Author Profile
Florence Parry Heide
12 Books
Florence Parry Heide was an American children’s author known for witty, thoughtful, and sometimes darkly funny picture books and stories. Her works include Some Things Are Scary, Princess Hyacinth, Tales for the Perfect Child, and collaborations such as The Day of Ahmed’s Secret and Sami and the Time of the Troubles. Her books often combine sharp humor with insight into children’s fears, feelings, and moral choices.
Marigold is a monkey who knows exactly what she wants, and she rarely agrees with anyone else. Whether she is shopping for a brand new coat with her mother or trying to pick out the absolute perfect outfit for her first day of school, Marigold always has her own unique way of doing things.
Her strong opinions usually lead to hilarious misadventures. She even manages to invent a brand new hobby just to annoy her best friend, Maxine the hippo.
Follow along with this incredibly stubborn and wonderfully funny monkey as she navigates the daily challenges of friendship, fashion, and simply being herself.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Monsters are lurking, but they might just make you laugh out loud. From creepy creatures to spooky shadows, this collection brings together twenty one wickedly funny poems that explore the silly side of things that go bump in the night.
Instead of hiding under your blankets, you can read all about the bizarre habits of ghouls and ghosts. The clever rhymes mix just the right amount of shivers with plenty of giggles, making it easy to see that even the most frightening beasts have a humorous side.
Grab a flashlight and discover the hilarious secrets of the monster world.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
24 Pages
Arthur is somewhat careful, Ruby is occasionally reliable, and Gloria technically helps her mother. These children appear to be perfectly well behaved, but they have actually mastered the art of getting exactly what they want without breaking the rules.
This collection of deliciously wicked short stories features clever kids who use their supposed good manners to mask their brilliantly sneaky behavior. From avoiding chores to manipulating their parents, these pint sized schemers are incredibly entertaining to watch.
Dive into these delightfully mischievous tales and discover why being absolutely perfect is not nearly as much fun as being just a little bit clever.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
67 Pages
Treehorn is getting smaller by the minute. His clothes do not fit, he cannot reach the table, and he is definitely shrinking. The strange thing is that none of the adults in his life seem to care. His mother just tells him not to shrink at the dinner table, and his teacher sends him to the principal for breaking the rules.
Left entirely on his own, Treehorn must figure out how to get back to his normal size before he disappears completely. It is a wonderfully weird puzzle filled with magical board games and deeply oblivious grown ups.
This delightfully odd story perfectly captures that feeling of being ignored by the adults around you.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
82 Pages
The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated
Princess Hyacinth has a very unusual problem. Unless she is weighed down by heavy clothes and a crown packed with thick jewels, she floats right up into the sky. Sitting around the palace all day is incredibly boring, especially when she sees other kids playing outside.
One afternoon, she makes a daring decision. She ditches her heavy royal gear, grabs a balloon, and finally experiences the joy of floating completely free. But when the balloon string slips, she drifts higher and higher into the clouds.
It will take quick thinking and a boy with a kite to rescue the floating princess in this wonderfully silly royal adventure.
6-8 Years
49 Pages
It is Treehorn's birthday, and he is hoping for a very special celebration. Instead, he finds an old jug in his backyard that happens to contain a real genie.
The genie offers him the standard number of wishes, which sounds like the perfect birthday surprise. However, getting exactly what you wish for is never quite as simple as it seems, especially when you are Treehorn. With grown ups who never pay attention and a genie who has his own way of doing things, his special day takes some wonderfully weird turns.
Step back into the wonderfully odd world of Treehorn for another deadpan adventure where magic meets everyday life.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
62 Pages
Roller skating down a huge hill when you have no idea how to stop is terrifying. So is getting squeezed tight by someone you do not even like! This clever book takes all those scary little everyday moments and turns them into something you can laugh about.
Everyone gets scared sometimes, but looking at our fears can actually be really funny. You will recognize your own spooky moments mixed in with perfectly silly situations that make you realize you are never alone when you feel a little nervous.
Perfect for anyone who has ever worried about finding out their best friend has another best friend.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Ahmed steers his donkey cart through the busy, noisy streets of Cairo. He is incredibly proud to be old enough to help his family by delivering heavy gas cylinders to their customers all over the city.
As he navigates through the crowded markets and bustling neighborhoods, he carries something even more important than his cargo. He has a very special secret tucked away in his mind. He cannot wait for the sun to set so he can finally share his wonderful news with his family.
Travel through a vibrant city and experience a young boy's proudest moment in this beautiful journey.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Whoever said money does not grow on trees has never visited Treehorn's backyard. While quietly reading a book outside, Treehorn looks up and discovers that the leaves on his maple tree are suddenly turning into crisp dollar bills.
Armed with his magical new wealth, he buys comic books, chewing gum, cold lemonade, and plenty of chocolate. But having a tree full of cash brings its own bizarre set of complications, especially when he ends up stuck at an Italian restaurant.
This wonderfully strange and funny chapter book proves once again that extraordinary things happen to Treehorn, even if the adults never seem to notice.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
63 Pages
Ernest is a perfectly obedient boy who always does exactly what his mother says, which means he never gets to have any actual fun. When a strange new boy named Vlapid moves in next door, Ernest's mother insists that they become friends.
There is just one catch. Vlapid and his family are monsters! Following the rules at Vlapid's house means doing things Ernest would never dare try in his own living room. Suddenly, being obedient means making a monstrous mess, and it turns out to be absolutely fantastic.
This gloriously wacky story proves that sometimes doing exactly what you are told can lead to the wildest adventures.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Genevieve is terribly careless, Muriel complains about everything, and Chester is absolutely the laziest turkey you will ever meet. While Caleb and Conrad are perfectly polite and thoughtful, their good manners never seem to do them any good at all!
This hilarious twist on classic storytelling throws all the usual rules out the window. Instead of learning a valuable lesson about being good, you get to read deliciously wicked tales about characters who are selfish, greedy, and gloriously lazy.
Get ready for unexpected endings and plenty of laughs in a book where you definitely should not pay attention to the morals.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
67 Pages
Theodore the elephant has a big problem. He hurt his leg and cannot meet his cousin at the end of the forest. Naturally, all his animal friends are eager to help by offering him plenty of excellent advice. The crab suggests he simply grow a new leg, while others offer equally useless ideas.
Listening to advice is fine, but it does not actually fix Theodore's leg. It takes a straight talking opossum to step up and show everyone the difference between just talking and actually lending a helping hand.
This clever and warm story shows exactly what it means to be a true friend when someone is in trouble.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
