"Lively fun with animal friends."--Kirkus Reviews The animals of the Athensville Zoo are thrilled to be visiting a local school to star in a presentation--everyone except for a very nervous peacock named Plum. And then an unexpected blizzard strands the animals at the elementary school overnight--yikes! From award-winning author Matt Phelan, creator of Knights vs. Dinosaurs and its two sequels, this companion to Leave It to Plum! is a highly illustrated young middle grade novel perfect for reluctant readers and animal lovers everywhere. The animals of the Athensville Zoo are going to school! Lizzie the zookeeper has Plum the peacock and his friends loaded in the zoo van to travel to a nearby elementary school to give a presentation. Most of the animals are excited--especially Itch, who has always wanted to share his knowledge with the world. But Plum is nervous. What if he doesn't like school? What if the students don't like him? What if he messes up the whole presentation? Then an unexpected blizzard derails the whole trip, and Plum and his friends have to stay overnight in the empty school. They'll meet new friends, such as the classroom mice who rule the school, and the wise old turtle who supervises the library. And when Itch gets himself into a whole snowdrift of trouble, Plum overcomes his nerves to save the day! With short chapters and humorous black-and-white art throughout, award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan's young middle grade novels about bighearted Plum the peacock and the Athensville Zoo are just right for newly independent readers. The Plum books are fun and funny adventures that tackle relatable emotional themes such as performance anxiety and being a good friend. A Snow Day for Plum! continues the hilarious adventures of the young peacock with a big heart and the small mammal with a big ego. A Snow Day for Plum! is perfect for fans of the Princess in Black and the Mercy Watson series.

When raccoons invade the Athensville Zoo, it's up to Plum and his friends to save their beloved home. From award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan, creator of Knights vs. Dinosaurs and its two sequels, Trouble Finds Plum! comes the third book about a young peacock whose adventures are funny, hopeful, and always kindhearted. A hilarious, highly illustrated novel perfect for reluctant readers and animal lovers everywhere. When Plum the peacock stumbles across a raccoon asking for help finding food on a gloomy day at the zoo, he is delighted to assist his new friend. But Scratch the raccoon doesn't stop there. More and more of Scratch's friends arrive, and soon the zoo is overrun by rowdy and rude raccoons. Though trouble might have found Plum, Plum has a plan to save the Athensville Zoo--and make a few new friends at the same time. Award-winning author Matt Phelan has elementary school readers at the heart of each book in the Plum series. These young middle grade novels have short chapters and energetic black-and-white illustrations on almost every page, and each book tackles an emotional theme relevant and accessible to the audience. Full of heart and humor, Trouble Finds Plum! is the third novel about bighearted Plum the peacock and his adventures at the Athensville Zoo. The Plum books are ideal for fans of The Princess in Black and Mercy Watson series.

What a perfect autumn day! Papa Bear tells his cubs to bundle up in the cozy sweaters he knitted for them-but that is easier said than done. Award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan has created a hilarious and warmhearted ode to fall, patience, and knitting. Sweater Weather will be adored by fans of Anna Dewdney and Tad Hills. Sweaters on? Not yet! The air is crisp, and the leaves are bright-it's the perfect autumn day to enjoy the outdoors. Papa Bear instructs his cubs to put on their sweaters, and patiently waits downstairs. When he checks on them, he learns that getting ready is no simple task. But even if this lovable bear family misses out on their planned outing, the evening sky still holds a beautiful surprise. Acclaimed author-artist Matt Phelan's rhythmic, repetitive text and his warm, expressive watercolor paintings are both humorous and rewarding. Brimming with laughter and love from this large bear family, Sweater Weather is an irresistible choice to curl up with during storytime, no matter what the weather is.

Things are fairly normal in Hard Pan, population forty-three. But to Lucky, fairly normal means fairly boring, and she's restless. Just in the nick of time, she meets a potential new best friend named Paloma, who happens to be visiting Hard Pan with her uncle, a geologist. And before she knows it, Lucky gets stuck in a well, meets up with a wild burro, discards something she didn't know was precious, does something unexpectedly cruel, and learns a couple of the secrets of the universe.

Lucky, age ten, can't wait another day. The meanness gland in her heart and the crevices full of questions in her brain make running away from Hard Pan, California (population 43), the rock-bottom only choice she has.

It's all Brigitte's fault -- for wanting to go back to France. Guardians are supposed to stay put and look after girls in their care! Instead Lucky is sure that she'll be abandoned to some orphanage in Los Angeles where her beloved dog, HMS Beagle, won't be allowed. She'll have to lose her friends Miles, who lives on cookies, and Lincoln, future U.S. president (maybe) and member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Just as bad, she'll have to give up eavesdropping on twelve-step anonymous programs where the interesting talk is all about Higher Powers. Lucky needs her own -- and quick.

But she hadn't planned on a dust storm.

Or needing to lug the world's heaviest survival-kit backpack into the desert.

When Flora and her pesky little brother, Crispin, are whisked away by a swirling and swooping wind, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to give her brother away. With tempting offers from a dragonfly, the man in the moon, and even the wind itself, she will find it difficult to choose. But Flora would do anything to get rid of Crispin, wouldn't she?

Dedicated to astronaut Neil Armstrong, A Kite for Moon is the perfect children's book to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first United States moon landing. Written by New York Times bestselling author of How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? Jane Yolen and her daughter, Heidi Stemple, this book is a heartfelt story about a young boy's fascination and unlikely friendship with the moon. What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together! The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut. Until ... he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail. A Kite for Moon: Features over 20 gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan Contains a beautiful presentation page, making this book ideal for gift giving Is the perfect storybook for children ages 4 to 8 Celebrates every child's fascination with space Features a gorgeous cover that sparkles and shines with gloss and foil

Tall tale. Thriller. Gripping historical fiction. This artful, sparely told graphic novel -- a tale of a boy in Dust Bowl America -- will resonate with young readers today.
In Kansas in the year 1937, eleven-year-old Jack Clark faces his share of ordinary challenges: local bullies, his father's failed expectations, a little sister with an eye for trouble. But he also has to deal with the effects of the Dust Bowl, including rising tensions in his small town and the spread of a shadowy illness. Certainly a case of "dust dementia" would explain who (or what) Jack has glimpsed in the Talbot's abandoned barn -- a sinister figure with a face like rain. In a land where it never rains, it's hard to trust what you see with your own eyes -- and harder still to take heart and be a hero when the time comes. With phenomenal pacing, sensitivity, and a sure command of suspense, Matt Phelan ushers us into a world where desperation is transformed by unexpected courage.

"From the Hardcover edition."

Life in Sassafras Springs has always been predictable, boring even, but one afternoon that changes when Eben McAllister's pa challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras that rival the real Seven Wonders of the World. The reward? An adventure that Eben's been craving -- a trip to Colorado.

Even doesn't think he'll have any luck -- he can't think of one single thing that could be considered wondrous in Sassafras -- but he's willing to try. Little does he know that the Wonders he'll discover among his neighbors, friends, relatives, and family will give him the adventure of a lifetime...without ever leaving his home.

After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice, the authors joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix personal anecdotes with practical guidance on who to find a voice, develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Includes writing prompts. Illustrations.

Xander Panda wants to throw a party, but a panda party would have only one guest--himself. So, he decides to invite all the bears. But Koala protests. She's not a bear--she's a marsupial! Does that mean she can't come? Xander rethinks his decision to invite only bears, and "Calling all bears" evolves into "Calling all creatures." The Newbery Medal author Linda Sue Park introduces animal taxonomy in a wonderfully engaging way, and the celebrated artist Matt Phelan's charming ink and watercolor paintings are the icing on the cake.