Haunting of Hillside School (Cabin Creek Mysteries Series #4)
by Kristiana Gregory

It's a new school year in Cabin Creek and the cousins have a new mystery. When Claire and David look out the art room window and see a girl's pale face, they suspect it's a ghost. How else could someone look into a second floor window and just disappear? As the cousins investigate, they find other peculiar clues: piano music lilting through the halls, the aroma of pumpkin pie, and a crooked old painting that looks like the ghost's face. Is their spooky old school house really a haunted house?
Each of the six books in this series feature atmospheric spot art throughout.

Inkdeath (Inkheart Trilogy #3)
by Cornelia Funke

The Adderhead--his immortality bound in a book by Meggie's father, Mo--has ordered his henchmen to plunder the villages. The peasants' only defense is a band of outlaws led by the Bluejay--Mo's fictitious double, whose identity he has reluctantly adopted. But the Book of Immortality is unraveling, and the Adderhead again fears the White Women of Death. To bring the renegade Bluejay back to repair the book, the Adderhead kidnaps all the children in the kingdom, dooming them to slavery in his silver mines unless Mo surrends. First Dustfinger, now Mo: Can anyone save this cursed story?

Gobble It Up! A Fun Song About Eating!
by Jim Arnosky

If you were a wild raccoon,
You'd hunt at night by the light of the moon.
You'd catch some crawdads where they crawl,
And gobble them up -- shells and all!
From a hungry crocodile's attempt at a meal of wild ducklings, to a shark cruising for schools of fish, to a whale wrestling a wild giant squid; to a panda eating rare bamboo...... While some animals become food -- and some get away, readers will delight in seeing what and how different animals eat.
That's the way we all survive
We have to eat to stay alive.
We eat the food we have, and then --
We have to hunt for food again!

Schooling Around #2: Pencil of Doom
by Andy Griffiths

Henry McThrottle thought Northwest Southeast Central School was wacky. But then he comes across the Pencil of Doom ... and things get REALLY out of control.
Another hilarious school story from NYT bestselling author Andy Griffiths!

Let's Get Fancy Together (Fancy Nancy Series)
by Jane O'coonor, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Have you ever wondered what's in Fancy Nancy's purse? Only the most glamorous accessories, of course! Here's an adorable fuchsia carry-all full of très fabulous accessories—stickers, butterfly barrettes, a butterfly fan, glittery-framed sunglasses and more. It's a must-have, all-in-one emergency kit for girls on the go, because you just never know where you'll be when suddenly you need to get fancier! Throughout the book, the ultimate expert on all things fancy (that's Nancy, of course!) reveals her secret tips for instant glamourfication—from hair, to dolls, to party invitations. There will be loud choruses of merci beaucoup when little girls receive this wonderful gift.
This new picture book in the shape of a purse provides an interactive format that will delight and engage Fancy Nancy readers of all ages.

The Lump of Coal
by Lemony Snicket, Illustrated by Brett Helquist

Lemony Snicket, the author of the series, "A Series of Unfortunate Events," has written a surprisingly witty and delightful Christmas story about a lump of coal. A lump of coal, traditionally the dreaded stocking stuffer from Santa Claus to children on the Naughty List, is not such a dreaded gift at all if you are an abstract artist. Lemony Snicket reminds readers that Christmastime is a time of stories and miracles and the greatest miracles of all are pursuing your dreams. This is the cause of the lump of coal, who could walk, talk, dresses in black, and dreams of becoming a great artist. His only problem is he needs a hand to guide him. It is during the holiday season that he began his search for an artist that will draw with him so they can make beautiful art together. He goes to an art gallery, a logical place to go, but is turned down with disdain. Everywhere he goes, he is rejected. This hurts him very much. He knows he does not want to wind up in a barbeque pit and considers burying himself deep in the ground so after many years he will turn into a diamond. He may have been rejected and discouraged, but he decides not to give up on his dream. It is at this time that a miracle happens. If you love Christmas stories, then this one will be a welcomed addition to your collection. It is truly a gift.

A Very Marly X-Mas
by John Grogan, Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

With all the excitement of Christmas approaching, it's no surprise that Marley, the lovable pup with a nose for trouble, wants to get in on the action. Anticipating his very first snowfall and Santa's arrival, Marley jumps in to help his family every way he can. But Marley, being Marley, always ends up on the wrong side of right. It's not long before he tears down the twinkle lights, attacks a chain of paper snowflakes, and mistakes the Christmas tree for . . . well . . . his very own indoor bathroom. Will Marley's good intentions ruin everything before Christmas begins? Or will he manage to share some Christmas magic with his family after all?
This follow-up to the #1 bestselling Bad Dog, Marley! delivers a heartfelt holiday story with many hilarious Marley mishaps along the way.


Tom Turkey and Erik Eagle: Or How the Eagle Became the American Symbol

by Sandra Calder Davidson

When the Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, to pick a national symbol for the new country, they just could not agree. Elder statesman Ben Franklin preferred the turkey, but George Washington championed the mighty eagle. So they asked BenÕs new friend, Drew Duck, to help them decide. Drew flew back to his home in Wilderbrush Forest and asked his animal friends to help him. Several candidates said theyÕd be perfect, but finally, the choice came down to Tom Turkey or Erik Eagle. Most favored kind and gentle Tom. Besides, ferocious Eagle scared them silly. But then they thought: if Eagle was elected he would have to be good! So Drew Duck called them all together, and when all the votes were counted, Eagle it was!
And that is how the eagle became our national symbol and how the creatures of Wilderbrush Forest learned that democracy is the best way to solve all problems.

by Mark Reibstein, Illustrated by Ed Young

Using spare text and haiku, Mark Reibstein weaves an extraordinary story about finding real beauty in unexpected places. Caldecott Medal-winning artist Ed Young complements the lyrical text with breathtaking collages. Together, they illustrate the unique world view that is wabi sabi.

by Roni Schotter, Illustrated by Marylin Hafner

Flip, flap here.Flip, flop there.Potato pancakes in the air.Latkes flying everywhere!Winner of the National Jewish Book Award, Hanukkah! follows one family's celebration of the holiday, from eating latkes and spinning the dreidel, to singing prayers and lighting the menorah. With sweet rhyming text and warm illustrations, this is the perfect was to celebrate the festival of lights.

by Barbara and Ed Emberley

Hop into bed,
Turn over thrice,
And whisper this softly:
Night's nice, night's nice, night's nice.
Good Night.
NIGHT'S NICE will lull little ones to sleep with its soothing, sing-song text and picturesque, stunning nightscapes throughout.
From moonlit treetops and city streetlamps to luminous fireworks on the 4th of July, Ed's watercolor illustrations poignantly capture the beauty of nighttime in this reissue of his classic children's story.