After each of the animals receives its huge plate of spaghetti from the zookeeper, they move into the dining room, but the zookeeper discovers that none of the animals are eating and learns that they will not touch their food until she takes her seat amongst them.

Is The Spaghetti Ready? (New Reader Series)

Children's Books

Edwards, Frank B.

Literature & Fiction

Pokeweed Press

Poor Red Bug doesn't know anything about the cold wind and snow winter. His friends ask him, "Red Bug, Red Bug, Where will you go? Winter is coming, With cold wind and snow." But the animals who are warning him of the changing season are not keen to let him burrow into their warm winter coats. Each potential hibernation site (feathers, fur, wool and hair) belongs to a reluctant host who sends the bug away again. Finally, Red Bug finds a perfect spot that bothers no one and the book ends happily with him snoring away in front of a fireplace. (Yes, you guessed it, as snug as a bug in a rug.) The book's rhyming pattern is a wonderful reading device for developing readers and the bug's search provides a playful look at the way various animal's adapt to the cold. Youngsters love to chant the text with or without the book in hand.

Snug as a Big Red Bug (New Reader)

Bianchi, John

Edwards, Mickey

Animals

A farmer's simple drive to the country fair turns into a chaotic journey as more and more of his animals want to climb aboard. The obliging farmer lets each group of animals join him -- first a single chicken, followed by two sheep, three pigs and four cows -- until his little truck gets stuck at the bottom of a steep hill. Luckily his passengers are as helpful as he is and everyone gets out to push. The trip ends happily with a spectacular crash into the pie contest tent where everyone eats their fill. Children love to chant the catchy patterned rhymes ("Farmer, farmer, Going to the fair. Chicken wants a ride. There's room to spare.") and return to the book again and again. John Bianchi's wonky cartoon illustrations keep interest high and provide lots of laughs while effectively developing the theme of sharing.

A Crowded Ride in the Countryside (New Reader)

Humor

Just as she is getting ready for bed, a farmer notices that ten of her barnyard animals are preparing for an all-night hoedown. Still wearing her nightgown, she sneaks out to watch them as they dance through the night. As the animals lay down one by one, she counts them off in standard countdown fashion. "Ten farm animals dancing in a line, horse got dizzy, then there were nine." 
Young readers love the rhythm and rhyme in this book, predicting each number as they turn the page to see what animal drops out from the party. John Bianchi's goofy animal characters are as endearing as ever and he manages to work in his usual visual subplots (including a pair of courting chickens who almost stay awake until sunrise).

Nightgown Countdown (New Reader Series)

Edwards, Fitzhfrank B

Just as she is getting ready for bed, a farmer notices that ten of her barnyard animals are preparing for an all-night hoedown. Still wearing her nightgown, she sneaks out to watch them as they dance through the night. As the animals lay down one by one, she counts them off in standard countdown fashion. "Ten farm animals dancing in a line, horse got dizzy, then there were nine." Young readers love the rhythm and rhyme in this book, predicting each number as they turn the page to see what animal drops out from the party. John Bianchi's goofy animal characters are as endearing as ever and he manages to work in his usual visual subplots (including a pair of courting chickens who almost stay awake until sunrise).

Nightgown Countdown (New Reader)

A visitor to the zoo climbs on board the double-decker tour bus expecting to get a clear view of all the animals. But he soon discovers that not all the zoo inhabitants are easily found. 
As he approaches each exhibit, he strains to spot the occupant without success (although a sharp-eyed reader is likely to spot some clues to the whereabouts of each elusive animal). Shouting out, "Where are you?" brings back the response, "Look again. We are here." And sure enough with a second glance, he finds the missing animals. 
This classic peek-a-boo, where-are-you story offers a slight twist, however, when the bus reaches an overlook from which the visitor can see no animals at all. "Now where did you all go?" he calls out in exasperation until he once again takes a second look and discovers that all the animals have joined him on the bus.

Peek-A-Boo at the Zoo (New Reader Series)

When the zoo animals cannot sleep, they go to the zookeeper, who gives them books of bedtime stories to read

Zookeeper's Sleepers (New Reader Series)

Frank B. Edwards

BIANCHI

Treasure Island: With Lots of Dogs (Dog-eared Classic)

Treasure Island with Lots of Dogs (Dog-Eared Classics)

A heavy snowstorm traps the students and staff in the school overnight thanks to the snoozing Principal Slugmeyer who fails to send everyone home early. Trapped without beds, supper or pajamas, the children rely on their beloved Ms. Mudwortz to help them. 
And, of course, she saves the day with style, turning a potential disaster into a memorable sleepover that every school child dreams about (and every teacher fears). 
Originally published in 1991, this is one of Bianchi's best-selling books. With sales of 175,000 copies, it is now back in print as a Pokeweed Press title.

Snowed in at Pokeweed Public School (Pokeweed Public School Series)

The students at Pokeweed Public School love to read and each year teacher/librarian Ms. Mudwortz devotes a week to exploring how books are written and published. The students all create their own picture books and then celebrate Book Week by inviting their favorite author for a visit. Things don't work out quite as planned though when Principal Slugmeyer fails to recognize the guest of honor -- adventure writer Reginald Thornbottom -- and escorts the wrong visitor through the school. As the grand finale presentation is about to fall into chaos, Ms. Mudwortz saves the day by finding the missing author. Teachers, librarians and kids alike will enjoy this entertaining explanation of how books are created -- brought to life with Bianchi's usual assortment of oddball animal characters and a lot of laughs.

Young Authors Day at Pokeweed P S (Pokeweed Public School Series)

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