Brian Lies

Evan and his faithful dog do absolutely everything together as a team. They share ice cream cones, take long walks, and spend hours caring for their beautiful, prize-winning garden. But when Evan's beloved dog suddenly passes away, Evan's heart is completely broken. Filled with sadness, Evan destroys the beautiful garden they built together, letting prickly weeds and sharp thorns take over the dirt. He wants nothing to grow there ever again. Even in the darkest and messiest places, a little bit of beauty can still find a way to grow. When a mysterious twisting vine slowly grows into an enormous pumpkin, Evan's world begins to change. The giant pumpkin gently draws him out of his sadness and leads him back into the community. Discover a touching story about love, difficult losses, and the healing power of hope.

Little Bat is used to going to sleep when the sun comes up. But today is different. He has decided to stay awake all day long! What will the world look like when he is usually fast asleep? It turns out that daytime is incredibly bright, hot, and full of loud noises. Little Bat is not sure he likes it at first. Fortunately, he meets Rusty the Squirrel. Rusty shows Little Bat all the amazing things that happen during the day. The two quickly become fast friends as they explore the sunlit world together. But when the day ends and Little Bat needs to return to his normal nighttime routine, the new friends face a tricky problem. How can a daytime squirrel and a nighttime bat stay best friends?

Hamlet the pig is always ready for a thrilling new adventure. His best friend, Quince the porcupine, is exactly the opposite—he worries about absolutely everything! When Hamlet decides to fly an enormous, bright red Chinese dragon kite, he is completely convinced it will be a glorious day. Quince, on the other hand, is certain that disaster is just around the corner. What could possibly go wrong on a simple kite-flying expedition? As the wind picks up and the massive dragon kite takes to the sky, Hamlet finds himself swept up into a wild, high-flying aerial journey that neither friend will ever forget. This hilarious and beautifully illustrated story perfectly captures the funny balance between a fearless dreamer and a cautious friend. Get ready to soar into the clouds and discover what happens when you hold on tight to a very big idea!

When the moon is full and bright, it is time for the bats to pack their bags for a very special trip. They grab their buckets, their blankets, and their special moon-tan lotion. It is time for a nighttime trip to the beach! Join the bats as they fly through the cool night air to the sandy shore. Once they arrive, the fun really begins. They roast bug-mallows over a crackling campfire, ride the gentle ocean waves, and build giant sandcastles under the starry sky. The beach is a magical place when the sun goes down and the bats come out to play. But they must pack up their beach towels and fly back home before the morning sun rises. This rhyming adventure shows exactly what happens when bats have a little fun in the moonlight.

A quiet afternoon nap turns into an extraordinary adventure. While a young girl sits reading a book on the couch, her little kitten dozes peacefully nearby. But when the kitten suddenly spots a sneaky mouse, the chase is on! The kitten dives right into a framed poster on the wall, leaving the living room far behind. What starts as a simple game of cat and mouse becomes a thrilling journey through famous works of art and different moments in history. The kitten leaps through an ancient Egyptian carving, a beautiful stained-glass window, and the bright pages of an old manuscript. Every jump is full of suspense as the kitten explores these magical artistic worlds. When the mouse finally escapes, the little kitten is lost. Will he be able to find his way back home?

Spend a fun-filled day with a very special dad. This playful alligator father knows exactly how to make every single moment count with his young gator kids. Even the most ordinary daily tasks can become exciting adventures when they do them together. A simple trip to the grocery store is full of silly games and laughs. An afternoon visit to the local park turns into a wild romp, and building a blanket fort in the living room becomes the ultimate secret hideout. This loving dad shows his children that you do not need fancy toys to have a great time. The very best part of any day is simply being together. This warm and cheerful story celebrates the wonderful connection between a father and his kids through everyday play and shared smiles.

The warm spring air is filled with a special kind of excitement. Flocks of bats are flying through the dark night sky, all heading straight for an empty outdoor theater. They are not there to watch a play, they are there to make some noise! It is time for a spectacular bat music festival. The night echoes with the twang of plunky banjos, the steady beat of bat-a-tat drums, and the sweet sound of country ballads. Some bats play instruments they built themselves, while others sing the blues with all their hearts. Everyone joins in the joyous celebration of rhythm and melody. Let the music lift your spirits as you watch these talented bats put on the concert of a lifetime. Discover the incredible power of music to bring everyone together under the stars.

Bear is a very independent friend who almost never asks anyone for help. So when Izzy the chipmunk receives an urgent letter asking her to come over immediately, she knows it must be something important. Izzy cannot refuse her friend, even though a huge winter blizzard is quickly blowing into the forest. As the fluffy snow begins to pile up higher and higher, Izzy struggles to make her way through the freezing weather. The journey to Bear's cozy den is long and difficult. Luckily, Izzy does not have to face the cold completely alone. Along the way, other woodland friends join her, working as a team to push through the heavy snowstorms. Discover the warmth of true friendship and the amazing things you can achieve when you have friends to help you through the storm.

The night sky is dark and the air is cool. It is the perfect evening for a very special trip. The bats are heading to the public library! As soon as they slip through an open window, the fun begins. The library is filled with endless books and magical stories waiting to be discovered. The playful bats zoom down the quiet hallways and splash in the water fountain. They make silly shadow puppets on the walls and explore every corner of the building. But the best part of the night comes when it is time to settle down. Young bats and old bats gather together to listen to enchanting stories. They get lost in tales of adventure and mystery until the sun begins to rise. Discover the joy of reading and the magic of a library after dark.

The stands are packed, the lights are shining brightly, and the crowd is ready for an unforgettable game. But this is not your ordinary baseball game. Tonight, the players are bats! Two winged teams have gathered under the starry night sky to play America's favorite pastime. The excitement builds as the batters step up to the plate and the pitchers throw their fastest fastballs. You can hear the crack of the bat and the cheers from the fans in the bleachers. The players dive for pop flies and slide into home plate to score the winning run. Grab a snack from the concession stand and get ready to root for your favorite team. This thrilling nighttime match is filled with spectacular plays and unexpected surprises. Find out who will win the ultimate baseball championship before the sun comes up!

Little Bat is finally ready for his very first night of school. He has his new supplies packed and is eager to learn amazing new things. Most importantly, he cannot wait to make some new friends in his class. But when he actually arrives at the classroom, everything feels very overwhelming. The room is loud, the other students are busy, and his world suddenly feels entirely upside down. Trying something completely new can be a little bit frightening for anyone. Little Bat has to figure out how to be brave in this unfamiliar place. With a little help from his cheerful classmates, he discovers that school is not so scary after all. All it takes is listening carefully, being kind to others, and taking a chance on a new friend.

Quince the porcupine and Hamlet the pig are heading to the beach for a day of fun in the sun. Quince has a grand plan. He wants to build the most magnificent and enormous sandcastle the beach has ever seen. He knows that his friend Hamlet can sometimes be a bit clumsy and easily distracted. Quince decides he will just have to keep a very close eye on the playful pig to make sure everything goes smoothly. But despite Quince's careful planning and constant watching, things quickly get entirely out of hand. The two friends find themselves caught up in a series of hilarious mix-ups and unexpected beach adventures. Building a simple sandcastle turns into a messy, funny, and chaotic challenge. Join these two very different friends as they try to stay out of trouble.

Deep below the ground, Wombat is safe and sound. While dangerous bushfires roar across the Australian landscape above, he snuggles under his cozy, crazy quilt with a warm cup of tea. But Wombat's peaceful evening is soon interrupted. One by one, five frightened Australian animals—a Wallaby, a Kookaburra, a Platypus, a Koala, and a Sugar Glider—appear at his door seeking shelter from the flames. Even though his burrow is getting terribly crowded, Wombat welcomes every single one of them inside. Because when you have the heart of a wombat, there is always room for one more friend in need! Filled with humor, heart, and beautifully detailed illustrations, this touching story celebrates the power of generosity during tough times. It is a wonderful reminder that kindness and community can help us weather any storm.

Meet Flatfoot Fox, the smartest, craftiest detective in the entire neighborhood! When Fat Cat comes to him in a panic with a terrible problem—his prized glass eye has been stolen—it is up to Flatfoot Fox to crack the case. Who would take a glass eye, and why? With his trusty and sometimes nervous assistant, Secretary Bird, by his side, Flatfoot Fox sets out to follow the clues. Together, they question a wild cast of animal suspects and use their brilliant detective skills to piece together the puzzle. But the thief is incredibly sneaky, and the mystery is full of unexpected twists and turns. Perfect for young readers who love a good whodunit, this funny and clever chapter book will keep you guessing until the very end. Grab your magnifying glass, look closely at the evidence, and get ready to solve the crime alongside the best animal detective around!

Pop, pop, pop! Have you ever wondered how a tiny, hard kernel turns into a fluffy, delicious snack? Get ready to discover the amazing secrets behind one of America's all-time favorite treats! In Popcorn!, you will journey through time to uncover the fascinating history of this crunchy snack. Find out who first discovered how to pop corn and how it became a superstar treat at movie theaters and fairs. You will also learn the cool science behind what makes the kernels explode, plus fun facts about why popcorn is actually a healthy choice for your body. Packed with awesome trivia and even some yummy recipes you can try making at home, this book is perfect for curious readers and snack lovers alike. Grab a bowl, settle in, and get ready to explore the popping good history of popcorn!

Protecting the students and teachers of McKenna School is a full-time job for the Midnight Academy, a secret society of classroom pets. Now that their feline enemy Snip is gone, Malcolm the rat and his animal friends are finally hoping for a little peace and quiet. But the school is in serious financial trouble, and a new mystery is already brewing in the hallways. When a rare, valuable coin and a mysterious secret code are discovered inside the building, Malcolm realizes this might be the key to saving McKenna School from closing forever. To find the answers, this brave little rat must venture out of the safety of his classroom and into the dangerous, unknown outside world. Out under the stars, Malcolm will face shady characters, forge new friendships, and cross paths with old enemies. Packed with secret identities, buried treasure, and clever puzzles, this fast-paced adventure will keep you turning the pages. Can Malcolm crack the code and save his beloved school before time runs out?