Most Popular Books by Marion Dane Bauer

A “wholly satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) novel in verse starring a boy, a lost dog, and a lonely old man, from Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer Mark is a boy who needs a dog. But he can’t get his mom on board with his plan. Buddy is a dog who needs a boy. Buddy has an owner already, but not one who understands what a dog really needs. Mr. LaRue is a neighbor who needs a community. He’s alone all the time in his huge old house—and everyone needs more than that. Over the course of a summer thunderstorm and one chaotic town council meeting, these three characters cross paths and come together in a timeless tale ripe with emotions. They’ll realize they all need the same things: love, understanding, and a sense of belonging—plus a place to play a game of fetch!

In an astonishing unfurling of our universe, Newbery Honor winner Marion Dane Bauer and Caldecott Honor winner Ekua Holmes celebrate the birth of every child. Before the universe was formed, before time and space existed, there was . . . nothing. But then . . . BANG! Stars caught fire and burned so long that they exploded, flinging stardust everywhere. And the ash of those stars turned into planets. Into our Earth. And into us. In a poetic text, Marion Dane Bauer takes readers from the trillionth of a second when our universe was born to the singularities that became each one of us, while vivid illustrations by Ekua Holmes capture the void before the Big Bang and the ensuing life that burst across galaxies. A seamless blend of science and art, this picture book reveals the composition of our world and beyond — and how we are all the stuff of stars.

A Newbery Honor Book. “A gripping, compassionate portrayal of a boy’s struggle with conscience” by the bestselling author of My Mother Is Mine (Kirkus Reviews). While on a bike trip, Joel’s best friend Tony drowns while they are swimming in the forbidden, treacherous Vermilion River. Joel is terrified at having to tell of his disobedience and overwhelmed by his feelings of guilt, even though the daring act was Tony’s idea, and Joel didn’t know that Tony couldn’t swim. But Joel’s loving and protective father will help him deal with the tragic aftermath—and understand that we all must live with the choices we make. “A powerful, soul-stirring novel told simply and well.”—Booklist (starred review) “This is a devastating but beautifully written story of a boy’s all-consuming guilt over the role he plays in the death of his best friend . . . Bauer’s honest and gripping novel joins the ranks of such as Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia in its handling of these issues.”—Publishers Weekly “Descriptions are vivid, characterization and dialogue natural, and the style taut but unforced. A powerful, moving book.”—School Library Journal

Set in the northern Minnesota wilderness, a timeless novel about a boy and his imaginary dog explores the legacy of guilt and blame—and what really constitutes a family. Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer evokes the “summer that changed everything” in the life of a boy growing up without a mother. Since as far back as Ben can remember, it’s been him, his devoted dad, and Sunshine—Ben’s little dog, who rarely leaves Ben’s side. It was Mom who did the leaving, and Ben’s about to spend a whole week with his suddenly present mother in the wilds of northern Minnesota. On the remote island she calls home, Ben will learn to canoe, weather the elements, and weigh a burning question: when will she come back to where she belongs? A must-read for dog lovers, children of divorce, and the imaginative and outdoorsy, Sunshine is a poignant, ultimately hopeful story about self-discovery, facing big realities, and finally, forgiving the things—and people—you can’t forget.

Owen the baby hippo and his mama were best friends. They loved to play hide-and-seek on the banks of the Sabaki River in Africa. That was all before the tsunami came and washed Owen''s world away. But after the rain stops, Owen befriends Mzee, a grayish brown tortoise. He plays with him, snuggles with him, and decides he just might turn out to be his best friend and a brand-new mama. Inspired by the tsunami of 2004, acclaimed storyteller Marion Dane Bauer and celebrated illustrator John Butler depict this heartwarming true tale of healing, adoption, and rebirth -- with splendid illustrations and oodles of love.

A fox wonders how he should prepare for the coming winter, but what other animals advise will not work for him until another fox comes to his aid.

Pictures and rhyming text show how some fathers, animal, bird, and human, take care of their children by bringing them food, playing with them, and keeping them safe.

A little cat named Patches manages to push out a window screen and leave her house, chasing a falling leaf, and sets out to find a special place to call her own.

Jennifer is disappointed on her birthday when her father gives her a little china horse and the promise of riding lessons instead of the real horse she''s been expecting.

A 13-year-old girl runs away from home across the Oklahoma panhandle

Simple text and illustrations explore the wonders of snow.

During the catastrophic tsunami of 2004, a family of hippos was swept out to sea from their home on Sabaki River, in Eastern Kenya. The sole survivor of the disastor was a baby hippo who was rescued and given the name Owen. Motherless and alone, Owen is befriended by Mzee, a giant male tortoise at a local nature reserve. This moving and charming tale is the story of their friendship.

Liz is staying with her grandmother in her old house in the woods of northern Minnesota when one night a noise awakens her. It is someone calling her name, calling for Elizabeth. Liz opens her eyes. There is a blue ghost in her room! What does the ghost want from her? This exciting mystery by Newbery Honor writer Marion Dane Bauer is perfect for first chapter-book readers.

"Since the beginning, humans have created stories about the universe. From early mythology to modern-day science is a long journey, yet so much of our galaxy still remains a mystery. What will we believe tomorrow? We the curious ones is a lyrical discussion [...] about the complex and ever-evolving relationship between science and story."--

A rhyming story about a parent''s unlimited love for a child -- in the same format as the bestselling book I Love You Through and Through, and with pictures by the same illustrator. "How do I love you? Let me count the ways.I love you as the sun loves the bright blue days . . ."In this padded board book, a parent declares her love...as the bees love a flower, a duck loves a shower, a bird loves to sing, a bear loves the spring. Written by Newbery-award-winning author Marion Dane Bauer, inspired by the poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and with pictures by Caroline Jayne Church, illustrator of the bestselling I Love You Through and Through.

Illustrations and simple text explain three types of clouds--stratus, cumulus, and cirrus--as well as what clouds are made of and what clouds can bring. Simultaneous.

Briefly describes the geography of the Mississippi River, along with some history of the transportation and commerce associated with the river.

When Emily finds a locked playhouse in the woods, she can''t resist peeking through the windows. Inside, the walls are painted to look just like the surrounding woods, right down to an identical white playhouse with blue shutters. But the playhouse is not as deserted as Emily first thought. A girl Emily''s age lives on the painted walls—and she''s dying for Emily to join her! Newbery Honor-winning author Marion Dane Bauer crafts an eerie story for young mystery lovers guaranteed to send shivers down their spines. Marion Dane Bauer is the author of more than 40 books for children, including the Newbery Honor?winning book On My Honor and Rain of Fire, which won a Jane Adams Peace Association Award. She has also won the Kerlan Award for the body of her work. The Blue Ghost is her most recent book for this age group. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Regina is only 3-1/4 inches tall, but she knows from the moment she wakes up in her dollhouse bed that she is a princess. Why else would she have such a lovely pink gown? Why else would she have such golden hair and flawless skin? And why else would she have a four-foot, curly-haired human creature to wait on her? Meanwhile Zoey, that four-foot, curly-haired creature, has always dreamed that someday one of her dolls would come alive. But in her dreams, the doll never ordered her around. The doll didn’t call her a servant. And the doll was a whole lot nicer!In a classic storyteller’s voice, Marion Dane Bauer tells an exquisite tale of friendship, family, and loss, laced with humor and joy.

Tells the story of the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Twelve kinds of animal babies swim, snuggle, slither, and scoot through this enchanting picture book that celebrates the miracle of birth, the magic of childhood, and you...the most precious baby of all.

All living things need water to survive. But when there is too much rain, a flood can happen. Learn how floods form and how we try to avoid them in this eBook with audio.

Discover the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park as Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling author Marion Dane Bauer takes you on a tour of one of our country’s greatest treasures in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read. Exquisite waterfalls, giant granite cliffs, ample hiking trails, and stunning views—these are just a few of the things that make Yosemite National Park one of the most popular parks in the world. Beginning readers will love exploring and learning about the beauty and grandeur of this iconic park in this informative Ready-to-Read.

Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling author Marion Dane Bauer teaches beginning readers about rainbows in this bright Level 1 Ready-to-Read. What is that colorful arc in the sky? It is a rainbow. Rainbows are always pretty to look at, but where do they come from? The answer is at your fingertips. Just open this book and read about the wonders of rainbows…

Benjamin Franklin was curious about the world around him. He had wide and varied interests that led him to become a printer, a writer, an inventor, a statesman, and eventually one of the fathers of our nation. This book introduces Benjamin Franklin to the youngest readers and inspires them to learn about the world. Illustrations.

Explore the planet Mars in the second book in this new, nonfiction Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about the universe that’s perfect for kids who love science and space! Do you see that red dot in the night sky? It’s Mars! Discover the exciting surprises about the Red Planet in this cosmic, fact-filled Level 1 Ready-to-Read.

When her great-grandmother is placed in a nursing home, a twelve-year-old is sent to a foster home where the fanatically religious father presses his attentions on her.

Mr. Geo explores Florida, examining the geography, history, and pop culture as well as maps and various learning activities about the state.

Mr. Geo the geography teacher explores the state of California, where he watches the taping of a television show in Los Angeles, visits state parks and historic landmarks, and reaches the Pacific Ocean.

Delsie knew it wasn''t a good idea to dare her best friend Todd to explore the abandoned houses by the old mill. But she couldn''t back down after the words slipped out of her mouth. Together the two friends bike to the mill and try the door of each abandoned house. They are all locked . . . except one. Delsie and Todd sneak inside and discover two strange things. Someone is living there. And something doesn''t want Delsie to leave. It''s a dog, a strange golden dog, that only Delsie can see! Newbery Honor-winning author Marion Dane Bauer spins a fourth spooky tale to complement her previous stories, The Blue Ghost, The Red Ghost, and The Green Ghost.

As the sun sets, a father puts his child to bed. Weaving images of mice, of birds, and of polar bears, he tells her that sleep nibbles the last crumb of day; sleep gathers her beneath its feathery wings; and that sleep holds her tight in the furry dark. And as the images of sleep grow larger and larger, the father hopes that sleep will come to his child very soon. In this glorious companion to If You Were Born a Kitten, Marion Dane Bauer and JoEllen McAllister Stammen have created a classic lullaby, as warm and loving as any child and parent at bedtime.

Relates how, since the first Christmas, animals around the world have been able to speak at midnight on Christmas Eve to rejoice and proclaim, "The Child is here!"

The award-winning author “provides mentoring and practical and technical advice in this handy how-to book . . . as useful to teachers as to young writers” (School Library Journal, starred review). Storytelling is a universal experience. From an early age, we begin to shape our own world by crafting tales. But learning to tell—and write—a good story isn’t easy. It takes dedication and practice, just like for a musician or an athlete, and it can be just as rewarding to accomplish as winning a game or mastering an instrument. It’s the kind of work that feeds our souls and makes us glad to be alive. In What’s Your Story?, Newbery Medal-winning author Marion Dane Bauer discusses how to write fiction from beginning to end, including creating a story plan, choosing the best idea, bringing characters to life, deciding on a point of view, creating realistic dialogue, keeping readers hooked, and revising and polishing the finished product. “Her last comment is telling: ‘Knowing your craft can help you tell a story. But only by taking risks can you make art.’ After many pages of provocative information and straightforward counsel, that sentence may be the one to launch youngsters to the challenge. The book speaks directly to young writers, but many adults (teachers, librarians, reviewers, editors, would-be writers) will also find this sensible dissection of the storytelling process invaluable.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A pragmatic, organized approach to story writing . . . the exercises and thought processes introduced as groundwork come across as stimulating rather than tedious and may serve to hone analytical skills as well as inspire even the most reluctant writers to try their hand.”—Publishers Weekly

Learn all about planet Earth in the third book in this nonfiction Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about the universe that’s perfect for kids who love science and space! Our home planet is a lucky one. It’s unlike any other planet in space! Earth gives us life and protects us. Readers will discover fun facts about Earth in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read!

I have two feet that dart, that dash, that sprint, that splash. Thank you for my feet. In this lyrical text, a young child lists body parts from nose to toes, giving thanks for each along the way. Cherished author Marion Dane Bauer’s bouncy rhymes are wonderful for reading aloud, and Kristina Stephenson’s soft illustrations highlight what’s special in the everyday. A subtle reminder of our deepest core values, Thank You for Me! is a delightful celebration of gratitude that belongs on every bookshelf.

A little girl goes through a normal day tripping, dropping things, spilling milk, and waking the baby--uh-oh! A bestselling author showcases childhood clumsiness with compassion and humor in this lift-the-flap book. Petrone''s quirky illustrations perfectly capture a toddler who knows that her mommy and daddy love her--no matter how many uh-oh''s she has. Full-color illustrations. 9 gatefolds.

The Earth as we know it was partly created by volcanoes. Many are still active today. Learn how volcanoes form and what is going on when they erupt.

A popular collection of some of the best short fiction and short stories ever written.