Marion Dane Bauer

Nine-year-old Liz is spending the holidays at her grandmother's quiet, rustic log cabin hidden deep within the snowy woods of northern Minnesota. In the dead of night, a strange, echoing noise jolts her awake. Someone is whispering her name into the darkness. When Liz slowly opens her eyes, she is terrified to see a glowing blue ghost hovering right inside her bedroom. The phantom is calling out to her, pleading for her to follow. Pushing past her paralyzing fear, Liz realizes she must discover exactly what this spectral visitor needs. Her brave investigation pulls her into a startling mystery that connects her directly to the children who lived in this very cabin generations ago. She has to unravel the secrets of her own family history to help the blue ghost find peace. This thrilling, spooky adventure offers the perfect mix of chills and heart for readers looking for an exciting mystery.

Delsie blurts out a dare she instantly regrets. She challenges her best friend Todd to explore the creepy, abandoned houses resting by the old cement mill. Pedaling their bikes to the crumbling structures, the two friends test the doors one by one. Every door is firmly locked, except for the very last one. Slipping inside the shadowy house, Delsie and Todd realize they have made a massive mistake. The dusty rooms are not empty at all. Someone is currently living in the ruins, and something else entirely is refusing to let Delsie leave. A strange, glowing golden dog blocks her path. The most terrifying part is that Todd cannot see the dog at all. Only Delsie can see this shimmering phantom hound. She must unravel the mystery of this spectral canine and figure out exactly what it needs from her before it is too late.

Dark clouds are rolling in, and lightning is flashing across the faraway sky. Big brother Chad is absolutely thrilled by the booming storm, but little Brannon is terrified. As the sky growls like a waking lion, Brannon scrambles to find a safe place to hide. Every adult in the house tries to calm him down by comparing the loud thunder to friendly things, like a big cat purring. Unfortunately, Brannon is already scared of cats, so he just runs for cover again! It is not until his older brother compares the crashing thunder to giant, stomping dinosaurs that Brannon finally stops hiding. He knows everything about dinosaurs and has always wanted a pet T. rex. Suddenly, the storm isn't scary at all. Brannon stomps, rages, and rumbles along with the dinosaur thunder in this wildly imaginative, empowering story about bravely conquering your biggest fears.

Deep within the shadowy woods, Emily stumbles upon a mysterious, locked playhouse. Unable to resist her curiosity, she wipes the grime away from the window and peers inside. The interior walls are entirely covered in a breathtaking, realistic mural painted to look exactly like the surrounding forest, complete with a perfect replica of the white playhouse itself. But as Emily studies the artwork, she realizes this house is not empty. A girl exactly her own age is living inside the painted walls. This strange, painted girl is desperate for a friend, and she will do absolutely anything to convince Emily to join her inside the mural forever. Emily must uncover the dark history of the playhouse and figure out how to escape the painted girl's chilling invitation. This eerie, atmospheric mystery delivers the perfect amount of spine-tingling suspense for young readers stepping into the world of scary stories.

Patches is a pampered, indoor calico cat who has never stepped a single paw outside her comfortable house. But when a brilliant golden autumn leaf flutters past her window, the temptation is simply too great. Pushing against a loose window screen, Patches tumbles out into the vast, unknown world. Almost immediately, a strange, powerful instinct begins tugging at her heart, urging her to find a very specific, special place. She does not know what this place looks like or why she needs it, but she knows she must keep moving. Her unexpected journey quickly turns dangerous as she navigates bustling streets and faces off against the most terrifying, mean-spirited dog in the entire neighborhood. With a little bit of luck and some surprising help from the local alley animals, Patches pushes forward on her quest. This heartwarming, adventurous novel written in beautiful verse captures the thrill of exploring the unknown and the deep comfort of finally finding your way home.

Before Earth, before stars, before even time, there was silence. Then came a burst so huge it set the universe in motion. This poetic picture book follows the story of creation from the Big Bang to blazing stars, planets, oceans, living things, and you. With lyrical language and sweeping mixed-media illustrations, it turns a vast science idea into something young readers can feel: the matter that makes up our world began long ago in the stars. A beautiful blend of science and wonder, this book invites curious readers to look up at the night sky and see their own place in the universe.

Pack your bags and say hello to Mr. Geo, everybody's absolute favorite geography teacher! He is always ready to explore fascinating new places, and today he is taking a whirlwind tour of Illinois, the famous Prairie State. The grand adventure kicks off in the bustling city of Chicago with a brilliantly colorful kite-flying festival. Next, it is off to the Field Museum to stand in awe beneath the largest T. rex skeleton ever discovered. The journey only gets better as Mr. Geo rides classic riverboats down the water, visits a working farm, and climbs the mysterious, ancient Cahokia Mounds. He even steps back in time to explore the historic sites where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked. Bursting with fun facts and exciting stops, this engaging guide helps early readers discover exactly what makes Illinois a state worth celebrating. Grab your map and jump into a fun-filled road trip through the heart of the Midwest!

Get ready to play the ultimate game of peekaboo! A little baby is completely bundled up in a giant mountain of winter clothes, and it is your job to figure out what is hiding underneath. When you peek inside the cozy mittens, what will you find? Wiggling fingers, of course! By lifting the large, sturdy flaps on every page, you can uncover hidden toes, ears, and a cute little nose tucked beneath boots, hats, and scarves. This bright and interactive adventure is perfect for reading out loud and guessing what comes next. Whether you are exploring the pages yourself or sharing the fun with a younger sibling, lifting the flaps to reveal the hidden surprises never gets old. Discovering the parts of the body has never been this playful or surprising!

A treacherous Christmas Eve blizzard is howling, and Kaye's family is desperately trying to reach her grandmother's house. Suddenly, their car hits a slick patch of black ice, spinning wildly out of control before crashing deep into a snow-filled ditch. Stranded in the freezing darkness, Kaye spots a faint, glowing light deep within the woods. Her family struggles through the driving snow toward the beacon, finally discovering a warm, rustic cabin owned by a kind old woman named Elsa. But the cabin holds a chilling secret. Kaye soon discovers a mysterious ghost draped in a green cloak lingering in the shadows. This spectral figure desperately needs her help to resolve a tragedy that happened seventy years ago. Kaye must unravel a decades-old mystery and connect the past to the present before the holiday is ruined. This spine-tingling winter adventure delivers the perfect blend of spooky thrills and heartwarming holiday spirit.

Jenna thinks she has scored the ultimate birthday gift for her little sister when she spots a beautiful antique doll dressed in red velvet at a neighborhood garage sale. Even better, the neighbor is completely willing to give it away for free. But Jenna is about to find out that some gifts come with a hidden cost. Almost as soon as the doll enters her house, strange things start happening. Jenna's best friend refuses to be in the same room with it, claiming it gives her the creeps. The family cat arches its back and hisses whenever it comes near the velvet dress. Worst of all, when the house goes dark at night, Jenna is almost positive she can hear the doll shifting around inside her bedroom closet. When her sister takes one look at the birthday present and absolutely refuses to accept it, Jenna is stuck with a terrifying problem. Could this innocent-looking antique actually be haunted? Now Jenna must figure out the mystery behind the red velvet doll before the spooky disturbances get entirely out of hand. This thrilling, suspenseful story delivers the perfect amount of shivers for young readers looking for a ghostly mystery.

Rattling windows with the fierce roar of a late-winter storm, the month of March crashes into town. This wild weather is just like a messy, muddy, and wet lion. The blustering beast brings cold wind and slushy snow, shaking the bare trees and keeping everyone bundled up indoors. But as the days slowly pass, the angry lion begins to soften. With one massive, booming sneeze, the fierce lion steps aside to make way for a gentle, springtime lamb. Green fields suddenly burst with vibrant blossoms, and the harsh winter chill melts into warm, sunny afternoons. This joyful, rhythmic story perfectly captures the unpredictable magic of changing seasons. Lively words and beautiful watercolor paintings bring the classic weather proverb to life, showing exactly how a roaring winter storm gradually transforms into a peaceful, blooming spring.

A crisp chill fills the air, signaling that the first snowfall is right around the corner. A curious red fox knows he needs to prepare for the freezing months ahead, but he has no idea what to do. He asks his forest neighbors for advice. The busy squirrel tells him to gather lots of nuts, the flock of geese insists he should fly south, and the snowshoe hare recommends growing a thick white coat. The fox tries to picture himself doing these things, but none of these plans feel quite right for him. Just as the first delicate flakes begin to fall from the gray sky, he meets a beautiful, golden-eyed friend who shows him exactly how foxes celebrate the winter. This gentle, lyrical story explores the unique ways different animals adapt to the changing seasons, brought to life with stunning, wintery artwork.

Jump into an amazing adventure with Mr. Geo, your favorite geography teacher! He loves discovering new places, and today, he's taking you on a special trip to North Carolina. Your journey begins at the beautiful Outer Banks, where you can imagine climbing tall lighthouses and searching for hidden pirate treasure. Picture yourself soaring through the air while hang-gliding, just like the amazing Wright Brothers did when they made history with the first airplane flight right there! But that's not all! You'll also visit exciting historic sites, fascinating museums, and thrilling sports stadiums. Get ready to explore the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, too. With Mr. Geo as your guide, you'll uncover all the cool things that make North Carolina a state worth celebrating. This book is packed with fun. It includes helpful maps to guide you, a glossary to learn new words, and cool activities. It's perfect for school projects or for planning your next family adventure!

Mark is a boy with a huge heart who desperately needs a dog of his own, but he cannot convince his mother to agree. Across town, Buddy is a lovable dog who desperately needs a boy. Buddy already has an owner, but not someone who understands the playful love and attention a dog truly requires. Meanwhile, Mr. LaRue is an elderly neighbor living entirely alone in a massive, empty house, wishing for a sense of community. Over the course of one chaotic summer thunderstorm and a wild town council meeting, these three lonely lives unexpectedly collide. Written in beautiful, flowing verse, this heartwarming story follows a lost dog, a hopeful boy, and an isolated man as they cross paths to find exactly what they have been missing. Together, they discover that love, understanding, and a perfect game of fetch can build the family they all deserve.

Every mother has something incredibly special that makes her the best. A tiny baby robin loves the way her mother always finds the most delicious worms to eat. A bouncy baby kangaroo feels perfectly safe when his mother holds him tightly in her warm pouch. A long-legged baby giraffe looks up with pride at how incredibly tall her mother stands. All kinds of cuddly baby animals take turns praising the wonderful things their mothers do for them every single day. Inspired by these loving animal families, one little girl creates a beautiful greeting card to show exactly why her own mother is so wonderful. This gentle, rhyming story celebrates the powerful, unbreakable bond between mothers and their children. It is a tender, comforting read perfect for sharing together.