Best Selling Books by Marilyn Singer

Describes how dogs use their physical abilities, intelligence, and training by humans to perform a variety of jobs, including working in the movies, catching burglars, delivering messages, and cheering up children in hospitals.

A collection of poems about picky Pekingese, madcap mongrels, and other crazy canines. "The tilted investigation of the doggy world has a giggle-provoking appeal." --Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Detective twins Sam and Dave Bean investigate the disappearance of the class trip money.

Why are humans and other mammals covered in hair, and why are there so many different types of it? Vivid photographs paired with a duo of quirky, illustrated hair guides serve to illuminate fascinating facts about mammal hair: why it exists, what it''s good for, and more. Readers will learn about different types of animal coats, such as fur and down, and explore the many different forms guard hairs take, such as the quills on a porcupine.

Sixteen-year-old football star Bart Hawkins seeks a way to rid his house of a nasty poltergeist without losing the nine friendly ghosts also haunting it, in return for which they agree to help him win the championship game.

When her favorite purple tennis shoes fall apart, an almost-second-grader visits a shoe store, where she tries on footwear of all colors and styles before finding the pair that is right for her.

Jessica dreams of a flying horse, then finds an old tapestry with the power to summon up her dream horse, on which she flies away through time and space to fulfill her destiny in a distant, war-torn land.

People will tell you that all little Miss Muffet wanted was to sit quietly and eat her curds and whey. They’ll insist that she was so scared of a spider, she ran away from it, and that’s where her story ends. Well, those people are wrong! Miss Muffet is more daring than that—and so is the spider. Together, they head off on an escapade involving a host of other nursery rhyme characters to help a famous old monarch who’s lost his fiddlers three. Told in clever verse arranged like a musical theater production, this hilarious picture book reveals the true story of the adventures of Miss Muffet and her spider friend.

Award-winning author Marilyn Singer takes us on a journey into the fascinating and colorful world of bugs in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read! Come see bugs of all different kinds dipping, sipping, crawling, calling, and so much more in this charming, rhyming book that includes a special section with facts on each type of bug.

The role of First Lady has been defined differently by each woman who''s held it, but all of them left an impact on our nation as partner of the commander in chief. Incisive poetry by Marilyn Singer and energetic art by Nancy Carpenter provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of women-from Martha Washington to Eleanor Roosevelt to Lady Bird Johnson-who variously embraced the position and shied away from it, craved the spotlight and fiercely guarded their privacy, took controversial stands and championed for the status quo. Detailed back matter includes short biographies, quotations, and more.

Twin detectives Dave and Sam Bean are up to their necks in trouble when they find themselves enmeshed in the dirtiest election their school has ever seen.

A boring school play becomes big news when sabotage is suspected.

Award-winning author Marilyn Singer opens up an entire world of imagination in only twenty-four rhyming words in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read about how animals eat! Come see animals of all different kinds enjoy a picnic in this delightful story that beginning readers will love reading again and again. See how a frog “gulps,” a shark “gobbles,” a chicken “pecks,” and more. And don’t miss the fun surprise at the end! This story features only twenty-four rhyming words and comes with a pronunciation guide!

Award-winning author Marilyn Singer opens up an entire world of imagination in only twenty-four rhyming words in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read about how animals move! Come see animals of all different kinds hurry to their very special destination in this delightful story that beginning readers will love reading again and again. See animals float, flutter, scuttle, slide, crawl, clamber, gallop, and glide as they move from place to place. This story features only twenty-four rhyming words and comes with a pronunciation guide!

With 6 starred reviews, 8 best of the year lists, and over 20 state award nominations, everyone is raving about Mirror Mirror! "Remarkable."—The Washington Post "This mind-bending poetry is accompanied by Masse''s equally intelligent, equally amusing art."—Time Out New York for Kids What’s brewing when two favorites—poetry and fairy tales—are turned (literally) on their heads? It’s a revolutionary recipe: an infectious new genre of poetry and a lovably modern take on classic stories. First, read the poems forward (how old-fashioned!), then reverse the lines and read again to give familiar tales, from Sleeping Beauty to that Charming Prince, a delicious new spin. Witty, irreverent, and warm, this gorgeously illustrated and utterly unique offering holds a mirror up to language and fairy tales, and renews the fun and magic of both.

When Rosie accidentally releases an imp from a bottle in her mother''s magic shop, he ends up in California where he causes great havoc until Rosie convinces her mother to teach her witchcraft so that she can help recapture him.

This beautifully illustrated book pairs poetry with nonfiction, telling the fascinating stories of the animals who have found homes in our city landscapes across the world, from the pythons traveling Singapore''s sewers to the monkeys living in India''s temples. Humans may have built towns and cities, but we aren''t the only ones who live in them. Given the smallest chance--a park, a garden, a window box; a basement, a subway tunnel, a bridge--wildlife manages to survive in the city. Among colorful illustrated pages buzzing with city life and animal activity, you''ll discover the host of wild animals who live among humans: butterflies, bats, spiders, honeybees, coyotes, and more. Each animal''s story is told through a short poem accompanied by an informational paragraph. Some poems are comical, some poignant, and all make the reader see the world in a different way. After a rousing exploration of animal life, find definitions of the various types of poetry forms used in the book: haiku, cinquain, sonnet, terza rima, villanelle, triolet, reverso, acrostic, and free verse. Look around--you may discover neighbors you didn''t know you had!

Discover and celebrate all of the Jewish holidays with this warm and engaging poetry collection by the acclaimed author of Mirror Mirror. In this cheerful, enjoyable poetry collection, a family decides to celebrate every Jewish holiday for a full year, “the ones we know well, the ones we do not.” Starting with new-year apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah all the way to flowers and chocolates on Tu B’Av (often called “Jewish Valentine’s Day”), readers can explore the joy and meaning of the various holidays along with this lively family of five. A brief explanation of the holiday accompanies each poem. By an award-winning and beloved children’s poet, this is a wonderful introduction to Jewish celebrations, observances, and days of remembrance.

Now one of Booklist''s 30 Best Books of the Year! "Genius!" – Wired.com “Marilyn Singer''s verse in Follow Follow practically dances down each page . . . the effect is miraculous and pithy.” – The Wall Street Journal Once upon a time, Mirror Mirror, a brilliant book of fairy tale themed reversos–a poetic form in which the poem is presented forward and then backward–became a smashing success. Now a second book is here with more witty double takes on well-loved fairy tales such as Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid. Read these clever poems from top to bottom and they mean one thing. Then reverse the lines and read from bottom to top and they mean something else–it is almost like magic! A celebration of sight, sound, and story, this book is a marvel to read again and again.

From award-winning author Marilyn Singer comes a funny Level 1 Ready-to-Read about a poodle whose hair won’t stop growing! Poodle coming, poodle going. Poodle’s curly hair is growing. Poodle’s eyes are hardly showing. Like the grass, that dog needs mowing! Come see Poodle’s hair grow and grow and grow in this delightful rhyming book that beginning readers will love reading again and again.

A joyful collection of poems by the author of Mirror Mirror, in the form of recipes both simple and allegorical. This delicious collection of poems by the innovative Marilyn Singer is accompanied by vibrant splashy artwork by two-time Caldecott honoree Marjorie Priceman. Presented in a small-size format to appeal to older readers (as well as young), the book has the look of a vintage collector''s compendium that includes pictures, ephemera and annotations to add interest. Even young children are familiar with recipes--a series of steps to help them make something--and the book begins with simple dishes and ideas (such as a recipe for reading a recipe and a recipe for measuring), and then adds more ideas and grows in sophistication until the last recipes broach lofty concepts (such as a recipe for understanding and a recipe for peace). A treasure of words and images and ideas.

What can you do with an apple? You can pick it, kick it, wash it, squash it—but don’t forget to eat it. This charming new series will show readers how to find magic and joy in the beauty of everyday life. Also available: What''s a Banana?

Archer Armadillo refuses to leave his secret room when the rest of his family moves to a new burrow.

A lyrical and scientific introduction to the larval life cycle, beautifully photo-illustrated for caterpillar lovers everywhere! Caterpillars attract children like magnets—their shapes, colors, and locomotion styles are impossible to resist. Now children can explore the dazzling diversity of the world''s caterpillars illustrated in hundreds of full-color photographs. The charm of these larval forms of moths and butterflies is captured in verse and easy-to-follow narrative text by award-winning poet and nature writer Marilyn Singer. Includes matching game, quiz, glossary, and index. Real science has never been so much fun!

Do animals celebrate Valentine''s Day? Nobody knows for sure. But this funny (and punny) little book imagines how some of them declare their love, affection, or friendship any day of the year."Nice to Meetcha! You smell delish!/Wanna share my water dish?" So asks one tail-thumping dog to another. Whereas a courting dolphin sings, "Come, leap with me and be my wife./You''re the porpoise of my life." Ranging from dogs and cats and other pets to some you wouldn''t want to pet, such as sharks and porcupines, acclaimed poet Marilyn Singer''s captivating couplets and Lee Wildish''s expressively humorous illustrations provide a Valentine''s Day gift for kids who wouldn''t be caught dead being lovey-dovey.

The endearing true story of how a love of birds connected and inspired two literary giants--Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe. Years before Edgar Allan Poe''s raven said "Nevermore," Charles Dickens'' pet raven, Grip, was busy terrorizing the Dickens children and eating chipped paint. So how exactly did this one mischievous bird make a lasting mark on literature? From England to the United States and back again, this is the true and fascinating story of how a brilliant bird captured two famous authors'' hearts, inspired their writing, and formed an unexpected bond between them. This ingenious slice of history, biography, and even ornithology celebrates the fact that creative inspiration can be found everywhere.

A family of mice.A runaway goat.A mischievous snake.A shocking parrot.A pardoned turkey.A pampered raccoon.A ghostbusting dog.A celebrity cow.The White House housed more than presidents and First Families--who could forget the furry, scaly, feathered friends who impressed the press, guarded their charges, and kept them company through all the ups and downs of their respective terms?Marilyn Singer''s compelling poems will delight readers with stories of the creatures who sat beside our country''s leaders, as she draws intriguing connections between the animals and the administrations they accompanied. Mixed-media illustrations by Ryan McAmis lend humor and vivacity, and detailed back matter explores each president''s pet history in more depth.

Happy New Year ... in July! This versatile collection of engaging original poems showcases New Year celebrations throughout the year and around the world.

True stories of cats who have exhibited heroic or unusual behavior.

Didi and her father take a Sunday walk on the Promenade in Brooklyn, N.Y., where there is always something new to see, greet, hear and do, even when you''re in a hurry.

Solly''s stepmother forbids him to go the Circus Lunicus, but gives him an inflatable lizard that turns into his fairy godmother and teaches him how to turn into a space lizard as well.

This provocative collection of poems ranges from such lofty subjects as an astronaut’s view of Earth to the burrows of worms and little creatures within the earth, “where I try to tread softly: a quiet giant leaving only footprints on the roof.” Marilyn Singer’s lilting free verse offers visual images that give us fresh new insights and respect for the mighty power of volcanoes, fens, islands, deserts, dunes, and natural disasters. Singer’s easily accessible poems also include some of the lighter moments of childhood, such as sliding on ice and playing in mud. Meilo So’s distinctive india ink drawings on rice paper provide an especially handsome showcase for these buoyant nature poems. From the Hardcover edition.

When Tallulah goes ice skating with her brother, Beckett, and best friend, Kacie, she learns that having fun can be more important than being the best.--

What kind of a makeover has the power to change a person, inside and out? These stories, specially written for this collection, delve into our culture’s fascination with beauty and present different views about all kinds of makeovers. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and always thought provoking, this anthology will open eyes and minds. Authors include Joseph Bruchac, Marina Budhos, Evelyn Coleman, Peni R. Griffin, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Norma Howe, Jess Mowry, René Saldaña, Jr., Marilyn Singer, Joyce Sweeney, and Terry Trueman.

What can you do with a banana? You can grip it, unzip it, squeeze it, freeze it— you can even play it like a flute! With a little imagination and a sense of humor, you can transform it into anything! Turn the ordinary into the extraordinary with these charming picture books that encourage readers to look at the world in a new—more magical—way. Also available: What''s an Apple?

A volume of humorous poems about a group of oddball B-list superheroes in need of work introduces such haphazard wannabes as Blunder Woman, Muffy the Vampire Sprayer, and the Bulk.

An irresistible book of poems about dancing that mimic the rhythms of social dances from cha-cha to two-step, by the acclaimed author of Mirror Mirror Marilyn Singer has crafted a vibrant collection of poems celebrating all forms of social dance from samba and salsa to tango and hip-hop. The rhythm of each poem mimics the beat of the dances’ steps. Together with Kristi Valiant’s dynamic illustrations, the poems create a window to all the ways dance enters our lives and exists throughout many cultures. This ingenious collection will inspire readers to get up and move! Included with the e-book is an audio recording of the author reading each poem accompanied by original music.

This puppy not only couldn''t play the Game, he hadn''t even read the manual. And he didn''t have a clue he was acing a master... It''s called the Dating Game-or is it the Baiting Game? Whatever it''s called...it means stealing other girls'' boyfriends, then breaking their hearts. Deal is good at the Game. maybe too good. She wants to stop playing, but old patterns are hard to break. Even with the help of a guy. Even with the help of a ghost.

A collection of poems on a wide variety of animals, including common pets as well as dolphins and wet chickens