Most Popular Books by Valeri Gorbachev

When Goat finds his friend Pig crying, he imagines all the terrible things that might have happened to cause his distress.

When an ostrich is afraid, it sticks its head in the sand. When a turtle is afraid, it shrinks into its shell. Rabbits run away and cats hide under the bed. Using animals as examples, this book shows that everyone is afraid sometimes.

Turtle is so excited by the book about penguins that his dad reads him at bedtime that he decides he wants to be a penguin. So the next morning, he creates a penguin costume, grabs his book, and heads for the schoolbus. His kindergarten classmates are thrilled. They all want to be penguins too! Turtle shows his book to his teacher, and all day long he and his classmates do as the penguins do—they slide down the slide on their bellies during recess, form a waddling conga line at music time, and snack on goldfish crackers. It''s a super-cool penguin day! This delightful picture book from Valeri Gorbachev is a perfect blueprint for teachers (and kids) to plan penguin days of their own.

When baby brother is sleeping, it''s time to be ever so quiet. There''s no singing or jumping or laughing at all. Even the toys need to be quiet! The pirates stop firing their cannons, the knights stop fighting, even the tiger stops growling. But when baby wakes up . . . it''s time to jump and laugh and sing again! And the knights begin to fight, the pirates fire up the cannons, and the tiger growls so loudly! Until it''s time to be quiet once again. In this beautifully and expressively illustrated picture book, we celebrate the love between siblings as a big brother uses his imagination to calm his urge to cause a ruckus so that his little brother can sleep.

Nicky''s nightmares of scary wolves are banished by his resourceful mother.

On their first visit to a playground, two little chickens are afraid to play until a beaver helps them go down the slide.

Mouse is certain that a big gray dragon flying overhead will spell doom for her and her animal friends. So she makes it her mission to lead everyone to the safety of the barn. But it seems as though nothing will stop this hideous creature. Then the barn doors squeak open slowly . . . revealing what everyone has been dreading. . . . Wait. It''s just their friend Dog? Much-loved author-illustrator Valeri Gorbachev gives an old tale a twist that is sure to get kids giggling at even the most thunderous of storms.

Valeri Gorbachev’s warm and humorous retelling makes this classic ‘just right’ for little listeners! When Goldilocks finds the coziest cabin she’s ever seen, she goes inside to explore. As she samples the porridge, chairs, and beds, she’s doesn’t notice who is right outside the window . . . Could it be the bears?! Valeri Gorbachev''s warm and funny take on the classic tale is sure to please.

A brand new picture book from beloved author illustrator Valeri Gorbachev. Turkey is bored! She can’t find anyone to be friends with on the farm—hen is too busy with her chicks, rooster crows too loud, and who could be friends with goat who has a beard and horns? But when Turkey ventures off the farm to find a friend, she meets someone who would love to be her companion: sly, hungry fox. Will her farm friends save her? Valeri Gorbachev’s indelible sense of humor and heart make this a wonderful book for the whole family!

Two little chickens are worried about their first day of school and hope they will make new friends.

Catty Jane loves to dance but doesn''t realize she is being hurtful when she ignores her friends to focus on ballet.

Although they disagree about Bootsy the cat''s individual talents, a brother and sister do agree that he is a very special pet.

When Pig plans a trip, his friend Goat thinks of how dangerous it could be.

On a rainy day, Nicky the rabbit and his brothers and sisters imagine what it would be like to be somewhere where it was not raining.

Pig got caught in a big rainstorm, but he managed to find a big tree to stay beneath while waiting for the rain to stop. Why, then, is he running up to Goat''s house all wet? Pig proceeds tells Goat a wild tale of how he was joined under the tree by one mouse, two porcupines, three buffaloes, and so on! Join Pig and Goat as Goat tries to figure out why Pig is all wet, even though he says there was enough room under the tree for everyone. The ending won''t be one you expect! As Pig describes all the animals who seek shelter under the tree, your children will love counting along with him all while learning a new language!

Using animal behavior as an example, this book proves that everyone is afraid sometimes.

Ms. Turtle is the best babysitter ever. When the little frogs are sad, she finds a way to make them smile. Gorbachev''s playful characters are sure to appeal to anyone who has ever had a favorite babysitter. Full color.

When a little turtle comes across a lost hat, he is determined to find its owner. He asks Mouse, and Rabbit, and even Crocodile if it belongs to them, but they all say it isn''t theirs. Whose hat can it be?

A young rabbit uses quite a lot of imagination when he creates a picture for his mother''s birthday.

Little Elephant finally makes some friends, but he has trouble playing with them because of his size.

Peter paints his best picture ever and although everyone agrees it is beautiful, only his parents know just what to do with it.

When Christopher Rabbit learns to count in school, he enjoys it so much that he counts everything in sight, including how many baskets his friends make when they play basketball and how many peas and carrots are on his plate.

Wouldn''t it be fun to have a dragon for a friend? But that''s not going to happen if you don''t know the rules. Simon''s big sister, Emma, knows them all: DON''T poke a dragon when he''s taking a nap; he might sneeze fire. DON''T be surprised if the dragon fries some eggs with his breath. DO be sure to wear a seat belt should you ever ride on his back...Simon is determined to master every last rule, because then maybe, just maybe, he''ll get the chance to embark on what is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Moo! Grr! Awoo! Fun animal sounds in a story where a community bands together to help two adorable ducklings. Peep-peep! Brother and Sister Duck are lost. Everyone must help! Moose will try to call Mama and Papa Duck with his earth-shattering bellow. Moooo! Wolf will use her piercing howl. Awooo! and Bear his Grrr! What finally attracts Mama and Papa, though, are the sweet peep-peeps of their little ones. A story about cooperation, community, and noisy fun! Hooooot! Ink and watercolor paintings are masterful, charming, and joyful. Perfect for fans of Moo, Baa, La La La!

When one of Mother Hen''s chicks goes missing, a massive search begins as neighbors, firemen, and detectives all race to the scene to lend a helping hand in this colorfully illustrated picture book.

When two little chicks visit the playground for the first time everything looks scary! Take these rough and tumble tiny books wherever you go! Tuff Books are tear-resistant, easy to clean, and completely safety tested and approved for tiny tuff readers!

Why is Pig all wet? Did he get caught in the rain? No, he found shelter under a great big tree. But then a mouse joined him, and then two porcupines, three buffaloes, and so on, until there were enough animals under that tree to fill a zoo! But there was room for everyone, so why is Pig dripping wet? Goat thinks he knows . . . but young readers will be tickled to find out that the answer is not what they expect!

Doctor Nice spends a busy morning helping his patients with various winter ailments, including Moose, who caught cold after falling through the ice, and the goat kids, who have headaches from head-butting while playing hockey.

One Snow day, Pinky is heading to town to get a pizza for himself and his mother. He must run quickly so he doesn''t forget: mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, onions and peas. When the Squirrel boys try to sidetrack him, Pinky becomes annoyed and kicks the tree they''re in. The snow from the branches falls down, and Pinky, without knowing, looks like a snowman. As Pinky walks through town, EVERYONE is talking about the walking snowman. But Pinky doesn''t see him AND he''s much too focused on getting his pizza to stop and look for him. This funny story has charming ink-and-watercolor paintings and endearing characters.

Miss Bell''s new kitten turns out to be a tiger! But cats are cats, and she loves him all the same. This Level D book is perfect for new readers. One day Miss Bell bought a tiny kitten she named Tiger. He had stripes like a tiger, a tail like a tiger, and a smile like a tiger. He was very cute, and she loved him a lot. But Tiger got bigger. . . and kept getting bigger . . . Exuberant watercolor illustrations chronicle the transformation of Tiger from tiny kitten to giant jungle beast and his doting owner''s efforts to accommodate his "growing" needs-- no matter what the neighbors think-- in this funny, warmhearted celebration of unconditional love. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own! Level D, for late kindergarten, features longer sentences and greater variety in sentence structure than levels A, B, and C. May include questions. When Level D is mastered, follow up with Level E.

The county fair is finally coming to town! There is much work to be done before the big day begins. Pinky is content to watch his neighbors get ready until he hears the Hedgehog Brothers were complimented for helping others. He too wants to be called a great helper! Pinky isn''t a great helper, though; he creates a mess everywhere he goes. When he runs into someone who really needs his help, Pinky must find it in himself to be the best helper he can be. Valeri Gorbachev''s simple, yet impactful story takes readers with Pinky on his journey through the community. Whimsical illustrations in bright watercolors are sure to delight readers as they learn about the intrinsic rewards of helping others.

Everyone loves the beach. . . except Chipmunk. Can best friend Bear help change his mind? An early reader for kindergarteners, now in Spanish. A Bank Street Best Children''s Picture Book of the Year in Spanish "I like the beach," says Bear. "Not me!" says Chipmunk--and for so many reasons. Too hot, too sandy, and too many fish! As many times as Bear proclaims his love for beach activities, Chipmunk responds with the refrain, "Not me!" As Chipmunk''s misadventures pile up, he has to admit, "I am not a beach person." At this story''s heartwarming conclusion, Bear asks, "Why did you come?" Chipmunk replies simply, "I came to be with you." Newly proficient young readers will find humor and a reminder about the true nature of friendship. ¡Me gusta leer! provides emerging Spanish language readers with translations of popular I Like to Read® books. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on books for kindergarten through first grade. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own!

Chipmunk and Bear share a snowy adventure in this easy-to-read book, now available in Spanish! Bear loves snow, and so does Chipmunk! Despite their differences in size, Chipmunk and Bear have a lot in common. When Bear decides to go play in the snow, Chipmunk is eager to tag along. The two friends have fun skiing, skating, and building a snowman—although Chipmunk needs a hand now and then in the deep snow! This tale of friendship is conveyed through simple, highly repetitive Spanish-language text. Valeri Gorbachev''s charming art adds detail and helps support understanding of the Spanish text, and readers are sure to smile at the furry friends'' wintry adventures. For more Bear and Chipmunk adventures in Spanish, don''t miss Valeri Gorbachev''s ¡A mí no! ¡Me gusta leer!® provides emerging Spanish language readers with translations of popular I Like to Read® books. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on books for kindergarten through first grade. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own!

Little Hippo cannot wait to grow up and complains that all the other animals are bigger than him, until he helps a small beetle and feels better about himself.

"Pig got caught in a big rainstorm, but he managed to find a big tree to stay beneath while waiting for the rain to stop. Why, then, is he running up to Goat''s house all wet? Pig proceeds tells Goat a wild tale of how he was joined under the tree by one mouse, two porcupines, three buffaloes, and so on! Join Pig and Goat as Goat tries to figure out why Pig is all wet, even though he says there was enough room under the tree for everyone. The ending won''t be one you expect!As Pig describes all the animals who seek shelter under the tree, your children will love counting along with him all while learning a new language!"