Best Selling Books by Cynthia Rylant

Here are twelve deeply moving short stories from the perceptive pen of Cynthia Rylant. Each captures the moment when someone''s life changes -- when an animal causes a human being to see things in a different way, and, perhaps, changes his life.

Caldecott Honor Book! "An evocative remembrance of the simple pleasures in country living; splashing in the swimming hole, taking baths in the kitchen, sharing family times, each is eloquently portrayed here in both the misty-hued scenes and in the poetic text." -Association for Childhood Education International

An old woman discovers an abandoned puppy that she is afraid to name--or to even love. This moving story features Gary Larson-esque "(The Far Side)" visuals that will appeal to adults as well as kids. Full-color illustrations.

This critically acclaimed winner of the Newbery Medal joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!Ever since May, Summer''s aunt and good-as-a-mother for the past six years, died in the garden among her pole beans and carrots, life for Summer and her Uncle Ob has been as bleak as winter. Ob doesn''t want to create his beautiful whirligigs anymore, and he and Summer have slipped into a sadness that they can''t shake off. They need May in whatever form they can have her -- a message, a whisper, a sign that will tell them what to do next. When that sign comes, Summer with discover that she and Ob can keep missing May but still go on with their lives.

The cousins spend their winter vacation learning to sew with their neighbor Mrs. White and making gifts for a special celebration with Aunt Lucy and her boyfriend Michael. Line art.

“It’s a grand experience, this set of poems, this rumination on the cat and the human condition” (School Library Journal). Boris is a big gray cat who loves sleeping and playing and exploring and hunting. And his owner loves him for all of his simple cat ways. But Boris, typical as he may be, is part of a much larger story in this moving exploration of love, longing, compassion, and most of all, the continuous give-and-take of companionship. Newbery Medal recipient Cynthia Rylant’s powerful collection of poems is sure to find its place in the hearts of readers of all ages, especially those who have been lucky enough to experience the many joys and hardships that come with true friendship. “Makes a great introduction for readers not comfortable with poetry. The poems tell an accessible, compelling story . . . Warm and tender.” —The Horn Book “With characteristic sensitivity, Rylant addresses one of her cats in a set of conversational free-verse poems—recalling the day she brought him and his sister home from the humane shelter, warning him about predatory eagles, congratulating him on bonding rather than battling with a new neighbor’s cat and on surviving a solitary jaunt into the surrounding woods.” —Kirkus Reviews “This can be appreciated for the sway of the writing or for its celebration of cats.” —Booklist

The first book in the acclaimed easy-to-read series featuring Henry and his lovable 180-pound dog, Mudge.

Caldecott honor book: 1986.

A beautifully illustrated version of the classic fairy tale about a tin soldier’s adventure and his love for a ballerina, retold with a twist. With her signature warmth and lyricism, Newbery winner Cynthia Rylant has crafted a new version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a tin soldier who falls in love with a ballerina. As in the original story, the tin soldier’s love for the beautiful ballerina is thwarted by a goblin. The tin soldier is separated from the other toys and washed down a sewer, where he encounters a rat and gets swallowed by a fish, but somehow, against all odds, he manages to end up back home only to be cast into the nursery fire. Rylant adds her own twist to the end of the tale, however, for in this version, the tin soldier and the ballerina are melded to each other, rather than melted, in the heat of the fire, so they’ll never be parted again. Rylant’s expert storytelling paired with Corace’s stunning illustrations create a beautiful, unforgettable tale of everlasting love. Praise for The Steadfast Tin Soldier “Gracefully written. . . . The book’s large format gives plenty of scope for Corace’s distinctive illustrations, precise ink drawings brightened with watercolor, gouache, and acrylic paints. Sometimes brilliantly colorful and sometimes more subdued, the scenes can be crowded with dozens of toys or other visual elements, but they show up well from a distance. The subtle depictions of the goblin and his shadow are particularly fine. A softened vision of the literary fairy tale.” —Booklist “Text and illustrations weave seamlessly to create an involving, fast-paced update of a much-loved tale. Rylant''s retelling is abridged, yet sprightly, and Corace’s watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and pen-and-ink illustrations add nuance and whimsy to Andersen''s original.” —School Library Journal

At night after the shades are drawn, a small guinea pig shares adventures with the toys in Toytown, the toy store where he lives. Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and artist Tim Bowers once again bring the cozy world of Toytown to life in this easy-to-read picture book.

When their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry hurts her foot, Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby agree to walk her dog for a week, not knowing what they are in for.

"The creation story illustrated in a folk-art style"--

Nigel Chipmunk shares a pleasant life with his friends Dipper the hummingbird, Little Owl, Copper the butterfly, Claudius the garter snake, and Mudpuppy the salamander. Full color.

Rylant follows the seaside adventures of Henry, Henry''s father, and Henry''s big dog Mudge.

Text and illustrations describe the sights and sounds of nighttime in the country.

The visit of the traveling Preacher Man to his small North Carolina town gives new impetus to thirteen-year-old Peter''s struggle to reconcile his own deeply felt religious belief with the beliefs and non-beliefs of his family and friends.

Pandora the cat becomes a lighthouse keeper and saves the life of Seabold the dog, and together the two of them create a family with three young mice rescued from the sea.

In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends. Cynthia Rylant''s lyrical language and Jill Kastner''s rich, cozy paintings capture the cherished moments of this autumn month--the moments we spend together and the ones we witness in the world around us.

Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant brings the peaceful sounds, sights, and characters of the coast vividly to life in the fourth book of the Lighthouse Family series, in which the family rescues a trapped turtle. A thick fog has found its way up north to the lighthouse family, surrounding the cliffs and waters below. Always ready to lend a hand, the lighthouse siblings Whistler and Lila help Seabold guide small ships to land. As they overlook the foggy waters, they hear a distant voice echoing from the rocks below. Who could it be? Using only a rope and their hearts to guide them, Seabold, Lila, and Whistler make their way down the side of the cliff. And what they discover will help them weather even the thickest fog—a new friend.

See:

Mr. Putter gets an old cat to share his life with him. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Henry and his big dog Mudge try to keep busy inside the house during a thunderstorm.

It''s snowing! That means there are snow spies in the neighborhood, Christmas cookies in the oven, and hours of fun ahead for a boy and his dog. So get ready to enjoy winter with easy-to-read favorites Henry and Mudge as they share the warmth and excitement of the merriest of days, the sparkle days.

In this animal adventure from Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Rylant, Stumpy Squirrel has just settled into a new nest in a magnificent pin oak in Gooseberry Park. It s the perfect spot for her babies to be born When they arrive healthy and strong, Stumpy s three good friends--a Labrador retriever, a wise hermit crab, and a bat who eats Chinese food--are thrilled. But after a terrible ice storm destroys the pin oak, Stumpy disappears. It takes a special combination of courage, humor, and tenacity for Stumpy s friends to rescue her babies and bring her home again. Arthur Howard''s black-and-white illustrations illuminate the companions adventures throughout."

In the 13th book in the Henry and Mudge series, Henry and his big dog Mudge can''t wait for Cousin Annie to visit. But when Annie arrives, she thinks Henry''s fish tank smells and does not like dog kisses. How can you have fun with a cousin like that? Henry and Mudge find a way!

This lovely book illuminates all the possibilities a day offers—the opportunities and chances that won’t ever come again—and also delivers a gentle message of good stewardship of our planet. Newbery Medal winner Cynthia Rylant’s poetic text, alongside Nikki McClure’s stunning, meticulously crafted cut-paper art, makes this book not only timeless but appealing to all ages, from one to one hundred.

Now an old man, John is haunted by memories of enlisting to fight in World War II, a decision which forced him to face the horrors of war and changed his life forever.

From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant comes a vibrantly illustrated, poetic picture book tribute to the beauty and magic of a rainy day. There is a softness and a quiet before the rain comes… When rain is on its way, some people and animals hurry home and get cozy inside. But others stay out to soak up the glorious showers! Wet drops bounce on leaves and roofs, creeks fill up, trees take a shower, cats have a show, and everyone relishes the rain. With lyrical words by award-winning author Cynthia Rylant and vibrant pictures by celebrated artist Lisa Congdon, this evocative picture book shows that rain is good for everyone.

For Henry and his big dog Mudge, spring means admiring the first snow glory, playing in puddles in the rain, and watching the five new kittens next door.

Meet the Cobble Street Cousins * Lily, who wants to be a poet * * Tess, who wants to be a Broadway star * * Rosie, who wants a little cottage with flowers by the door * It''s spring on Cobble Street, and Lily has a great idea -- the Cobble Street Cousins'' own newspaper! Soon the very first edition of The Cobble Street Courier is hot off the presses, with a poem by Lily, Tess''s favorite jokes, and Rosie''s yummy recipe for shortbread -- even an interview with Aunt Lucy''s boyfriend, Michael. Now it''s time to deliver the paper to all the cousins'' old friends on Cobble Street -- and a couple of new ones!

an amazing year Ellie Farley''s father, Okey, drinks too much, mostly because he hasn''t been able to work since he was injured in a mining accident. He hasn''t been able to hunt, either, so it''s strange when he brings home a hunting dog, a beagle named Bullet. But Bullet is only the first odd thing that happens to Ellie the year she''s eleven. She sees a favorite uncle go off to war; a boy in her class has a fit in the middle of geography and another is accidentally killed while target shooting; and Okey drives his Chevy pickup off the mountain, with near-tragic consequences. But still Ellie manages the ordinary pleasures of making a best friend and getting kissed for the first time -- it''s no wonder she confides to Bullet on her twelfth birthday, "Some year."

Tells the story of the Meadow family and the life they lead in the quiet country town of Blue Hill, Virginia.

Text and illustrations explore the countryside and people of Appalachia.

In the eleventh book in the Henry and Mudge series, it''s a gray, rainy weekend and Henry and Mudge are stuck inside. Being inside is boring, until Henry and his parents decide to build a castle in the basement!

In this seventh book in the Henry and Mudge series, first Henry has a cold, and then Mudge gets sick, too. What can Henry do to help Mudge feel better?

A deeply compelling collection of poems about God and our everyday world from a Newbery medalist. Cynthia Rylant takes teens on an invigorating spiritual journey as she explores what God''s life on Earth might be like. Rylant''s reflective and often humorous verse follows God as he tries out human activities such as getting a dog, writing a fan letter, and making spaghetti. God Went to Beauty School combines the awesome with the everyday in an accessible, thought–provoking, and intelligent manner.