New Releases by Devin Scillian

From a mischief of mice and a shiver of sharks to a caravan of camels and a rhumba of rattlesnakes, animals from around the globe gather a group and sashay, swim, slither, or sail through this party of animal plurals. The only question is "What to call this animal arcade? This critter convention? This zigzag zoo? This purring and preening parade?" A delightful and colorful romp through the perfection of animal plurals from the author of Memoirs of a Goldfish!

Oliver the tortoise has had his human, Ike, for a very, very long time now. In fact, they''re the same age--80 years old--and practically twins. They both enjoy the slowness of the garden, cool water from the hose on a hot day, and a nice slice of honeydew melon. But when Ike stops visiting the garden, Oliver wonders why his pet has left him so soon. So he makes the long journey to see his mother ten gardens away--she will certainly have the answer. This tender story from the author and illustrator that brought us Memoirs of a Goldfish reminds us to cherish all the days we have with our pets and loved ones.

When country toads, Hank and Buckeroo, hear some folks talking about going "fly-fishing," they know they have to tag along. What could be better than fishing for flies?! So they stow away in a picnic basket and prepare for the feast of their lives. But what will happen when they realize fly-fishing isn''t exactly what they expected? This knee-slapping story is from Devin Scillian and Tim Bowers, the same team that brought you Memoirs of a Goldfish and the rest of the hysterical Memoirs series.

Christmas can be a very confusing holiday. Just what are sugarplums anyway?! This collection of silly poems show classic Christmas carols and traditions reimagined through the eyes of a very confused kid. With illustrations from the hysterical Marty Kelley, this is a perfect pick for a holiday full of belly laughs.

Join a brilliant, but stubborn, parrot as he endures the banality of the pet store before being purchased by an equally insufferable young man. But while things between parrot and owner get off to a rocky start, the delights of having a pet (or human) bring them both around in the end. From author Devin Scillian and illustrator Tim Bowers of the Memoirs series, this is sure to please fans new and old.

Cosmo loves the moon, and the moon loves Cosmo. They both come to realize though that lots of things depend on the moon - the ocean tides, morning glories, and the dogs, who can''t stop howling. A magical book about the power of friendship and the nature of responsibility, Cosmo''s moon will charm everyone who''s ever been bewitched by the beauty of the moon. "Cosmo loved the moon. He had moon pajamas and a moon nightlight and stars and moons all over his bedroom. Every night, Cosmo''s mother and father gave him a hug and a kiss and tucked him into his bed. But just as soon as they closed his bedroom door, he threw aside the covers, ran to the open window, and watched as the golden moon came into the night sky just above the sycamore tree. And as a gentle night breeze blew across the curtains, Cosmo would talk and the moon would listen."

It''s Christmas Eve and Spark Elf has the very important job of keeping Santa Claus on schedule as he travels the globe in 24 hours delivering presents. Small in stature with pointy ears and stopwatch in hand, Spark lets Santa know it''s time to go. He programs the GPS while the other elves secure the toy bag and check the Nice list. Little known fact: We don''t even bring the Naughty list with us. Six hours into the trip Santa, sleigh and crew begin to fall behind--so many cuddly doggies to pet and extra cookies to eat. The jolly group makes up time in Brazil and soon find themselves back at the North Pole. Their work is done. But wait, there''s something left in the bag--but it isn''t a present at all--it''s a family dog! Well known fact: Santa gives things away. He does not take things! Momma Claus comes to the rescue with a plan to get the dog back to his family. Can Santa return the family''s beloved pooch in time to keep their Christmas merry?

"I dreamed again of Fibblestax, sitting among his books, Peering into the candlelight with a calm, thoughtful look. For he''s the one who gives a name to every single thing. If not for him we couldn''t talk. Or read, or write, or sing..." So begins the delightful fable of Fibblestax, and how he came to be the one who names everything. He has to battle the tricky, red-faced Carr, a man who "gives terrible names to wonderful things." The mayor of their town gives them five things to name, and the final one, "that very strange feeling, a dreamy kind of cheer/the feeling that makes you feel so good when a special friend is near" stumps Carr. But, Fibblestax knows that feeling... With soft, intricately detailed illustrations to accompany the musical text, this book will surely become a special favorite for children of all ages.

From the British and our Constitution that replaced their rule, to Yellowstone Park and Zane Grey''s stories of the west, "A is for America" is a sweeping tribute to all we know and love about our country. With delightful poems that beg to be read aloud, and expository text to broaden a student''s horizons, this American alphabet will make you fall in love with the United States over and over again. Bright, beautifully detailed illustrations from California artist Pam Carroll bring each letter to life, from eagles to Thomas Edison to the veterans of two World Wars.

What has gotten into Brewster the rooster? The Macintosh family can''t understand why their barnyard pet is crowing at the darnedest things. "I''m worried about Brewster," Magnolia said, mixing carrot cake batter with raisins. "Something has changed. It seems so strange but he''s crowing at the oddest occasions." Whether it''s the children playing catch in the yard, Zeb painting the barn red, or Grandma Pearl flipping hotcakes, Brewster can''t stop from letting out an earsplitting cock-a-doodle-doo that sends the Macintosh family head over heels. When the barnyard brouhaha gets too much, even Doc Sawyer is consulted. But can he figure out how to help Brewster? Readers young and old will be charmed by the perfect solution to Brewster''s problem.Devin Scillian is an Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist with the NBC affiliate station in Detroit. Brewster the Rooster is his ninth book with Sleeping Bear Press. He also wrote the bestselling A is for America: An American Alphabet. Devin lives with his family in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. Lee White graduated from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. In addition to illustrating children''s books, he also exhibits his art in galleries. Lee currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Brewster the Rooster is his first project with Sleeping Bear Press.

Written by the son of a career officer, this book explores the branches of the Armed Services and speaks from the heart about the honor, privileges and sacrifices of military families everywhere. Children will discover why drill sergeants have to be so tough, what it means to be patriotic and why we need Special Forces such as the Navy SEALS, the Green Berets and the Army Rangers. H is for Honor also explains why the annual Army/Navy football game is more than just a game, how much letters from home mean to soldiers, how often military families have to move and what life on base is like. With an underlying message of courage and commitment that every child can relate to, the book will be especially meaningful to those whose parents, siblings or other relatives serve in the Armed Forces.

Celebrating the diversity in our world while cherishing our similarities, P is for Passport takes readers on a whirlwind tour of all the delights of the globe. From the everyday concerns of people everywhere for such things as bread and currency, to the wonders of our world such as deserts and volcanoes, Passport offers a fascinating variety of topics and ideas to explore. Author and journalist Devin Scillian was born into a traveling family. With a career Army officer for a father, Devin grew up all over the United States and all over the world. His career as a television journalist added even more stamps in his passport and he continues to cherish each and every one. Devin, his wife Corey and their four children make their home in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Devin also anchors the news for WDIV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit. His books include A is for America, Fibblestax, and Cosmo''s Moon. Artwork is featured from 23 Sleeping Bear Press artists, who live in live in a variety of climates, homes, and time zones.Cover artwork by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen.

Night 1 / My life is perfect. / I have a bowl full of seeds, a cozy pile of wood shavings, and room to run. / I''m never leaving here. / Question: Who''s the luckiest hamster in the world? / Answer: ME! Seymour the hamster has the perfect life. He has a spacious cage, a constant food supply, and a FuzzyBoy 360 exercise wheel that lets him run to his heart''s content. Life could not be better. Or could it? When Pearl the cat tells Seymour of the goodies beyond the safe confines of his cage, he starts to think he''s missing out. And out is the new in! It''s only after Seymour is out of his cage that he begins to fully appreciate his safe and cozy home.

Westward Journeys contains three stories focusing on the American westward expansion, including the Oregon Trail and the Oklahoma Land Run. In Minnow and Rose, Rose and her family are traveling with a wagon train heading west on the Oregon Trail. When she encounters Minnow, a young native girl, their meeting has life-changing results for both cultures. The Oklahoma Land Run is the topic in Pappy''s Handkerchief. When Moses and his family hear of free farmland out in Oklahoma, they head west to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning their own land. After a difficult wagon trip, they arrive at the staging point for the Oklahoma Land Run. In A Book for Black-Eyed Susan, Cora''s family is faced with tragedy during their journey on the Oregon Trail. When Cora learns she is to be separated from her baby sister, she creates a memento of their journey together.

Five minutes after his birth, Johnny Kaw is over six feet tall and still growing. When he outgrows his crib and even their town, his parents decide to move west where "little" Johnny can have plenty of room to play. After the family crosses the wide Missouri River to Kansas, Johnny sits down to play with his dog. His bottom ends up making the valley where his family will settle. And when Johnny clears stones from a field so his father can plow, he ends up creating the Rocky Mountains in the process. The legendary folk hero shapes the state''s landscape by carving out valleys and creating prairies with his bare hands. Why, he even takes on a tornado when it threatens the family farm. Kansas native Devin Scillian spins a rollicking, rhyming yarn based on the tall tale of Johnny Kaw. Comedic, exaggerated artwork from artist Brad Sneed brings this character to BIG life.

Young Moses and his family are barely scraping by. He helps his father in their fish stall selling each day''s catch to passersby but times are hard in 1889 Baltimore. It''s difficult to provide for a family of ten. But when they hear of free farmland out in Oklahoma, it sounds like the answer to their prayers. The family sells all they own and heads west to fulfill a lifelong dream. Their wagon journey, however, is plagued with troubles from ice storms and flooded rivers to diminishing supplies and sickness. Yet Moses and his family persevere. They arrive in time to take a place along the boundary line that marks the staging point for the Oklahoma Land Run. But after making it this far, will even more bad luck prevent them from realizing their dream of owning their own piece of America? Evocative paintings and spellbinding storytelling bring the Oklahoma Land Run to vivid life for young readers.

Following the success of S is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet, husbandand- wife author team Devin and Corey Scillian join illustrator Doug Bowles in another rousing state tribute. One Kansas Farmer: A Kansas Number Book "counts out" an entertaining and educational travelogue of the state''s history, geography, famous people, and places. Topics include the dancing prairie chickens and the invention of the microchip. Corey and Devin Scillian are graduates of the University of Kansas. They now live in Michigan where Devin anchors the news for WDIV-TV in Detroit. Devin''s other children''s books include the bestselling A is for America: An American Alphabet and Brewster the Rooster. Doug Bowles enjoys working with a wide range of clients in advertising, corporate, and editorial jobs, as well as in the children''s book market. He also enjoys working on fine art collections and shows frequently in galleries around Kansas. Doug lives in Leawood, Kansas.

What country holds the title as the world''s smallest continent and yet the world''s largest island? I stands for island, but one that''s not too small. Our island is enormous. Just try to see it all! There''s no place else quite like it; that is clearly true. Australia is a continent, but it''s an island, too. Originally founded as a penal colony, Australia has long been known for its contrasts (think: wild outback and sophisticated Sydney Opera House). Accompanied by vibrant colorful artwork, D is for Down Under: An Australia Alphabet captures the spirit of this proud country and its many treasures, natural and man-made. Visit spectacular Sydney Harbor, try your hand as a jackaroo working a sheep station, or just sit back and enjoy a Vegemite sandwich. Below the starry night glitter of the Southern Cross constellation, Australia''s "down under" wonders shine brightly. Devin Scillian is an award-winning author and Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist. His books with Sleeping Bear Press include the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. Devin lives in Michigan and anchors the news for WDIV-TV in Detroit. Geoff Cook has been illustrating for 35 years. His career began as a graphic designer, after graduating from Prahran College in Melbourne. Soon realizing he wanted to be an illustrator, he became a partner in the illustration studio All Australian Graffiti. He lives in Australia.

Nicknamed the "world''s breadbasket," the contributions from the great state of Kansas reverberate far beyond its borders. Kansas has given us leaders in politics (Dwight D. Eisenhower), aviation (Amelia Earhart); and sports (Wilt Chamberlain); leads our nation in wheat production; and fuels our Hollywood image of the wild West (Dodge City). From A-Z, S is for Sunflower explores the broad plain of history and people that make up the state of Kansas.Born a few miles and a few months apart, Corey and Devin Scillian would meet 17 years later at Junction City Senior High School. Both graduates of the University of Kansas, Corey is a ceramic artist and Devin anchors the news for the NBC affiliate in Detroit. Devin''s other children''s books include Cosmo''s Moon, P is for Passport: A World Alphabet, and the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. The authors live in Michigan with their four children. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio, Doug Bowles has been a freelance illustrator for 20 years. In addition to Doug''s illustrations for children, he enjoys working with a wide range of clients in the advertising, corporate, and editorial communities. His work has been selected many times in the Society of Illustrators West competition, and he has had several gallery showings. Doug lives in Leawood, Kansas, with his wife and two children.

The wide-open spaces of Oklahoma are brought alive for readers with charming rhymes about rodeos, land runs, and yes, even the musical "Oklahoma!" The people, places, and landmarks of the Sooner state are thoroughly explored through the popular two-tiered format for the Discover America State by State series, with simple rhymes for younger children and expository text for older children.

Day OneI swam around my bowl. Day Two I swam around my bowl. Twice. And so it goes in this tell-all tale from a goldfish. With his bowl to himself and his simple routine, Goldfish loves his life..until one day... When assorted intruders including a hyperactive bubbler, a grime-eating snail, a pair of amorous guppies, and a really crabby crab invade his personal space and bowl, Goldfish is put out, to say the least. He wants none of it, preferring his former peace and quiet and solitude. But time away from his new companions gives him a chance to rethink the pros and cons of a solitary life. And discover what he''s been missing. Devin Scillian is an award-winning author and Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist. He has written more than 10 books with Sleeping Bear Press, including the bestselling A is for America: An American Alphabet and Brewster the Rooster. Devin lives in Michigan and anchors the news for WDIV-TV in Detroit. Early in his career Tim Bowers worked for Hallmark Cards, helping to launch the Shoebox Greetings card line. He has illustrated more than 25 children''s books, garnering such awards as the Chicago Public Library''s "Best of the Best" list. He also illustrated the widely popular First Dog. Tim lives in Granville, Ohio.

Author Devin Scillian and illustrator Pam Carroll weave their magic around the symbols of Americana that make us proud in One Nation: America by the Numbers, a follow-up to A is for America: An American Alphabet. More than a counting book, One Nation illuminates the landmarks and treasures that are uniquely American.