Most Popular Books by Jean Van Leeuwen

"Basing her story on the published accounts of her true-life heroine, Mary Ellen Todd, Van Leeuwen describes a family''s tumultuous journey along the Oregon Trail in 1852." --Publishers Weekly With only a guide book to show them the way, the Todd family sets out from their Arkansas home on a two thousand mile trek to claim unchartered Oregon Territory. Crossing rough terrain and encountering hostile people, the Todds show their true pioneering spirit. But as winter draws near, will the Todds have the strength to complete their journey? And if they make it, will Oregon fulfill their dreams? “This is a convincing picture of a pioneer journey that does a good job of showing the tremendous sacrifices people made to follow their dream of a better life.” –School Library Journal

Five adventures of Oliver Pig with his family.

For use in schools and libraries only. Young readers will enjoy sharing the adventures of the charming and likable Amanda Pig and her big brother Oliver as they deal with the everyday fears and challenges of childhood and school.

After clearing enough forest to build a log cabin for their new home, Pa returns east to fetch the rest of the family, while young brothers Daniel and Will stay behind to watch the land. Pa had planned to return within six weeks . . . but something must have gone wrong. Now the boys must survive the winter with only a few supplies and their ability to invent and improvise. But are they alone in the woods? Jean Van Leeuwen?s engrossing novel of pioneer survival is based on a true incident.

Children''s author Jean Van Leeuwen describes her life and writing process and how they are interwoven.

Whether building a snow fort, braving the big hill on their sleds, or building a snow pig, the lovable Oliver and Amanda Pig find plenty of fun after the "big snow." "The warm interactions among family members continue to make these gentle stories a delight for early readers."-- The Horn Book

This warmly engaging story--inspired by the Rwandering footS quilt pattern that was popular during pioneer days--is the moving account of an early American girl who chronicles her family''s journey on the Oregon Trail through the quilt she''s making. Full color.

Oliver makes friends with Albert, the new boy in class, and they have fun together, playing kickball and collecting bugs.

Award-winning author Jean Van Leeuwen tells the moving story of a pioneer family during the Westward Expansion One day in early spring they packed everything they had into our wagon, and set out to find a new home. Sleeping under the stars, weathering terrible storms, and fording swollen rivers, Hannah and her family made the journey of a lifetime. An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. "Like pages torn from a frontier journal, stirring sketches and lyrical text form a moving tribute to the brave families to whom the book is dedicated."—Publishers Weekly

Oliver and Amanda Pig''s Halloween activities include making their costumes, getting a pumpkin for a jack-o''-lantern, and going trick-or-treating.

When her father leaves, Twig feels isolated from her older brother and her mother as they all try to cope with the change in their lives.

Amanda Pig, the youngest member of the Pig family, isn''t little anymore. But is she big enough to do all the things her brother Oliver does? Can she eat her breakfast? Can she make up games? Can she go to sleep by herself? Amanda knows she can!

Amanda Pig may be the youngest in her family, but she''s growing up. She''s big enough to care for her stuffed-animal babies, and she''s big enough to help Oliver make a bubble bath. But is she too big to snuggle with Sallie Rabbit?

Young Jesse and his family are with a wagon train traveling from Indiana to Oregon when they stop to celebrate the Fourth of July, but Jesse is too young to go hunting with the men so he comes up with his own contribution to the festivities.

After joining his sister in wrapping presents, baking cookies, and picking a Christmas tree, Oliver tries to find a stocking big enough to hold the twenty-two toys he requested from Santa.

Tired of gangster movies and a steady diet of candy wrappers, three theater mice decide to rob a cheese shop.

A 17-year-old minister''s daughter who feels her world is crashing down suffers an emotional breakdown which eventually forces her to make some difficult decisions.

In 1779 in Fairfield, Connecticut, Hannah and her family try to maintain a sense of normalcy as the Revolutionary War rages around them, threatening to destroy their way of life.

When one of their cronies is missing from his favorite haunts in Macy''s toy department, Merciless Marvin and his protege Raymond set out to find him.

When Grandmother Pig comes for a visit, Oliver and Amanda learn just how much fun it is to have a grandmother in the house.

When her brother goes off to school, Amanda finds new things to do, including ballet dancing, cleaning her room, and making a very sad, mad day go away, with the help of hugs from Mother Pig.

Amanda wants to do everything her big brother, Oliver, does. She wants to run as fast and jump as high, but it seems she never can. Is there anything Amanda can do as well as Oliver?

Relates three stories of young rabbit siblings Flossie, Homer, Henry, Little George, and Baby Sadie as they visit their grandmother, show off their daring stunts, and play house.

Grandpa''s fanciful tall tales of ticklish worms, cows, and toes help three rambunctious children get ready for bed.

It is the hottest day of the summer, and poor Amanda pig is as droopy as the plants in her father’s garden. Her knees are hot, her nose is hot, even her hair ribbons are hot! How will this little pig stay cool? it is not easy, but plucky Amanda is determined to beat the heat. with four funny chapters filled with adorable illustrations, this story will have readers giggling over Amanda’s muggyday woes and her quest to keep cool.

A close-knit pioneer family carves out a new home amidst the densely forested land of Ohio in the early nineteenth century.

Finally it is the day Amanda Pig has been waiting for. It is the first day of school. Whether making a new friend, coloring a picture to put up in the classroom, or twirling around in the sandbox, Amanda is everyone''s favorite schoolgirl.

Amanda and Lollipop love playing make-believe at Amanda''s house, but Amanda would rather go over to Lollipop''s. Except when Amanda finally gets to sleep over at her best friend''s house, she realizes that maybe she really does like her own home best.

Eight-year-old Benjy tries various schemes to earn money to buy a baseball glove.

Jennifer and her younger sister Molly experience the pangs and joys of rivalry and family love in five revealing episodes.

During Oliver Pig''s first day at school, he builds with blocks, plays with his toy dinosaur, and makes a new friend.

In 1780 in Fairfield, Connecticut, Hannah worries about her brother Ben, a colonial soldier being held prisoner by the British, and joins her family in rebuilding their home and preparing for Ben''s homecoming.

In comfortable residence at Macy''s during the Christmas season, Merciless Marvin the Magnificent and his gang are convinced that the store''s Santa Claus has been kidnapped and determine to save him.

Billy''s love for his toy Blue Dog, who lives on a toy farm, transforms both their lives, making Blue Dog''s world seem real and inspiring Billy to get a real dog.

Benjy discovers that brains work better than brawn when it comes to beating the other fourth grade class''s football team.