Kathi Appelt

Cardell the coyote pup has a perfectly good life exactly the way it is. He has his den, his mama, and his favorite howling rock. He does not need anything to change. But then Otis comes along. Otis is courting Mama, and suddenly Cardell has to figure out where he fits into this new picture. Sometimes Otis is too loud, and he does not know how to catch a proper desert toad. It is perfectly normal to feel a little grumpy when someone new steps into your family circle. Walk alongside Cardell as he discovers that making room for one more coyote might not be so bad after all. This gentle story helps you explore the complicated feelings of welcoming a stepparent, wrapped up in a warm, dusty desert adventure.

The houselights are going down at the old drive-in movie theater, and the show is about to begin. Take your seat for the most spectacular, wing-flapping stage show of the year. Fifty-five acrobatic bats have prepared ten fabulous acts to dazzle and delight you. Watch as one bat sings a solo, two bats flap in perfect rhythm, three bats cha-cha across the stage, and four bats tap dance the night away. As the numbers climb, the stage fills with more and more flying performers. You can count right along with the troupe as they build up to a massive, gravity-defying grand finale. This toe-tapping performance proves that practicing your numbers is much more fun when it involves a standing ovation. Get ready to cheer for a wildly entertaining math lesson disguised as a moonlit musical.

The midsummer night is alive with the sound of music as the Marching Bat Band takes the field. You have a front-row seat to watch three hundred and eighty-five musical bats strut their stuff in perfect formation. First comes the drum majorette leading the way, marching one by one. Soon, the saxophones arrive marching five by five, followed by the mighty sousaphones striding ten by ten. Every section of this massive band is grouped in a specific multiple, turning a simple parade into a toe-tapping lesson in multiplication. Watch closely as the formations grow larger and the music swells. You will find yourself marching along to the beat while effortlessly absorbing the building blocks of math. This boisterous performance combines snappy rhymes with bustling artwork to create a concert you will never forget.

Step into the beautiful, blooming world of a First Lady who helped plant a brighter future for America. Growing up in the quiet woods of East Texas, young Lady Bird Johnson found her greatest friends among the colorful wildflowers. Bluebonnets, black-eyed Susans, and larkspurs greeted her wherever she explored. Years later, when she moved into the White House, she never forgot the joy those blossoms brought her. She decided to share that magic with the entire country. You will discover how Lady Bird led a movement to clean up city streets and plant vibrant flowers along the nation's highways so that every child could experience the splendor of nature. This inspiring true story shows how one person's love for the outdoors blossomed into a lasting environmental legacy that we still enjoy today.

Watch your ankles because a very naughty kitty is on the prowl. Max is a cat with one thing on his mind: attacking everything in sight. From dangling strings and dirty socks to bowls of fish and darting lizards, there is absolutely nothing safe from his speedy paws. He creeps, he leaps, and he swats with all his might. But as Max bounces around the house looking for his next target, you might wonder how many of these tempting treats he can actually catch. Told in bouncy, hilarious rhymes, this perfectly playful story captures the boundless energy of a mischievous pet. You will be laughing out loud as you follow this furry little troublemaker through a day of wild, wonderful feline chaos.

Meet a very special Labradoodle who knows exactly how to make people smile. When a litter of puppies is born, most of them are destined for very serious jobs. Some will be search-and-rescue dogs, and others will be fancy show dogs. Then there is Mogie. He breaks the rules, splashes in puddles, and howls at the moon. He might not be a traditional working dog, but he has the most important job of all. Mogie lives at a special house where sick children stay while they get better. Whenever a child is feeling scared or lonely, Mogie knows just what to do. Based on a heartwarming true story, this joyful tale proves that sometimes the best medicine is a wet nose, a wagging tail, and a dog who loves you exactly as you are.

Look up in the sky to spot the busiest bird in town. While everyone else is getting ready for the holidays, a clever little crow is on a mission of his own. He flies from street to street, swooping down to collect things that other people have thrown away. A shiny bottle cap, a broken piece of chain, and a bit of leftover string might look like useless trash to you, but to this feathered friend, they are perfect treasures. As he gathers piece after piece, you will watch him carefully craft a dazzling, unexpected holiday surprise. Written in catchy, cheerful rhymes, this festive story celebrates creativity and the joy of seeing beauty in unlikely places. It is a wonderful reminder that the most magical gifts often come from the heart.

Saying goodbye at the classroom door can be hard, but true love is always close by. When it is time for Baby Bird to go to school, he feels a little sad to leave his mother behind. Mama Bird feels a little sad, too. But Mama has a gentle secret to share: the love they have for each other is invisible, but it reaches everywhere. It tucks into Baby Bird's pocket, plays with him during recess, and stays right by his side all day long. This warm and comforting story wraps around you like a big hug, showing that no matter where you go or what you do, the people who love you are never truly far away. It is the perfect tale to read when you need a little extra reassurance before starting your day.

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for the most spectacular party of the night. It is time for American Batstand, a wild twelve-hour television show hosted by the famous Click Dark. Every hour on the hour, a lively crew of bats hits the dance floor to twist, shout, and bebop to the music. Decked out in cool boots and stylish clothes, these energetic animals show off their best moves as the clock ticks away. This toe-tapping, rhyming adventure makes learning how to tell time an absolute blast. You will love counting the hours and watching the dancers groove from the early evening straight through to the midnight finale. It is a hilarious, musical celebration that will have you eager to check the clock and join the fun.

Get ready to stand up, wiggle around, and celebrate the most amazing person in the world: you. There is absolutely no one else exactly like you, from the tip of your nose down to your wiggly toes. This joyful story follows an energetic little girl who is incredibly proud of everything that makes her unique. Whether she is showing off her cute freckles, flashing a giant smile, or just stretching her arms out wide, she knows that being herself is the best thing she can be. With bouncing words and a heart full of cheer, this book will make you want to jump up and shout about your own wonderful qualities. It is a happy, high-energy reminder that you are perfect exactly the way you are.

A group of hungry birds is out for a snack, but they need to watch their backs. One, two, three crows sit high in a tree, wearing matching red scarves and looking for something tasty to eat. As they flutter down to fill their bellies, more and more friends join the feast until there are a dozen crows snacking away. But all this delicious eating has distracted them from a very sneaky problem. A hungry cat is hiding nearby, and it thinks the crows look like the perfect lunch. This clever counting adventure turns numbers into a thrilling game of hide-and-seek. You will have a wonderful time keeping track of the feathered friends as they swoop, snack, and try to make a narrow escape before the cat pounces.

Grab your favorite blanket and get ready to jump into the mud. Bubba is a brand-new baby boy, and Beau is a brand-new puppy. Together, they are the very best of friends. They agree on all the most important things in life, like how wonderful it is to dig in the dirt and how completely terrible it is to take a bath. But when Mama Pearl decides that their beloved, stinky pink blanket needs to go in the washing machine, disaster strikes. Even worse, she decides that Bubba and Beau need to be washed, too. This hilarious, messy adventure captures the unbreakable bond between a child and his dog. You will giggle at their muddy mischief and root for these two stubborn pals as they face their greatest fear: soap and water.