Books with author Michael Martchenko

It’s a very Munsch Christmas!Canada’s best loved author and illustrator team creates a festive story to ring in the holiday season — based on Robert Munsch’s own family!Every year Julie finds the Christmas presents her parents hid: in the basement, under the bed, in the garage. But this year it’s Christmas Eve and she has found nothing. NOTHING! She’s worried — will be there no presents at all?Her investigation takes her to a mysterious box on the rooftop, which — lo and behold — houses all of the gifts! But, in classic Munsch style, she becomes trapped inside, creating the biggest surprise of all for her family on Christmas morning.

Moira’s afraid her parents might get upset if they find out she invited the whole school to her birthday party… so she just doesn’t tell them. The big day arrives, and grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, annnnd kindergarten all come knocking down her door. Before long, the house is a total disaster and Moira’s parents are going crazy trying to figure out how to get enough pizzas and birthday cake to feed everyone. Just leave it to Moira—she’ll figure it all out, and even get the house cleaned up in the process! A newly designed Classic Munsch picture book introduces this charming tale of the world’s most boisterous birthday to a new generation of young readers.

What in the world is Robin going to do with the baby she finds in her sandbox? “Murmel, murmel, murmel,” is all Robin hears coming from a hole in her sandbox. When she reaches down and out pops a baby, she finds herself in a real fix: who will take care of it? Robin’s too little! Off she goes, searching her neighborhood for someone who needs a baby. The woman with seventeen cats doesn’t want the baby. Nor does the grumpy man by the bus stop. It looks as though all hope is lost, until a friendly truck driver passes by. He offers to trade his truck for the baby—an exchange Robin can’t refuse.

Munsch and Martchenko have created their very first original book designed specifically for preschoolers! When Thea gets mad at mommy, she and her little brother go for a walk around the block. They meet a snail, a skunk, a porcupine, and a gorilla, and get a hug from each one — but the hugs are slimy, smelly, pokey, and way too hard! It's not until they get back to mommy that Tate and Thea get a really good hug. This book was inspired by a brother and sister from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who Robert Munsch met while on a ski vacation.

An inventive barnyard yarn from a household name. Fred doesn't care for work, especially his city job. One day, just like that, he tells his bewildered mother, "Ma, I'm a farmer!" That'll be a relaxing change. His new neighbors warn him of the workload. "Chores, schmores, I'm not doing any chores," snorts Fred. But the hungry animals have other ideas, and soon Fred is up to his overalls in agriculture. Farmer Fred turns to his technical know-how, and in no time machines are doing his dirty work and he can relax.... That is, until his automatons blow the power grid and the electric company cuts him off for good. But there's energy enough from the wind and the sun if you build the right gadgets. Finally, Fred can sit back and proudly say, "Ma, I'm a farmer!" It's not such hard work after all...but wait! Is that smoke? With his usual wit and visual flair, celebrated illustrator Michael Martchenko excels in this ticklish tale of too much technology that proves there is no substitute for a hard day's work. Key Features: Fun and dynamic cartoon illustrations by a popular illustrator with a recognized style Silly details that will have kids in stitches

Leonardo has been funny since he was born: he was a funny baby, he was a funny toddler, he was a funny first-grader. But now, his teacher Mrs. Gomez asks him to stop being funny so that the class can learn. He tries his best, but he just has to make a funny face, then tell a funny joke, and then show a funny drawing – with predictable results. And when he finally seriously promises faithfully never to be funny again, he makes the teacher laugh so hard she falls down on the floor laughing!

Jason’s dad falls asleep everywhere except in his own bed. All night long, Jason gets woken up by strange noises that lead him to find his dad in the most unexpected places—from on top of the refrigerator to the freezing cold woods outside his house. In order to finally get a good night’s sleep, Jason musters up all of his resources and comes up with a most unexpected solution—tying his dad’s toe to the bathroom doorknob to keep him in place.

Jason’s dad falls asleep everywhere except in his own bed. All night long, Jason gets woken up by strange noises that lead him to find his dad in the most unexpected places—from on top of the refrigerator to the freezing cold woods outside his house. In order to finally get a good night’s sleep, Jason musters up all of his resources and comes up with a most unexpected solution—tying his dad’s toe to the bathroom doorknob to keep him in place.