Books with author Nancy Willard

In a timeless tale of small moments and big victories, two boys’ singular obsession with an elusive prize pays off in a most surprising way.James has five quarters and Danny has four. That means nine whole tries to get the little silver race car out of the gumball machine at Mr. Wright’s store after school. Only very, very lucky people get both gumballs and the silver racer. It’s a good thing that one of James’s quarters is a Canadian quarter, which just so happens to be very, very lucky. But is it lucky enough to get him that silver racer? Bing! Bang! Kaboom! He’s about to find out! Retro-style illustrations in vivid colors add to the classic feel of this new story by poet Nancy Willard, author of the 1982 Newbery Medal winner, A Visit to William Blake’s Inn.

Birthday presents for mothers are never right - they're always too big, too small, or the wrong color. So when a young girl's mother simply asks for a homemade birthday cake, the girl thinks her troubles are over. Her happiness quickly disappears, though, when she hears the name of the cake her mother wants. The girl knows she won't find a High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Food Cake in the Joy of Cooking. It will take a secret ingredient, a clumsy uncle, a grand piano, and some angelic visitors to help the girl make this wonderful gift for her mother. But baking it is only half the adventure; the biggest surprise is yet to come.

One day, a man walks into a store and sees the most beautiful broom in the world. He falls in love with this handmade broom with lovely red bristles and brings it home with him. At first the man doesn't want to use the broom because it is so pretty, but it turns out the broom loves to sweep. The broom also loves to dance! The man and the broom dance and dance by the light of the moon -- until one day the broom is stolen. Will the man be able to find his beloved broom and dance once again? Newbery Medalist Nancy Willard is the author of many award-winning children's books.

"Heavenly...Marvelous...Uplifting...A kind of miracle...A magical web of language that both seduces with poetic power and moves the heart."PEOPLEJessie Woolman and her family are suddenly faced with unforseen tragedy. Her mind is beginning to wander, and Ellen, her newly widowed daugher is being pursued by a mercenary man, Harvey Mack. Enter Sam Theopolis. Hired to care for Jessie, he becomes both Harvey's rival and a healing presence for all. That is, until crisis descends, and he, too, needs the protection of their innocent belief in the salvation of love....From the Paperback edition.