New Releases by Diane Degroat

A comic-book superhero climbs off the page and into the real world. When they get into trouble, his biggest fan is there to save the day. Imagine you could meet your favorite comic-book hero in the real world. What kinds of questions would you ask? Would you go on new and exciting adventures? While heroes might seem larger than life, everyone can use some help from a friend. Follow two intersecting stories set in the real world and inside a comic book as a real-life kid finds the courage to cope with his anxiety with the help of Robo-Kid, a comic superhero with his own vulnerabilities. With two distinctive art styles blending comic book and traditional picture book formats, Diane deGroat’s The Adventures of Robo-Kid is an inspiring tale about what it takes to be a hero. Diane deGroat has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than thirty years. For the last ten years she has been illustrating the highly popular Charlie the Ranch Dog series with blogger, author, food-writer, and television personality Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

This Valentine''s Day favorite read-aloud will prompt lots of giggles, as well as discussions on kindness and forgiveness. Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines...and signs the wrong name on both! When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert''s prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there''s always time for a change of heart on Valentine''s Day.

Meet Lola, the younger sister of Gilbert, star of Diane deGroat’s popular picture-book series. Lola has a special dress-up box, filled with wonderful things that help her celebrate every holiday in style. Lola’s adventures will entertain and amuse readers again and again. Lola secretly delivers valentines to everyone she loves-even Gilbert. But the biggest surprise of all is addressed to Lola herself!

Meet Lola, the younger sister of Gilbert, star of Diane deGroat’s popular picture-book series. With a hat and sack from her dress-up box, Lola decides to be an elf and help everyone get ready for Christmas - with hilarious results.

With her insatiable appetite for amusing antics, the future actress extraordinaire has it her way in the third book in the Annie Pitts series, now available in paperback. Annie wants nothing more than to be chosen as the new Burger Barn poster kid, and she can''t wait until the auditions on the day after Thanksgiving. Winning the contest would certainly impress her snooty cousin, Mercedes, and her pesky classmate, Matthew. But first she has to make it through a harrowing Thanksgiving dinner with both Matthew and Mercedes at the table!

Annie Pitts puts her artichoke costume to good use once again when she lands the part of the swamp monster in a high school student''s low-budget horror movie. Could this finally be her big break? But, as usual, things don''t work out as planned for the spunky redheaded heroine when the outtakes end up as a submission for America''s Funniest Halloween Bloopers! Bloopers!

Who lost a tooth? Gilbert''s tooth is wiggly and loose all through spelling and lunch. Then he scores a run in kickball and—BAM!—his tooth is knocked right out of his mouth! Gilbert is so excited that the tooth fairy will be visiting. But Lewis is jealous of Gilbert''s lost tooth and comes up with a sneaky plan. Will the tooth fairy fall for Lewis''s trick?

Gilbert, star of a number of perennial bestsellers, enjoys a fun-filled day at the beach.

Gilbert is back—no fooling! Diane deGroat''s delightful story and fun-filled illustrations will enchant readers, especially when they discover the surprises in many of the illustrations... This sweet and funny April Fools'' Day book is a good choice to share at home or in the classroom. It''s April Fools'' Day, and Gilbert is looking forward to playing tricks on his friends. Unfortunately he''s the one getting tricked by everyone else, including Mrs. Byrd! But the worst prankster is Lewis the bully. Can Gilbert finally outwit Lewis with the best trick of all?

Gilbert has trouble coming up with ideas. First he couldn''t think of a springtime poem, and now he needs an idea for an Earth Day project! Everyone else in Mrs. Byrd''s class is busy working on posters about recycling and saving water and electricity, but Gilbert wants to do something original. A distressing class picnic inspires him, and he comes up with an Earth Day project that even Mrs. Byrd thinks is the best idea yet. With vivid, lively illustrations and a timely story about how kids really can help the world around them, Diane deGroat shows readers of all ages that sometimes the simplest solutions are right in our own backyards!

Gilbert wants to do something special for his mother on Mother''s Day, but first he must stop his sister, Lola, from being the center of attention.

When Gilbert and Lola''s cousin Wally comes to visit for Easter, he learns a lesson about being greedy during the annual Easter egg hunt.

Gilbert''s day camp is going on an overnight trip, & Gilbert expects nothing but fun. But when loudmouthed Lewis tells him about the Camp Hi-Dee-Ho ghost, he can''t help but feel a little nervous. And when he has to go outside in the middle of the night, it looks like he may have to confront his fears face-to-face! Diane deGroat''s 6th book about Gilbert shows us that we can be brave, even in the most unexpected places! Full-color illustrations.

Gilbert''s excitement over starting first grade turns to worry that the teacher will be mean, the work too hard, and his classmates too unfriendly, but throughout the day there are pleasant surprises.

This Easter Lola is putting on her bunny ears to hide eggs for her family. Soon all the eggs are found -- except one.Where could it be?

It''s Halloween, and Lola has lots of exciting costume ideas. The only problem is, all the good ones are already taken! Can Lola find a costume that''sas unique as she is?

Gilbert is nervous about portraying George Washington in front of the class, and he feels even worse when he cannot find his main prop.

Gilbert is excited about staying overnight at Camp Hi-Dee-Ho, until he hears about the legendary camp ghost.

Gilbert the opossum gets stuck with a tattletale "buddy" on a class trip to Pilgrim Town.

Gilbert forgets to do his homework during the weekend because he is busy playing in the snow and getting ready for Christmas. Then he comes up with a solution at the last minute. Full-color illustrations.

Gilbert wants to be a Martian Space Pilot at the school costume parade, but a mix-up leaves him with nothing but his little sister''s ballerina tutu to wear! In this hilarious follow-up to the best-selling Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink, everyone''s favorite porcupine learns all about the ups and downs of being different. Here is a madcap masquerade that will leave school-age children in stitches.