Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

It's hard to be Velma, the littlest Gratch, entering the first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders. Poor Velma—people can barely remember her name. But all that changes on a class trip to the magnificent Butterfly Conservatory—a place neither of her sisters has ever been. When a monarch roosts on Velma's finger and won't budge for days . . . well, no one will forget Velma ever again. Acclaimed and bestselling illustrator Kevin Hawkes and author Alan Madison celebrate everything butterfly—from migration to metamorphosis. Watch as Velma Gratch metamorphosizes from a timid first grader into a confident young scientist!

Children's Books

Madison, Alan

Animals

Dragonfly Books

Dad says because of the army he stood shoulder to shoulder with polar bears and watched the sun rise over the frozen fields of Alaska, which sounds really exciting. And because of the Army he slept in sludge, shoulder to shoulder with snakes and watched the sun set over the swamps of Alabama -- which does not. In a timely, but not politically charged way, author Alan Madison looks at the way a family copes with having a parent away on a 100 day, 99 night military tour of duty through the eyes of the very loveable Esmerelda (Esme) Swishback McCarthur. Esme wants to be good while her dad is away. In fact, she feels like it's her duty to be good. But being good can be hard, especially if you have a little brother like Ike. By following Esme's story, as she awaits her father's return, readers will see how heroism can translate to every member of a family. Aside from the military families that this book serves, readers who wonder what it would be like if their mother, father, brother, or sister was sent away will relate to Esme's quiet strength and candor and will understand her worry about what could happen. This story has the potential to speak to readers on a personal level and to turn a concept that seems so hard to grasp--war--into one that feels much more personal.

100 Days and 99 Nights

Literature & Fiction

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Growing Up & Facts of Life

This School Library Journal Best Book of the Year celebrates everything butterfly, from migration to metamorphosis! Kids will love reading about Velma's own transformation from a timid first grader into a confident scientist. It's hard to be Velma entering first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders, and no one even notices Velma. But all that changes on a class trip to the butterfly conservatory, a place neither of her sisters has been. When a monarch roosts on Velma's finger and won't budge for days—no one will ever forget it . . . or her! Here's the perfect addition to any science curriculum.

Schwartz & Wade

The Littlest Grape Stomper

Sixto Poblano really sticks out in a crowd. That's because he has six toes on each foot. And evil Boss Nova Boombatz, the head of all things grape, thinks Sixto has real potential. A boy with extra footage could really help him make grape juice! And so Sixto is whisked off to stomp . . . even though he'd rather play. Then one day, stomping inside a giant container, Sixto sees his chance to escape. He kicks out the barrel's cork, sending purply juice out in a flood, and freeing himself in the process. And that's how the Grape Lakes are formed!

This School Library Journal Best Book of the Year celebrates everything butterfly, from migration to metamorphosis! It's hard to be Velma entering first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders, and no one even notices Velma. But all that changes on a class trip to the butterfly conservatory, a place neither of her sisters has been. When a monarch roosts on Velma's finger and won't budge for days—no one will ever forget it . . . or her! Kids will love reading about Velma's own transformation in this perfect addition to any science curriculum.
 From the Hardcover edition.

Sixto Poblano really sticks out in a crowd. That's because he has six toes on each foot. And evil Boss Nova Boombatz, the head of all things grape, thinks Sixto has real potential. A boy with extra footage could really help him make grape juice! And so Sixto is whisked off to stomp . . . even though he'd rather play. Then one day, stomping inside a giant container, Sixto sees his chance to escape. He kicks out the barrel's cork, sending purply juice out in a flood, and freeing himself in the process. And that's how the Grape Lakes are formed!From the Hardcover edition.

Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths

Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Turtleback Books

If you think you know the silliest boy in the world, you're wrong. Pecorino Sasquatch is the silliest boy in the world. Just watch him as he heads off to the first concert he's ever seen, conducted by the world-famous Vittorio Pimplelini. Before the day is out, Pecorino will furmuzzle a man with a long mustache, wamboodle himself down into a tuba, and cause the most Brobdingnagian blast of a note that anyone has ever heard. It's all in a day's work for Pecorino. This delectably silly musical adventure, written by Alan Madison, the second-silliest boy in the world, features pictures by AnnaLaura Cantone, the silliest illustrator in the world (unless Pecorino decides to take up drawing).

Pecorino's First Concert

Arts, Music & Photography

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Do you know Pecorino Sasquatch? The boy who got stuck inside a tuba at his first concert? Well, he's about to play in his first game of baseball. You see, his mother just signed him up for Little League, and Pecorino can't wait to play, even though he doesn't really know what baseball is. But by the end of this spring day, Pecorino will have learned all there is to know about bowling pin-shaped coaches, burbling bubble gum, yodeling umpires, oxen for sale -- everything that makes America's pastime great. He might even maage to catch a baseball too. Pecorino, the silliest kid in the world, is in for nine innings' worth of madcap misadventure, featuring words from Alan Madison and art from AnnaLaura Cantone (the second- and third-silliest kids in the world).

Pecorino Plays Ball

Humor

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

Books by Madison, Alan

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

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

100 Days and 99 Nights

100 Days and 99 Nights

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

The Littlest Grape Stomper

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

The Littlest Grape Stomper

Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Pecorino's First Concert

Pecorino Plays Ball