Best Selling Books by David McPhail

How a small boy with a stammer ended up on the stage, becoming one of New Zealand''s best loved comedians. In The Years Before My Death, renowned and much loved actor-director and comedy show writer David McPhail recounts his early life and what led him to pioneer the satirical TV programmes (including A Week of It and McPhail and Gadsby) for which he is famous, what drove him to perform comedy, and what was behind his desire to make New Zealanders laugh. He tells of his creative friendships with the likes of A.K. Grant, Bruce Ansley and Jon Gadsby; his encounters with former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, the comic genius Dudley Moore, and the television networks of the day. As one would expect, every anecdote is told with insight, perfect timing and a glint in the eye.

Sisters can be different in so many ways, but there is one heartfelt way in which they are most alike—they love each other so very much. David McPhail''s celebration of the joys—and trials—of sisterhood has been a favorite with sisters of all ages for almost twenty years. Now available in a bilingual edition featuring Spanish and English text set in two colors for easy readability, a new generation of sisters will love to read this treasure . . . together.

Although they like different things, Big Pig and Little Pig enjoy spending time together.

David McPhail''s The Lost Little Bird is a funny and affirming picture book about a little bird who goes on an adventure to discover who he is. When a little bird bumps his head one day, he loses his memory. He can''t even remember what kind of bird he is! Determined to find out, he sets off on a great journey. Along the way, he meets many new birds—including some scary crows, an inquisitive owl, and two helpful chickens—but none who are quite like him. Where is his bird of a feather? Sweet and heartfelt, The Lost Little Bird is a story about accepting yourself as you are.

A young boy who has trouble reading helps Santa with his yearly rounds and receives a special Christmas present.

Three friends learn, love, and play together

On his way to school, a small boy befriends a very large bear who is lost.

Jack, the rabbit, tries to make his friend Rick, a sick bear, feel better.

Walter and Bernie set a trap for the lion, tiger, and elephant who break Walter''s toys that are left outside overnight.

Learn famous lullabies to sing to your children.

After a day during which his various relatives urge him to be careful, a young boy experiences a night full of heroic adventures in his dreams.

A companion board book to Ben Loves Bear, Bella Loves Bunny shares the sweet story of friendship between a little girl and her beloved stuffed bunny rabbit, from morning till night. Bella and Bunny do everything together. In the morning, they play piano and dance (and hop!). In the afternoon, Bella has lunch and Bunny has carrot cake. At night, they pick out Bella’s favorite pajamas and snuggle close until they fall asleep. McPhail’s simple text and heartwarming illustrations come together to make an irresistible book that young readers will fall in love with.

Peter and Penguin wake up to snow on the ground and immediately get bundled up to play outside. After making snowballs and a snowman and enjoying the perfect winter day together, they return inside to warm up and share some cocoa. In this companion to Ben Loves Bear and Bella Loves Bunny, the youngest readers will relate to the loving bond between a little boy and his favorite stuffed animal, and how this sweet friendship makes each day special.

A young man joins an ocean cruise on which some bad-mannered pigs create disaster while on board, and when the man returns home, a great surprise awaits him.

Join Fox and Rabbit in three simple stories about friendship and fun.

Have fun finding silly hats--a flat hat, a bat hat, and even a cat hat. This Level C book is perfect for new readers. I had a red hat. I had a bed hat. 10 hats in all. But a strong wind comes by and scatters them everywhere. He invites readers to help find them. Artwork by lauded author-illustrator David McPhail will delight and motivate your child as he or she reads the text. And a search-and-find game adds to the fun. This book has been officially leveled using the F & P Level Gradient(TM) Leveling System. For readers who''ve mastered basic sight words, Level C books feature slightly longer sentences and a wider range of high-frequency words than Level B books. Level C books are suitable for mid-to-late kindergarten readers. When Level C is mastered, follow up with Level D I Like to Read: The award-winning I Like to Read series features guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas & Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high-quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read again and again with their parents, teachers or on their own!

Rat''s car fills up with water when it rains, but his friend Big Brown Bear comes to the rescue.

There''s nothing quite like a boy and his . . . lion? Pig Pig wakes up one morning to a BIG surprise. While Mama makes breakfast, Pig Pig and the lion run down the stairs, through the kitchen, over the furniture, and romp around the house. Prepositions and positional language abound in this playful story, and an unexpected friendship is forged. But will the lion be able to stay, or will the two new friends be separated forever? An action-packed laugh-out-loud read-aloud for youngsters fond of boisterous and imaginative play.

All her life, Beatrix Potter loved to paint. From a young age, she painted the bunnies, mice, and other pets who populated her family home. These characters later populated her stories, which are beloved the whole world over. With beautiful scenes rich in detail, David McPhail transports us to the charming, English countryside and the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter.

A companion to Ben Loves Bear, Bella Loves Bunny, and Peter Loves Penguin, Olivia Loves Owl features a little girl and her beloved stuffed owl. Olivia and Owl pick apples and frolic through piles of colorful leaves. After enjoying a perfect fall day, they go inside to wish upon a star and hoot at the moon. The youngest readers will relate to the loving bond between a child and her favorite stuffed animal and how this sweet friendship makes each day special.

As Walter and Mama gather blueberries for a pie, little Walter asks, over and over, “Who loves me?” Mama tells Walter how much Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa love him. She tells him about how much his aunts and friends and pets love him, too. But, when the pie is ready, Walter knows the list cannot be complete. Who else loves him? Mama, of course! She loves him more than anything.

All your favorite nursery rhymes, songs, and concepts illustrated by popular artist David McPhail--the perfect shower, birthday, or Christmas gift for babies and toddlers. Enter the beloved world of Mother Goose with the whimsical illustrations of David McPhail. Here classic rhymes come to life with energy, humor, and the sweetest charm. With a loveable cast of zoo and farm animals, My Mother Goose also includes concepts like opposites, colors, and early vocabulary. Give children a gift they will treasure for years to come.

Henry Bear takes good care of the park that his father bought before taking off on a balloon trip.

Over breakfast, Pig Pig informs his mother about all the wonderful feats he intends to accomplish that day, such as jumping 500 elephants on his motorcycle and driving a rocket to the moon.

One little boy and one big bear manage to extract the bear''s tooth. A warm, funny fantasy sure to delight young readers.

While waiting to have his picture taken, Pig Pig practices saying "Cheese" as he looks through a photo album and is amazed at the outcome.

The poem about two eyes and a head--Wynken, Blynken, and Nod--is illustrated in blues and half-tones.

Now available as a board book, this bestselling bedtime favorite is an adorable expression of a mothers'' love. Full color. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Jack and Rick want to play together, but there''s a river between them and they will have to work together to bridge it.

A case of mistaken identity leads to hilarious results when fox and rabbit set out to visit an uncle in the city.