Books with author Denise Brennan-Nelson

Since he was knee-high to a grasshopper, little Stu's favorite place to visit was the nearby zoo. He was there so often that even the animals recognized him. The animals' sounds, from the coos and the snorts, and the squeaks and bellows, and the brays and the whistles, were music to his ears. His mother called it a symphony. Stu loved to pretend to be a conductor when he listened to the animals. But now there is trouble brewing at the zoo. A man wants to take it over and turn it into something else, getting rid of the animals. When the animals learn of his plan, they want to take action. But no one has any ideas. No one but Stu. Young readers will enjoy seeing how Stu steps in to rally the animals to save their beloved zoo.

After an especially "busy" day, a preschool-age boy overhears his mother say, "He's been a monster all day." So the little boy starts to fantasize about what life as a monster would be like. "I wonder why Mommy thinks that of me? / I guess if she does then a monster I'll be! / I'm big and strong! / I grumble and growl / and scare people off / with a sneer and a scowl. / Being a monster is fun!" There are no rules to remember or manners to follow. And monsters can stay out as late as they please, scaring everyone away. As it turns out, being a monster isn't all it's cracked up to be. No one wants to be friends with a monster. And who will read a story and tuck a monster into bed? Maybe being a little boy isn't such a bad thing after all.

Who lit the first jack-o'-lantern? What creature of the night must return to his grave by dawn? And why do we holler "Trick or treat"? J is for Jack-O'-Lantern: A Halloween Alphabet invites you to come along on this A-Z adventure and celebration of all things that "go bump in the night." Poetry and prose combine to entertain and educate. H is for Haunted House A haunted house; you better beware. Only enter if you dare. Monsters lurking, looking mean-- Just can't wait to make you scream! Classic autumn games, jokes, and recipes (including gooey deviled egg eyeballs!) help round out the Halloween festivities. Atmospheric artwork blends just enough fun with fright to provide the perfect backdrop. One of Denise Brennan-Nelson's favorite Halloween memories is of her daughters wearing homemade skunk costumes, since the girls are "Mommy's little stinkers." Her other books include Willow and Buzzy the bumblebee. When she's not visiting schools to speak to schoolchildren and teachers, Denise is at home in Howell, Michigan. Born in Hong Kong, Donald Wu grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. He studied illustration at the California College of the Arts. Donald's current focus is in children's book illustration, but he also has experience with portraiture and editorial artwork. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area.

Willow is back! This time she's so excited to be flower girl for her favorite uncle and his partner David's wedding. Willow just can't wait to help make it perfect. The beach ceremony! The dinner! The dessert! The dancing! But there's just one hiccup. Uncle Ash refuses to dance these days. A wedding with no dancing?! Willow makes it her mission to remind him of the joy he found in dancing years ago. On the evening of the wedding, Uncle Ash surprises them all and everyone dances in just the ways they were meant to.

I want to learn. Teach me, okay? Show me, show me, show me the way. Gentle verse and endearing photographs will delight young children as these curious baby animals try new things. I want to run. Teach me to run. Show me! Show me! How it is done. And so a puppy runs, all because someone showed him the way. From bunnies to ducklings to sweet little kittens, learning happens on every page.

From the same team that brought you My Momma Likes to Say comes this delightful interpretation of maxims, idioms, proverbs, and clichés many students remember hearing on a regular basis in the classroom. From "Do you have ants in your pants?" to "Stick together!" and "Great minds think alike," readers will be intrigued by the history of these adages, told in poetry form as well as expository text, and amused by the witty illustrations, depicting these sayings as a child might imagine them. Growing up with six sisters and one brother, there has never been a dull moment in Denise Brennan-Nelson's life. She continues to keep the pace lively as a motivational speaker, children's author, and mother. She is the author of My Momma Likes to Say and Buzzy the Bumblebee, also from Sleeping Bear Press. Denise lives with her family in Howell, Michigan. Jane Monroe Donovan's parents encouraged her to follow her heart and it led to her love of sketching and painting. In addition to My Teacher Likes to Say, Jane also illustrated Sunny Numbers: A Florida Counting Book and My Momma Likes to Say. She is currently working on a Christmas title for Sleeping Bear Press. Jane lives with her family in Pinckney, Michigan.

Mr. Larch is not a very neighborly neighbor. He never has any visitors. His gray, gloomy house never has any decorations. He avoids everyone and everyone avoids him. But now Mr. Larch has a new neighbor. Willow and her family have moved into the bright yellow house directly across the street. Willow loves her new house and neighborhood. She loves the summer and planting her garden. She loves the fall and sharing vegetables with her neighbors. And when winter arrives, she loves that, too. She can't wait for the first snowfall because she has found the perfect hill for sledding. And it's right behind Mr. Larch's house. Can Willow melt his cold heart in time to enjoy a Snow Day? Denise Brennan-Nelson's books with Sleeping Bear Press include the Likes to Say series, Someday Is Not a Day of the Week, and Buzzy the bumblebee. As a national speaker, she travels the country sharing her reading and writing enthusiasm with schoolchildren and teachers. Denise lives in Howell, Michigan. Cyd Moore studied graphic design and fine arts at the University of Georgia. Her work includes posters, billboards, books, and newspaper and magazine articles. In addition to Willow, Cyd is the illustrator of more than 35 books, including the Stinky Face series. She lives in Commerce, Michigan.

I want to learn. Teach me, okay? Show me, show me, show me the way. Gentle verse and endearing photographs will delight young children as these curious baby animals try new things. I want to run. Teach me to run. Show me! Show me! How it is done. And so a puppy runs, all because someone showed him the way. From bunnies to ducklings to sweet little kittens, learning happens on every page.

Following in the footsteps of My Momma Likes to Say comes the charming My Grandma Likes to Say. Thousands of proverbs and idioms can be found in the English language. Derived from many different sources, these expressions are a wonderful link to history and culture, and can be an instructive tool in language education. "That's a horse of a different color My grandma likes to say. I'm not sure what she means But I like it anyway. Polka dots and stripes. Yellow, orange, and blue. What color would a horse be If it were up to YOU?" Original paintings conceived from a child's point of view provide a hilarious visual interpretation of those sayings oft-quoted by the 'senior' members of our families.Denise Brennan-Nelson also wrote Someday Is Not a Day of the Week, winner of an IRA Children's Choice award. Atireless promoter and enthusiastic speaker, Denise visits countless schools and educational conferences each year, and runs a motivational speaking program through her company Goosebumps. She lives with her family in Howell, Michigan. In addition to the "Likes to Say" books, Jane Monroe Donovan has illustrated three other titles for Sleeping Bear Press, including the bookseller holiday favorite Winter's Gift and the recently released Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow. Jane lives in Pinckney, Michigan.