Donald E. Donald

Put your detective skills to the ultimate test with Idaville's most famous ten-year-old super sleuth. Leroy Brown, better known as Encyclopedia, has an uncanny knack for trivia and a brain packed with unconventional knowledge. Operating his very own detective agency out of his garage, he solves neighborhood mysteries for the local kids. But his crime-solving does not stop there. His dad happens to be the chief of the Idaville police department, and every night around the dinner table, Encyclopedia helps him crack some of the town's most baffling adult cases. Now, you get to join the investigation. This interactive collection features ten confounding mysteries that will challenge your powers of observation and logic. You are given all the exact same clues that Encyclopedia has, giving you the chance to chime in and solve the case before he reveals the answer. Grab your magnifying glass and see if you have what it takes to outsmart the criminals in this classic interactive mystery experience.

Idaville is full of secrets, but nothing gets past the town's smartest ten-year-old detective. Leroy Brown, famously known as Encyclopedia, uses his incredible brain to solve the mysteries that leave everyone else completely stumped. With his trusty partner Sally Kimball by his side, Encyclopedia is ready to take on ten brand new cases that will test his memory and his eye for detail. This time around, you will face some incredibly bizarre clues, including a ruined tennis shirt, a missing slice of pizza, magical worm pills, and a stolen sheet of toilet paper from Spain. Even when suspects are identical twins, Encyclopedia knows exactly how to spot the liar. As you read through each perplexing case, you will find every single clue you need hidden right in the text. You can race against the clock to see if your detective skills are as sharp as the famous boy sleuth. Whenever a mystery feels too difficult to crack, you can always check the back of the book to discover how Encyclopedia pieced the puzzle together and caught the culprit!

The county fair should be all giant vegetables, tasty treats, and blue ribbons. Then Poison Ivy bursts from the prize pumpkin and turns the fun into a leafy trap. Batman and Batgirl race into action as vines twist through the fairgrounds and frightened people need help fast. Poison Ivy has a clever plan, but Gotham’s heroes know how to stay calm, work together, and cut through danger before it spreads. Bright, fast-moving, and full of superhero excitement, this early reader adventure is a fun pick for young Batman fans who like villains, teamwork, and action that is easy to follow.

The Idaville police department has a secret weapon, and he is only ten years old. Leroy Brown, known to everyone as Encyclopedia, solves the town's most difficult crimes right at his family dinner table. When he is not helping his police chief father, he runs his own detective agency to help the neighborhood kids outwit the local bully, Bugs Meany. In this collection of ten thrilling mysteries, you will face an unusual midnight quest, a serious bank holdup, and a pair of gerbils who mysteriously paint together. You will even need to figure out the truth behind fifty mosquitoes netted at the strange Oddball Olympics. Encyclopedia never misses a detail, and he is inviting you to examine the evidence right alongside him. Every single clue is hidden within the story, waiting for you to spot the mistake that gives the criminal away. If you find yourself completely baffled by a tricky suspect, the solutions are waiting for you at the end of the book. Sharpen your wits and get ready to catch the crooks before they can get away!

Have you ever wondered what life was like a long, long time ago? Meet the Ox-Cart Man, a busy farmer in old New England. Each autumn, his family works together to prepare for a special journey. His wife spins wool, his daughter knits mittens, and his son carves brooms. They gather all the things they’ve made and grown throughout the year, from soft wool to fresh goose feathers, and load them carefully onto the ox cart. Then, the Ox-Cart Man sets off, traveling over hills and through valleys to the bustling Portsmouth Market. He sells everything, piece by piece, even his loyal ox! With his pockets full of coins, he buys all the new supplies his family will need for the winter ahead. After a long journey, he returns home, ready for the next year to begin. This beautiful story shows how a family works together through the changing seasons, making sure they have what they need in a simple, gentle world. It's a wonderful look at a timeless yearly tradition.

Step into a New England village and watch it transform before your eyes. From its earliest days before the town even had a name, through generations of growth, change, and renewal, this story captures the heartbeat of a community over two hundred years. You will see forests become farms, dirt paths become paved roads, and quiet days turn into bustling town celebrations. As the town approaches its bicentennial birthday, you will discover how the people, buildings, and landscape evolve together. The beautiful artwork and lyrical storytelling show how even when places change, the spirit of a community remains. It is a wonderful journey through time that celebrates history, nature, and the places we call home.

A class trip to the Gotham Museum turns into a mystery the moment the dinosaur exhibit looks wrong. Bones are missing, clues are scattered, and the Riddler’s tricks may be hiding in plain sight. Batman, Batgirl, and Nightwing need sharp eyes and quick thinking to solve the case. Young readers can follow the trail beside the heroes as they search for answers, protect the children on the field trip, and try to stop the culprit before more of the exhibit disappears. With dinosaurs, riddles, and superhero action, this early reader gives kids a lively Batman adventure built for readers gaining confidence on their own.

Hey super sleuths! Get ready to solve some tricky cases with the best kid detective around, Encyclopedia Brown! He's famous for his amazing brain, and he can crack any mystery that comes his way in the town of Idaville. In this book, you'll join Encyclopedia as he tackles ten brand-new puzzles. From uncovering who vandalized a library book to figuring out a sneaky scheme during a soccer game, no case is too big or too small for him. He even helps solve the mystery of an African killfish! The best part? You get to play detective too. Each mystery gives you all the clues, and then you can try to solve it before looking at the answers hidden at the back of the book. Can you outsmart the criminals and find the solutions?

Meet a clever young rat who loves nothing more than a good puzzle. While the rest of his furry family is busy chewing, scurrying, and playing normal rat games, he is always thinking up tricky new riddles to test his friends. His unusual hobby makes him stand out from the pack, and not everyone understands why he spends his time playing with words instead of cheese. But when a sudden crisis threatens the entire rat community, ordinary skills are not enough to save the day. It turns out that a sharp mind and a talent for quick thinking are exactly what the colony needs. This fast-paced story shows how being different can be your greatest strength, especially when you use your unique talents to help the people you care about.

The year is 1917, and twelve-year-old Willard Babson is enjoying a perfectly normal afternoon in rural New Hampshire. But his ordinary day takes a sudden, thrilling turn when a fancy roadster slides off the dirt path and gets stuck right in front of him. The tall young driver stepping out of the mud is none other than Babe Ruth, the greatest left-handed pitcher in baseball. After helping the famous athlete pull his car from the ditch, Willard and his family forge an unexpected connection with the rising sports star. From that chance encounter on a quiet country road, you will follow along as the Babson family watches the Babe's legendary career unfold. It is a captivating blend of real American history and engaging storytelling that brings a sports legend right to your front door.

It is the summer of 1942, and the world is changing fast. With his father serving on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific Ocean and his mother working hard for the war effort in a busy New York office, a young boy packs his bags for his grandparents' farm in New Hampshire. Far from the city sirens and wartime headlines, he steps into a quiet world of early morning chores and wide-open fields. As the summer unfolds, you will join him in gathering eggs, caring for the animals, and listening to the radio broadcasts that connect his family across thousands of miles. This touching story captures a unique moment in American history, showing how one boy finds comfort, responsibility, and deep family roots during a time of global uncertainty.

Long before massive delivery trucks and bright supermarkets existed, the Graves Family Dairy relied on three strong horses to pull wagons filled with fresh milk. For the milkman's boy, daily life is tied to the rhythm of the farm, the clinking of glass bottles, and the familiar clip-clop of hooves on morning streets. His father, Henry Graves, takes pride in their traditional ways and stubbornly resists the new, modern idea called pasteurization. But when a sudden and severe fever strikes the boy's sister, the family is forced to face a difficult reality. The old ways might not always be the safest. This compelling historical tale brings a forgotten era to life, showing how a family must carefully balance their beloved traditions with the essential changes needed to keep their community safe and healthy.

America's favorite Sherlock Holmes in sneakers is back and ready to sniff out the truth! Ten-year-old Leroy Brown is the smartest kid in Idaville, using his computer-like memory to solve the mysteries that leave the adult police force completely stumped. With his tough and trusted partner, Sally Kimball, Encyclopedia is always prepared to protect the neighborhood kids from sneaky thieves and local bullies. In this fun-filled collection of ten interactive mysteries, you get to play the role of the detective. You will need to investigate the strange incident of a shattered vase, figure out a tricky brain game, and, of course, uncover the smelly truth behind a pair of truly disgusting sneakers. Every case challenges you to read the suspects' stories carefully and spot the one impossible detail that proves they are lying. The clues are right in front of you, waiting to be discovered. If you cannot quite crack the case, the brilliant solutions are always waiting in the back pages to show you how Encyclopedia closed the case!

The autumn leaves are just starting to turn golden in 1909, but young Lucy Wells is already dreaming of winter snow. In her cozy New England town, Christmas is not about rushing to a store, but about spending long evenings carefully crafting gifts by hand. She excitedly sews a pincushion for her mother, makes a doll for her sister, and creates a special pen-wiper for her best friend. As the days grow colder and the snow begins to pile up, the entire family waits eagerly for a very modern arrival from the Sears catalog: a brand new kitchen stove. You will experience the magic of an old-fashioned holiday as Lucy rides a horse-drawn sleigh to the South Danbury Church, singing carols under a sky full of bright winter stars. It is a heartwarming look at the simple, handmade joys of the past.

Step into the kitchen and get ready for a delicious twist on neighborhood crime solving. Encyclopedia Brown is known as a brilliant detective, but this time he is proving that he also has incredibly good taste. In this unique cook and case book, you will find a blend of clever mysteries mixed with lip smacking, easy to follow recipes. Someone has stolen a highly guarded secret recipe, and it is up to you and Idaville's most famous ten year old sleuth to figure out who took it. While you are busy gathering clues, you can actually serve up a slice of famous Idaville Apple Pie or prepare a fantastic vegetarian Mexican fiesta feast. The neighborhood bully Bugs Meany is up to his usual tricks, allegedly stealing a pinata from a local party, and you need to prove his guilt using the evidence provided. Every case gives you all the details you need to catch the culprit, challenging your brain while your stomach rumbles. You will learn how to prepare menus for a birthday brunch or a summer party while solving ten food related puzzles. Put on your chef hat and your detective badge, and see if you can solve the mysteries before checking the answers.

The year is 1910, and the warm breeze sweeping across the New Hampshire farm means summer has finally arrived. For young Lucy Wells, the season is packed with busy, sun-drenched days. You will join her in the kitchen as she helps her mother carefully can jars of fresh fruits and vegetables, preserving the sweet tastes of summer for the long winter ahead. But it is not all chores and farm work. The absolute highlight of the year is the grand Fourth of July parade, complete with waving flags, marching bands, and the rare, delicious treat of cold ice cream. From quiet afternoons in the pasture to exciting penny-toy shopping trips in Boston, this lovely story invites you to step back in time and experience the simple, bright joys of an old-fashioned country summer.

Get ready for the ultimate debate between two very different furry friends. In one corner, we have the dog, eager to explain why barking, running, and being man's best friend is the absolute best way to live. In the other corner, we have the cat, who is perfectly prepared to tell you why being graceful, independent, and purring softly is actually the superior lifestyle. Taking turns to state their cases, these classic household companions highlight everything that makes them completely unique and entirely lovable. Through clever words and beautiful artwork, you will see the exact behaviors that make dogs so wonderfully dog-like and cats so perfectly cat-like. It is a funny, affectionate look at the pets we love and the hilarious contrasts between their two different worlds.

It is supposed to be a special night in Gotham City as everyone gathers to honor Police Commissioner Gordon. The gala event is packed with guests, but the celebration is quickly ruined when a notorious villain crashes the party. The Riddler has arrived, and he is not just stealing the spotlight. In a flash, he kidnaps the Commissioner and disappears into the night, leaving behind nothing but a confusing trail of tricky puzzles. Now, Gotham City's greatest detective must race against the clock to crack the codes. Follow Batman as he puts his brilliant mind and high-tech gadgets to the test. You will need to think fast alongside the Caped Crusader to solve the riddles, track down the villain, and rescue the Commissioner before it is too late.

Swindlers, con artists, and clever thieves are always trying to pull a fast one in the town of Idaville, but they never succeed for long. The neighborhood is protected by Encyclopedia Brown, a ten year old crime stopper with a mind sharper than any adult detective. In this exciting new collection, you will follow the famous boy sleuth as he tackles ten bizarre and challenging new mysteries. Have you ever wondered if an old diary belonging to George Washington's mother is actually authentic? Or perhaps you want to investigate a mysterious photograph of a UFO that was supposedly captured by the army? From the strange puzzle of a giant shark tooth to the thrilling whodunit surrounding a secret shipwreck, these cases will push your deductive reasoning to the limit. As a reader, you are not just sitting on the sidelines. You are an active participant in every single investigation. All the clues are carefully hidden within the story, waiting for you to spot them and expose the truth. Use your critical thinking skills to match wits with Encyclopedia, and see if you can expose the fakes and catch the culprits before turning to the solutions in the back.

The Gotham City Police Department is hosting a spooky haunted house to raise money on Halloween night. Families are lining up for a fun evening of costumes and safe scares, but a real threat is hiding in the shadows. Commissioner Gordon suddenly spots a familiar, terrifying face in the crowded room. The sinister criminal known as the Scarecrow has arrived to unleash his own brand of chaos. He plans to turn the pretend haunted house into a genuine nightmare by releasing his dangerous fear toxin on the unsuspecting guests. It is up to Batman to swoop in and stop the villain before panic takes over the party. You will be on the edge of your seat as the Dark Knight faces off against the master of fear in a thrilling holiday showdown to save the citizens of Gotham City.

Truth is often much stranger, and far funnier, than fiction. While you might know Encyclopedia Brown as the brilliant ten year old who solves neighborhood mysteries, he also has a fascinating hobby. He collects the most bizarre, ridiculous, and completely true stories of real life crimes from around the world. In this unique scrapbook, the famous boy detective opens his personal files to share an unbelievable collection of actual events involving foolish criminals, confused prisoners, and baffled police officers. Imagine a burglar who manages to get himself completely stuck in a window during a break in, leaving him with no choice but to call the police to come rescue him. Or picture a team of safecrackers using blowtorches who accidentally set fire to the exact money they are trying to steal. These stories prove that not every mastermind is a genius. Filled with delightful cartoons and laugh out loud moments, this compilation takes you away from the usual Idaville mysteries and into the wild world of historical blunders. It is a highly entertaining journey through true events that will leave you shaking your head and laughing at just how absurd the real world can be.

Every Wednesday night, Anna and Grandma share a quiet secret. The rest of the family thinks Grandma is helping Anna practice reading, but the truth is far more surprising: Anna is teaching Grandma. Together, they turn pages, sound out words, and prepare a birthday gift for Anna’s father that no one will forget. This tender picture book celebrates patience, pride, and the special wisdom that can pass from young to old as well as from old to young. Warm and gently moving, The Wednesday Surprise is a family story about literacy, love, and the joy of giving someone the confidence to read their own words aloud.

Welcome to Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s, a sleepy Southern town harboring deep and dangerous prejudices. You will experience this complex world through the eyes of young Scout Finch. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who has just taken on the most controversial case of his life. He is defending a Black man falsely accused of a terrible crime against a white woman. As the trial consumes the town, Scout and her brother Jem are forced to confront the harsh realities of racism, class division, and the loss of innocence. Their quiet summer days are replaced by a tense awakening to the hypocrisy of the adults around them. This powerful story explores what it truly means to stand up for justice when the entire world seems against you. It is an essential coming of age journey that asks difficult questions about morality and human nature, wrapped in the sweltering heat of the Deep South.

The rules of Marjane's world change entirely overnight. Living in Tehran means witnessing a massive revolution unfold directly outside her front door. Between the ages of six and fourteen, this outspoken and intelligent girl watches the overthrow of a regime and the intense, devastating effects of war. Despite the chaos around her, Marjane is just trying to be a normal kid who loves music, hangs out with her extraordinary family, and tries to understand the wildly contradictory world of adults. Through striking and powerful storytelling, you experience the daily realities of living under strict political repression from the very real perspective of a child. Marjane navigates state rules, family tragedies, and schoolyard drama with equal parts fierce rebellion and heartbreaking humor. It shows exactly how people carry on, laughing and crying, even when their entire country is turning upside down. You will not be able to resist falling in love with this brave little girl as she figures out how to stay true to herself when everything else is falling apart.

Have you ever wondered if there is a real magic word? It turns out there is, and it is a word you can use every single day! Bestselling authors Bill O'Reilly and James Patterson have teamed up to show you just how powerful the word please can be. Whether you are trying to find a home for a lovable stray dog, looking for a friend to join you on the seesaw, hoping for one more bedtime story, or really needing a delicious chocolate chip cookie, saying please can make amazing things happen. Filled with beautiful, bright illustrations from many different artists, this charming book takes you through fun everyday situations where one little word makes a massive difference. You will see how easy it is to bring smiles to the faces of your friends and family. Get ready to discover the magic power of please!