Best Selling Books by Natalie Babbitt

The Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing older.

"The truth is that Mylo was very much afraid of the dark," so begins Natalie Babbitt''s beloved picture book The Something. Mylo...is afraid of an indefinable Something coming in through his window at night. Given some modeling clay by his concerned mother, he finally succeeds in making a statue of the Something...The clever, ironic story interprets common childhood fears of the dark in a way that should prove highly amusing to many small children."--Starred/Booklist The Something was made into a short animated film of the same name in 2015.

Do you believe in things you can''t see?

Natalie Babbit''s memorable first novel, The Search for Delicious, about a boy who nearly causes a civil war in the kingdom all because of his work on the royal dictionary. Gaylen, the King''s messenger, a skinny boy of twelve, is off to poll the kingdom, traveling from town to farmstead to town on his horse, Marrow. At first it is merely a question of disagreement at the royal castle over which food should stand for Delicious in the new dictionary. But soon it seems that the search for Delicious had better succeed if civil war is to be avoided. Gaylen''s quest leads him to the woldweller, a wise, 900-year-old creature who lives alone at the precise center of the forest; to Canto, the minstrel who sings him an old song about a mermaid child and who gives him a peculiar good-luck charm; to the underground domain of the dwarfs; and finally to Ardis who might save the kingdom from havoc. The Search for Delicious is a 1969 New York Times Book Review Notable Children''s Book of the Year. Featured in 4 episodes as part of the Jackanory BBC children''s television series.

Introduced by New York Times–bestselling author Gabrielle Zevin, a special 50th Anniversary Edition of the beloved children’s classic with more than more than 10 million copies sold. From Newbery Honoree and E. B. White Award–winning author Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is a spellbinding modern-day masterpiece about immortality, friendship, and growing up that’s sure to be an all-time favorite for every generation. Is eternal life a blessing or a curse? That is what young Winnie Foster must decide when she discovers a spring in the nearby woods whose waters grant immortality. Members of the Tuck family, having drunk from the spring, tell Winnie of their experiences watching life go by and never growing older. Now Winnie must decide what to do with her newfound knowledge—and the Tucks must decide what to do with her. But it’s not just the curious girl who is interested in their remarkable tale. A suspicious stranger is also searching for the Tucks, and he will stop at nothing until he finds them and uncovers their secret. A staple on home bookshelves and in classrooms and libraries for half a century, Tuck Everlasting is brought to life for new readers and long-time fans in this dazzling deluxe edition, which includes a foreword from the New York Times–bestselling author of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin; new breathtaking black-and-white illustrations from award-winning artist Bagram Ibatoulline; an afterword from Natalie Babbitt’s daughter; and more never-before-seen bonus material. Praise for Tuck Everlasting: “Probably the best work of our best children''s novelist.” ―Harper''s “Exciting and excellently written.” ―The New York Times Book Review “A fearsome and beautifully written book that can''t be put down or forgotten.” ―The New Yorker

The Devil''s Storybook is a 1974 New York Times Book Review Notable Children''s Book of the Year and a 1975 National Book Award Finalist for Children''s Books. An ALA Notable Book Chosen by School Library Journal as one of the Best of the Best Books

Twenty short stories display Satan''s vanity and other failings as well as his unflagging gusto for dirty tricks.

From the author of Tuck Everlasting comes a powerful, multi-layered story about a man who never felt complete, the family he is unable to fully love, and the fabulous amusement park that he created. Everyone in town knows Herbert Rowbarge as the wealthy creator of the Rowbarge Pleasure Dome, a fantastic amusement park. But his past is murky. Even his twin daughters believe that their father has led a lonely but prosperous life, inheriting his wealth from various deceased relatives. What the town doesn’t know is that Herbert was born a penniless orphan, sustained only by his desire to create something beautiful: An amusement park with a carousel featuring pairs of identical animals. Everything he’s achieved has been a product of that single-minded determination. What Herbert himself doesn’t know is that he is a twin. All he knows is that he has never felt complete. When he gazes into the mirror, he glimpses some lost part of himself. When he looks at his twin daughters, he feels a stab of something like jealousy. Told from the point of view of Herbert and his daughters, this is a family story about how people can long for a part of themselves that they never knew they lost. Natalie Babbitt is at her best in this stunning novel for adults. "Herbert Rowbarge has . . . an almost folktale-like tone and plot. Never mind that it contains its share of Buicks and bridge parties; it still possesses the hushed, concentrated, stripped quality of a legend. And like a legend, it draws us in. It’s spellbinding.” —Anne Tyler, The New York Times Book Review

In this collection of essays and speeches written over the course of four decades, beloved storyteller Natalie Babbitt explores what it was like to be a “little dog” in the literary world, continually being forced to justify her choice to write books for children—instead of doing something more serious. Babbitt offers incisive commentary on classic children’s books as well as contemporary works, and reveals colorful insights into her own personal creative life. Filled with a voice that rings with truth, wisdom, and humor across the years, the essays gathered in Barking with the Big Dogs exemplify on every page true reverence for children and an endless engagement with the challenge to write the books that shape them.

A gifted artist and writer, Natalie Babbitt''s novels are inspired by a brilliance and imagination that is completely original. She began her career in 1966 with the publication of a picture book, The Forty-Ninth Magician, a collaboration with her husband, Samuel Fisher Babbitt. Her first novel, The Search for Delicious, established her gift for writing magical tales with a more profound meaning embedded within them. Kneeknock Rise earned her a Newbery Honor Medal, but it is Tuck Everlasting which has insured Babbitt''s place in the history of children''s literature. Babbitt has written six more novels including The Eyes of the Amaryllis and Goody Hall—each one presenting her unique vision of an enchanted world. Her latest novel, Jack Plank Tells Tales, was published in Spring 2007. Natalie Babbitt lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and is a grandmother of three. When asked what she wants readers to remember about her books, she replied, "the questions without answers."

From the moment young Egan arrives in Instep for the annual fair, he is entranced by the fable surrounding the misty peak of Kneeknock Rise: On stormy nights when the rain drives harsh and cold, an undiscovered creature raises its voice and moans. Nobody knows what it is—nobody has ever dared to try to find out and come back again. Before long, Egan is climbing the Rise to find an answer to the mystery. Kneeknock Rise is a 1971 Newbery Honor Book.

From the bestselling and award-winning author of the modern classic Tuck Everlasting comes Natalie Babbitt''s loveable cat story for kids. Nellie, a cat marionette who loves to dance, finds adventure and freedom on a moonlit hilltop. Children will delight in turning the pages of this stunning picture book, again and again.

The Devil is back, just as full of vanity and other human feelings as he was in Natalie Babbitt''s first collection, The Devil''s Storybook.

"Phoebe Euphemia Brandon Brown hated the bows, frills, ruffles, sashes, and curls that were the fashion in 1904...The story of Phoebe''s one-woman revolution and its outcome is sure to strike a spark in other little girls with minds of their own."--Booklist

The new novel by Natalie Babbitt, author of Tuck Everlasting Joe Casimir needed help with the choice he had to make. But how do you choose the person who will help you choose? Mr. Boulderwall, the millionaire, knew exactly what he wanted Joe to choose. And millionaires are experts at making choices. Well, aren''t they? But Vinnie, the number-two man down at Sope Electric, didn''t much approve of millionaires. He said to Joe, "Listen, kid, all of ''em act like they''re the only ones with a ticket to the show!" But he didn''t have any real advice to offer. Joe''s Gran didn''t either, as it turned out, and neither did Aunt Myra.The good advice was there, though. Right across the street. Just waiting right across the street. There are a lot of good things just waiting. You''ll see.

Age 9-11.

A young king & gueen , both want ''the one & only very best thing'' for their son, but what would that be?

In this magical adaptation of Natalie Babbitt’s classic tale, a troupe of actors recreate a mythical medieval kingdom in the midst of a fierce disagreement over the most “delicious” food. To avoid a civil war, the kingdom sends 12-year-old Gaylen (and his loyal horse, Marrow) on a journey to settle the definition once and for all. On their quest, Gaylen and Marrow must face the evil Hemlock who wants to overthrow the King and Queen, seek the help of enchanted characters (a mermaid, dwarfs, and the 900-year-old woldweller), and calm the increasingly scared villagers of the kingdom. Defining a word has never had higher stakes. Music, comedy, and a look at human foolishness come together in a joyous conclusion. A full-length version is also available. A Free Resource: Lesson Plan for The Search for Delicious is also available. Play with music One-act. 45-55 minutes. 10-25+ actors possible

Oui, c''est bien vrai! Jack Plank a d''abord été pirate et ses acolytes l''ont beaucoup apprécié. Leur bateau, l''Avarice, était magnifique. Mais, peu à peu, il devenait évident que Jack n''excellait pas dans l''art du pillage. Que pouvait-il y faire sinon regagner la terre ferme et chercher un autre type d''emploi? Sa quête avait débuté à Saltwash, une ville côtière de la mer des Caraïbes. Il avait bénéficié des nombreux conseils des gens de la pension DelFresno où il habitait, mais curieusement, aucun métier ne lui convenait. Et ainsi, chaque soir, durant le dîner à la pension, il expliquait les inconvénients liés à tel ou tel travail : Après tout, qui voudrait travailler dans un endroit où il pourrait y avoir des Trolls? Et que dire du risque de voir un crabe se prendre aux poils de sa barbe? Sans parler des crocodiles amateurs de musique... Décidément, Jack n''était pas fait pour la vie à terre Il aurait dû se résoudre à retourner en mer, à moins que le destin, comme c''est souvent le cas, en décide autrement...

Winnie découvre dans le bois d''en face une source. Elle y rencontre une étrange famille, et c''est le début d''une grande aventure. Winnie arrivera-t-elle à préserver le secret de la famille Tuck ?

Natalie Babbitt''s elegant writing style & the totally engaging characterizations in her illustrations combine to create a memorable picture book. Fairy godmothers are supposed to set things right, but Elsie''s fairy godmother sometimes sets things wrong. When she changes one Elsie into 8, the results make a mess for everyone, from Elsie''s cat right on up to the Mayor. And the noise! Well, it''s so bad that Elsie & her family, including cat & goats, have to look for somewhere else to live. But all comes out right in the end -- unless you are a mouse.

The Prime Minister is compiling a dictionary and when no one at court can agree on the meaning of delicious, the King sends his twelve-year-old messenger to poll the country.