Betsy Bird knows all there is to know about kids and books. She is the New York Public Library’s youth collections specialist, she writes a blog hosted by School Library Journal, and has served on the Newbery Medal committee. Now Betsy Bird has written a children’s book of her own, Giant Dance Party. In this rollicking picture book, a group of giants shows up at Lexy’s door wanting dance lessons. After some initial hesitation, Lexy is happy to teach them, and her dance classes end with all her students—as well as Lexy herself—overcoming their fears and putting on a boogying performance. Brandon Dorman, an award-winning artist whose work can be found in The Wizard, and on the covers of Fablehaven and Goosebumps, brings the giants and their dance moves to life with his full-color illustrations.

Giant Dance Party

Children's Books

Bird, Betsy

Arts, Music & Photography

Greenwillow Books

Funny Girl is a collection of uproarious stories, rollicking comics, rib-tickling wit, and more, from 25 of today’s funniest female writers for kids. What could be funnier than family? Read stories about Ursula Brown's grandmother driving her on a road trip to disaster, Lisa Brown's little brother getting a Tic-Tac stuck up his nose, and Carmen Agra Deedy's mom setting the bathtub on fire. What could be funnier than friends? Pretty much nothing, as Rita Williams-Garcia shows two besties hatching a bird-brained scheme to get on to a TV talk show, and Deborah Underwood introduces a dynamic dog-and-cat duo teaming up on a pet advice column. What could be funnier than YOU? Tell your future with Mad Libs, discover your Chinese Zodiac sign with Lenore Look, and learn the best tricks of the comedy trade from professional humorists like Adrianne Chalepah and Delaney Yeager. With clever contributions from award-winning and bestselling authors including Cece Bell, Sophie Blackall, Libba Bray, Shannon Hale, Lisa Graff, and Raina Telgemeier, this anthology of funny girls will make you laugh until you cry. Or cry until you laugh. Or maybe you won't cry at all. Either way, you'll definitely laugh. Funny Girl isn’t just an anthology: it’s a cause, a mission, a movement. Girls are funny. Now it’s time for the world to know it.

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

Literature & Fiction

Puffin Books

Viking Books for Young Readers

Long Road to the Circus

Product Description 
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES\nThe story of a girl who rides an ostrich straight to her dreams from the 
award-winning writer and librarian Betsy Bird, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small.\n"[A] charming, wacky novel." — 
The New York Times\nTwelve-year-old Suzy Bowles is tired of summers filled with chores on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan, and desperate to see the world. When her wayward uncle moves back home to the farm, only to skip his chores every morning for mysterious reasons, Suzy decides to find out what he's up to once and for all. And that's when she meets legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her ostriches. Before long, Suzy finds herself caught-up in the fast-paced, hilarious world of ostrich riding, a rollicking adventure that just might be her ticket out of Burr Oak.\n“Beautifully told by one of our best librarians.” —Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature 
 Review 
"With its timeless messages about big dreams and the beloved people who make them possible, 
Long Road to the Circus takes you there. It is — sorry not sorry — a brass ring to grab with both hands."— 
The New York Times\n“Do not read this book unless you are planning to run away and join the circus. Beautifully told by one of our best librarians. And just as beautifully, and inevitably, illustrated by David Small.” —Jon Scieszka, The First National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature\n“Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to ride an ostrich?! This is a grand, classic tale of finding one’s own weird way through the world. Suzy—and her feathered friend, Gaucho—will become lifelong companions of the reader lucky enough to spend time with them.” —Eliot Schrefer, 
New York Times bestselling author\n“What a cheer-worthy, galloping, heartfelt adventure! Suzy and Madame are my new inspirations. It is indeed a long road to the circus, but worth every step.” —Catherine Gilbert Murdock, Newbery Honor-Winning author of 
The Book of Boy and the bestselling Dairy Queen series\n“An appealing main character and a quirky plot make this historical novel a page-turner. By the time kids reach the celebratory yet bittersweet ending, they’ll appreciate that it takes 
 hard work and determination to achieve goals.” – 
Parents Magazine\n“This unconventional tale is a hoot and an encouraging call to live an adventurous life on one’s own terms.” — 
Booklist\n“Readers will find Suzy an engaging protagonist, feeling simultaneously thoroughly contemporary and classic in a story whose narrative arc is well-crafted . . . A wonderful character piece.” – 
Kirkus\n“[A] spirited historical adventure . . . Caldecott Medalist Small’s expressive, humorous b&w illustrations infuse the narrative with further personality.” – 
Publishers Weekly\n"Suzy's wry, folksy first-person narration should elicit plenty of giggles, and Small's striking pen-and-ink illustrations perfectly echo the text's energy and sense of whimsy. Bird's lighthearted, earnest romp is based on real people and events and encourages readers to seize opportunity tightly, even if it comes in a strange, long-necked package . . . [A] funny, heart-warming story of chasing one's dreams." — 
Shelf Awareness 
 About the Author 
Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library, and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. Betsy reviews for 
Kirkus, served on the 2007 Newbery Award committee, and her children's literature blog, A Fuse #8 Production, is hosted by 
School Library Journal. Her books include 
Funny Girl, an anthology of humorous stories, and the picture books 
 Giant Dance Party and 
The Great Santa Stakeout. Betsy was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband and offspring. Visit her at her blog, a Fuse #8 Production on slj.com, or follow her on twitter @FuseEight.\nDavid Small won

Animals

Knopf Books for Young Readers

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES The story of a girl who rides an ostrich straight to her dreams from the award-winning writer and librarian Betsy Bird, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small. &nbsp; "[A] charming, wacky novel."&nbsp;--The New York Times Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles is tired of summers filled with chores on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan, and desperate to see the world. When her wayward uncle moves back home to the farm, only to skip his chores every morning for mysterious reasons, Suzy decides to find out what he's up to once and for all. And that's when she meets legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her ostriches. Before long, Suzy finds herself caught-up in the fast-paced, hilarious world of ostrich riding, a rollicking adventure that just might be her ticket out of Burr Oak. "Beautifully told by one of our best librarians." --Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People's Literature

Yearling

Funny Girl is a collection of uproarious stories, rollicking comics, rib-tickling wit, and more, from 25 of today's funniest female writers for kids. What could be funnier than family? Read stories about Ursula Brown's grandmother driving her on a ro

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever

Turtleback Books

Secret lives, scandalous turns, and some very funny surprises — these essays by leading kids’ lit bloggers take us behind the scenes of many much-loved children’s books. Told in lively and affectionate prose, this treasure trove of information for a student, librarian, parent, or anyone wondering about the post–Harry Potter children’s book biz brings contemporary illumination to the warm-and-fuzzy bunny world we think we know.

Wild Things! Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature

Danielson, Julie

Sieruta, Peter

Teen & Young Adult

Candlewick

A delightfully devious Christmas story from beloved librarian Betsy Bird and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat. Freddy Melcher is Santa's #1 Fan. He has Santa posters, Santa action figures, and even Santa underwear. But there is one prize Freddy desperately wants: A photograph taken with Santa, fresh out of the chimney. Oh, is it risky! It's awfully hard to sneak anything by someone who can see you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. That's why Freddy has been extra good this year . . . at hiding his plans. Will Freddy get away with his delightfully devious scheme to outwit Santa Claus himself and capture the ultimate selfie?

The Great Santa Stakeout

Humor

Arthur A. Levine Books

POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme

Union Square Kids

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bird, Betsy. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bird, Betsy

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bird, Betsy. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Giant Dance Party

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

Long Road to the Circus

Long Road to the Circus

Long Road to the Circus

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever

Wild Things! Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature

The Great Santa Stakeout

POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme