New Releases by Eve Bunting

Riley has a dump truck, a flatbed truck, a concrete mixer, and a little pickup truck at his lumberyard. When he tells them that they will help him build a children''s park, everyone is excited. There''s a lot of hard work to do, from hauling trash to pouring concrete. But once the work gets started, everyone but Little Yellow Truck is busy. Is there nothing he can do to help? As it turns out, Riley has just the right task for Little Yellow Truck. This picture-book offering from author Eve Bunting reinforces the message that even the smallest helper can make a big impact.

Callie and her family are moving from their house to an apartment, so they''re having a yard sale. It can be hard to let things go, but in the end, it''s who you have - not what you have - that counts.

Share this simple, funny farmyard tale with your preschooler, who will love the energy. "Hurry! Hurry!" Rooster crows. The crowd gets bigger, faster, and noisier as all the animals follow. "Ready! Ready!" "Go! Go!" The animals rush to the barn. Will they be in time to greet the tiniest new member of the farm family? Eve Bunting''s simple, energetic text and Jeff Mack''s vibrant illustrations come together in a joyful, welcoming book that''s perfect for preschoolers. "The sweet story is filled with movement and excitement as the animals happily rush to witness the event. Acrylic spreads are bright and cheerful, and the simple text is done in bold, colorful type with exclamation marks galore. This charming story celebrates the anticipation of a new life and its long-awaited appearance." (School Library Journal)

After reading in the newspaper that it''s Valentine''s Day, Mr. Goat sets out in search of very special gifts for his first love. But just what would a goat choose as the perfect gifts to show how he feels? Readers will be in for a surprise at Mr. Goat''s nontraditional selections. From acclaimed children''s author Eve Bunting comes a sweet holiday tale sure to warm hearts on Valentine''s Day and every day of the year.

When little brown puppy gives his mother a present, his friends decide to give their mamas presents too.

In early-nineteenth century Scotland, sixteen-year-old Josie, an orphan, is sent to live with an aunt and uncle on the rocky, stormy northwest coast. Everything and everyone in her new surroundings, including her relatives, is sinister, threatening, and mysterious. She''s told that Eli, the young man she''s attracted to, is forbidden to her, but not why. Spirited, curious, and determined, Josie sets out to learn the village''s secrets and discovers evil, fueled by heartless greed, as well as a ghostly presence eager for revenge. An author''s note gives the historical inspiration for this story.

Welcome to Frog and his world. He enjoys nothing better than spending time floating on his pond or visiting with his friends. He appreciates the simpler things in life and would prefer that things stay just the way they are--nice and peaceful. From acclaimed children''s writer Eve Bunting comes a beginning reader series featuring the delightful Frog and his friends Rabbit, Possum, Raccoon, and Squirrel. In Frog and Friends Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year''s Eve, Frog shares a Thanksgiving feast with his woodland friends, celebrates his first Christmas, and rings in the New Year with a twist on tradition.

There''s something in that tall bamboo. Oh, my goodness! It''s a shoe! A mouse comes across a shoe and sets out to find its owner. A conscientious role model, this determined mouse asks an unlikely assortment of animals if the shoe belongs to them, hears about their own shoes, and receives a surprising reward at the end. Eve Bunting''s cheerful rhymed text and Sergio Ruzzier''s charmingly unique illustrations make this a delightful book to share with a young child.

Big Bear outgrew his little boat, so he is building himself a big boat and can''t wait till he''s rowing, fishing, and relaxing in it. When his friends start suggesting improvements, Big Bear obligingly follows their advice. To his dismay, his big boat is turning out all wrong. It''s because he hasn''t followed his own dream, and he knows exactly how to fix it. With all the simplicity, warmth, and wisdom of Little Bear''s Little Boat, this book honors an important step in growing up.

Welcome to Frog and his world. He enjoys nothing better than spending time floating on his pond or visiting with his friends. He appreciates the simpler things in life and would prefer that things stay just the way they are--nice and peaceful. From acclaimed children''s writer Eve Bunting comes a beginning reader series featuring the delightful Frog and his friends Rabbit, Possum, Raccoon, and Squirrel. In Outdoor Surprises Frog eagerly joins a singing group, helps Squirrel rescue a baby bird, and provides a voice of reason when his woodland friends are scared by a nighttime story.

Before World War II began, Jessie Drumm and her friends at Alveara boarding school in Belfast liked their German teacher, Miss Muller. But after Jessie sees the teacher climbing to the roof at night, she and the others wonder if Miss Muller is a secret agent, signaling the enemy. Hoping to prove her favorite teacher''s innocence, Jessie agrees to help spy on her. The escalating war, Jessie''s family problems, a first romance, and the revelation of Miss Muller''s real purpose intertwine in this suspenseful, sensitively written novel. Eve Bunting combines her own youthful experiences with a keen sense of the intense, sometimes painful process of growing up during wartime.

At the end of The Pirate Captain''s Daughter, Catherine and cabin boy William are marooned on Pox Island by the murderous crew of the pirate ship Reprisal. The young lovers see no hope of escape. In Voyage of the Sea Wolf, the continuing saga of Catherine''s sea adventures, she and William are rescured from their island prison by the Sea Wolf, a pirate ship pursuing the Reprisal. Catherine worries that these new pirates will send her back to the island once they discover she''s a girl. But then, she meets the captain of the Sea Wolf. A Woman! Surely, Catherine thinks, the bloodshed and brutality she and William experienced aboard the Reprisal can''t happen again, especially under the leadership of a female captian. But just as things seem to be going their way, the captain takes a liking to William. Catherine is forbidden to see him. If Catherine and William want to stay together, they must find a way to now escape from the Sea Wolf.

A delightful story of steadfast love between a pirate boy and his brave mom. After reading his favorite book about a pirate boy, Danny wonders what would happen if he sailed away on a pirate ship. Luckily, his mother reassures him that she would find him, even if she had to swim on a dolphin, battle sea monsters, and wield a bottle of pirate-shrinking magic spray to do it! Young readers will love this adventurous and ultimately reassuring tale of a mother''s love.

Maeve is unnerved when she and her grandfather find a body in the bog in Ballywhinney, Ireland. It turns out to be the body of a young girl who lived more than a thousand years ago. A girl like Maeve, with fair hair, who walked the same fields and picked the same flowers. When archeologists display the mummy at a museum, Maeve wonders: Does the girl mind being displayed in a glass case for all to see? Or does she miss the green meadow where she had lain for so many hundreds of years? Two picture-book masters sensitively capture the layers of thought and feeling arising in the face of an awe-inspiring and mysterious discovery.

Welcome to Frog and his world. He enjoys nothing better than spending time floating in his pond or visiting with his friends. He appreciates the simpler things in life and would prefer that things stay just the way they are--nice and peaceful. From acclaimed children''s writer Eve Bunting comes a new beginning reader series featuring the delightful Frog and his friends Rabbit, Possum, Raccoon, and Squirrel. In the first book Frog is alarmed when he finds a strange object in his pond, he tries to re-gift a scarf, and he makes friends with a runaway hippo. In Party at the Pond Frog is busy with his autumn party, he is overseen dancing around the pond, and he narrowly escapes being turned into a prince.

Welcome to Frog and his world. He enjoys nothing better than spending time floating in his pond or visiting with his friends. He appreciates the simpler things in life and would prefer that things stay just the way they are - nice and peaceful. From acclaimed children''s writer Eve Bunting comes a new beginning reader series featuring the delightful Frog and his friends Rabbit, Possum, Raccoon, and Squirrel. In the first book Frog is alarmed when he finds a strange object in his pond, he tries to re-gift a scarf, and he makes friends with a runaway hippo. In Party at the Pond Frog is busy with his autumn party, he is overseen dancing around the pond, and he narrowly escapes being turned into a prince. Retro-style artwork by illustrator Josée Masse gives a fresh, distinctive look to this new series.

"I always knew my father was a pirate and I always knew I wanted to be one, too." At age fifteen, Catherine''s life is about to change. Her mother has just died and Catherine can''t stand the thought of being sent to live with her aunt in Boston. She longs for a life of adventure. After she discovers her father''s secret life as captain of the pirate ship Reprisal, her only thoughts are to join him on the high seas. Catherine imagines a life of sailing the blue waters of the Caribbean, the wind whipping at her back. She''s heard tales of bloodshed and brutality but her father''s ship would never be like that. Catherine convinces her father to let her join him, disguised as a boy. But once the Reprisal sets sail, she finds life aboard a pirate ship is not for the faint of heart. If her secret is uncovered, punishment will be swift and brutal.

Little Elephant and Mama Elephant are going for a walk. “Hold on to my tail,” says Mama. “If you want to ask me a question, tweak twice.” Tweak, tweak! “Mama, what is that?” Little Elephant is curious about the frog, the monkey, the songbird, the butterfly, and the crocodile—and especially about what a little elephant can do. Mama knows just how to answer, to help her cherished Little Elephant grow. Eve Bunting’s tender text and Sergio Ruzzier’s whimsical illustrations make this walk with Mama an excursion any little elephant would enjoy.

“A novel that will long flicker in readers'' memories.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Fans of S. E. Hinton and Jerry Spinelli will devour this thrilling story about a harmless prank that goes too far. Thirteen-year-old Brodie Lynch was ready for the perfect summer of adventure along the awesome Blackwater River. That was before everything changed forever. One act of mischief leads to a tragic death and even though Brodie was involved, the lies he tells to cover his tracks actually turn him into a hero. Guilt tears at him like the treacherous current of the Blackwater itself, but when mysterious notes are left at his door, his guilt transforms into fear. Someone saw what really happened. Will Brodie decide to tell the truth before the witness turns him in? Fast paced and suspenseful to the very last page. Reognized by the Golden Sower Award Masterlist and as a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

When the pot of green shamrocks that Rabbit has been growing for St. Patrick''s Day goes missing, he asks all the other animals if they have seen it.

Carson does his best to help his dog, Jack, lose weight, with unexpected results.

Enjoy best-selling author Eve Bunting’s moving story about the bond between a boy and his dog. "Maybe that''s one of the reasons people get dogs, to kind of close up the empty places inside them." Eleven-year-old William never needed a friend more than now. After his parents'' separation, his father''s new engagement, and his grandfather''s dying without any warning—adopting big, beautiful Riley is the first thing in a long time that has made him feel better. That is, until Riley innocently chases a horse. Local law states that any animal that chases livestock must be put to sleep. Suddenly William stands to lose another thing close to him. Together with his friend Grace, William begins a campaign to reverse the county commissioners'' decision. But with a community divided on the issue, and the bully Ellis Porter trying to stop them at every turn, will they be able to save Riley''s life? Celebrated author Eve Bunting shows William''s determined struggle to fight for what he believes in. The Summer of Riley is an inspiring novel about learning to accept life''s changes, the healing power of friendship, and the unending desire to protect those we love.

Is anybody there? For Marcus Mullen, being a latchkey kid is no bigdeal. Every day after school, he picks up his key from it''s hiding place in the oak tree in the yard, and spends the afternoon working on his bike or cooking dinner for his mom and himself. It''s been like that ever since his father died, and Marcus has never minded -- until the day his key isn''t there. That''s noly the begining. Food disapppearing. Clocks and flashlights vanish. Suddenly nothing feels safe and comfortable anymore. Is anybody really there? Marcus knows he has to find out -- ans soon!

A brutal car accident that claimed the life of her best friend has left seventeen-year-old Catherine in a state of shock and severe depression. She longs to move forward with her life, but feels she can’t until she is somehow assured of her friend’s forgiveness. On a Christmas visit to her grandmother in Pasadena, a mysterious and handsome stranger approaches Catherine at church claiming that he can put her in touch with her dead friend. Catherine is wary of the stranger’s claims and his ghostly appearance but feels he may be the only key to escaping her past. She tells no one of the meeting but is approached by an elderly woman who warns her of the stranger’s powers. The woman’s teenage diary and eerie rumors surrounding other troubled girls who have disappeared from the church community leave Catherine fearful of the stranger’s true intentions. She realizes she must find some way to confront this supernatural presence as well as the ghosts of her past. A classic ghost story from one of Clarion’s most distinguished authors. Eve Bunting brings a new edge to the genre of suspense by interweaving contemporary issues with sharp and frightful storytelling.

Finn McCool is the largest giant in all of Ireland. He''s a fierce warrior, even beating the giant Culcullan and saving Ireland from the Scots. Helpful and kind, he helps the farmers bring in the hay. And everyone in the village of Drumnahoon admires him. "He''s the best-hearted man that ever walked on Ireland''s green grass." But for all his strength, courage, and goodness, there''s one thing that Finn lacks. He''s just not smart. And he knows it. When a wise man living in a nearby village tells Finn about a magical red salmon with the wisdom of the world, Finn sets out to catch the fish. And he learns a thing or two about himself in the process. An author of more than 250 children''s books, Eve Bunting has won numerous awards and honors, including a Pen International Special Achievement award for her contribution to Children''s Literature. In 2002 she was chosen to be Irish American Woman of the Year by the Irish American Heritage Committee of New York. She lives in Pasadena, California. Zachary Pullen''s picture-book illustrations have won awards and garnered starred reviews. He has been honored several times with acceptance into the prestigious Society of Illustrators juried shows and Communication Arts Illustration Annual of the best in current illustration. Zak lives in Wyoming.

A little boy is certain that his expectant mother will give birth to a baby brother.

Here is a charming picture book about an author''s much anticipated visit to a school — and what happens after she leaves. Third Street School is buzzing with excitement. Author Amanda Drake is coming to visit! The kids have read all her books. They''ve hung a welcome banner in the hall and pinned drawings on the classroom walls. Then the big day arrives! And Amanda Drake is everything the kids hoped she''d be. She reads stories, cuddles the stuffed animals, and tells the kids what it''s like to be a writer. Then one child comes up with an idea: "It would be really cool if you would write a book about your visit to our school." And that''s precisely what Amanda Drake does! Eve Bunting''s happy book, a Society of School Librarians International Honor Book, is written in playful rhyme and illustrated with zest by Suzanne Bloom.

Right from the beginning I was suspicious of the man. Right from the minute he got on the bus. Maybe it was because he acted so strangely about the bag. But mostly it was because of the way he looked. And because my ears started tingling at the sight of him—an ancient warning of danger, not to be ignored. Six months after 9/11, everyone wanted life to return to normal. But when Charles Stavros boards the Star Tours bus, twelve-year-old Kevin Saunders is sure this exotic-looking stranger is up to no good: He sits alone. He has a bushy black mustache and sinister eyebrows. He carries a red bag with him wherever he goes—and even talks to it! Kevin confides his suspicions to Geneva, a girl he meets on the tour bus. Together they watch the man''s every move. Kevin is convinced Stavros isn''t a typical tourist, interested in the Great Salt Lake, the Grand Tetons, or even Yellowstone National Park. Kevin knows Stavros, red bag in hand, has something much bigger in mind, and it''s up to Kevin to save the day, and maybe even the world.

Laura Iwasaki and her family are paying what may be their last visit to Laura''s grandfather''s grave. The grave is at Manzanar, where thousands of Americans of Japanese heritage were interned during World War II. Among those rounded up and taken to the internment camp were Laura''s father, then a small boy, and his parents. Now Laura says goodbye to Grandfather in her own special way, with a gesture that crosses generational lines and bears witness to the patriotism that survived a shameful episode in America''s history. Eve Bunting''s poignant text and Chris K. Soentpiet''s detailed, evocative paintings make the story of this family''s visit to Manzanar, and of the memories stirred by the experience, one that will linger in readers'' minds and hearts. Afterword.

When Miss Goose announces that the library is going to close forever, Raccoon and his friends spring into action. Where will they get the help they need to save their beloved library? In books, of course! This cheery tale from ever-popular author Eve Bunting shows how important libraries are to every community. Facing a dilemma that is all too common in our human world today, the adorable animal denizens of Buttercup Meadow confront it with an inspiring blend of ingenuity, teamwork, and imagination. Bright, playful illustrations enhance the light treatment of this serious subject, in a story that celebrates the value of books in everyone’s lives.