Candlewick Sparks Books
Stories of two inventive sisters at play, and at odds, ZELDA AND IVY is packed with sugar and sass — a first-rate original! "A gentle, humorous look at sibling dynamics. . . .Doozy up your shelves with Zelda and Ivy." — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review) Zelda and Ivy are fox sisters with a flair for the dramatic.Their exploits unfold with plenty of sugar and sass in this spirited trio of stories. Wry and genuine, the linked episodes and expressive illustrations will strike home with beginning readers, especially those who’ve experienced the warmth — and occasional wrath — of a sibling’s attentions. From the Trade Paperback edition.
"Those true-to-life little fox sisters Zelda and Ivy return, and now a boy has moved in next door. . . . Delightfully droll, and at the same time awfully sweet." - Booklist Eugene has just moved in next door, and Zelda and Ivy are happy to find a new playmate. But with three friends, it’s often two against one. Or is that one against two? Laura McGee Kvasnosky’s follow-up trio of stories starring the fabulous fox sisters takes a wry, honest look at the relationships between friends. Ideal for beginning readers - who will no doubt glimpse a little of their own lives on these lively pages.
Zelda and Ivy discover the spirit of Christmas, in a holiday book with heart—and humor. Christmas is coming, and Zelda and Ivy have high hopes. Zelda longs for a fancy evening gown, and Ivy has her heart set on a Princess Mimi doll complete with ballet accessories. But when the fox sisters realize their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Brownlie, is spending Christmas alone, they have more than just their own holiday wishes to think about. Will the Christmas Elves leave something special under the tree for everyone? With favorite characters, an endearing story line, and beautiful illustrations trimmed with merry details, award-winning author-illustrator Laura McGee Kvasnosky's third book about the fabulous fox sisters has all the makings of an enduring Christmas classic.
The extraordinarily gifted illustrator and storyteller Bob Graham turns his distinctive attention to the animals of the African plains. Morris the crocodile and his best friend, Billy, a tortoise, like nothing better than messing around down at the waterhole. After all, that’s where their friends gather: zebras, hippos, giraffes, elephants, warthogs, and all the rest. In five amusing stories, Morris and company do just what kids do during a long, hot summer- perform ill-timed stunts on the diving board, get soundly beaten by a team of moms in a soccer match, or see their wildebeest friends off on vacation (also known as their annual migration). By turns wry and laugh-out-loud funny, Bob Graham’s whimsical waterhole gang pays tribute to the merriment and mishaps of young friendships everywhere.
New from the author of the Judy Moody series -- a winsome duo makes a picture-book debut Ant was getting antsy. . . . Only a few hours left till Cricket's costume party. "What can we be for the dress-up party?" she asked her friend Honey Bee.With a little creativity and a lot of elbow grease, Ant and Honey Bee finally make a perfect, two-things-that-go-together pair of costumes for Cricket's big party. But then -- plip, plip, plip, PLIP! -- it starts to rain, and by the time they arrive, the proud pair looks more like a matching set of soggy sad sacks. Maybe, though, if they put their heads together, the quick-thinking friends can turn their mushy mess into a smashing success. What a pair! Introducing Ant and Honey Bee -- fast friends, co-costume-conspirators, and stars of a delightful new story by author Megan McDonald and illustrator G. Brian Karas.
The subtle dance of friendship — from holding your tongue to knowing what to say — is played out in three sweetly humorous tales about an unlikely, likable pair. Catina wants to be a famous writer. Houndsley is an excellent cook. Catina thinks Houndsley is a wonder. Houndsley thinks Catina is a very good friend. So what should Houndsley say about Catina’s seventy-four-chapter memoir? And can Catina find the right words of comfort for Houndsley after the big cooking contest fiasco? James Howe’s funny and endearing world of ginger tea, no-bean chili, and firefly watching is brought to life in cozy watercolors by Marie-Louise Gay in this tender chapter book about what it means to be friends.
Laura McGee Kvasnosky's trio of stories is an entertaining and genuine look at the ups and downs of sisterhood. The fabulous fox sisters return in three fresh, funny stories perfect for beginning readers. Whether Zelda and Ivy are combating the injustice of cucumber sandwiches for lunch, deciding what to leave the children of the future in their time capsule, or solving Zelda's writer's block, they are sure to tickle the funny bones of both new and returning fans.
Having trouble with your backpack zipper? Maybe there's a monster inside! Annie warms up to the exasperating but lovable creature she finds in her backpack in this humorous story complemented by energetic illustrations. When Annie unzips her new flowered backpack and finds a monster inside, it’s hard to say who is more shocked. "AAAAHHHH!" yells the monster. "EEEEEEKKKK!" yells Annie. It’s a predicament, to be sure, as the monster proceeds to gobble Annie's sandwich, stick gum in her boot, and tear up her homework to use as confetti for an "Annie-is-great" parade in the middle of class. With a perfectly tuned sense of comic timing, Lisa Moser captures a young girl’s transition from annoyance to affection as a funky and disarmingly open-hearted monster makes an untimely appearance. Noah Jones's colorful and expressive illustrations bring these two charming characters brilliantly to life.
Hello, hello, hello! Meet frenetically helpful Squirrel and his patient animal friends in four funny, engaging stories for the early chapter-book crowd. Squirrel is a very, very, very good helper! He helps his tree grow, he helps the river flow, and he helps his three best friends, Mouse, Turtle, and Rabbit. He is such a good helper, in fact, that he helps his friends when they don’t even know they need help! It is a lot of work being such a caring squirrel, but there is much to do before sleep, sleep, sleep time. Prepare to fall in love with the utterly endearing — and undeniably exhausting — Squirrel in this sweet and funny chapter book from author Lisa Moser and illustrator Valeri Gorbachev.
A chatty little girl and her patient older brother share an easy bond in a charming early chapter book filled with warmth and wry humor. Annie and Simon: little sister and big, big brother. Annie likes to talk — a lot — about what she’s going to be when she grows up, about the clouds and rain and umbrellas, about picnics in the park and meteors, about loons and canoes and turtles. And Simon is a very good listener. He knows a lot about the stars and the weather, how to fix bee stings, and where to look for loons. He knows a lot about being the kind of big brother that keeps a little sister smiling. Whether they are poking around the garden or paddling through a marsh, curious Annie and patient Simon are siblings who are clearly happy in each other’s company.
The creators of the E. B. White Read Aloud winner Houndsley and Catina offer a charming sequel about taking time out from the hustle and bustle. The first snow of winter has fallen, and Houndsley is very happy, as he loves the quiet time. Catina does not like the quiet time, however, and she does not enjoy being snowed in. What about all her plans for the day? What if their evening concert has to be canceled? With a bit of pretending, a few books and board games, a flourish of creativity, and some time to dream, Houndsley helps Catina let go of her worries and enjoy the snowy day, wherever it might take them.
A companion to the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner! The fabulous fox sisters return in three wry adventures for beginning readers. It’s springtime, and little sister Ivy wants to prove she can keep a secret, but there are some secrets that are too good to keep. Big sister Zelda longs to play the perfect April Fool’s Day prank, but can she outsmart the clever Ivy? And will opera star hopeful Zelda be upstaged by a butterfly in the final act? Fresh and funny, full of sugar and sass, this trio of tales about everyday life with siblings and friends is sure to strike a chord with young readers everywhere.
What a pair! From the creator of the Judy Moody and Stink series comes a charming duo with a most ingenious costume approach for Halloween. Ant is getting antsy. Only a few hours till trick-or-treat, and she and Honey Bee don’t have their costumes figured out. Maybe they should go as a pair! With a burst of creativity and hard work, they make a two-things-that-go-together pair of cardboard costumes just in time. But outside the night turns rainy and windy, and soon the proud duo have dissolved into a set of soggy sad sacks. Can the quick-thinking friends turn their mushy problem into a smashing success? Best-selling author Megan McDonald gives readers a taste of the comical chatter that occurs between old friends wrapped up in a shared project. G. Brian Karas brings the winning pair to life with a deft hand and an expressive, winsome line.
In a funny companion to the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, the fox sisters team up with their friend Eugene in three spy-rific adventures. After Zelda, Ivy, and their best friend Eugene watch the new Secret Agent Fox movie (some more bravely than others), they are inspired to do a little detective work themselves. With top-secret agent names chosen and notebook in hand, they’re ready to get to the bottom of neighborhood mysteries. But when a rainstorm threatens to ruin the agents’ campout, can the three foxy friends come up with an undercover alternative? Sly humor, lively illustrations, and a genuine eye for the everyday dynamics among siblings make this a perfect choice for beginning readers, whether old fans or new.
The unlikely duo return in a very funny tale of friendship, derring-do, and the discovery that, bold or shy, anyone can become a superstar. When fun-seeking Joe, a giraffe, takes a reluctant Sparky, a turtle, on a wild ride across the famous cageless zoo to see a mysterious box displaying a talent show, the two decide they must compete to be the next famous pair. But what are their talents? Joe can run fast, wiggle his ears, and touch his nose with his tongue (not to mention drive a car). But Sparky doesn’t know what his special skill is. Can the enthusiastic encouragement of Joe the World’s Best Talent Finder help the retiring Sparky become a star?
Come along for a spirited ride as Bramble — a horse with interesting “little ways"- and her devoted girl, Maggie, make their debut in this inviting early reader. Maggie wants a pony to ride and take care of, and to prepare she’s been reading a big book on horse care. Meanwhile, Bramble is bored with giving riding lessons and walking in circles. She’s looking for just the right person to take her away from her routine. Is it a perfect match? Maggie loves Bramble as soon as she sees her, but there are some things Bramble has to be sure of. Will Maggie let Bramble venture into new places? Will she protect Bramble from strange objects in the yard? Will she, most importantly, know when Bramble needs her undivided attention? This charming and funny early reader is an ideal match for young animal lovers and anyone who has ever longed for a friend who truly understands.
When two friends who are not exactly alike come down with colds, figuring out what will make each other feel better can be a surprising endeavor! Monkey and Elephant are very good friends who have a lot in common. They both like morning time. They both like shiny rocks. And they both like to hear their own voices: “TAH. TAH. TAH.” But Monkey is Monkey and Elephant is Elephant. They are not exactly the same. So when Elephant starts to sneeze — achoo! — Monkey has her own ideas of what will make him feel better. And when Monkey gets the sniffles, Elephant has his own ideas of what will make her feel better. Maybe there’s more than one way to enjoy a soft pile of hay, some fresh water, and a bit of entertainment!
Maggie and her mischievous horse, Bramble, are back for another spirited romp through the ins and outs of friendship. Maggie loves introducing her new horse, Bramble, to the neighborhood, the beach, and the backyard. Bramble has fun too, once she is cajoled into participating by a well-timed carrot or two. But when Maggie has to go to school, Bramble is bored and lonely and gets into some trouble with Mr. Dingle next door. A misbehaving hen and a midnight visitor finally help to turn Bramble into a good neighbor. This charming and funny early reader flows at just the right pace for kids who are learning that others don’t always do exactly what you want, but that friends find a way to give and take.
Come along for a spirited ride as Bramble — a horse with interesting "little ways" — and her devoted girl, Maggie, make their debut in this inviting early reader. Maggie wants a pony to ride and take care of, and to prepare she's been reading a big book on horse care. Meanwhile, Bramble is bored with giving riding lessons and walking in circles. She's looking for just the right person to take her away from her routine. Is it a perfect match? Maggie loves Bramble as soon as she sees her, but there are some things Bramble has to be sure of. Will Maggie let Bramble venture into new places? Will she protect Bramble from strange objects in the yard? Will she, most importantly, know when Bramble needs her undivided attention? This charming and funny early reader is an ideal match for young animal lovers and anyone who has ever longed for a friend who truly understands.
Little sister, big big brother, and (mostly) good friends — Annie and Simon are back in a second wry and warmhearted early chapter book. Annie loves to draw and fill sheets of paper with the things she sees around her. But if Simon has trouble figuring out what her scribbles show, what’s a big brother to do? And when Annie squeezes Hazel the dog to make her purr, can Simon help it if it sounds more like grumbling? Hazel is very useful in finding Annie’s stolen chestnuts, but it’s Simon who gently persuades his little sister that the bushytailed suspects might need them back. Whether her problems are big or small, Annie knows she can count on Simon to help her solve them. When Simon himself starts to sneeze, Annie finally sees her chance to take on the helper role as only she can — with chatty zeal and haphazard determination.
Got to go, got to go, got to go, go, go! The energetic Squirrel is eager to make sure his friends have fun in four charming (mis)adventures. Squirrel is busy, busy, busy — and determined to have a fun day! Mouse has cleaning to do, but it’s nothing that Squirrel’s frenetically helpful sweeping won’t take care of. Turtle may be too slow to run, run, run around the pond, but Squirrel has a rocky plan to help Turtle get across. And when Rabbit is reluctant to alter his grasseating routine, Squirrel’s comedic assistance makes for an unexpected adventure. Welcome back the funny, exhausting Squirrel and his ever-patient friends in a medley of stories perfectly suited for reading alone or reading aloud.
“Sports lively dialogue and humorous details.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Only a few hours left till Cricket's costume party. "What can we be for the dress-up party?" she asked her friend Honey Bee. With a little creativity and a lot of elbow grease, Ant and Honey Bee finally make a perfect, two-things-that-go-together pair of costumes for Cricket's big party. But then — plip, plip, plip, PLIP! — it starts to rain, and by the time they arrive, the proud pair looks more like a matching set of soggy sad sacks. Maybe, though, if they put their heads together, the quick-thinking friends can turn their mushy mess into a smashing success. What a pair! Introducing Ant and Honey Bee — fast friends, co-costume-conspirators, and stars of a delightful story by author Megan McDonald and illustrator G. Brian Karas. Candlewick Sparks are perfect for the newly independent reader: * Award-winning stories by top authors & illustrators * Short, engaging chapters * Vibrant illustrations * Welcoming design * Rich vocabulary
The funny, endearing insect pals find a way to be more than fair-weather friends in a second early chapter book from Megan McDonald and G. Brian Karas. Brrrr! The leaves are off the trees, and frost is on the ground. It’s time for bugs to hunker down and hide out for the winter. But Ant isn’t ready to hunker down. Ant isn’t ready to be all by herself for months on end. The thought of a long chilly season without her best friend, Honey Bee, is enough to make Ant shiver with dread. Can Ant brave the cold for one last surprise visit before the snow flies? And will Honey Bee welcome an interruption of her peace and quiet? The author of the Judy Moody series teams up again with award-winning illustrator G. Brian Karas to show that true friends can weather whatever comes their way — even if one is feeling antsy and the other has blissful hibernation in mind.
Monkey and Elephant are out and about in their third adventure. You never know what fun surprises you’ll find when you go gadding! Monkey and Elephant are very good friends, very good friends with nothing on the agenda. So they decide to go gadding. "Gadding?" said Elephant. "What’s that?" "Gadding," said Monkey, "is walking along, looking around, finding something fun, stopping awhile, then moving on." Along the way, Monkey and Elephant meet up with some old friends, and three new ones, too. Beginning readers will love the antics in this cheerful ode to friendship, family, and the joys of serendipity.
Bramble, a persnickety but lovable horse, and Maggie, her patient owner, build an even stronger friendship as they brave the surprises of autumn. In their third adventure, Bramble and Maggie explore a new season together — fall! Leaves crunch underfoot. Acorns ping off rooftops. It all makes Bramble feel wonderfully spooky. But Bramble’s frisky-pretend-scary gait makes Maggie jumpy, and soon Bramble really is nervous. There are alarming new sights and sounds everywhere, like Mr. Dingle’s scarecrow. When Maggie takes a fall, will she want to get back in the saddle? And when Halloween comes, can Maggie trust Bramble to brave the tricks and lead them both safely to the treats?
“This story of friendship is full of puns that will make readers chuckle.” — School Library Journal The funny, endearing insect pals Ant and Honey Bee find a way to be more than fair-weather friends in a second early chapter book. Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, and award-winning illustrator G. Brian Karas team up to show that true friends can weather whatever comes their way—even if one is feeling antsy and the other has blissful hibernation in mind.
Poppy the Pirate Dog is in charge of keeping the treasure safe, so what happens when some jewelry goes missing? It’s Mom’s birthday, so Tim and Suzy are planning a special pirate show for her. Poppy’s job is to guard the treasure, but while on duty, she hurts her eye and has to go to the vet. Worse yet, she comes home not with a pirate eye patch, but with a big plastic cone around her neck! While the rest of the family searches for Dad’s missing present—a sparkly necklace for Mom—Poppy sulks alone outside. But then Poppy catches sight of something twinkling in the grass. Is this her chance to redeem herself as the best pirate dog ever? This third early reader from Liz Kessler sparkles with warmth, humor, and a dash of pirate gold.
Shh! It’s Monkey’s birthday—but that’s a secret. Can Elephant keep the big news under his party hat for one whole day? Monkey and Elephant are very good friends—such good friends that Monkey lets Elephant in on a secret. The secret is that it is Monkey’s birthday, and Monkey does not like birthdays. But Elephant also has a secret: he has trouble keeping secrets. And keeping such a happy secret is especially hard. When Elephant learns that Clever Rat has made some party hats and is inviting friends over to see them, Elephant wants to turn their gathering into a party for Monkey. But how will he do it without giving away Monkey’s secret?
Join best friends Monkey and Elephant on their fifth and final adventure, in which they attempt to do something they’ve never done before: babysit! When Monkey’s cousin MeeMee tells Monkey and Elephant she needs someone to watch her three babies for an afternoon, the two friends volunteer. But Monkey and Elephant don’t quite know what to expect. Will babysitting be hard? Will they need some rules? Will they be any good at it? And when some old baddies show up, will the two babysitters know what to do? Beginning readers will recognize the conflicting feelings that come with trying new things even as they delight in the antics of this unlikely pair of friends.
What happens when two friends suddenly become three? Cece Bell’s very funny follow-up to the Geisel Honor–winning Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover. Rabbit is excited. He is going to surprise his good friend Robot at home. DING DONG! When Robot opens the door, he is surprised. He wasn’t expecting Rabbit. In fact, he is already engrossed in a game of checkers with another friend, Ribbit. Now Rabbit is the one who is surprised, and a bit jealous. While Robot thinks everything Ribbit says is humorous, all Rabbit hears is “ribbit.” And Ribbit eats flies with her popcorn. Gross! When Rabbit and Ribbit get mad because they both want to be Cowboy Jack Rabbit, Robot’s Emotion Decoder overheats, leaving him out of commission. Can Rabbit and Ribbit find a way to work together to revive their friend? New readers will find plenty to chuckle over as Robot’s two friends become friends themselves.
The endearingly mismatched duo has their hands full when a party for a friend goes comically awry. One day Joe, an exuberant giraffe, hears a commotion coming from another part of the famous cageless zoo he calls home. Joined by his small, green, slightly more serious turtle friend, Sparky, Joe discovers the source of the hullabaloo: a group of children — or noisy short people, as Joe and Sparky call them — having a party. Inspired, Joe decides to throw a party for his pet worm, Wiggy. There’s just one problem: Sparky is not entirely sure if Wiggy even exists! What will happen when every animal in the zoo shows up to Wiggy’s party with presents and cake? Worm or no worm, this silly, satisfying tale is sure to leave new readers smiling.
“Haas does a particularly good job of expressing the horse’s point of view as fully as Maggie’s. . . . A beautifully crafted book for beginning readers .” — Booklist (starred review) The sky is white, the air is cold, and snowflakes are falling. By bedtime, Maggie and her family are ready for the storm. But Bramble is too excited to sleep; she wants to be out in the white, wild world. Luckily for Bramble, she has a shaggy coat to keep her warm. And luckily for Maggie and her family and friends, when morning comes, Bramble can help dig through the deep snow that has most of the neighbors stuck in their homes, turning the snow day into a block party complete with marshmallows, cocoa, and lots of friends.
When the introspective Frank meets the gregarious Bean, can they find a way to make beautiful music together? Dry wit and hilarious illustrations introduce a new unlikely pair. Frank likes peace and quiet. He likes his tent, his pencil, and writing in his secret notebook. Bean likes noise. He likes his bus, his trumpet — toot, toot! — and making music. Loud music. But Bean is missing something: he does not have words. What will happen if Frank shares his words with Bean? With a laugh-out-loud narrative by Jamie Michalak, author of the Joe and Sparky series, and Bob Kolar’s bright, graphic, comical illustrations, this fresh and funny story will go down easy for beginning readers and young listeners alike.