Best Selling Books by Tony Johnston

A boy wins over an abused, stray dog with persistence and love in this heartwarming story. Thoughtful care goes into a child''s efforts to help an abused dog learn to trust humans again. Stooping near the bush where the dog is hiding, offering scraps of food, and leaving an umbrella in a rainstorm all convince the dog that the child''s offering of friendship is real. When Mom insists on putting up "lost dog" signs, the boy is worried. But in the end, the dog and child find a new friend in each other.

Quilters and young readers alike will enjoy this tender story about love, family, and finding comfort in a new home. Long ago, a young girl named Abigail put her beloved patchwork quilt in the attic. Generations later, another young girl discovers the quilt and makes it her own, relying on its warmth to help her feel secure in a new home.

Award-winning author Tony Johnston and Caldecott honor illustrator Melissa Sweet create a joyful story about the first day of kindergarten! "I''m off to kindergarten now.I''d better take my bear.He likes to sit beside me soI''ll take a little chair. . . ."So begins the long list of things Bill absolutely needs for his first day of school. Along with his pillow and some cookies, he also plans on bringing his sandbox, some digging moles, and a moving truck!A touching story of first-day jitters and hopes, Tony Johnston''s rhyming text is paired with Melissa Sweet''s delightful illustrations!

A 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man, both witches, go searching on Halloween night for the pumpkin someone snitched from them.

From award-winning author Tony Johnston and David Walker comes the perfect book for first time First Graders! Kindergarten? Done! "I''m zooming off to first grade now.I need about five friendsto play good games like hide-and-sneakand where-the-sidewalk-ends."Tony Johnston''s playful stanzas meet with David Walker''s joyful art to create a remarkable foray into first grade--with all its peaks and valleys. There''s reading and counting, sure, but also show-and-tell, singing, crafts, and of course, recess! Watch out everyone, ''cause first grade, here I come!

Filled with hope, love, and warmth, this novel describes a Los Angeles far different from the place of movie stars and very poor people--a place where random acts of generosity improve the lives of the community.

The beauty and spirit of Christmas resounds in the melodic chimes of a church bell in this lyrical picture book by well-known author Tony Johnston with breathtaking illustrations by watercolor artist Cheng-Khee Chee. On Christmas Eve, people bundle up in the cold and follow the sounds of the bell to gather in celebration. Creatures great—children, dogs, cats, and birds—and small stop to listen as a brass band marches through town. The poetry and imagery of these verses and the classic feel of this lush artwork make for a memorable Christmas read-aloud.

From Caldecott Medalist Stephen Gammell and beloved writer Tony Johnston, this joyous picture book with audio celebrates the sound of a baby’s laughter. The family gathers round to hear the sweet sound of the new baby’s sweet laugh! But just because everyone has gathered doesn’t mean the baby’s ready. When the moment finally comes, the sound makes everyone else laugh too—aunts, uncles, cousins, and even great-grandma. It seems no one can resist the sound of baby’s laugh. And who would want to? With simple, endearing text, audio, and Stephen Gammell’s unmistakable art, this tribute to the joy a young child’s laughter will quickly become a family favorite.

First published in 1988, this gentle picture book set in Sardinia features refreshed illustrations by the beloved and award-winning Tomie dePaola and tells of the giving and sharing of music on a very special Christmas morning. Long ago, a painter and her son, Paolo, visited the poor but beautiful island of Sardinia and a shepherd shared with them his bread called foglia de musica, pages of music. When the mother offered to pay, the shepherd took his musical pipe and filled the air with music so sweet that Paolo danced and sang with joy. Many years later, Paolo, now a gifted composer, returns to the island with his entire orchestra on Christmas morning to share with the shepherds his own “pages of music”—a song of a night long ago, a blazing star, and a child born in a manger.

Torn from his home and parents in Poland during World War II, a young Jewish boy starving in a concentration camp finds hope in playing Schubert on his harmonica, even when the commandant orders him to play.

"Part poetry, part celebration of nature, turn the page of this book and enter the majestic world of trees"--

Standing tall above the tree line, Sequoia stretches his ancient arms and gathers clouds to him. He watches as days, seasons, years pass by. His branches are home to owls and choirs of frogs. Beneath his broad canopy, a world grows. This is his story. Through controlled verse and luscious illustration, Tony Johnston and Wendell Minor do justice to the enormous figure of the sequoia tree. A Neal Porter Book

Carlos tries to help his uncle, who is frustrated and angry at his inability to speak English, adjust to their new home in Los Angeles.

With the rhythmic cadences of an old-time spiritual, this unforgettable book powerfully evokes the voices of slavery and liberation. Full-color.

Amber''s mountain is beautiful, but it is a lonely place—until the day Anna arrives, bringing both her friendship and the will to teach Amber how to read. Suddenly, Amber''s world is filled with a new magic and new challenges. But when Anna returns to the city, will Amber be able to keep reading on her own? "Heartwarming" —Publishers Weekly, starred review Tony Johnston''s previous books include Grandpa''s Song and Yonder (both Dial and Puffin). She lives in San Marino, California. Robert Duncan is a fine artist whose paintings have been exhi-bited throughout the United States. He lives in Midway, Utah.

Describes a Mexican family preparing for and celebrating the Day of the Dead.

A pumpkin shimmering in the moonlight attracts the attention of an owl, a cat, crickets, a witch, and a group of boys and girls, who change it into a scary jack-o-lantern.

In a busy urban neighborhood, six very different individuals who don’t know each other have something in common: they all relish the companionship of a friendly cat that roams the area. From a librarian to a homeless war veteran to a little girl who’s just moved in, this cat makes everyone’s world a little brighter, a little less lonely. Each neighbor is unaware of the cat’s visits with everyone else, so he goes by many different names: Stuart Little, Dove, Placido—the cat answers to them all. Only when a near-accident threatens the cat does everyone learn his true identity and owner. In learning about each other, the people in the neighborhood come together as a community. THE CAT WITH SEVEN NAMES is a heartfelt story that reflects the need and desire of all people to be a part of a community, to have a connection with someone or something—be it animal or human. Told from the perspective of each of the six neighbors, Tony Johnston introduces point of view to readers of all ages, while Christine Davenier’s loose watercolor illustrations beautifully depict the diversity of the world around us.

A boy describes all the things he and his beloved teddy bear do and how some love and care can repair an old, worn bear.