New Releases by Nancy Carlson

Inspired by the true story of the students at Glen Lake Elementary in Hopkins, Minnesota, A Swing for Samara shows the power of community and compassion and highlights the right for all children to have accessible playgrounds—the right that all children have to play.

Everybody barfs. Dogs, cats, chickens, alligators, and even you. It happens to everyone, and sometimes it even happens . . . at school. With her characteristic humor and compassion, Nancy Carlson helps young readers through what is often a scary and embarrassing rite of passage. Sometimes you barf. But it's OK. You get better!

When facing down a bully, a trip to the dentist, or your mom's prune oatmeal, there's only one thing you can do—smile a lot! And you'll pull through! In this appealing new offering from best-selling author/illustrator Nancy Carlson, a determined little frog discovers that even when you don't want to, smiling can make any situation better.

Christmas is coming, and for Harriet and George that can only mean one thing: Ms. Hoozit is making fruitcake! Terrible memories of last year's treat flash before their eyes. They just can't face it again. Can Harriet and George survive the Chrsitmas treat?

Tina the beaver and her family constantly rush off in different directions, until a storm keeps them snowbound at home.

At school, at home, on the bus, or in a restaurant—no matter how hard he tries, Patrick just can't sit still. So what's a kid with a lot of energy supposed to do? His teacher and the doctor may not have the answer, but Patrick's mom has several ideas. Nancy Carlson's lively, cheerful illustrations and her trademark sense of humor provide warm reassurance in the funny and inspirational story that will speak to squirmy kids everywhere.

There's something for every parent and child to enjoy in this delightfully fresh picture book that takes playful aim at the art of parenting—and all the hopeful, nail-biting expectations that go with it. What's a parent to think when raising a child doesn't happen quite the way it's expected to?

Henry likes kindergarten. He gets to paint pictures, sing songs, and learn his letters and numbers. But there's one thing Henry doesn't like: show and tell! His legs get all shaky and he's too shy to speak. Just in time, Henry's kind teacher, Ms. Bradley, comes to the rescue with a great plan for helping him overcome his fears.

From building forts to sharing secrets to sitting together on the bus, best friends do everything together. So what do you do when your best friend moves away? Will you ever have fun again? Or will you be bored and lonely for the rest of your life? Perfect for coping with those best-friend-moved-away-blues, Nancy Carlson's wise and heartfelt story eases the pain of saying goodbye, while reassuring young readers that they can make new friends even as they keep the old ones close to heart.

When a new second grader begins bullying Henry and the other first graders, Henry stumbles onto a secret that just might save them.

Louanne trips and sprains her ankle as she and her friends cut through the yard of the spooky house on the top of the hill. Suddenly the witch lady appears and yells, "Scat!" Harriet, George, and Arnie run for their lives. But Louanne is caught! Does the witch lady put kids in cages to fatten them up? Or is Louanne's imagination running wild? Readers will chuckle as Louanne discovers what the witch lady is REALLY like.

Vinney is frustrated about being one of the smallest children at school, but when he takes his mother's advice and thinks big for a day, he discovers that there are advantages to being small.

The first big snow of the winter has finally arrived. Harriet can't wait to enjoy it. But her mother insists that Harriet take along her little brother, Walt. As he soon shows, Walt has a real knack for messing things up—and Harriet tells him so. But when George starts picking on him, Harriet puts her criticism aside and gives George a piece of her mind. Brothers and sisters everywhere will relate as Harriet’s protective side gets the best of her, in this delightful tale about learning to love—and live with—a younger sibling.

Harriet and her pals are playing baseball in the park near Mrs. Hoozit’s house. When George hits a fly ball, Harriet’s determined to catch it. She’s concentrating so hard, she runs right into Mrs. Hoozit’s garden of prize flowers. Harriet panics and runs away. That night Harriet feels terrible—she can’t even eat the special treat her mom makes for her. What can she do?

Ready. Set. GO! Loudmouth George has told everyone he’s going to win the big race. He’s so confident that he doesn’t even bother to train. And on the day of the race, George ends up being the big loser. He’s put his foot in his mouth once again! George never seems to learn his lesson, but readers will get the point that a little effort—and modesty—can go a long way.

Loudmouth George has just started playing the coronet and he’s awful! Awful—according to everyone but George, who thinks he’s the best coronet player ever born. George is full of hot air, but it’s hard not to admire his complete lack of self-consciousness. George is soon on to big, better, and LOUDER things

Nancy Carlson's reassuring picture book about getting ready for kindergarten is now available in a Spanish-English edition-and to a whole new audience of young children. The simple, comforting text and big, bright illustrations will ease first-day-of-school jitters and help make the early days of kindergarten exciting and fun.

Hang on--Harriet's on her way up! For days, George has been taunting Harriet about the roller coaster at the amusement park. "It's so big, you can't see the top...It goes so fast, you might fall out...You'll be too scared to ride on it." "I am NOT scared," Harriet tells him. But that night she doesn't sleep very well. And the next morning, when it is time to go, she feels a little sick. Children are certain to recognize Harriet's terror and cheer her spunk. And while she conquers her fear, Harriet will conquer her readers' hearts as well.

Hang on—Harriet's on her way up! For days, George has been taunting Harriet about the roller coaster at the amusement park. "It's so big, you can't see the top...It goes so fast, you might fall out...You'll be too scared to ride on it." "I am NOT scared," Harriet tells him. But that night she doesn't sleep very well. And the next morning, when it's time to go, she feels a little sick. Children are certain to recognize Harriet's terror and cheer her spunk. And while she conquers her fear, Harriet will conquer her readers' hearts as well.

The first day of school can be scary enough as it is without a bully stealing your lunch! And that's just what happens to poor George when he runs into Big Mike, the sixth-grade bully, on the walk to school. Every day George is tormented—not to mention hungry—and too afraid to tell anyone, until his good friend Harriet steps in and helps George give Big Mike a taste of his own medicine.

Everyone at Lassie Lower School is busy getting ready for Grandparents' Day-everyone except Arnie. He doesn't have any grandparents to bring. But he has many other special grownups in his life. There is Mrs. Childs the school librarian, Coach Ed who is always ready for a game of catch, and Bill and Dottie who work at the bakery. Too bad none of them can be his grandparents. Or can they? "Bold, cheerful colors, a menagerie of human-like animals, and a warm message make this a good read-aloud that celebrates the diversity of families." (Kirkus Reviews

It's Halloween, and although sharing might be okay the rest of the year, on this day Harriet's determined not to share her treats with her little brother, Walt. She is running out of places to hide her stash, and there's only one thing she can do....Hariet's hilarious--and tummy-aching--solution will delight everyone who reads this comical tale of a hard lesson learned. This 20th anniversary edition of a Halloween classic is now in a larger format.

Nancy Carlson's cheerful pig is back in this vibrant ABC companion book to the best-selling I Like Me!--and she's brought along a few friends to join her. The letters of the alphabet are illustrated with brightly-colored, action-packed pictures and are accompanied by read-along text. Introduce children to the alphabet and reinforce positive self-esteem with the lovable characters of ABC I Like Me!.

With exuberant pictures and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, the author of I Like Me! takes a light-hearted look at bratty behavior that will have children laughing in recognition while learning exactly how not to behave. Colored-pencil illustrations throughout.

Harriet's scheduled debut as a ballerina in her recital brings on an attack of anxiety but Harriet proves herself a trouper by dancing her way out of her stage fright.