Authored by none other than the former US Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis, this collection of animal-focused jokes and riddles will keep kids reading, rhyming, and laughing like a hyena. The Just Joking series has wowed the kid crowd, and now Just Joking: Animal Riddles delivers 150 hilarious and puzzling riddles all about animals, guaranteed to tickle the funny bone of kids everywhere!

The polar bear is known by many names in different languages--White Bear, Ice Bear, Sea Bear. It is Sailor of the Icebergs, Whale's Curse, Seal's Dread. It is the animal deserving of great respect, the Ever-wandering One, the Master of Helping Spirits, Grandfather, or God's Dog. Whatever its name, what is certain is that this majestic, Arctic animal is threatened by extinction and in need of human protection before it disappears from our world forever.

Readers will meet the fascinating main characters featured in many myths and legends. Award-winning children's book author and former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis not only examines creatures of popular legends such as mummies, werewolves, and zombies, but he also introduces lesser-known-but-just-as-menacing monsters such as the Roc and the giant called Xing Tian. Includes origins of the Frankenstein story as well as creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster, Baba Yaga, and the Phoenix. Monster, mystery, and fantasy fans of all ages will enjoy this alphabetical tribute.

Know some twins, or expecting to? This twinspired collection pairs poems and pictures in a lighthearted salute to the many twins among us.
Old twins, new twins, famous twins, not-at-all-alike twins, side-byside twins, let's play twins, not-yet twins, mirror twins -- all kinds of twins -- come together in a collection of original poems by two of our most celebrated authors for young people: J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. From a wave and a wink to a twin switcheroo, from a rocket to the moon to the old woman who lived in a shoe, these poems and mini facts, whimsically illustrated by Sophie Blackall, will leave even singletons with a twinkle in their eyes. Here is the perfect book to share with the twins in your life -- and everyone who loves them.

Who is making all this mischief? It's not the puppy! Short rhyming lines in this board book pose a toddler-appropriate whodunit and expressive art shows the true culprits. Little ones will chime on the repeated title refrain and will delight in the surprise ending--when of course--it finally IS the puppy.

"Make the Earth your companion. Walk lightly on it, as other creatures do." With this powerfully reverent refrain, readers are reminded to treat the world around us with the respect it deserves and the care it needs. Mountains, lakes, rivers, grasslands, forests, deserts--even the sky above--all of our natural environs have some message to impart, if we will but listen. Picturesque illustrations imbue the images with mysticism, making visual connections to not only the words themselves but to the feelings of wonder they evoke.

It's all about us! Join former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis on a lyrical journey through the United States to experience the wonders of America's people and places via 200+ inspiring poems and stunning photographs. Celebrate the gift of language and the vibrant culture of the United States with this collection of classic and never-before-published poetry. Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast, and among them you'll find works by Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, Robert Frost, Naomi Shihab Nye, Walt Whitman, and more. From the familiar to the surprising, subjects include people, places, landmarks, monuments, nature, and celebrations. Designed for family sharing, but geared to younger readers, this beautifully illustrated treasury is a must-have for the family bookshelf.

Named one of the Best Children's Books of 2012 by "Kirkus Reviews"
Named one of the top Children's Books of 2012 by the New York Public Library
"Add a little natural wonder to your poetry shelves. Because if we're talking about the best possible compliment to your eyes and ears alike, few have as many perks and grand moments as this." --"School Library Journal "starred review
"Out of a windless August night/A luna moth in ghostly light
Beat softly on my window screen/Tick-tick-ticking-all silver green.
She whispered secrets in my ear--/I am but a stranger here.
The stars are scrawled across the sky/By ghostwriters, the Moon and I.
You will not see me here tonight--/I have a thousand stars to write."
What could be better than cuddling up with your child and this book on your lap and allowing your imaginations to soar with the words and images? Lovingly selected by U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and paired with vibrant animal photography, this collection of poems is an exuberant celebration of the animal kingdom and a beautiful introduction to this genre of literature. Designed for family sharing but targeted to ages 4-8, this dynamic, fresh, yet still classic collection of animal poems is a must-have for the family bookshelf.
Featured poets include J. Patrick Lewis, Dorothy Aldis, Emily Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Jack Prelutsky, Elizabeth Madox Roberts, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and many more.
Divided into chapters that group the poems by theme for extra resonance, the collection is a mix of old and new, classics, and never-before-published. A foreword from Lewis, sets the scene for helping children appreciate this gift of language and this visual feast for the eyes. Chapters include:
Welcome to the World (birth of animal young)
Big Ones (large animals--elephants, hippos, rhinos, bears)
Little Ones (small animals--worms, insects)
Winged Ones (birds and other flying creatures)
Water Ones (aquatic animals--fish, dolphins, crabs)
Strange Ones (curious creatures--armadillos, centipedes)
Noisy Ones (loud animals--lions, hyenas)
Quiet Ones (silent or still animals--hens, rabbits, snakes)
Last Thought (a reflection on the world we share with animals)

Releases simultaneously in Reinforced Library Binding: 978-1-4263-1054-6, $28.90/$33.00 Can
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They went by many names, but the world came to know them best as the Harlem Hellfighters. Two thousand strong, these black Americans from New York picked up brass instruments--under the leadership of famed bandleader and lieutenant James Reese Europe--to take the musical sound of Harlem into the heart of war. From the creators of the 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book, And the Soldiers Sang, this remarkable narrative nonfiction rendering of WWI -- and American -- history uses free-verse poetry and captivating art to tell century-old story of hellish combat, racist times, rare courage, and inspired music.

When words in verse are paired with the awesomeness of nature, something magical happens! Beloved former U.S. Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis curates an exuberant poetic celebration of the natural world in this stellar collection of nature poems. From trickling streams to deafening thunderstorms to soaring mountains, discover majestic photography perfectly paired with contemporary (such as Billy Collins), classics (such as Robert Frost), and never-before-published works.

From the mythical flight of Icarus, to the awesome ascent of the space shuttle, and 11 other events in between, this illustrated collection of poems celebrates humankinds history of flight.