Books with author David McPhail

By the author/illustrator of the bestseller Edward and the PiratesWhat better thing to do on a rainy day than sail a toy boat in puddles? The boy in this story gets permission from his mother to do just that, with the condition that only the boat gets to go in the puddles. After he finds a perfect spot for sailing, the boy is joined by a frog who wants a ride on his boat. Then a turtle floats by, followed by a helpful crocodile, a pig in a swimsuit, and a very thirsty elephant. Brought to life in rich watercolor illustrations, this cheerful assortment of visitors could make a rainy day a happy adventure for any child.

A fox in a dress, a rabbit in shoes-if they can get dressed, so can you! From David McPhail comes a board book of early concept words. In I Get Dressed, animals try on different articles of clothing, often to hilarious effect, ultimately teaching children the names for all kinds of clothes. These new board books are not only handy, fun guides for early learning concepts, but also the youngest readers' introduction to the whimsical world of David McPhail.

Celebrate change with your growing baby as a young boy gets bigger and tries new things.The boy in this book is too big for his crib, his shoes, and his tricycle. And he is too big for Grandpa to pick up.But he is just right for his big-boy bed, his new shirt, and his bicycle. And he is just right for a hug from Grandpa, for his sister, and for this book. He is just right!Delightful illustrations by David McPhail make this confidence building board book just right for toddlers. A celebration of self-acceptance, growth, and change!

Crash! The cat springs into action in this hilarious easy reader.The family cat destroys everything in his path, and the two girls who love him worry that he may be sick or blind in this story of unconditional pet love. Crash destroys Kait’s drum set, Krissie’s doll, Mom’s cake and Dad’s paint job. The family takes Crash to the vet who says the cat is fine, but Crash topples the laundry as soon as he’s back home. One night while the girls are in bed, they hear the biggest CRASH! of all. That night, Crash is a hero!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!For early-to-mid first grade readers, Level G books feature more complex storylines than prior levels, and a wider variety of structure and punctuation. Illustrations offer support for decoding the more challenging vocabulary words introduced.

Beloved illustrator McPhail offers a child’s magical view of the natural world.When a little boy overcomes his fear of water, fantastic things begin to happen: The birds who live by the sea bring him treasures, the waves sing to him, and suddenly, he is able to perform incredible tricks, like parting or purifying water. He uses his special powers to transform not only himself, but also the world around him. Award-winning author and illustrator David McPhail uses his exquisite paintings and a touch of magic to illustrate the connection between people and nature and to encourage young readers to help take care of the environment. A beautiful and evocative picture book unlike any other, Water Boy will captivate children, adults, and environmentalists alike. “Water Boy began as a series of little drawings (I try to do at least one every day). Water images kept showing up in my sketches and soon became a theme. After I’d done about eight or ten, I tried to connect them, but nothing worked, so I put the idea aside. “I continued to draw, and my drawings were still infused with water. Then, without really trying, they began to reveal some continuity. I kept drawing and drawing, and the story continued to take shape. It came together so magically that it informed my new approach: Do the art you want, and the story will follow . . .” —David McPhail

"What's a promise?"When Baby Bear asks Mother Bear this important question, she promises her cub that she will feed him, play with him, and do everything she can to keep him safe. But Baby Bear has more questions: What happens if you break a promise? Can his mother promise that he will always be happy?In this sweetly poignant story from celebrated artist David McPhail, a loving parent has just the right words for explaining that some things in life simply can't be promised--but family love is forever.

A man in the 1800s comes upon a beautiful forest and decides to build his home there. When he clears the land, he leaves one special tree to grace his front yard. Over the years, several generations of his family enjoy this tree, but it is endangered by a plan to build a highway. A young boy and his host of animal friends get together to make a stand, and give back to the tree which has given them so much. With lavish illustrations and very few words, David McPhail delivers a timeless environmental message and a heartwarming story for ages 4 to 8.