New Releases by James Howe

From a bestselling and award-winning team comes a moving, gorgeously illustrated picture-book biography of one of the greatest cellists of all time, Yo-Yo Ma, and his lifelong passion for using music to unite people in harmony and joy “I’ve been asking myself all my life, ‘What is the purpose of music?’” –Yo-Yo Ma At a young age, Yo-Yo Ma discovered a remarkable gift for the cello, playing Bach from memory by age four. His technique was far beyond his years, but even as he grew and became a world-class musician—studying at Juilliard, performing at Carnegie Hall at a young age, even playing on television before the president of the United States—he wanted to use his gift for something deeper, something bigger. As he asked question after question, trying to understand his place in the world, he discovered something that every culture has in common: music. Ma decided that he would spend his life not only performing for others, but learning from other cultures’ musical traditions and finding ways to unite people. Even as he dedicated himself to humanitarian work around the world, Ma also dedicated himself to teaching a new generation of young cellists to play with their whole hearts, bodies, and souls, like he does—how to find the music inside themselves. From James Howe, bestselling author of Bunnicula, and Jack Wong, award-winning author/illustrator of When You Can Swim, comes the story of legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who was special not only because of his unmatched talent but also his curious mind and compassionate heart. Powerfully told and stunningly illustrated, this biography will inspire readers to discover the gifts inside us all. Back matter includes an author’s and an illustrator’s note, a timeline of Ma’s life, and resources to learn more about his life and work.

From James Howe, the bestselling author of Bunnicula, comes a beautiful picture book story about looking, observing, and finding wonder in the things that we walk right past every day—featuring full-color illustrations by Sakika Kikuchi. Every morning, Milo goes walking with his mother. There are so many things to see. While Milo was sleeping, the rain left a puddle for him to find. “Hello, Milo,” he says to the boy in the puddle. When Milo listens closely, he hears bees. They have a lot to say. The tree in the park looks sad today. “It’s okay,” Milo whispers. “I will see you tomorrow and you will be happy.” Each day is full of possibilities when Milo goes walking: new things to observe, old things to see in a new way, the magical “maybes” of his imagination—and what we might find tomorrow.

Pinky and Rex is the perfect series for early readers learning to read and navigate friendships! Pinky really wants to be an actor and is sure he''ll get the lead in the school play. Rex, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with being on stage. She''s afraid she''ll forget her lines—or worse. Everything changes when Pinky convinces Rex to go with him to the tryouts. Will Pinky and Rex still be best friends when the show is over?

When Rex is invited to go along on the traditional pumpkin-picking trip with Pinky''s grandparents, she doesn''t feel that Pinky''s cousin Abby really wants her to be part of the fun.

Skeezie Tookis navigates a pivotal summer of first crushes and tough choices in this conclusion to the bestselling and acclaimed quartet that began with The Misfits. Skeezie Tookis, also known as Elvis, isn''t looking forward to this summer in Paintbrush Falls. While his best friends Bobby, Joe, and Addie are off on exciting adventures, he''s stuck at home, taking care of his sisters and working five days a week to help out his mom. True, he gets to hang out at the Candy Kitchen with the awesome HellomynameisSteffi, but he also has to contend with Kevin Hennessey''s never-ending bullying. And then there''s the confusing world of girls, especially hot-and-cold Becca, his maybe-crush. And the dog that he misses terribly. And the dad who left two years before, whom Skeezie is convinced is the cause of all his troubles. In the words of the King, Skeezie Tookis is All Shook Up. Skeezie''s got the leather jacket of a tough guy, but a heart of gold--and his story, the fourth and final chapter of the beloved Misfits series, is brimming with life''s tough choices, love in all directions, and enough sweet potato fries to go around.

"When I was new, my grandpa was very old." When Emily was two, her grandpa sang songs to her. When she was four, he read her stories. When Emily is five, her beloved grandfather dies. Her family decides to remember him in two ways: with a Christian funeral, because Grandpa was Christian, and a Jewish service, because Emily''s family is Jewish. Both ways are beautiful. But Emily finds a way of remembering her grandpa that is just as beautiful and meaningful...and that''s all her own. In this tender story for all families a young girl learns how to say goodbye to her grandpa without letting go of his memory.

Horace, Morris, and Dolores do everything together and know that they will be Friends Forever...until one day, when Horace and Morris become part of an exclusive boys'' club and Dolores finds herself left out. Soon, she, too, finds her own club, where no boys are allowed and girls are supposed to have fun doing girl stuff. But after a while, Horace and Morris and Dolores realize they aren''t happy at all doing what everyone in their clubs seems to enjoy. They miss each other. Is it too late to be friends again? Join these three charming mouse friends as they learn to do what they like, rather than what others say they should like.

Horace and Morris, but mostly Dolores, are back again for another uproarious adventure. When the three best friends decide to try out for the school chorus together, they''re shocked when Dolores (who can only sing notes that no one has ever heard before) is the only one who doesn''t make the cut. After all, they''ve always done everything together. Once Horace and Morris start chorus practice, they''re so busy that they don''t have time to go exploring or climb trees with Dolores anymore. Feeling left out and alone, Dolores decides to take matters into her own hands. But can she prove to Moustro Provolone that there''s a place for every kind of voice in the chorus?

Horace and Morris (but mostly Dolores) love cheese. To them, Swiss is bliss, Muenster is magnificent, and nothing’s better than cheddar. But everything changes when Dolores develops an allergy to her favorite food. Even worse, a food festival is coming to town, featuring—what else?— cheese! Fortunately, Dolores is one resourceful little mouse. And she comes up with a solution to her problem that is far from cheesy! Once again, the creators of the popular Horace, Morris, and Dolores books tackle a common childhood dilemma with verve and panache.

When the first snow of winter falls, Catina worries about all her plans for the day being ruined, so her friend Houndsley tries to help Catina let go of her worries and enjoy the quiet time of a snowy day.

This wry tale of two brothers who amiably try to outdo each other by creating jumbo-size imaginary friends makes a great read-aloud and is a follow-up to There’s a Monster Under My Bed.

Dear possible reader of this book, My editor asked me to write a third book in my series, Tales from the House of Bunnicula. And did I have trouble getting started! I was afraid I used up all my ideas. But faster than a writer can say “What if?” I came up with a story! It’s about a lovable and smart (not to mention cute) orphan wirehaired dachshund puppy named Howie, who has a mysterious pain in his leg and is mysteriously invited to attend the Dogwiz Academy for Canine Conjurers. Together, Howie and his best friend, the very, very, very smart Delilah, who speaks in a British accent in this book for some reason, discover they must fight a sinister foe…The-Evil-Force-Whose-Nam-C’not-Be-Spoke!!! Your friend, Howie

When Otter falls in love with his food source, a fish named Myrtle, he must decide whether to follow the way of the otter or the way of his heart.

Cafeteria food may be hazardous to your health. Poor Milo Groot -- he''s sprawled on the cafeteria floor, his cracked glasses inches away from his white face. Could it be the apple chili dogs? Could it be poison? Kids at the middle school are dropping like flies, and Sebastian Barth suspects there''s something fishier than tuna dreamboats behind the epidemic. The trouble is, too many cooks have had the chance to spoil the stew. Sebastian finds out. At least he thinks he does, but he soon discovers that whipping up a dramatic disclosure without all the ingredients is a recipe for disaster.

CHESTER, the cat, Harold, the dog, Bunnicula, the vampire (?) rabbit, and Howie, the wirehaired dachshund puppy, return in this sequel to Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery and Howliday Inn to ask the question: Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of lettuce? Chester has just finished retelling the tale of Bunnicula to Howie, who has just joined the Monroe family, when he discovers that Bunnicula is missing from his cage. Chester stays up all night worrying. What becomes of the vegetables Bunnicula attacks (for he is after all a vegetarian vampire)? Do they become vampire veggies serving their master''s evil ways? Certain that the town is crawling with killer parsnips and homicidal heads of lettuce, Chester sets out with Harold and Howie and a box of toothpicks for spearing the little devils through the heart. En route to finding Bunnicula, driving tiny stakes through whatever white vegetables lie in their paths and thereby saving the town of Centerville, the threesome have more than their share of adventures, including an encounter with an ill-tempered white cat named Snowball and an unexpected trip to the town dump. Finally the strange actions of everyone in town, including Toby and Pete Monroe, convince Chester that he may be too late, that Bunnicula and his minion vegetables may have taken over the town. Chester and his merry band race to save what souls they can. But, of course, Chester has been known to be wrong before.

"Let''s just say the matter is under control," Chester slyly tells his pals Harold and Howie. But what on earth does he mean? It seems that Bunnicula, the vampire rabbit, is back to his old ways -- or so Chester thinks, having found pale vegetables drained of their juices scattered about the Monroe family kitchen. And now, once and for all, Chester is determined to save the world from this threat. But why has Bunnicula -- so frisky just a short time ago -- been so listless and tired of late? Is this part of Chester''s scheme? Can Harold let Chester get away with hurting an innocent bunny, no matter what his harebrained suspicions are? It is not long before the Monroes notice Bunnicula''s condition and rush him to the vet, and then the chase is on, ending up with a dramatic confrontation in a most unusual (and dangerous!) location.

The Monroe house is going mad with excitement. Pete has just won a contest, and the prize is a school visit from none other than M. T. Graves, Pete''s idol and the bestselling author of the FleshCrawlers series. He''s even going to stay with the Monroes while he''s visiting! Harold and Howie are thrilled, but Chester the cat is suspicious. Why does Graves dress all in black? Why doesn''t the beady-eyed crow perched on his shoulder say anything? Why has a threatening flock of crows invaded the backyard? And most worrisome of all: In each of the FleshCrawlers books, why does something bad always happen to the pets? Suddenly, Graves''s interest in all of the animals -- especially Bunnicula -- looks far from innocent. It''s up to Chester, Harold, and Howie to find out if M. T. Graves and Edgar Allan Crow are really devising a plot to make their beloved bunny. . . NEVERMORE.

In this “artfully crafted” (Publishers Weekly) companion to the bestselling The Misfits and Totally Joe, Addie Carle confronts labels, loss, and what it means to grow up. The Gang of Five is back in this third story from Paintbrush Falls. Addie Carle, the only girl in the group of friends is outspoken, opinionated, and sometimes…just a bit obnoxious. But as seventh grade progresses, Addie’s not so sure anymore about who she is. It seems her tough exterior is just a little too tough and that doesn’t help her deal with the turmoil she feels on the inside as she faces the pains of growing up. Told in elegant, accessible verse, ADDIE ON THE INSIDE gives readers a look at a strong, smart, and sensitive girl struggling with the box society wants to put her in. Addie confronts experiences many readers will relate to: the loss of a beloved pet, first heartbreak, teasing…but also, friendship, love, and a growing confidence in one’s self. You Are Who They Say You Are They say in the seventh grade you are who they say you are, but how can that be true? How can I be a /Godzilla-girl /lezzie loser /know-it-all/ big-mouth /beanpole /string bean/ freaky tall/ fall-down /spaz attack /brainiac /maniac/ hopeless nerd /*bad word*/brown-nosing /teacher’s pet/ showing off /just to get attention – oh, and did I mention: flat-chested… How can I be all that? It’s too many things to be. How can I be all that and still be true to the real me while everyone is saying: This is who you are.

Houndsley likes canoeing and his friend Catina likes bicycling, but each has to help the other learn to enjoy these activities in order to do them together.

Howie the dog is afraid of Santa Claus and believes ghosts are haunting Christmas.

In their fifth adventure, the Monroe family pets are once again boarded at the Chateau Bow-Bow when the Monroes go on vacation. The kennel''s creepy goings-on continue, but this time it appears that murder may have been added to the services. Illustrations.

When scary strangers appear at the Monroes'' overnight campsite, Chester the cat tries to convince the family''s two dogs that foul play is intended.

When Chester learns that the Amazing Karlovsky will use a rabbit in his school magic show, he comes up with a plan to stop vampire bunnies.

When Toby Monroe has a birthday party, his pets'' curiosity is aroused by seven strange suitcases which they investigate, with surprising consequences.

Houndsley and Catina run into trouble when they decide to prove that they are the best at cooking and writing, respectively.

Friends Houndsley and Catina are sad because they do not know when their birthdays are, but they solve the problem in a thoughtful and creative way. Jr Lib Guild. Reprint.

As a school assignment, a 13-year-old boy writes an alphabiography--life from A to Z--and explores issues of friendship, family, school, and the difficulties of being a gay teenager.

Harold, Chester, and Howie have a harrowing Halloween night worrying about Bunnicula as well as about a witch who comes into the house.

Harold the dog and his fellow pets, Howie and Chester, stand guard over Mr. Monroe, who''s made of chocolate fudge. But when they fall asleep, the fudge suddenly turns white and disappears altogether. Has Bunnicula the vampire bunny struck again? Full color.

Howie shows how being stinky can be an asset to a brave, clever, and adorable dachshund pup as he assumes the superhero alter ego of Stinky Dog. Illustrations.