Nonfiction

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

Yet more wisdom cast down from high atop Mt. Seuss, this cheerful trio of tales teaches some valuable lessons in humility--thanks to a sharp-eyed worm, a bragging bear and rabbit, a fuzzy-tailed bird, and a couple hundred turtles led by their foolish King Yertle.

Yertle's story leads off with his attempt to build a bigger kingdom on the backs of his loyal subjects (literally). King of everything he can see, Yertle orders his turtles to stack up under him to build a towering throne. ("He made each turtle stand on another one's back and he piled them all up in a nine-turtle stack.") But a plain little turtle named Mack--stuck at the bottom--decides he's had enough. ("I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down on the bottom we, too, should have rights!")

Following Yertle's downfall, a whiny girl-bird named Gertrude McFuzz wishes she had two feathers, just like Miss Lolla-Lee-Lou: "One droopy-droop feather. That's all that she had. And, oh! That one feather made Gertrude so sad." But even when Gertrude gets her wish--and then some--she finds that vanity has its price. Meanwhile, in "The Big Brag," a proud rabbit and an even-prouder bear duke it out in a battle of the senses, arguing over who's the best of the beasts, only to get their clever comeuppance from a wild-eyed little worm. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

TO CELEBRATE THE 50th anniversary of the original 1958 publication of Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, Random
House Children’s Books is proud to offer the classic edition in a special foil-covered limited party edition.

Dr. Seuss is, quite simply, the most beloved children’s book author in the world.

Tuesday

"Tuesday evening, around eight"--a deceptively mundane beginning for what proves to be a thrilling, miraculous, and surreal amphibian journey. Slowly and quietly on this particular Tuesday, a few fat frogs begin hovering over a swamp, riding lily pads like magic carpets. Clearly satisfied and comfortable, the floating frogs are as serene as little green buddhas. Gradually, the flying fleet grows in momentum and number, sailing over the countryside and into an unsuspecting town. These frogs know how to have fun--startling the occasional bird, waving webbed feet at late-night snack-eaters, and even changing the channels on a sleeping granny's television. As day breaks, the frogs lose their lily pads, head back to the pond, and wait impatiently for their next scheduled departure.

Tuesday won the 1992 Caldecott Medal and, among other honors, was named as an ALA Notable Children's Book. The critical acclaim will come as no surprise to anyone who opens the pages of this beautiful and humorous book. With hardly any words (except those noting the time), David Wiesner creates a wondrous romp as silent as the middle of the night. Using the rich purples, blues, and greens of late evening, Wiesner draws readers into the warm, incandescent world of frog flight. "Read" this wordless wonder to children and savor it for yourself as well. Chances are, you and the youngsters will both find yourselves poised at the window, hoping to catch a few airborne frogs in the act. (Ages 4 and older)

The unpredictable events of a particular Tuesday unroll before the reader with the precision and clarity of a silent movie. A Caldecott Medal book.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship

The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee (Mm-ZAY). When Owen was stranded after the Dec 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone's amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.

A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Eastern & Central North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)

This newly designed field guides features detailed descriptions of 595 species and subspecies. The 656 full-color illustrations and 384 drawings show key details for accurate identification. More than 100 color photographs and 333 color photographs and 333 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions.

From Tadpole to Frog (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

Wendy Pfeffer describes the amazing metamorphosis from tiny, jellylike egg, to little fishy tadpole, to great big bullfrog. Holly Keller has created the archetypal frog pond and we see it through the seasons as the tadpoles grow legs and lungs and eventually hop onto land: bullfrogs at last. "Well-designed ink drawings washed with soft-toned watercolors stretch across the double-page spreads, showing the action above and below water level. . . .an attractive, general introduction."—BL.

1994 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)
Best Children's Science Books, 1994 (Science Books and Films)

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (Lyle the Crocodile)

A cranky neighbor puts Lyle in the zoo but experiences a change of heart when the crocodile saves him from a fire.

Lyle the crocodile lives in a house on East 88th Street in New York City. He likes it there, and his hosts, the Primms, like having him around--he helps young Joshua with his homework, jumps-rope with the neighborhood kids, and browses through antique shops with Mrs. Primm. Much to the affable reptile's dismay, however, he makes his neighbor's cat Loretta crazy, which in turn makes Mr. Grumps, Loretta's owner, even crazier. One day, Mrs. Primm and Lyle are shopping, when Lyle--through no real fault of his own--ends up infuriating department-store bigwig Mr. Grumps who turns red and blue and purple with rage. This unfortunate eruption lands the rollicking reptile in the Central Park zoo where Lyle fights back his crocodile tears. In an elaborate sequence of events, Lyle finds himself back with the Primms on East 88th Street, a neighborhood hero, and, startlingly, even a friend of the mistrustful cat Loretta. Bernard Waber--creator of The House on East 88th Street--charms young readers again with this endearing, whimsical 1965 classic, perfectly complemented by his simple, sketchy, comical illustrations. (Ages 4 to 8)

Froggy Learns to Swim

Frogs are supposed to be great swimmers. "Not me!" says Froggy, who's afraid of the water. But with a little encouragement, some practice, and the help of a silly song or two, Froggy becomes an expert frog-kicker! Full color.

Bullfrog Pops!

Last seen hopping a stage . . . (coach) and finding his hop in Once There was a Bull . . . (frog), our hero is now on an eye-popping eating binge trying to cure his insatiable appetite. Woven through the western town of Ravenous Gulch, the story leaves a cast of many hopping mad. However, just as things look bleak, transitive and intransitive verbs turn the tables and take Bullfrog on another adventure. Part of Rick Walton's tremendously successful Language Arts series.

Froggy Plays Soccer

It's the day of the big game, and Froggy is ready. His soccer team is playing the Wild Things for the City Cup. All Froggy has to do is remember the rule: "Head it! Boot it! Knee it! Shoot it! BUT DON'T USE YOUR HANDS!" But Froggy's busy doing cartwheels and picking daisies. Uh oh, Froggy! Here comes the ball! Budding soccer players and Froggy's many fans will welcome Froggy's latest hilarious adventure.

Froggy's Best Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas... and Froggy was snoozing away! Every year he sleeps through the holidays, waking up only when spring arrives. But this year his friend Max the beaver has other plans in store for his amphibious pal. Tossing snowballs at Froggy's window, Max rouses him and gives him his first-ever Christmas present. "Gee, thanks," says Froggy, faintly perplexed. "I always wanted a drawing of a Christmas tree." But it's not a picture Max is giving him, it's the real thing! The two set off to wake Matthew the turtle and Travis the bear from their hibernations. Soon all four are in search of the perfect Christmas tree. All goes well with the selection, transport home, and decoration...until Froggy decides it's time to place the foil star on top. "Timber!" shouts Max. "Thunk!"

Frank Remkiewicz's cheerful illustrations tell this holiday story beautifully, but Jonathan London's animal banter and sound effects ("Zup! Znap! Zat! Zwit! Zum!" as Froggy gets dressed in his snow clothes--long underwear, purple leggings, yellow and green polka-dot shirt, blue boots, and red plaid coat) beg for read-aloud. Children relate, oh how they relate, to Froggy's silly antics and mishaps, as seen in Froggy Goes to School, Froggy Gets Dressed, and loads of others in the perfectly delightful Froggy series. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter

Froggy has never celebrated Christmas; usually he's taking his long winter's nap. But not this year! Froggy's best friend, Max the beaver, wakes him up to join the fun. Soon, Froggy's gotten into the swing of things: finding a tree, wrapping presents, singing carols, and enjoying a holiday feast. Join Froggy as he celebrates his very first, and very best, Christmas!

"The humor and spirited artwork will put Froggy fans in the holiday mood!" (The Horn Book)

"Children who have delighted in the earlier books about Froggy will cheer him along as he experiences his very first Christmas." (School Library Journal)