New Releases by Daniel Pinkwater

Internationally-bestselling author Daniel Pinkwater (The Big Orange Splot) brings his zany wit and wisdom to the magical adventures of a clever girl and her brave dog. Told with warmth and wit, this is a delightful exploration of growing up, the power of family, and how sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect them. "Daniel Pinkwater is so obviously the funniest writer of children''s books that he should be made a Living National Treasure." --Washington Post Book World Jules McShultz was promised a dog. Supposedly, she''d get one once her family moved from the city to the suburbs. But then her parents decided it still wasn''t the right time. So Jules does what any intelligent girl would do. Instead of sulking, she enters an essay contest and wins first prize: A purebred Collie. And no one--not even Jules'' parents--can resist Penny, who is clearly Jules''s perfect new canine pal. Jules and Penny are ready to spend the summer exploring the woods by the house. But the woods are not at all what they seem to be. Magic and adventure await them just on the other side of an old stone wall.

These four different stories — collected for the very first time — abound in hilarious situations and characters. Includes Wingman, Fat Men from Space, The Magic Goose and The Muffin Fiend.

Collected for the first time, four funny and imaginative tales for kids by an acclaimed storyteller include Looking for Bobowicz (A Hoboken Chicken Story),The Magic Moscow, Attila the Pun, and Jolly Roger, A Dog of Hoboken.

An ALA Notable Book Kids ages 9-12 will “delight in [the] oddness” of this Home Alone-style tale set in the 1970s—from a prolific children’s author who captures “a magic that’s not like anyone else’s” (Neil Gaiman). With Victor’s parents out of town, he is free to investigate the mysterious lizard musicians who have recently appeared on TV . . . Things Victor loves: pizza with anchovies, grape soda, B movies aired at midnight, the evening news. And with his parents off at a resort and his older sister shirking her babysitting duties, Victor has plenty of time to indulge himself and to try a few things he’s been curious about. Exploring the nearby city of Hogboro, he runs into a curious character known as the Chicken Man (a reference to his companion, an intelligent hen named Claudia who lives under his hat). The Chicken Man speaks brilliant nonsense, but he seems to be hip to the lizard musicians (real lizards, not men in lizard suits) who’ve begun appearing on Victor’s television after the broadcast of the late-late movie. Are the lizards from outer space? From “other space”? Together Victor and the Chicken Man, guided by the able Claudia, journey to the lizards’ floating island, a strange and fantastic place that operates with an inspired logic of its own.

When a poor kitten is found wandering lost in the streets of Brooklyn, it''s Yetta the Yiddish chicken to the rescue.

Four farsighted mice get glasses — and a talking cat solves a family mystery — as the charmingly eccentric Mrs. Noodlekugel returns. When Mrs. Noodlekugel’s four mice make a terrible mess with cookie crumbs at tea, she decides to take them on the bus to visit the eye doctor — and invites Nick and Maxine to come along! The mice ride on Mrs. Noodlekugel’s hat, while Mr. Fuzzface, her talking cat, has the indignity of riding in a carrier. Afterward, the hungry crew head to Dirty Sally’s Lunchroom, but the mice overdo their cheesecake and run out the door. Luckily a policeman is at the ready to help with the search — as is a rough-edged, yarn-spinning alley cat with a surprising connection to Mr. Fuzzface! It’s all a day in the life of Daniel Pinkwater’s whimsical characters, in a chapter-book series whose comical tone and cozy illustrations are sure to keep young readers coming back for more.

Could the bear have a secret friend? Who is leaving him surprises? The ever-lovable Daniel Pinkwater spins a funny and sweetly offbeat story. Features an audio read-along performed by the author! One morning, the bear finds something just outside his cave. It is orange and long and pointy and has bushy green leaves at one end. And it’s sweet and crunchy! Where did it come from? Did someone leave it for him? Then there are two more of the sweet crunchy things the next morning! The bear knows that someone nice is leaving him these treats. If only he could discover who it is! Should he leave something tasty in return? With the help of Will Hillenbrand’s endearing illustrations, the inimitable Daniel Pinkwater spins a charming little mystery about unexpected kindnesses and finding that extra-special someone.

With signature wit and whimsy, the inimitable Daniel Pinkwater introduces an eccentric, endearing babysitter every child will wish they could have. Nick and Maxine live in a tall building with one apartment on top of another. So when they look out their window and see a little house they never knew was there, of course they must visit (especially when their parents tell them not to!). Going through the boiler room, they’re amazed to find to a secret backyard with a garden, a porch, and a statue of a cat. And they’re even more amazed when that cat starts to talk. . . . Welcome to the world of Mrs. Noodlekugel, where felines converse and serve cookies and tea, vision-impaired mice join the party (but may put crumbs up their noses), and children in search of funny adventures are drawn by the warm smell of gingerbread and the promise of magical surprises.

There have been books about dogs since books began -- manuals on training and raising them, stories featuring dogs, and memoirs seen through the eyes of dogs. Lately, there has been a rash of books that purport to tell us what dogs are thinking, such as the bestselling What Dogs Are Thinking. This is a book about a Jewish boy and his sled dogs -- also a couple of wolves, a parrot or two...and Pinkwater''s uncle...and his father. Daniel Pinkwater, prodigious author of books for children, popular commentator on National Public Radio, and dog trainer to the stars, is unclear about what dogs are thinking. In fact, he appears to be completely baffled by them. He considers himself lucky that his dog does not foul the carpet, bite people, or run in traffic. Unlike every other dog book ever written, this one does not make the reader feel more stupid than the author.

Jacob is the boy. Max is the dog. Until they decide to change places. Now Jacob gets to eat kibble, chase squirrels, and snooze, just like a real dog. Max brushes his teeth, goes to school, and plays video games, just like a real boy. The question is: Who has the better deal? Story maestro Daniel Pinkwater collaborates once again with the gifted illustrator Jack E. Davis for a boy-and-dog escapade that''s sure to set tails a-wagging.

Arthur goes to pick up the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner but comes back with a 260-pound chicken.

Contains three previously-published novels about a talking blue moose, who moves in with Mr. Breton and helps him run his restaurant.

LASSIE, GO HOME -- MUSH IS HERE! Now that Kelly Mangiaro''s family has moved out of their apartment into a house, she figures her parents will finally let her get a dog. Instead, her mother gets a job, and Kelly gets a baby-sitter. Then Kelly comes upon Mush, a mushamute -- a breed not recognized by the Westminster Kennel Club, or by anyone else for that matter, possibly because mushamutes come from the planet Growf-Woof-Woof, in the solar system of Arfturus. Mushamutes can talk, tell time, cook up a storm, and even clean up the kitchen afterwards. Who needs a baby-sitter when there''s a mushamute around? Now if only Kelly can persuade her parents to let her keep Mush....

Just when you thought it was safe... Here comes Dorkula. Who is he and what does he want? Is this the vampire of ancient legend and bad late-night movies? Being in the Werewolf Club has never been so much fun! Just ask Ralf Alfa, Billy Furball, Lucy Fang, and Norman Gnormal. Follow their funny exploits as they wend their way through this spine-tingling tale of werewolves, vampires, and inspired lunacy.

What''s salty and cures werewolves? There''s only one way to cure a werewolf and that''s to eat Alexander the Great''s Magic Pretzel. You knew that, right? So, that''s what Norman and his werewolf friends at the Watson Elementary School try to find, with the help of their teacher, Mr. Talbot. There''s danger! There''s adventure! There''s hilarious fun! Do they find the Magic Pretzel? Well, read this amazing chapter book and find out!