Diane deGroat

Gilbert’s tooth wiggles through the school day until recess brings one big BAM and the tooth finally comes out. Gilbert can hardly wait for the tooth fairy, but Lewis is jealous and comes up with a sneaky plan of his own. This beginning reader turns a familiar childhood milestone into a funny school story with just enough mischief to keep pages moving. Gilbert’s excitement, Lewis’s trick, and the tooth fairy question make the plot easy to follow and fun to read. Gilbert and the Lost Tooth is a friendly early reader for ages 6 to 8, especially children who are losing teeth or waiting for their turn. With animal characters, classroom scenes, and gentle humor, it supports growing readers without losing story charm.

First grade sounds exciting until Gilbert starts thinking about everything that could go wrong. A new teacher, new classmates, harder work, and a whole new classroom suddenly feel like a lot to handle. On his first day, Gilbert discovers that school is not exactly what he imagined. Some moments are awkward, some classmates seem ahead of him, and one boy is not very kind. But Mrs. Byrd is welcoming, and Gilbert begins to see that everyone brings something different to the class. This gentle back-to-school story is especially comforting for readers ages 6 to 8 who know the butterflies of a new beginning. Funny, honest, and reassuring, it shows that first grade can hold surprises, challenges, and new confidence too.

Gilbert has big plans for Mother’s Day. He wants to make the day special and show his mother that she is the very best. The trouble is, breakfast, cards, and surprises do not go quite the way he hopes, and his little sister Lola keeps ending up right where Gilbert does not want her: beside their mother. Readers who have ever wanted a parent’s full attention will understand Gilbert’s frustration. Diane deGroat turns sibling jealousy into a funny, tender family story with just the right amount of chaos. Warm and easy to relate to, this Gilbert and Friends picture book is a good choice for Mother’s Day, family read-alouds, and conversations about sharing love at home.

Gilbert and Lola are excited for cousin Wally’s Easter visit, especially with an egg hunt coming up. But Wally has turned everything into a race. He wants to be first, fastest, and the one with the most eggs, even when his pushy behavior spoils the fun. Gilbert has to figure out how to handle a cousin whose winning matters more than kindness. This cheerful holiday story uses Easter excitement, family visits, and playful rivalry to explore fairness and sharing in a way young readers can understand. Funny and easy to relate to, Last One in Is a Rotten Egg! is a lively picture book for ages 6 to 8. It is a good pick for readers who enjoy animal characters, family stories, and holiday adventures with a gentle lesson underneath.

Gilbert has fifteen valentines to write for his classmates, but two names on the list make him stop. How can he write something kind for classmates who hurt his feelings? Instead, Gilbert writes two mean poems and signs someone else’s name. The prank feels clever at first, but it quickly causes hurt feelings and classroom chaos. This popular Gilbert and Friends story is funny, sharp, and emotionally honest, especially for readers who know how hard it can be to stay kind when they feel wronged. Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink is a strong Valentine’s Day read-aloud for ages 6 to 8. With humor and heart, it opens the door to conversations about friendship, forgiveness, honesty, and making things right.

Gilbert arrives at school ready for April Fools’ Day fun, but the jokes keep landing on him. Friends trick him, Mrs. Byrd gets involved, and Lewis seems determined to be the worst prankster of all. As Gilbert tries to turn the day around, readers are invited into a playful school story filled with surprises. The illustrations add extra hidden tricks, making the book fun to look through closely as well as read aloud. April Fool! Watch Out at School! is a light, funny picture book for ages 6 to 8 who enjoy classroom humor and holiday mischief. It captures the giddy excitement of pranks while keeping the story warm and child-friendly, with Gilbert’s feelings at the center of the fun.

Gilbert has the perfect Halloween plan: he will be a Martian Space Pilot in the school costume parade. But costume plans can go wrong, and soon Gilbert is facing a mix-up that leaves him feeling anything but ready to march with his class. A ballerina tutu is not what he had in mind. As Gilbert deals with embarrassment, classmates, and the pressure to look the way he expected, this funny Halloween story explores the ups and downs of standing out. Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet is a lively picture book for ages 6 to 8 who enjoy school stories, costumes, and gentle holiday chaos. It is playful and silly, but it also understands how big small disappointments can feel to a child.

Lewis is always teasing Gilbert, so a birthday party invitation from him feels suspicious. Gilbert goes anyway, carrying a wrapped gift, a smile, and a plan to get even if Lewis acts mean again. Birthday parties are supposed to be fun, but Gilbert’s feelings are tangled up with hurt, anger, and the question of what kind of present Lewis really deserves. Diane deGroat brings her usual humor and honesty to a story about bullies, choices, and generosity. Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo is a relatable picture book for ages 6 to 8 who understand playground grudges and mixed-up feelings. It is funny, warm, and useful for conversations about doing the right thing when someone has not been kind.

Mrs. Byrd’s class is working on Earth Day projects, and everyone seems full of ideas about recycling, saving water, and protecting the planet. Everyone except Gilbert. He wants to do something original, but the perfect idea will not come. Then a class picnic gives Gilbert a problem to notice and a reason to think differently. This Gilbert and Friends story connects school creativity with caring for the environment in a way that feels concrete and child-friendly. Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! is a lively Earth Day picture book for ages 6 to 8. It works well for readers who like classroom stories, animal characters, and projects that begin with a simple question: what can one kid do to help?

The classroom is buzzing: school is almost over, summer is waiting, and Mrs. Byrd is handing out end-of-the-year awards. Gilbert is excited for the party, but as his classmates are named best speller, best reader, and best at other things, he starts to wonder where he fits in. This warm Gilbert and Friends story captures the funny, nervous feeling of wanting to be noticed. Young readers will recognize Gilbert’s mix of excitement, worry, and hope as the school year comes to a close. With gentle humor and classroom feelings that ring true, it is a reassuring picture book about being seen for your own special strengths.

Gilbert’s class is putting on plays about famous people, and Gilbert is not thrilled. Performing in front of everyone makes his stomach flutter, especially when he has to play George Washington in the cherry tree story. He wants every line, costume piece, and prop to be just right. Then an important prop disappears before the show, and Gilbert’s nerves turn into blame. This funny school story uses a classroom performance to explore honesty, mistakes, and the pressure of wanting to do well. With expressive animal characters and a familiar school setting, Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire gives readers ages 6 to 8 a gentle way to think about truth, responsibility, and what can happen when embarrassment gets in the way of doing the right thing.

Camp Hi-Dee-Ho is supposed to mean games, friends, and an exciting night away from home. Gilbert is ready for fun until Lewis starts talking about the camp ghost. Suddenly the dark, the cabins, and every strange sound feel a lot spookier. When Gilbert has to go outside during the night, his imagination runs wild. This Gilbert and Friends story mixes gentle suspense with humor, making it a friendly choice for readers who like a little shiver without anything too scary. Perfect for ages 6 to 8, Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite understands how big a first overnight trip can feel. It is a reassuring picture book about fear, bravery, and finding courage when the lights go out.

Gilbert is ready for a perfect beach day, but things start going wrong fast. Lola is nervous about the water, Gilbert forgets his bathing suit, and the new suit he finds says Surfer Dude in a way that makes him feel extra cool. Looking like a surfer is one thing. Acting like one is another. As Gilbert tries to enjoy the beach, young readers get a funny, easy-to-follow story about confidence, imagination, and the small surprises that can change a family outing. Written for beginning readers, Gilbert, the Surfer Dude keeps the language accessible while still feeling lively and polished. It is a bright beach adventure for ages 6 to 8 who enjoy animal characters, gentle humor, and first steps toward independent reading.

Christmas is coming, and Gilbert has plenty to do: cookies, skating, snow, tree decorating, and all the excitement of the season. Homework is on the list too, but somehow it keeps slipping farther and farther away. When Monday morning gets closer, Gilbert has to face the problem he has been avoiding. This funny holiday school story captures the busy, sparkling feeling of December while also showing a very familiar challenge: putting off something important. Young readers ages 6 to 8 will enjoy Gilbert’s cheerful distractions and his growing worry as the weekend disappears. Warm, festive, and lightly comic, Jingle Bells, Homework Smells is a Christmas picture book with just enough school-life trouble to feel real.

A class trip to Pilgrim Town should be a fun Thanksgiving outing, but Gilbert gets paired with Philip, a tattletale who notices everything. Gilbert wishes his buddy would leave him alone, and before long, he makes a choice that creates more trouble than he expects. This Gilbert and Friends story turns a field trip into a funny lesson about patience, gratitude, and seeing another person more clearly. The historical Thanksgiving setting gives the story a seasonal feel, while Gilbert’s frustration keeps it firmly in the world of real classroom friendships. For readers ages 6 to 8, We Gather Together...Now Please Get Lost! offers humor, animal characters, and relatable school-trip tension without becoming too heavy. It is a warm holiday picture book about finding something to appreciate, even in an annoying situation.

Charlie the Ranch Dog knows a lot about ranch life, and he is ready to pass on his wisdom. If Suzie, Kitty, Walter, and the other animals learn to help out, Charlie can take care of his own important work: resting, watching, and maybe squeezing in a nap. His school is not exactly ordinary, but Charlie is very serious about being in charge. Young readers will enjoy the silly classroom setup, the ranch animals, and Charlie’s confident doggy point of view. Charlie Goes to School is a cheerful back-to-school picture book for ages 6 to 8, especially for children who like dogs, farm settings, and funny animal stories. With Ree Drummond’s playful storytelling and Diane deGroat’s expressive illustrations, it makes school feel both familiar and delightfully unexpected.

There is nothing in the world that Charlie the ranch dog loves more than a good nap and a tasty piece of bacon. He has his daily routine perfectly planned out! But everything changes when a brand-new baby calf named Abigail arrives on the ranch. Suddenly, Charlie's peaceful life is turned upside down. Everyone is rubbing Abigail's belly instead of his, feeding her instead of him, and even tucking her into Charlie's very own bed! It is not easy sharing the spotlight, and Charlie is definitely not happy about this new addition to the family. Will this sleepy basset hound figure out how to make room in his heart for a little calf? Join Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond for a funny and sweet story about adjusting to new siblings, welcoming unexpected friends, and learning to share the love.

Wake up, Charlie! The ranch is completely covered in a beautiful blanket of white snow. Charlie the basset hound usually takes his patrol duties very seriously, but a snowy day calls for a special break. It is time to head outdoors and enjoy the chilly weather! Charlie is ready to hit the hills and share a thrilling sled ride with his best buddy, Walter. But when Walter suddenly goes missing in the winter wonderland, Charlie has to put his ranch dog skills to the test. Can he track down his friend and save their snow day? Bundle up and join Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond's lovable pup on a determined search-and-rescue mission. This charming winter adventure is packed with snowy fun, loyal friendship, and the perfect amount of excitement for young readers.

Charlie the basset hound has ranch life figured out: naps, snacks, and important dog business. Then the idea of becoming a rock-and-roll star starts to sound pretty tempting. Fame, music, and attention might be exciting, but life away from the ranch is not as simple as Charlie imagines. Told with playful humor, this Charlie the Ranch Dog story lets young readers follow a lovable dog with a big personality and an even bigger sense of self-importance. Charlie’s adventure is silly, warm, and easy to enjoy for children who like animal stories with a comic voice. A cheerful picture book for ages 6 to 8, Rock Star blends dogs, music, and a funny reminder that home has its own kind of spotlight.

Why is there a giant tree sitting right in the middle of the living room? And what are all these mysterious boxes hiding underneath it? Charlie the ranch dog considers himself the true king of the house, but the holidays are bringing some very confusing surprises. The biggest shock of all arrives when Charlie discovers a brand-new kitten under the tree! Charlie definitely did not put a kitty on his Christmas list. In fact, this might be a complete disaster! Can a sleepy basset hound learn to share his ranch with a tiny, energetic furball? Join Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond for a hilarious and heartwarming holiday tale. You will discover that if you keep an open heart, the best new friends often come in the most unexpected packages.

Life on the ranch means spending plenty of time outdoors, whether you are helping out with the cattle or tossing a ball around with the family. Charlie the basset hound is ready to trade in his usual nap time for some serious game time! From football to soccer to basketball, Charlie is eager to jump right into the action and help take his team to victory. But even though he tries his best on the field, Charlie's absolute favorite part of playing sports happens after the winning goal. That is when everyone takes a break for a delicious postgame meal! He might be a bit of a benchwarmer when it comes to running and jumping, but Charlie will always be the MVP of dinnertime. Join Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond for another funny and charming adventure with everyone's favorite ranch dog.

Ten-year-old Anastasia Krupnik knows exactly what she thinks about almost everything in the world. In fact, she keeps very organized lists in her green notebook to keep track of it all. On her list of Things I Love, you will find making lists, writing poems, and her goldfish named Frank. On her list of Things I Hate, you will find boys, pumpkin pie, and her teacher Mrs. Westvessel. But this year, Anastasia's lists are getting complicated. A lot of very significant things are happening to her, like falling in love for the first time and really getting to know her grandmother. Just when she thinks she has her life perfectly figured out, her parents drop the biggest bombshell of all. They are having a baby. To Anastasia, an impending baby brother is the absolute last straw. She is determined to hate this new addition to her family. Join Anastasia as she navigates the hilarious ups and downs of being ten years old, trying to understand her changing world, and discovering that sometimes the things you expect to hate might just end up on your list of things you love.