New Releases by Kate Feiffer

When her professional and family life collide, a playwright starts journaling every morning to push through her writer’s block in this laugh-out-loud and fresh take on family, friendship, and the chaos of midlife. “[A] winning adult debut…” –Publishers Weekly Elise Hellman was once heralded by audiences and critics as a “playwright to watch.” Then they forgot all about her. When a prestigious theater company unexpectedly offers her a generous commission to write a new play, she has an opportunity to turn her career around. With sixty-five days left until her deadline, Elise starts scribbling a few pages of stream-of-consciousness first thing every morning as a way to get over her writer’s block—a technique called Morning Pages, popularized in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. What emerges is a witty confessional in which Elise chronicles her life with her teenage stoner son and her overbearing and eccentric mother, who is losing her memory but not her profanity. She writes about her lingering feelings for her ex-husband, her best friend who is acting oddly, and the confusing encounters she has with a handsome stranger in an elevator. As she writes, the marked-up scenes from her play, Deja New, are revealed, as a story within the story. Morning Pages is about what life throws at you when you’re trying to write. It is both a humorous exploration of the creative process and a relatable coming-of-age tale for the generation sandwiched between caring for their parents and caring for their kids.

An eleven-year-old aspiring handwriting analyst, a solitary boy, and a talking pigeon solve the mystery of Nicky''s missing grandmother.

Kate Feiffer is a filmmaker and mother. This is her first book for children. Bruce Ingman has illustrated many books for children, including WHEN MARTHA''S AWAY (Methuen) for which he won the Mother Goose Award and BAD NEWS, I''M IN CHARGE (Walker) for which he won a V&A Illustration award. He lives in London.

A baby does not want to go to sleep, even as everything else around her wishes her a good night. Lyrically written, this lulling text, paired with soothing art, is sure to put even the youngest reader in the mood to visit dreamland. Full color.

What if a boy ran for president and won? Being a kid isn''t easy, just ask Luke Pennybaker. Chores, school, homework, and more chores. Who needs it? Sent to his room for a time-out, Luke devises a plan to run for president and make like fair for kids once and for all. As "Pennies for Pennybaker" builds momentum, Luke''s campaign takes hold across America. Being president of the United States is all a kid could hope for - or is it? Completely plausible and surprising, Kate Feiffer and Diane Goode''s spirited collaboration is sure-fire inspiration for presidential hopefuls across the land.

Oliver is thrilled that his mother is expecting a baby and convinced that his new sibling will be the brother of his dreams. Imagine his shock and disappointment when a little sister shows up instead! Oliver is determined to do what it takes to find a boy baby—even if that means trading in his sister— but when his hilarious efforts are unsuccessful, he comes to realize that no one can take the place of his family’s lovable new addition…even if she’s a girl.

Sadie and her father have been planning a trip to the zoo for a long time but something always gets in the way, so when they finally start out and her father sees some raindrops, Sadie insists there is no rain on her side of the car.

An about-to-be born baby girl describes some of the things she does inside her mother''s belly, like yoga, ballet dancing, playing baseball, and cooking a feast for hundreds of hungry dogs.

Puppies from around the world--along with some would-be puppies--compete with one another to become the First Family''s new puppy.

Everyone has only nice things to say about my mom. Everyone likes her. She looks nice. She bakes great cookies and makes me feel better when I have a bad day. But would a really nice mom do embarrassing things like kiss me in public and tell loud jokes that no one thinks are funny? Well, my mom does those terrible things and worse - that''s why I am sure that I have the most embarrassing mom in the world and that my mom is trying to ruin my life... Or is she?

What if your parents agreed to disagree? Eight and a half years ago, when their beautiful baby girl was born, Mr. and Mrs. Puddle couldn''t agree on what to name her. So Mrs. Puddle calls her daughter Emily and Mr. Puddle calls her Ferdinanda. And everyone else? They call her Baby. Having parents who agree to disagree does mean twice as many presents on your birthday, but it can complicate your life! There was the time Baby''s parents couldn''t agree on what kind of dog to get -- so they got two, both named Sally. One summer day, when rushing back to the city from their country house, the Puddles leave the Sallys behind. Will the Puddles agree to go back? What will become of the Sallys? Kate Feiffer''s debut novel is by turns funny, heartwarming, and wholly satisfying. Tricia Tusa''s pleasing artwork makes the Puddles'' world complete. Let the Puddle family into your heart. You will be glad you did.

Henry wanted one thing in life. He wanted a tail. All the other dogs he knew had tails. Grady, a black Labrador, had a great big black tail. Pip, a pug, could do tricks with her tail. Larry had a big puffy ball tail.... WHAT WAS HENRY TO DO?