cousin Judy come for a visit to the firehouse and learn how everything works with some unexpected results.

Read these two lovely stories for insight into the dinosaur-pet relationship.

With surprises around every corner, Teague takes readers on a funny, outrageous adventure when the small, sleepy town of Vern Hollow is invaded by a flying saucer filled with ridiculously inept aliens. Illustrations.

Cousin Edward visits Aunt Judy and Uncle Earl on their farm and tries to help with all of the chores.

Boisterous toddler board books join the phenomenally best-selling ''How Do Dinosaurs'' series!.

When Ludlow begins to play baseball to help combat his fears, he is placed so far out in the outfield that he becomes involved with an adjacent game in which a most astonishing thing happens.

Elmo gets a terrible haircut and makes a trip to outer space to get it fixed by Moog-Moog, the greatest barber in the universe.

A beguiling dog laments his fate at obedience school through a series of hilarious letters home--by the best-selling illustrator of HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOOD NIGHT? Cuando Ike LaRue es encarcelado en la Academia Canina, hace todo lo posible para regresar a casa, desde enviar cartas lacrimosas a su dueña hasta enfermarse. En realidad, la academia es más como un campamento de verano que como una prisión, pero la verdad es que Ike no puede vivir sin la Sra. LaRue o las comodidades del hogar. Cuando por fin se escapa y vuelve a Nueva Bufornia logra salvarle la vida a la Sra. LaRue. Teague crea dos mundos paralelos igual de cómicos con esta historia: el de la Academia y el creado por la imaginación de Ike. Spanish title: Querida Sra. Larue

Describes what a young dinosaur should do in order to quickly get over being sick.

Like any martian, Horus was excited about starting first grade. Until he discovered there were no slime tables, no snooze mats, and no snacks (first graders were apparently too big for those things). Until he got put in the Beta reading group instead of the Alpha. Until he met the taunting Tera and found himself longing for the good old days of martiangarten.

After a bad beginning, three friends discover that anything can happen on Halloween.

Because Wendell and Floyd have a problem getting to school on time, they decide to take a shortcut which, however, leads to unexpected adventures.

When their math teacher sends them to see the principal, two boys risk further punishment by following a new girl who has disappeared into the lost and found bin looking for her lucky hat.