When worrywart Chen Connelly finds a mysterious antique book beneath a park bench, his safe but lonely summer suddenly becomes exciting. Perhaps a little too exciting. A book of renaissance architectural designs may not seem particularly exciting, until Chen finds himself traveling through the pages of the magical book with Polly Goggin, the weirdest girl he's ever met, as they race to solve the clues to a treasure hunt left by Benjamin Franklin, struggle to find their way through a maze of mysterious doors, and dodge far too many angry security guards. It doesn't help that a murderous, strangely nondescript magician-thief is on their trail with a magic book of his own, willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on Benjamin Franklin's treasure and all three extraordinary books. Turn the page... Open the door... Enter the adventure...

From the ancient ruins of a lost civilization to the sudden ruin of a new city, a mysterious power stalks the desert. Oru of Sisoa leads an expedition to investigate, accompanied by his beloved Jiriya, the bard Svarnil, and the librarian Nulif. Their group also includes two young sky-dwarf orphans who may carry a curse from the destruction of their home, and three nomads of bitterly feuding tribes. Together the diverse members of this expedition must solve the mystery of the ancient curse of Edah and turn aside its terrible danger. But the greatest danger of all may not be the nameless gods of Edah, but the conflicts these travelers bring with them on the journey. This is an adventure about doing right even when it seems to make no difference, and keeping faith in the power of love.

When the cows are stolen from a nearby farm, Sam and Kate think it's a job for the police... until they realize that solving this strange crime will require help from the neighborhood birds and beasts. That means it's another adventure for Kate and Sam, the only humans who can speak animal language and know the secret of the magical creatures around town. But why does the strange thief steal a cow-spotted mailbox? How many thieves are there anyway? And most mysterious of all, what kind of monster is leaving huge, round footprints that smell like cheese? It's a good thing Kate and Sam get help from animals large and small as they struggle to solve these puzzles and rescue all the prisoners of the Cheesemonster. There will be beetles and robots, dragons and fairies, monsters and clues and disguises. But never fear Through darkest night and deepest swamp Sam, Kate, and their friends old and new will use all their creativity, courage, and common sense to save the day once again. The third adventure in the Kate and Sam trilogy joins the others as a perfect read-aloud to be enjoyed with children of many ages. Emphasizing the power of kindness, creativity and courage, these books are gentle enough for pre-schoolers at bedtime, but complex, humorous, and engaging enough not only for older elementary children, but even for adults reading to them.

One summer evening Kate and Sam's parents are carried off by a large, fierce yellow dragon. So Kate and Sam set out to rescue them. Along the way they learn from their pet cat how to speak with animals, and they make many friends - which is lucky, because they'll encounter wolves, robbers, angry bees, fairies, magical traps and puzzles, the yellow dragon, and more. But have no fear Sam, Kate, and their companions are kind and resourceful enough to solve any problem. This delightful adventure is engaging and original, yet never too scary - perfect for reading aloud to children of any age.

There are rumors of trouble between dragons and the people of the North Region, but who can negotiate with angry dragons, clawed and fanged, and armed with eyes as deadly as their fire? The bard Svarnil and the librarian Nulif find themselves on the quest to discover what is making the dragons so restless, and how peace can be restored in the Region. It will require all their bravery, all their wisdom, and all their faith in each other to survive this adventure, in which they must face the distrust not only of the dragons and a sorcerer, but also of Svarnil's fellow elves. This is an adventure about doing right even when the effect seems small, and following your leadings even when you don't know where they will take you.

This is the tale of Chlukash, a young Scomu woman from the ghetto of Eotheort. The king of the Deerfolk has died suddenly, and his two sons both claim the throne. Which one becomes king may mean the difference between life and death for the rufous dwarves in Scomu Ghetto. With Chlukash inspiring them and the elven bard Svarnil to remind them of their history, a group of the Scomu set off for the long-ruined cities of Tchrkkusk, in search of a place where they can be free. But is Tchrkkusk more than a dream? And if they arrive, will there be anything there for them now? This is an adventure about doing right even when the effect seems small, and following your leadings even when you don't know where they will take you.

When the elven bard Svarnil hears of the discovery of an ancient religious document that may change the course of history, she travels all the way to the southern border of Yuwara Ul Sahd to learn the truth about the Minarian religion - and to join the librarian Nulif in his dangerous quest to share that truth with others. Svarnil and Nulif must contend with elemental monsters and charges of criminal blasphemy as they try to help the city of K'Ten accept a forgotten interpretation of the scriptures and hold fast to the true meaning of their faith. But when truth and faith and private motives are all at work, who can tell what course is right?

This is the story of Svarnil, an apprentice bard chosen by the immortal Cumarun to travel to the land of the Deerfolk and rescue them from a shadowy warrior king and the mysterious Death that follows him. There is just one difficulty. Svarnil is no warrior hero. She has never learned sword fighting, cannot perform magic, and seems to have no special heroic powers. But what other ways can there be of meeting the dangers and conflicts she faces? As her adventures among mages, monsters, and spirits unfold, Svarnil learns what it means to be a true bard. She must also discover whether the gifts she has will be enough to bring her through the challenges before her. This is a story about doing right even when the effect seems small, and following your leadings even when you don't know where they will take you.

Kate and Sam are off on another adventure - without even leaving their yard. Why are the horrible chipmunks plotting to dig a hole right into Kate and Sam's house? And what have they done to the brave worm who tries to investigate? Kate and Sam must rescue their friend and save the house, and to do so they'll have to snorkel along secret underground streams and find their way through the burrow of the Chipmunks of Doom. Luckily they have the help of old friends and new, including Nasturtium and the Fairy Godmother, as well as a pair of magic rabbits, a story-telling toad, fairies, genies, and more. And, as ever, Sam and Kate's creativity and kindness will help ensure that everything turns out happily ever after. This adventure is sweet enough to be read aloud to preschoolers, and fun enough to please fourth graders who can read it themselves.

When a song is interrupted in the middle, where does the music go? Where does the flame go when the candle is extinguished? Jiriya has always loved the tale of wise, kind-hearted Prince Oru, who ruled Yuwara Ul Sahd two hundred years ago. Then one evening she learns another part of the legend: that upon his coronation as emperor her beloved Prince Oru turned suddenly and inexplicably evil. Jiriya is determined to discover the truth about this legendary mystery - until the legend begins to bring menace into the present. The bard Svarnil joins Jiriya in the quest, but they soon realize that the story of Prince Oru is more than ancient history. Someone will stop at nothing to keep them from learning the truth, and now Jiriya and Svarnil must survive an adventure more perilous than any Jiriya could have imagined. This is a story about the value of truth and the importance of friendship. This is a story about relighting the candle.

The simple alphabetical format of this book of animals will delight the youngest children, while the fascinating facts will intrigue them as they grow older. For budding scientists there are questions to draw out their curiosity and encourage them to learn more about the incredible world of animals. But it is the twenty-six black and white illustrations based on block prints that will captivate all ages, from infants to their grandparents. Both bold and detailed, these whimsical views of animals just may inspire children (and their adults) to sit down with a pencil and try capturing their own favorite creatures in art.