New Releases by Helen Lester

A shy young mouse ventures outside her comfort zone in this sweet picture book classic in the making from the beloved author and illustrator of Tacky the Penguin. Mousetta has never felt comfortable in her own fur. She likes to stay quiet and hidden, never brave enough to play with the other field mouse children who always seem to be having fun. The only way Mousetta can venture outside is by wearing a bucket on her head so she doesn’t have to worry about meeting anyone new. But when foxes attack and the mice have to take cover, Bucket Head may be just what the others need—if only she can muster the courage to charge forward!

A badger named Boris stays awake when he should be asleep and then pays the price when he snores through school.

Sparky, a new energetic student at a sloth school, saves her lazy classmates when a wild boar from a government agency tries to shut the school down.

Tacky is not very helpful as Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect plan and prepare for Halloween, turning their igloo into a haunted house and making treats, but while Tacky is finishing his costume something really frightening arrives, and only he can chase it away.

Having trouble listening? Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin? Finding it difficult to work as a team? No matter the trouble, laughter is the best medicine! This value-packed collection features eight stories that will have kids laughingandlearning important life lessons. Parents will love that each story can be read aloud in five minutes flat. Hurty Feelings It Wasn''t My Fault Listen, Buddy Me First A Porcupine Named Fluffy Princess Penelope''s Parrot The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken The Sheep in Wolf''s Clothing Includes bonus downloadable audio.

Ever since Angus was a wee baby monster, living below the surface of Loch Ness, his parents tried to teach him to be a proper monster. But as Angus grows bigger, he gets sloppy. Puggy-nit shells (peanuts) are piling up; his grottie (dirty) laundry is in a heap; tatties (potatoes) litter the floor. It’s a mountain of a mess! And as Angus’s trash heap grows, pushing him away from the comforts of home, a surprising Loch Ness sighting of his own awaits on the surface of the lake.... Fans of Hooway for Wodney Wat and Tacky the Penguin will laugh-out-loud, as the hilarious team of Lester and Munsinger share a rollicking reminder of the virtues of a clean room!

Fragility was a solid piece of work. But despite her sturdy exterior, Fragility was fragile. Anything and everything hurt her feelings. In the most benign compliment, Fragility heard an insult. No one could even say she looked nice without evoking images of big, squishy cupcakes—since they are also nice—and causing Fragility to flop on the ground and weep. Fragility’s friends stop speaking to her for fear of another fit, but Rudy, a very rude bully, has other ideas. In the face of real insults, will Fragility finally learn to take a compliment? Featuring bonus audio!

Spoiled Princess Penelope cannot get her new parrot to talk, even after threatening it and calling it nasty names. But when Prince Percival comes courting, the parrot gets revenge on the greedy princess in a hilarious and fitting conclusion. This ebook includes audio narration.

"The delightfully droll humor is carried out in whimsical watercolor illustrations." "School Library Journal"Spoiled Princess Penelope''s new parrot simply wont talk, even when she rattles its cage, calls it names, and threatens to chain it up. But when Prince Percival comes courting, the clever parrot surprises them both when he opens his beak at exactly the wrong time This new addition to the Laugh-Along Lessons series is about the importance of speaking carefully and kindly. Includes a parent/teacher discussion guide and downloadable audio

Ewetopia must save the day and embrace who she is after her flock''s Costume Ball takes a catastrophic turn. Includes a bonus audio download. Full color.

When three boastful magicians try to outdo one another, they create a problem that can be solved only when they work together.

Pinkerton the pig always manages to be first until he rushes for a sandwich and it turns out not to be the edible kind.

A lop-eared rabbit named Buddy finds himself in trouble with the Scruffy Varmint because he never listens.

Lester and artist Munsinger . . . team up again for another rib-tickling, off-the-wall tale. Booklist Murdley Gurdson is a spectacularly accident-prone boy. He falls into wastebaskets He drops only the most valuable vases. Worse yet: Whatever happened, it was usually his fault. One day, as Murdley is taking a walk, a bird lays an egg above him and it splats on his head. How could that really be Murdley s fault? Turns out, it sort of is. Munsinger s hilarious illustrations help make this silly story about cause and effect as lighthearted as it is useful. This read-aloud favorite is now part of a fun hardcover series about life lessons. Includes downloadable audio "

A porcupine named Fluffy is happier with his name after he meets a similarly misnamed rhinoceros. OThe humor is just absurd enough to make the picture-book set howl along with Hippo and Fluffy."N"The New York Times Book Review." Full color.

Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect have spent weeks planning the perfect party to celebrate Tacky''s hatchday, and while nothing turns out quite as they expected, the penguins and their special guest have a wonderful time.

When Wodney Wat, who cannot pronounce the letter R, gets a talking robot for his birthday, it turns out to be more than just a fun gift.

When Wodney Wat, who cannot pronounce the letter R, gets a talking robot for his birthday, it turns out to be more than just a fun gift.

In this hilarious picture book, bestselling author/illustrator duo Lester and Munsinger ("Tacky the Penguin") shows how Greedy Gruntly learns that sharing just might have its own rewards. Full color.

When Wodney Wat, who cannot pronounce the letter R, gets a talking robot for his birthday, it turns out to be more than just a fun gift.

An offbeat penguin shows his peers the power of individuality in this humorous tale from the author of Pookins Gets Her Way. Tacky is an odd bird. He likes to do splashy cannonballs and greet his companions with a loud "What''s happening?" In fact, he''s something of an eccentric, which wouldn''t be a problem if all the other penguins weren''t such…conformists. When intimidating visitors invade their peaceful, nice, icy land, it''ll take a lot more than a bunch of perfect penguins to save the day. Thank goodness Tacky''s such an odd bird! “This book is must reading for any kid—or grown-up—who refuses to follow the pack.”—Publishers Weekly

Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, Perfect, and Tacky are having a wonderful Christmas, complete with an unusual tree, when Tacky's odd Christmas gift saves them from a group of hunters.

Tacky and his fellow penguins are off to summer camp in Nice Icy Land to enjoy themselves while Rock Hopping, Line Dancing, and playing Capture the Ice Cube. One night, they gather around the campfire to sing, eat s’mores, and tell scary stories. But after going to bed, something straight out of one of their scary stories pays the sleeping penguins a visit. Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect think they should high-tail it out of there, but it is Tacky—with some unexpected heroics—who saves the day. Includes lyrics to the official Camp Whoopihaha song!

The new kid in town is a wombat from Down Under. He’s having a tough time fitting in, so he tries to join the baseball team. They’re excited to see a “Wham-bat” hit, but baseball seems to him like a strange game indeed as his literal interpretations of the lingo, such as “stealing third base,” lead to hilarious, and ultimately victorious, results.

"A-huff-and-a-puff-and-a-huff-and-a-puff-and-a-huff-and-a-puff" "WHAT''S HAPPENING?" Tacky the penguin wants to know. The Winter Games, that''s what''s happening. And Tacky and his fellow penguins Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect have to work hard to get in shape so they can represent Team Nice Icy Land in the athletic competitions. After rigorous training, they''re ready - but are the games ready for Tacky? Will his antics keep Team Nice Icy Land from winning a medal? From bobsledless racing and ski jumping to speed skating, Tacky lends his unique, exuberant style to each competition. In laugh-out-loud scenes of Tacky and his fellow penguins'' athletic debacles, Tacky reminds readers of the underlying joy and enthusiasm that propells athletes to greatness. So get ready to cheer for Team Nice Icy Land and let the games begin!

Tacky the exuberant penguin accidentally goes sailboarding and winds up on a tropical island, where he meets an elephant who demands proof of Tacky''s identity.

How do you keep a crowd of energetic young penguins entertained? Put on a play, perhaps? But will they pay attention through an entire performance? If Tacky’s center stage, they might. Even in his flowing blond wig and little red “skipping shoes,” everyone’s favorite misfit penguin imbues the character of Goldilocks with his own indomitable personality and style. So what if the set is in shambles? This is one performance Mrs. Beakly’s students won’t soon forget.