New Releases by Alan Madison

It''s hard to be Velma, the littlest Gratch, entering the first grade. That''s because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders. Poor Velma—people can barely remember her name. But all that changes on a class trip to the magnificent Butterfly Conservatory—a place neither of her sisters has ever been. When a monarch roosts on Velma''s finger and won''t budge for days . . . well, no one will forget Velma ever again. Acclaimed and bestselling illustrator Kevin Hawkes and author Alan Madison celebrate everything butterfly—from migration to metamorphosis. Watch as Velma Gratch metamorphosizes from a timid first grader into a confident young scientist!

Dad says because of the army he stood shoulder to shoulder with polar bears and watched the sun rise over the frozen fields of Alaska, which sounds really exciting. And because of the Army he slept in sludge, shoulder to shoulder with snakes and watched the sun set over the swamps of Alabama -- which does not. In a timely, but not politically charged way, author Alan Madison looks at the way a family copes with having a parent away on a 100 day, 99 night military tour of duty through the eyes of the very loveable Esmerelda (Esme) Swishback McCarthur. Esme wants to be good while her dad is away. In fact, she feels like it''s her duty to be good. But being good can be hard, especially if you have a little brother like Ike. By following Esme''s story, as she awaits her father''s return, readers will see how heroism can translate to every member of a family. Aside from the military families that this book serves, readers who wonder what it would be like if their mother, father, brother, or sister was sent away will relate to Esme''s quiet strength and candor and will understand her worry about what could happen. This story has the potential to speak to readers on a personal level and to turn a concept that seems so hard to grasp--war--into one that feels much more personal.

Sixto Poblano really sticks out in a crowd. That''s because he has six toes on each foot. And evil Boss Nova Boombatz, the head of all things grape, thinks Sixto has real potential. A boy with extra footage could really help him make grape juice! And so Sixto is whisked off to stomp . . . even though he''d rather play. Then one day, stomping inside a giant container, Sixto sees his chance to escape. He kicks out the barrel''s cork, sending purply juice out in a flood, and freeing himself in the process. And that''s how the Grape Lakes are formed! From the Hardcover edition.

This amusing story of a little boy whose mother has signed him up for Little League makes for an ideal, yet zany, introduction to America''s favorite pastime. Full color.

This wonderfully wacky picture book tells the story of Pecorino Sasquatch, a silly young boy who takes the reader along for an inside look at a concert orchestra. Full color.