Best Selling Books by Linda Bailey

Sure to be a storytime favorite, If Kids Ruled the World showcases the fantastical and fun results of a kid-designed reality. From the inventive (trampoline sidewalks) to the inclusive (nobody will ever be too old to play), these wishes for a more playful world are the perfect kickoff to a conversation about the wildest of dreams.

Join Josh, Emma and Libby as they go back to the Middle Ages.

A single mitten is excluded by a matching pair in this endearing picture book about friendship, belonging and the pressure to "match." For fans of The Day the Crayons Quit. Dotty and Other Dotty are a matching set of mittens. When another mitten, Stripes, loses her partner and becomes a single mitten, they don''t feel the need to include her. She doesn''t "match" them, so she is banished to the dark, lonely pocket of the Little Girl who owns them. Before long, however, Dotty loses her partner, and now she doesn''t match the reunited pair of Stripes and Other Stripes, who in turn banish her to the pocket. "YOU don''t match!" they tell her. When the Little Girl, who has been listening to their conversations, weighs in with a huge question ("Why do you have to match?"), the mittens are shocked. Then comes their realization that "matching" often means leaving someone out. This prompts the Little Girl to break a fundamental rule of fashion so that individual mittens (and maybe even socks! or shoes!) can be themselves — and everyone can belong. A warm and fuzzy story with lots of laughs, this latest picture book from Linda Bailey explores what it feels like to be excluded and included and celebrates one-of-a-kindness!

Santa''s parents think their little one is absolutely wonderful, even though he has a booming voice instead of a baby''s gurgle, loves to stand in front of the refrigerator, gives his birthday presents away, trains his hamsters to pull a matchbox sleigh ... and has an unusual interest in chimneys. The adorably funny portrait of an oddball kid who fulfills his destiny - and two very proud parents.

A hilarious picture book featuring a dog-loving kingdom and the most fabulous, far-out fairy DOGmother ever! Here is a Cinderella story like no other. When Cinderella wishes for a fairy godmother, she’s not expecting one that barks! And this fairy dogmother has a different agenda. Yes, Cinderella will have a new dress, but made of a cozy dog blanket. Yes, they will go to the ball, but they will run there and chase squirrels along the way. There’s nothing like a canine companion to get a girl out of the house and her mind off her troubles! Yes, indeed, dogs do make everything better—and are a reminder that you don’t need “happily ever after” when you have the joy of now. Readers will get a kick out of this retelling with its lovable cast of characters and refreshing ending.

Stanley knows school is for kids, not dogs. But every day he grows more and more curious. What did the kids do in that school all day? Stanley rounds up his pals from the dog park to take a closer look. Will they find the answers they�re looking for? One thing is for certain: School + Stanley = TROUBLE!

An exciting blend of fact and fiction and comic-book style illustrations make learning about Ancient Egypt fun in this book in the Good Times Travel Agency series.

Two popular storybook titans, princesses and dinosaurs, battle to determine who should star in this laugh-out-loud picture book for fans of Shark vs Train and The Book With No Pictures. This is a princess book! No, it''s a dinosaur book! No, it''s . . . a T. rex book? A dragon book? A rubber ducky book?! From Linda Bailey, award-winning and critically acclaimed author, and Joy Ang, Adventure Time-artist and illustrator of the Mustache Baby series, comes an irresistibly irreverent picture book in which plucky princesses and determined dinosaurs have a battle royale over whose book this is. When they start calling in the big guns -- or rather, the big carnivores -- and decide to build a wall to resolve their differences, princesses and dinosaurs alike learn a thing or two about open-mindedness and sharing.

When Stanley the dog''s people bring home a cat, he is miffed. Nobody asked him!

Stanley, who is dog-tired of his yard, escapes through a hole he digs, leads other dogs out of their yards, and takes the ride of a lifetime.

Madisonville, Florida, best known for its beautiful lake and surrounding historic houses and buildings, had always been a peaceful place to live. Suddenly, the town is rocked by a series of unexpected murders. All of the townspeople are trying to solve the mystery of who is committing these murders. David King, who goes by the name of "Doc," and his team, known as the Three Musketeers, work side by side to find the answer to who is the Lily Killer. Can you solve the mystery before they do?

The uproarious story of a good dog who unleashes his inner party animal when his folks go away.

A young boy''s disappointing birthday party gets turned upside down with a blast from the prehistoric past in this hilarious, dino-mite picture book adventure. Jake loves dinosaurs, so with his birthday coming up, he knows just what kind of party he wants — a dinosaur sleepover! Dino games, dino balloons, dino cake. Dino everything! But when the big day arrives, his friends all come down with the flu, and the party seems to be on the edge of extinction. Then, in the middle of the night, Jake hears a strange noise and goes to investigate. To his surprise, he finds some prehistoric party guests right there in his living room! They''ve invited themselves in to make sure Jake has a birthday he''ll never forget —just don''t tell the T-Rex! An unforgettable birthday tale with huge laughs and heart, this newest picture book from acclaimed author Linda Bailey celebrates friendship, inclusion and fun – and is brought to life with magnificent, cinematic artwork from award-winning animation director and illustrator Joe Bluhm.

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie and her partner have a thief to catch.

Mamma Toad does everything she can think of to save her unruly brood from Fox''s frying pan, including offering herself. She eventually persuades Fox to try her own secret recipe for Toad-in-a-Hole, a tasty treat that they all end up enjoying together. The secret? No toads! Full color.

Eddie, a passionate reader and a shiny green bug, saves the school library in this funny, heartwarming tale that fans of Flora & Ulysses and Charlotte’s Web will love. Includes black-and-white illustrations throughout from Newbery Honor Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author-artist Victoria Jamieson. Eddie is a tiny green bug who loves to read and who lives behind the chalkboard in the fourth-grade classroom with his parents, his 53 brothers and sisters, and his aunt Min. But when Aunt Min goes to the school library to read a book and never returns, Eddie leaves the comfort of his home for the first time and makes the dangerous trek through Ferny Creek Elementary School to find her. After dodging running sneakers, falling books, and terrifying spiders, Eddie reaches the library, where he discovers Aunt Min stuck in a perilous situation! To top it all off, there’s a substitute librarian who aims to close the library for good and get rid of all the books! Encouraged by the brave deeds done by small creatures such as Stuart Little and Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web, Eddie comes up with a plan to save the library—a plan that requires all the courage one little bug can muster. A great read-aloud and read-alone, this action-packed short novel includes references to classic children’s literature throughout and is perfect for fans of Chris Grabenstein’s Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and Lynne Rae Perkins’s Nuts to You. Featuring extensive black-and-white art from Newbery Honor Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author-artist Victoria Jamieson.

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie and her partner match wits with an international smuggler.

A young athlete overcomes setbacks and finds her own way to shine.

The adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, come to life in this inspiring picture book biography. What if you wrote a story about a detective, and he became the most famous detective ever? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Or . . . would it? Arthur has always loved stories. Even as he grew up poor, endured hardships at school and experienced danger on the high seas, Arthur was always thrilled and inspired by stories. Eventually, he writes his own, and after many years of struggle as a writer, he finally finds success with a series of mystery stories starring his genius detective, Sherlock Holmes. But is it possible for a character to become too successful? Too popular? And if that happens to Arthur, will he really throw his greatest literary creation . . . over a cliff?! From the author of Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein comes a riveting and humorous picture book about the incredible life of Arthur Conan Doyle: doctor, adventurer, tireless campaigner for justice . . . and creator of the world’s most famous detective!

A hugely popular picture book, now available in oversized board book format for our youngest dino-lovers. If you happen to have a dinosaur, lying around your living room, and you don''t know what to do with it...why don''t you use it as a can opener? It will make a terrific nutcracker too! There are oodles of uses for a dinosaur -- from a fine umbrella to an excellent kite and a dandy pillow, not to mention a reliable burglar alarm and the perfect excuse to forget your homework. This delightfully absurd exploration of the domestic uses of dinosaurs -- and the things dinos just aren''t good for at all -- is guaranteed to tickle funny bones and spark imaginations. If you read carefully, you''ll learn how to make your dinosaur last a very long time.

An exciting blend of fact and fiction and comic-book style illustrations make learning about Ancient Greece fun in this book in the Good Times Travel Agency series.

Lewis Dearborn is a lonely, anxious, "terminally shy" boy of eleven when his great-grandfather passes away and leaves Lewis''s family with his decaying seaside mansion. Lewis is initially delighted with his new bedroom, a secluded tower in a remote part of the house. Then he discovers that it''s already occupied -- by the ghosts of seven dead pirates. Worse, the ghosts expect him to help them re-take their ship, now restored and on display in a local museum, so they can make their way to Libertalia, a legendary pirate utopia. The only problem is that this motley crew hasn''t left the house in almost two hundred years and is terrified of going outside. As Lewis warily sets out to assist his new roommates -- a raucous, unruly bunch who exhibit a strange delight in thrift-store fashions and a thirst for storybooks -- he begins to open himself to the possibilities of friendship, passion and joie de vivre and finds the courage to speak up.

The inspiring story of the girl behind one of the greatest novels -- and monsters -- ever, perfectly timed for the 200th anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein. For fans for picture book biographies such as I Dissent or She Persisted. How does a story begin? Sometimes it begins with a dream, and a dreamer. Mary is one such dreamer, a little girl who learns to read by tracing the letters on the tombstone of her famous feminist mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, and whose only escape from her strict father and overbearing stepmother is through the stories she reads and imagines. Unhappy at home, she seeks independence, and at the age of sixteen runs away with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, another dreamer. Two years later, they travel to Switzerland where they meet a famous poet, Lord Byron. On a stormy summer evening, with five young people gathered around a fire, Byron suggests a contest to see who can create the best ghost story. Mary has a waking dream about a monster come to life. A year and a half later, Mary Shelley''s terrifying tale, Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus, is published -- a novel that goes on to become the most enduring monster story ever and one of the most popular legends of all time. A riveting and atmospheric picture book about the young woman who wrote one of the greatest horror novels ever written and one of the first works of science fiction, Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein is an exploration of the process of artistic inspiration that will galvanize readers and writers of all ages.

Behind the Closet Door is an electrifying trip through the world of love, money, power and abuse. Shera, a beautiful small-town girl, suddenly finds herself in a world of unseen passions, exotic trips, and lavish gifts. Most of all, she meets a man who seems to love her beyond all reason. Her newfound world is shattered as she takes a very slow downhill spiral into despair. Shera fights for survival as she slowly finds the courage to cut free from the unseen ropes that bind her. From the outside, no one can see the nightmare beyond the fairytale. Surviving it and breaking free from it is her only chance.

Josh, Emma and Libby Binkerton return to the Good Times Travel Agency — but this time, with a plan to travel to the future, to the next Olympic Games. What could go wrong? Well, plenty! Like when the owner of the shop misunderstands and sends the children to the ancient Olympic Games instead — in fifth-century BCE Greece! The Binkertons try to make the best of things. But after discovering some eye-opening facts about the ancient Games, causing a pile-up at the chariot races and having to run for their lives to escape the upset locals, the trio find themselves perilously close to disaster aboard a warship! Can the children finish reading the guidebook that will transport them back to the present before it’s too late? Part of the award-winning graphic novel series from the beloved duo Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin, this exciting blend of fact and fiction makes learning about ancient Greece fun. There’s a thrilling adventure story with a fast-paced narrative and humor-filled illustrations that keep the pages turning. And embedded on every page are sections of a guidebook that provide historical facts to flesh out what’s happening in the story. Thoroughly researched and vetted by experts, the book encompasses important social studies themes: government, philosophy, social and community structure, customs and religion, food and drink, conflict and cooperation and much more. The back matter includes an index, further resources and additional information about ancient Greece.

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie and her partner discover that a rash of accidents has a movie cast and crew believing the production is cursed.

Stanley’s thrown his party --- and braved his wild ride. Now Stanley and his pals embark on an adventure that makes sea-dogs of them all! It’s picnic time in the park --- but not for Stanley. He knows he’s not supposed to beg, but his people are always eating. And Stanley is always hungry! After he’s told to “get,” Stanley wanders down by the river where he runs into Alice, Nutsy and Gassy Jack. Soon their keen noses lead them to a delicious treat on a small boat with no people in sight. When the boat’s mooring comes loose, they float away with the current down the river, under a bridge and then out to sea! It’s a scary new world where the sky stretches in every direction and big waves crash. The dogs know that when you’re Outside, sooner or later you always come to a fence. When suddenly through the mist they see what looks like a very tall fence, they know they’ve come to the End of Outside! But what kind of fence is this?

All twins Josh and Emma want to do is get out of the creepy Good Times Travel Agency where their little sister, Libby, has led them. But the peculiar shop owner encourages them to open one of his guidebooks first — and they suddenly find themselves transported to ancient Egypt! They’ve barely had time to figure out where they are before Josh is carried away to help build a pyramid for the king. Emma and Libby search everywhere for their brother — including a crowded market, a banquet and a temple — until, at last, they’re reunited. But after an unlucky encounter with the king’s guards, they’re accused of being tomb robbers! Will the children manage to finish reading the entire guidebook — their only way back home — before they are arrested? In this re-issue from an award-winning and critically acclaimed series of graphic novels, Linda Bailey has crafted a hilarious adventure story that doubles as a thoroughly researched historical overview of ancient Egypt. The unique perspective of modern children experiencing and interacting with people and events from the past brings history to life, while the factual information, presented as pages from the guidebook, fleshes the story out. Many important themes of ancient Egyptian culture and life are touched on: politics and government, philosophy, women’s roles, activities of daily life and celebrations. Bill Slavin’s engaging and detailed illustrations are full of physical comedy and fun. There’s also a bibliography and three pages of further background about ancient Egypt.

Twins Josh and Emma Binkerton swore they’d never return to the Good Times Travel Agency. Only now, a terrible storm has driven them and their little sister, Libby, right through its doors. Worse, Libby’s opened another of Julian T. Pettigrew’s guidebooks, and the Binkertons find themselves hurtling back in time — to the Viking Age. All seems fine, at first, as the children are welcomed by the locals. But they quickly realize that Viking life is not for the faint of heart: it involves beds made of earth, monotonous farm work and death-defying sports. And when Josh and Libby inadvertently stow away on a Viking ship headed for a raid, it suddenly turns perilous! Can the Binkertons finish the guidebook and travel back to the present before it’s too late? Part of the award-winning Time Travel Guides series from the talented Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin, this thrilling graphic novel combines fact and fiction to make learning about the past fun. It employs a fast-paced narrative that’s quirky and funny, and colorful, detailed illustrations to create an engaging and accessible overview of the Viking Age. Key facts, vetted by experts, are cleverly embedded in the story through the guidebook. This title makes an excellent resource for social studies and history lessons on the period, covering politics and government, travel and trade, education, celebrations and more. The back of the book contains a short history of the Vikings, including a map, as well as a bibliography, further resources and an index.

Stanley’s people are so preoccupied with primping him for the dog show in the park that they forgot his breakfast. This makes Stanley very grumpy. At the park, Stanley meets up with his old friends Nutsy, Alice and Gassy Jack. Together the friends look longingly at the grand prize: the biggest, most scrumptious-smelling dog cookie ever. Once Stanley gets a whiff of its bubbling cheese, sizzling bacon and apple pie aromas, he’s determined to win. So what if he’s not the fastest, most talented or most beautiful dog in the show? We know that Stanley’s rumbling tummy always leads him into adventure --- or a big pile of trouble --- and this time is no exception. Join Stanley and his friends in the best dogpile ever as they show us humans that dogs know best, and that what really counts is having fun!

An exciting blend of fact and fiction and comic-book style illustrations make learning about the Vikings fun in this book in the Good Times Travel Agency series.

It’s the tantalizing smell of Chinese food that’s enticed the Binkerton children back into the creepy Good Times Travel Agency. Sure, the fried noodles are delicious, but then the shop owner pulls another one of his mysterious guidebooks off his shelf and before they can stop him, he’s sent the children hurtling back in time once again. This time they land in first-century China, where little Libby quickly manages to slip away from Josh and Emma in an official carriage headed to the capital city. But while she’s living the ancient China high life with nobility, the twins get mistaken for barbarian spies and soon they’re being chased by imperial guards! Will the twins manage to find Libby, and their way back home, before the guards catch up to them? This graphic novel from the critically acclaimed time-travel series by award-winning duo Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin offers a fun read with a terrific historical overview of ancient China. Bailey’s fast-paced narrative is quirky and funny. The fun device of featuring excerpts from an engagingly-written guidebook on every page keeps the key historical facts and figures easy to digest. Slavin’s detailed and humorous illustrations are pitch perfect for the story. Thoroughly researched, this book would be an excellent companion to social studies and history lessons, encompassing politics and government, philosophy, science and technology, travel and trade, civic rights and responsibilities, community and traditions. The back matter includes an index, further resources and six pages of additional information about ancient China.

Join the Binkertons as they return to the Good Times Travel Agency only to find themselves deep-frozen in the Ice Age.

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie''s 72-year-old neighbor goes missing.

Count the pigs as they help the one little pig go to sleep.

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie and her partner find a lost dog who turns out to have a very important owner.

From the author of If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur comes a funny and sweet cross-country roadtrip adventure with a sassy septuagenarian and her quirky canine. Feisty Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, live in British Columbia, Canada, and they''re setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. In their little rattlebang car, packed with Carson''s favorite toy, Squeaky Chicken, and plenty of baloney sandwiches, Annie and Carson hit the road! They travel province by province, taking in each unique landscape and experiencing something special to that particular part of this vast, grand country. For example, they marvel at the beauty of the big, open sky -- and grasshoppers! -- in Saskatchewan and discover the gorgeous red earth and delicious lobster rolls in PEI, before finally being greeted by Elsie -- and a surprise for Carson!

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie and Jesse need to crack a case before Winnipeg puts them in the deep freeze.

When a thief steals money from her mom''s Garbage Busters project, Stephanie, a sixth grader, identifies herself as "Stevie Diamond, Detective" and sets off to find the culprit.