Most Popular Books by Amy Hest

"An enchanting little story, with homey illustrations that add to its appeal." — School Library Journal(starred review) Features an audio read-along! Outside, the wind blows and the rain comes down. Inside, it is Sam’s bedtime. Mrs. Bear reads him a story, tucks him in, and brings him warm milk. "Are you ready now, Sam?" she asks. "I’m waiting," he says. What else does Sam need before going to sleep? Could Mrs. Bear have forgotten a kiss?

When Sam has a cough, Mrs. Bear tends to him all through the cold night.

Baby Duck experiences the fear of the first day of school, but with a little help from Grampa, everything turns out okay in the end. By the creators of You''re the Boss, Baby Duck! Reissue.

"Endearing characters add to the sweetness and fulfillment that younger children will identify with, making this third Sam and Mrs. Bear story quite a delicious morsel." — Kirkus Reviews "Little ones will find this both a suitable precursor to nap time and a spur to be brave and act generously — just like Sam." — Booklist Mrs. Bear and Sam are baking cakes for their friends.

Set during World War II, this poignant, briskly paced historical novel relays the events of one extraordinary summer from three engaging points of view. On the morning of the dedication of the new children’s library in Belle Beach, Long Island, eleven-year-old Julie Sweet and her six-year-old sister, Martha, find a baby in a basket on the library steps. At the same time, twelve-year-old Bruno Ben-Eli is on his way to the train station to catch the 9:15 train into New York City. He is on an important errand for his brother, who is a soldier overseas in World War II. But when Bruno spies Julie, the same Julie who hasn’t spoken to him for sixteen days, heading away from the library with a baby in her arms, he has to follow her. Holy everything, he thinks. Julie Sweet is a kidnapper. Of course, the truth is much more complicated than the children know in this heartwarming and beautifully textured family story by award-winning author Amy Hest. Told in three distinct voices, each with a different take on events, the novel captures the moments and emotions of a life-changing summer — a summer in which a baby gives a family hope and brings a community together.

One dark and stormy night, Mrs Bear is putting Sam to bed. She asks him if he is ready, but he says that he is waiting. She reads him a story, but still he isn''t ready. So Mrs Bear tucks the blanket around Sam. What can Sam be waiting for? Originally published: 2001.

Two of our most beloved picture book creators team up to tell a classic story of a child, his new puppy, and a first night home. Features an audio read-along! On Charley’s first night, Henry carries his new puppy in his old baby blanket all the way to his house. He shows Charley every room, saying, "This is home, Charley." He says that a lot so that Charley will know that he is home. Henry’s parents are very clear about who will be walking and feeding Charley (Henry will, and he can’t wait). They are also very clear about where Charley will be sleeping: Charley will be sleeping in the kitchen. But when the crying starts in the middle of the night, Henry knows right away that it’s Charley! And it looks like his parents’ idea about where Charley is going to sleep may have to change. With warmth, humor, and endearing simplicity, Amy Hest tells a tale familiar to everyone who has loved a puppy, while Helen Oxenbury renders each tender gesture and charming detail in a beauty of a book that children will be eager to take home.

Although her parents love walking in the rain, Baby Duck does not--until Grandpa shares a secret with her.

When her parents make such a fuss over their new baby, Baby Duck feels neglected, until Grandpa helps her to realize that she is still important.

An unhurried fishing trip, with blueberry scones in tow, introduces a new bear duo sure to charm fans of Little Bear and Frog and Toad. One day Big Bear says to Little Bear, I’m just in the mood for fishing. Me, too, says Little Bear. Just in the mood. With this decided, Big Bear and Little Bear are off… almost. First they need the right attire, poles in a red wagon, a basket of freshly-baked scones, and a good book to read. It’s unclear how much real fishing will get done today, but one thing’s for sure: there will be a cozy nap in the hammock at the end. Adults who grew up with classic stories about friendship and caring will feel an immediate resonance in the low-stakes adventures of these two adorable bears. Amy Hest’s wry text sets a pitch-perfect mood, and Caldecott Medalist Erin Stead brings fine art to each bucolic illustration. Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing is a treat for all ages and is sure to find a treasured place on shelves for years to come. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A celebration of the joy and comfort to be found in alone time and the joy and comfort that a friend can bring. Sometimes it’s nice to be alone. Just you, eating a cookie, alone. But what if a friend drops in? In Amy Hest and Philip C. Stead’s accomplished hands, anyone can become a potential friend—and that includes horses, whales, crocodiles, and even dinosaurs. The book’s effortless lilt and joyous illustrations are reminiscent of the very best work of Margaret Wise Brown and Charlotte Zolotow. It’s a complete treat for any introverted kid with a big imagination. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year A Bank Street Best Children''s Book of the Year

In a series of letters to her new dog, fourth-grader Annie Rossi relates her daily exploits and remembers her mother.

When winter arrives, Little Miss Bear does not want to go to sleep for the season for fear that she will miss everything, but Mother Bear reassures her that everyone will be waiting when Little Miss wakes up in the spring.

"An enchanting little story, with homey illustrations that add to its appeal." — School Library Journal (starred review) Outside, the wind blows and the rain comes down. Inside, it is Sam’s bedtime. Mrs. Bear reads him a story, tucks him in, and brings him warm milk. "Are you ready now, Sam?" she asks. "I’m waiting," he says. What else does Sam need before going to sleep? Could Mrs. Bear have forgotten a kiss?

How Little Chick longs for her carrot to grow tall, for her kite to fly high, to be able to reach up & take her star from the sky. But her carrot is small, her kite bobs along on the ground & she can''t reach her star. Sometimes things just don''t turn out quite the way you want them to.

Bunny and Dog live on opposite sides of the fence. No one says hello. Or hi. But on the night of the shooting star, two doors open...

Katie, a Jewish girl living in New York City during World War II, sees many dynamic changes in her world as she ages from seven to ten waiting for her father to return from the war.

When a little bear becomes separated from its mother in New York, a sympathetic child explains the proper steps that must be taken to reunite them.

Although she loves her father, their home in New York City, and third-grade teacher Miss Meadows, eight-year-old Annie misses her mother who died recently and finds a way to deal with her grief when she receives a special scrapbook from her mother''s former students.

On a rainy day when Baby Duck is sick with a cold, her grandfather cheers her up by showing her family photographs. Children''s BOMC.

Complications in twelve-year-old Cornie''s life, among them divorced parents and a new baby half-sister, help Cornie and her best friend Megan find a theme for the school photojournalism project.

Nell and her brother Theo love their family''s new boat from the start, but their mother must make a heroic effort to conquer her fear of boating.

Lexi gets more than she bargained for when she acts as a go-between for her grandmother and Mr. Singer across the street.

A thirteen-year-old Jewish orphan reluctantly leaves her grandmother and immigrates to New York City, where she works for three years sewing lace and earning money to bring Grandmother to the United States, too. Reprint.

When Baby Duck is not sure she is ready to get into the pool with the swim team, her grandfather encourages her.

Mabel doesn''t want to go to sleep while Mama and Papa are having a dance party downstairs.

Jennie helps her grandmother prepare for a family Sabbath celebration.

The hard-working daughter of two bakers and a perfectly nice stray dog live lonely lives in the same town, until they meet one very stormy day. -- Publisher details.

Depressed about her best friend''s upcoming move to a new apartment, Jessica tries to cheer herself up by throwing a going away party.

The creators of Charley’s First Night return with a tale of a boy, a puppy, and a grampa — an enchanting picture book bearing all the hallmarks of a classic. Features an audio read-along! It’s a snowy day, and Grampa is coming by train for a visit. Henry can’t wait! He sets out with Charley, his beloved pup, pulling a sled for Grampa’s suitcase. To pass time at the station, Henry tells Charley about Grampa — how he has the longest feet and snores wild, and how he doesn’t know how to be friends with a dog. At last Grampa arrives, but when a sudden gust of wind blows his hat away, Charley disappears into the whirling snow — and returns, to their relief, carrying Grampa’s green cap! With lyrical simplicity, Amy Hest narrates a small, turning moment in the life of a child and a grandparent, while Helen Oxenbury renders every gesture and detail with signature warmth and charm.

Every other Sunday, Sadie and her grandfather go for their special early-morning walk.

A best-selling author and illustrator pay tribute to the power of language and intergenerational bonds. George Baker and Harry don’t seem the likeliest of friends. Yet, sitting side by side on George’s porch, waiting for the school bus to come, the two have plenty in common, this hundred-year-old musician with the crookedy fingers going tappidy on his knees and the young schoolboy whose shoelaces always need tying. They’re both learning to read, which is hard — but what’s easy is the warm friendship they share. In an inspired pairing, a best-selling author and illustrator pay tribute to the power of language and intergenerational bonds.

Despite her mother''s reminder that "navy blue is what you always get, " Gabby begs her tailor grandfather to make her a beautiful purple fall coat.

In a series of journal entries and letters to a pen pal, Katie relates her feelings about her father''s death in World War II, her mother''s remarriage, and the family''s move from New York City to Texas.

Inside tall buildings and houses neat and grand, one dozen crawling, singing, busy babies are stuffed into pajamas, coats, and hats in preparation for their journey to story hour at the library.

Three friends, Casey, Jenny, and Kate, are excited when Jenny''s mother has a baby and they decide to go to work as nannies.

Grandpa and Rosie spend the morning fishing and Rosie learns that catching a fish is not the most important thing.

When Sam has a cough, Mrs. Bear tends to him all through the cold night.

After concluding that each other''s home life is more appealing than their own, two young friends decide to swap homes and mothers.

Kate, who lives with her grandmother on Manhattan''s Upper West Side, wants to be a ballet dancer, but when her dancing comes into conflict with her home life, she begins to wonder where her commitment really lies.