New Releases by Laurie Keller

"Two quirky characters living in an apartment building come together in this picture book that reinforces the importance of asking questions in order to better understand each other and the world around them."--

Arnie the Donut wants to know what kind of giant donut YOU are in Hello, Arnie!, a picture book for preschoolers by bestselling, Geisel Award-winning creator Laurie Keller. Arnie is excited to say hello to all his pastry friends in the bakery. There are all the usual confection suspects: Chocolate, Glazed, French Twist, Long John, and Crueller. But there is one pastry that he’s never met before. This pastry looks nothing like the others. Hmmm. Who could it be? Spoiler alert—it’s the Reader! This charming picture book introduces children to everyone’s favorite doughnut through a series of questions that the youngest reader will love taking part in. Christy Ottaviano Books

This ebook includes audio narration. A deliciously imaginative story about friendship—from the author / illustrator of The Scrambled States of America. Arnie was fascinated as he watched the customers stream into the bakery. One by one, doughnuts were chosen, placed in paper bags, and whisked away with their new owners. Some went by the dozen in giant boxes. "Good-bye!" Arnie yelled to each doughnut. "Have a good trip!" "This is so exciting!" Arnie beamed. "I wonder who will choose ME?" At first glance, Arnie looks like an average doughnut—round, cakey, with a hole in the middle, iced and sprinkled. He was made by one of the best bakeries in town, and admittedly his sprinkles are candy-colored. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Not if Arnie has anything to say about it. And, for a doughnut, he sure seems to have an awful lot to say. Can Arnie change the fate of all doughnuts—or at least have a hand in his own future? Well, you''ll just have to read this funny story and find out for yourself. This title has Common Core connections Arnie, the Doughnut is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

Potato is very excited to buy a pair of pants on sale at Lance Vance''s Fancy Pants Store, but when he sees Eggplant, who pushed him the day before, he is afraid to go in.

Walt and his friends are growing up fast! Everyone is the something-est. But . . . what about Walt? He is not the tallest, or the curliest, or the silliest. He is not the anything-est! As a BIG surprise inches closer, Walt discovers something special of his own!

Now that Arnie has conquered the bowling alley and the planet Ufonut, he''s back for another round of wild adventures. This time the venue is a traveling television game show (in the spirit of WIPEOUT!) that comes to town. Arnie, Peezo, and their buddies can''t wait to participate in the crazy obstacle course. But Arnie and his crew are in for a challenge once they learn what they are up against—do they stand a chance against Nick Pumpernickel? (Also known as The Pumpernator!) Let the games begin! This title has Common Core connections.

From the author/illustrator of The Scrambled States of America, here is Laurie Keller''s fun-filled introduction to teeth. "Before the principal''s announcements, will you all please stand and recite our pledge: ''I pledge allegiance to this mouth and to the dentist who takes care of us. And to the gums on which we stand, strong and healthy, with toothbrushes and toothpaste for all.''" In Open Wide, it''s time for tooth school and Dr. Flossman is excited to meet the incoming class of 32--eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars, including the four wisdom teeth. There''s just so much to learn--from brushing and flossing to dentin and pulp to every student''s nightmare: tooth decay! Best read with a toothbrush in hand, this hilarious book is full of interesting facts (for instance, George Washington''s teeth were not made of wood, despite popular belief) and a classroom full of quirky characters. Young readers will laugh their way to a better appreciation for those pearly whites that beckon them to brush. And from there it''s just a short hop to flossing. This title has Common Core connections.

Arnie finds himself in trouble when his neighbor, Loretta Schmoretta, begins telling news reporters that she was the victim of an alien abduction. And not just any aliens—alien doughnuts from outer spastry, who will continue the abductions until people stop eating doughnuts! Although Arnie thinks this is a ridiculous story, he notices that everyone is treating him differently, as if he is an alien doughnut rather than just a doughnut-dog. And then Arnie gets abducted! Arnie must think fast in order to rescue his fellow doughnuts and the townspeople from the alien invaders. The slapstick shenanigans continue in this hilarious second book in Laurie Keller''s Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut series. This title has Common Core connections. A Christy Ottaviano Book

Mr. Rabbit wonders if he will be able to get along with his new neighbors, who are otters, until he is reminded of the golden rule.

Those wacky scrambled states are at it again. This time they''ve come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when the director, Indiana, is about to call SHOWTIME!, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can''t perform in her juggling act. Will the show go on, or will it be curtains for Georgia and the Jolly Jugglers? This title has Common Core connections. The Scrambled States of America Talent Show is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

Grandpa Gazillion and Hildegarde show many different uses for the numbers one through twenty at their number yard.

Arnie the talking doughnut convinces Mr. Bing that not all doughnuts are meant to be eaten. A deliciously imaginative story about friendship--from the author/illustrator of The Scrambled States of America. Arnie was fascinated as he watched the customers stream into the bakery. One by one, doughnuts were chosen, placed in paper bags, and whisked away with their new owners. Some went by the dozen in giant boxes. "Good-bye!" Arnie yelled to each doughnut. "Have a good trip!" "This is so exciting!" Arnie beamed. "I wonder who will choose ME?" At first glance, Arnie looks like an average doughnut-round, cakey, with a hole in the middle, iced and sprinkled. He was made by one of the best bakeries in town, and admittedly his sprinkles are candy-colored. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Not if Arnie has anything to say about it. And, for a doughnut, he sure seems to have an awful lot to say. Can Arnie change the fate of all doughnuts--or at least have a hand in his own future? Listen as you read along with this book and CD set.