Tiny Treasury

By Sandra Boynton

Energetic, moody, and unpredictable new songs written and illustrated by the energetic, moody, and unpredictable Sandra Boynton. And performed by the most unusual mix of legendary musicians imaginable.

 Full of attitude, full of fun, all lit up with star power, and boasting a variety of Top 40 styles—rock and roll, blues, hip-hop, and power pop—Dog Train is the third book-and-CD production by Sandra Boynton. 

Blues Traveler, replete with John Popper wailing on his harmonica, rides the rails for the driving title track about, yes, dogs on board a midnight train where “Kittycats are not allowed/ …/ their ears in the breeze/ …/ Their cold, wet, happy,/ quiv’ring noises outside.”

Mark Lanegan takes the octave down a few notches with his deep and bluesy rendition of “Sneakers” about the favorite footwear that’s both comfy and quiet.

The 1960s British invasion star Billy J. Kramer sounds every bit up-to-date as he blasts off on the spaceship song “Cow Planet.”

And who would’ve thunk that actress Kate Winslet and novelty performer “Weird Al” Yankovic could pull off a sunny and theatrically emotive duet on “I Need a Nap?”

There are no clunkers here; other highlights include numbers by Alison Krauss, Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (hilariously singing the “Boring Song”). A knockout listen, in all the best ways, for the whole family. Like the songs, Boynton’s book showcases her signature zippy sense of humor and loveable critters. It also includes complete lyrics and music for each number and brief profiles of all the performers. 

Track List: 

1. Spin Doctors throw a Tantrum 
2. The O.K. Chorale presents Thus Quacked Zarathustra 
3. Blues Traveler rocks the Dog Train 
4. Mark Lanegan sings Sneakers 
5. Billy J. Kramer narrates and sings Cow Planet (3 episodes!) 
6. Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme croon Boring Song 
7. The Bacon Brothers and Mickey Hart clang Pots & Pans 
8. Kate Winslet and “Weird Al” Yankovic sing I Need a Nap 
9. Alison Krauss sings Evermore 
10. John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting sings Penguin Lament 
11. The Phenomenauts rock out (Don’t Give Me That) Broccoli 
12. Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian perform Dragonfire 
13. Doshie Luther sings Wave Bye-Bye 
14. Hootie & The Blowfish rock and rock Rock to Sleep 54 

Great performances, great music, great illustrations–now arriving on Tracks 1 through 17.

All Abooooooooard!

  By True Kelley

 This tale of a naughty Santa Claus–and the dog who refuses to let a sleeping Santa lie–will have kids rolling with laughter.

 It’s Christmastime, and young Santa is barely stirring. Every now and then he’ll eat some fruitcake or watch TV, but the elves and Santa’s dog, Rodney, do all the work. When Christmas Eve arrives and Santa falls asleep in the sleigh, Rodney takes charge, scrambling down chimneys and delivering presents. But there’s only so much one determined dog can do–will Santa ever start doing his job?

If the thought of young Santa as a slacker seems sacrilegious then True Kelley’s picture book is not for you. However, if the thought of a dog named “Rodney” saving Christmas and turning Santa into the “hardworking spirit of Christmas we know today” sounds like fun, then you have found your next holiday classic.

Rodney, a scruffy black dog with a white chest, little black eyes, and indefatigable spirit, handles all of Santa’s holiday duties including climbing up chimneys and driving the sleigh because Santa just cannot stay awake long enough to do these things. When he saves Christmas, complaint letters come in and he decides to start using a video “self help” program for Santa. It does not work on Santa but Rodney becomes stronger and more organized than ever, so he begins his own personalized Santa training program, during which Santa ages into the bearded fellow we all know and love. 

Once he succeeds Rodney decides to take charge of that lazy, good-for-nothing Easter bunny next.

By Ann Purmell, Illustrated by Jill Weber

 Maple syrup time is always a welcome time in the northern states and Canada, as a harbinger of spring. Grandpa leads the way as his family works together to tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup. Pancake and waffle-loving readers will eat up this process picture book with a behind-the-scenes look at making a much-loved treat.

Sap’s rising! It’s officially maple syrup season at the Brockwell family farm. There will be a lot to do, from hammering spouts into the maple trees to gathering, pouring, and boiling the sap. But the whole family will help, everyone has a job to do, no matter small they might be, and when all of the work is done, there will be a sweet and tasty treat.

 The process of making maple syrup is indeed arduous and time-consuming. Beginning with tapping the trees, collecting the sap, and transporting it to the sugarhouse through to boiling and straining, grading and bottling, the whole process is fascinating. The final activity is making “sugar on snow,” which young readers in snowy states will surely want to try, if they haven’t already. The author should be applauded for showing each step of the process to readers and discussing details like differences among the various Grades of syrup. Helpful facts and a maple syrup glossary follow the text, providing interesting tidbits about maple syrup and even a legend of how it was discovered. While the focus is primarily on making maple syrup, this book also presents the concepts of team work, patience and cooperation. A sweet story that both informs and whets the appetite for pancakes.

By Katharine Holabird, Illustrated by Helen Craig

 Miss Lilly’s Ballet School has been invited to perform for the Princess of Mouseland! Angelina longs for a lead in the Mouseland ballet, gets sick, and misses her chance. 

Angelina has a dance recital coming up and she is pining away for a major role. She is so excited that she stays up all night practicing. The next morning she’s too sick to try out and Mother makes her stay home, or tries to anyway. Angelina sneaks out to the auditions, flubs her try-out for a leading role in “The Dance of the Flower Fairies” and is cast in a tiny part. Barely able to crawl back home and into her worried mother’s arms, she is so disappointed that she wants to quit ballet. She knows she behaved badly and danced poorly, and her mother admits as much too, which brings me to one of the things I love about this book–there’s no sugar-coating the fact that Angelina has gotten herself into a pickle. Eventually, though, she decides to work hard for her friends in the performance. Angelina’s decision leads to an unexpected turn of events–and a happy ending for everyone.

 This Angelina story deals with doing your best-even if you’re not picked to lead. Each book is filled with wonderful life lessons told in a gentle, non preachy way.

 Once again the unbeatable duo of Katharine Holabird (author) and Helen Craig (illustrator) combine to create a supremely lovable book. The illustrations by Helen Craig are truly a treat. Set vaguely in a Victorian England mousedom, they depict tiny cottages with climbing vines, drapey dresses with floral prints, tiaras, bouquets, adorable furniture, and so on. Three cheers to both Helen Craig and author Katharine Holabird for a book which is a joy to read and great fun to peruse just for the illustrations alone!

By Debbie Gliori

A gentle, timely story for young children about the importance of protecting our Earth and all its living things. 

The trouble with dragons is . . . everything! From chopping down forests to wasting food, the dragons are making an absolute mess of the planet. Their careless ways could spell the end for Earth—unless they can find a way to turn things around. 

Heedless, self-centered dragons think they can treat the earth like a doormat: they over-consume and over-populate, and they “chop down the forests/ which melts both the Poles/ and punctures the atmosphere/ full of big holes.” And as if that’s not enough to turn readers green (in a good way, of course), Gliori pulls out the big visual guns: why, that’s Santa himself, standing in the puddle that was once his home-and all the water-logged presents are floating away!

“Say good-bye to the world into which you were born,

for the dragons have made it all tattered and torn.”

Just a few pages into this rhymed description, readers are likely to recognize that the trouble caused by dragons is quite similar to some of the problems the earth and the environment are experiencing as a result of human actions, such as using up everything without stopping to think or chopping down the forests. Clearly the call to action at the end applies to people of this earth as well as to dragons:

“Respect all Earth’s creatures and cherish the land.

Recycle, reuse, and reduce your demands.”

If only all “message books” could be as winning as this rhyming ode to environmental responsibility. Remember, “There’s enough to go round if we all share.”

…for the two week absence and lack of new posts.

I have been having major technical difficulties. Two weeks ago, my computer suffered a complete meltdown. I was hoping for a simple software fix, but that was not to be. After I installed a new OS (operating system) and updating drivers, I still could not access the internet.

Then I replaced the modem and cables, did the drivers thing again, and still no internet. After going over everything with my ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) tech support guy we had it narrowed down to an internal hardware problem.

I’m not all that knowledgeable about the internal working of a pc, so I called a friend to come check it out for me. Turns out that the ethernet and USB ports on my pc’s motherboard are fried, hence no connection to the modem and no internet.

I finally had the money to go pick up an ethernet card that plugs in to the motherboard. I have internet access again, yay!

The only downside? I lost about two years worth of saved emails, documents, bookmarks, and passwords.

Nothing like starting from scratch to make you appreciate backups. Wish I was disciplined enough to do it on a regular basis, maybe I wouldn’t be out two years worth of stuff.

The Berenstain Bear’s Seashore Treasure

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

When the Bear family goes to the seashore, they find a map, which they hope will lead them to buried treasure.

The Bear family is all set to have a relaxing time at the shore—but that’s before Papa Bear finds a treasure map! Now Papa Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear are all diving into the task of finding the booty. Might it be silver, gold, glittering diamonds, or rubies?

In their search, the cubs find many beautiful shells. Could these be the true treasures of the sea?

Beginning readers will find this to be a treasure of a tale.

About the Authors

Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists when they had a great idea for a children’s book. Their sons, Leo and Michael, had just begun to read, and they decided to create a funny family who would have the everyday adventures children really want to read about. The first story starring the Bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 250 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and over 240 million copies sold, making the Berenstain Bears arguably the best-selling children’s book series ever.

Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books—even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000.

Since Stan’s death at age eighty-two in 2005, Jan and Mike have continued to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear. They live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which looks a lot like Bear Country.

The Berenstain Bears: The Bike Lesson

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

When Brother Bear gets a brand-new bike, he’s all set to ride it–that is, after Papa Bear shows him the rules of the road.

When Brother Bear gets a brand new bike, Papa Bear decides it is time to teach Brother Bear a few lessons before letting him ride his new bike.

Lesson number one: How to get on…or in Papa’s case – fall over.

Lesson number two: How to stop…by running into a tree.

Lesson number three: How to turn…read and see.

Lessons continue on with Papa Bear showing Brother Bear all the things one should not do when riding a bike. By the end of the book, Papa Bear has survived multiple accidents and is more than ready to let Brother Bear finally ride his new bike, and give tired and beat up Papa Bear a much needed ride home.

About the Authors

* Stan and Jan Berenstain were both born in 1923 in Philadelphia. They didn’t know each other as children, but met later at school, at the Philadelphia College of Art. They liked each other right away, and found out that the both enjoyed the same kinds of books, plays, music and art.

* During World War II, Stan was a medical assistant in the Army, and Jan worked in an airplane factory. When the war was over, they got married and began to work together as artists and writers, primarily drawing cartoons for popular magazines.

* After having their two sons Leo and Michael, the Berenstains decided to write some funny children’s books that their children and other children could read and enjoy.

* Their first published children’s book was called The Big Honey Hunt. It was about a family of bears, who later became known as the “Berenstain Bears”.

* Over 50 children’s books later, Stan and Jan still plan all of their books together — both write the stories, and both write the pictures. They live outside of Philadelphia in the country.

The Berenstain Bears and the Baby Chipmunk

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

When Sister finds a baby chipmunk in the yard, the Bear family cares for it in their home until it lets them know that it is no longer a baby.

Brother Bear and Sister Bear find an orphaned baby chipmunk in the garden. “May we keep him?” the cubs ask.

“I think we shall have to,” says Mama Bear.

“Babies need to be fed and kept warm,” explains Papa Bear.

Brown Eyes takes no time at all to stand on his own four paws, and gets right to exploring the world around him, mostly with his sharp teeth! All too soon, Brown Eyes is not a baby anymore. He is ready to go out in the world. But are the cubs ready to let him go?

Beginning readers will adore the Bears’ curious new friend while learning the valuable lesson of letting animals go back into nature.

About the Authors

Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists for magazines and adult humor books when they began writing children’s books. The first story starring the bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 250 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and more than 260 million copies have been sold. What began as a great idea to help their young sons, Leo and Michael, learn to read has become over the years arguably the best-selling children’s book series ever.

Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books—even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000.

Since Stan’s death at age eighty-two in 2005, Jan and Mike have continued to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear. They live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which looks a lot like Bear Country.

The Berenstain Bears and the Big Honey Hunt

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

Papa Bear tries to teach Small Bear how to find honey in a honey tree.

According to Papa Bear, a bear must use his “smarts” to search for honey. When he brings Brother Bear along on a hunt for honey, it takes more than a few missteps to convince the Bears of where the best honey can be found.

You’ll enjoy watching Papa Bear and Brother Bear’s adventures on their Great Honey Hunt. They will follow a bee to a tree hiding an owl’s nest where Papa breaks a few eggs and gets chased away by an angry owl parent. Then it’s after the bee and on the next tree. This one is hiding a napping porcupine, which quickly chases Papa and Brother Bear off after their bee guide. Then they run into a family of skunks before finally following their bee to the honey tree. Only the bees aren’t so eager to share their honey, and Papa Bear and Brother Bear are forced to leave the honey tree empty handed. Papa Bear assures Brother Bear that all is not lost, as the best honey is never from bees in trees but bought at the store.

When it comes to entertaining rhymes, the Berenstains are second only to the late, great Dr. Seuss himself.

About the Authors

Stan and Jan Berenstain were both born in 1923 in Philadelphia. They didn’t know each other as children, but met later at school, at the Philadelphia College of Art. They liked each other right away, and found out that the both enjoyed the same kinds of books, plays, music and art. During World War II, Stan was a medical assistant in the Army, and Jan worked in an airplane factory. When the war was over, they got married and began to work together as artists and writers, primarily drawing cartoons for popular magazines. After having their two sons Leo and Michael, the Berenstains decided to write some funny children’s books that their children and other children could read and enjoy. Their first published children’s book was called The Big Honey Hunt. It was about a family of bears, who later became known as the “Berenstain Bears”.

The Berenstain Bears and the Wishing Star

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

Sister Bear learns about the magic of the wishing star, but Brother Bear teaches her that hard work is also important.

The family is shopping in the local mall and Sister sees a teddy bear that she really likes. Her birthday is fast approaching and Mama and Papa Bear have the same thought–the teddy bear would make a perfect birthday present. Sister is having trouble with math and Papa is helping her. When Mama Bear teaches the cubs about the wishing star, Sister Bear immediately wishes as hard as she can for the special teddy she saw in a store window. She’s thrilled when her wish comes true on her birthday. The next night she wishes for a better grade in math. That also comes true. Sister is really taken with a pony and once again wishes for it. But what will happen when that wish does not come true?

Her brother points out that the other wishes came true by a combination of events–her birthday and the extra effort she put in to improve her math skills. As with most Berenstain Bear books, there is a lesson or moral to be learned. In this engaging story of essential lessons, Brother Bear teaches his sister about the magic of the wishing star, the rewards of hard work, and the dangers of being greedy.

Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain. Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas said of Greed: “it is a sin directly against one’s neighbor, since one man cannot over-abound in external riches, without another man lacking them. Studies in the field of happiness economics, confirm that beyond the provision of a basic level of material comfort, more wealth does not increase happiness.

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

When Mama, Papa, Sister, and Brother decide to clean their house, they find that it is difficult to get rid of things.

Mama Bear is all set to give the tree house a good spring-cleaning. Papa Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear all offer to help. They start to clean the house from top to bottom, collecting things for a yard sale along the way.

A cracked lamp, a split bat, a broken fishing pole, a torn teddy bear, and other tattered things are all to be put on sale. But each tattered thing seems to be someone’s favorite! Perhaps spring-cleaning will have to wait until next year.

Beginning readers will love the fun, laughable antics of the Berenstain Bear family.

By Steven Kellogg

His behavior may be rather unconventional, but Pinkerton the dog proves it doesn’t really matter.

Pinkerton is a puppy with a heart of gold, but he just won’t behave! Pinkerton doesn’t understand his owner’s commands. When told to come, he jumps out the window. When asked to fetch the newspaper, he destroys it. In an effort to end his mischievous ways, Emily and her mother enroll Pinkerton in Dr. Aleasha Kibble’s Canine University. Pinkerton can’t seem to get anything right, and he flunks out in record time. Then one night a burglar breaks into their house, and Pinkerton, with some clever help from Emily and her mother, is able to put his bad habits to good use and proves that he has known exactly how to behave all along!

“Humor abounds in this exuberant tale…Bright lively colors and spare use of narrative blend to help make this a splendid comedic success. Kellogg at his best.” - Booklist

By Robert Kinerk, and Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Using determination and vision, Clorinda the cow and her friend Hop the pig build a variety of flying machines, hoping to fulfill her desire to take flight.

That irrepressible Clorinda!

One afternoon while taking the sun, a cow named Clorinda casually notices the flight of a passing barn swallow. “Oh, how I wish I could fly like a bird,” thinks Clorinda. So (never mind that a cow never has), Clorinda resolves to be the first and to show the world how it’s done. She flatly dismisses the reasoned misgivings of her dear friend Hop and then enlists the help of her dear friend Len. One way or another, Clorinda the cow will fly. Sky High!

But more important to the intrepid trio than their Lindbergh-like achievement is the warm, sustaining friendship that binds them together.

Just as in their first collaboration, Clorinda, Robert Kinerk and Steven Kellogg team up in an adventure that soars above the aspirations of ordinary bovines. Clorinda Takes Flight will inspire picture book readers to follow their dreams, no matter how impossible the quests may seem.

“A bovine so divine that it’s hard to take your eyes off her. Much applause for Clorinda.” – Booklist review

This delightful visual story begins on the front endpapers, which depict Clorinda and Len on a blanket having tea. A huge golden sun produces a warm glow that infuses all the future scenes with a sense of joy. With the pig Hop, they share an enthusiasm demonstrated in the series of scenes of collecting, assembling, and flying, only to land in glorious jumbles of junk. Kellogg presents the disasters in ways that make us laugh. He creates his fantasy with mixed water-based paints, in scenes replete with details that invite close attention. On the back endpapers, the three are shown to be enjoying the queen’s tea under the stars and a glowing moon.

By Helen Ketteman, and Illustrated by Will Terry

A Texas-style spin on “The Little Red Hen”

A blue norther’s a-blowin’, and Miss Billie Armadilly is hankering to make a pot of chili! She asks for assistance from Tex the tarantula, Mackie the bluebird, and Taffy the horned toad, but all three are too busy to help. Ever resourceful, Miss Billie single-handedly gathers a bunch of beetles, picks a peck of peppers, chops up prickly pear cactus, and cooks up her specialty.

Well, she’ll eat it all by herself, too! That evening, her hungry pals ask for a taste, but she tells them, “No workin’ with Billie, no sharin’ the chili!”

However, when the proud and somewhat angry armadillo sits down to eat, she sadly discovers one precious ingredient missing from the concoction-the love of her friends. But then the smell of chili cooking in the cold night brings her friends back to Miss Billie’s door with “sacks full of apologies” and their own contributions of hot apple cider, jalapeno biscuits, and homemade chocolate fudge to share with Miss Billie.

What’s a lady armadillo to do?

Helen Ketteman’s take on “The Little Red Hen” is joined by the Southwestern warmth of Will Terry’s paintings for a spicy and satisfying story time that reminds us there is always room for friends.

Terry debuts his vibrant cartoon artwork with big Southwestern scenes, laid out in swirls and curls of rich color, through which his characters, decked out in western wear (that’s a Stetson and four pairs of boots for Tex), saunter stylishly until gathering at Billie’s hacienda to chatter the chilly night away. Done in jewel tones, the scenes depict the warmth of the desert landscape as well as that of the creatures’ friendship. The rhythmic text reads aloud well and the dialogue has a western flavor. Despite the lack of a recipe-with or without beetles-here’s a tale guaranteed to warm the bones on a cold night.