Books with author Richardo Keens-Douglas

The Miss Meow Pageant is vintage Keens-Douglas: bursting with his unique brand of energy and mischievous humor. Sparrow is a stray until Henrietta adopts him. He has a face only a mother could love, but Henrietta's friend Len coaxes her to enter her furry housemate in a feline beauty contest. Sparrow needs to train, of course. They are sure that his looks--not to mention gender--are no barrier, and they all prepare for the great day.

Ryan and Regan Resnick have just moved to the world's most boring place. But when they discover their parents are part of an ultra-secret project called Prometheus they are plunged into a nonstop adventure: one that will be the ultimate test of their wit, courage, and determination.Soon they are under attack and facing hostile alien worlds, alien technology, and unimaginable dangers at every turn. Now, with their mother facing certain death, they must race to solve a seemingly impossible mystery to have any hope of saving her. But if they save their mom, they will have no way to save themselves. . .

Anancy was the biggest and strongest spider in the whole town. He had traveled far and wide, climbed the highest mountains, and, yes, scared the most famous people. He loved to boast about his adventures, which, according to him, were bigger and better than anyone else's. ...until the day he swaggers into the haunted house at midnight. Just as his friends warned him, inside Anancy encounters a large rooster that dances on the table. The rooster invites Anancy to show off his talents too, and with all his friends watching, Anancy can't refuse. Suddenly, the rooster pounces and Anancy is pinned to the table. But just before Anancy becomes the rooster's next juicy meal, he is saved by the heroic efforts of his little friends. Anancy (Anansi) stories originate in the oral tradition of the Ashanti people of Ghana. The character became a symbol of survival when introduced to Caribbean folklore by African slaves. In this original tale Anancy is at times generous and greedy, foolish but wise, and both timid and brave. He teaches us that there is strength in numbers.

Included in The California Department of Education’s Recommended Literature for Science and Math and in Missouri State University’s Best New Books to Engage Students in Math and Science This fast-paced, science fiction adventure is a stand-alone sequel to The Prometheus Project: Trapped. Along with their scientist parents, the brother-sister duo of Ryan and Regan continue their exploration of a fantastic alien city built deep underground. When the city is captured by a ruthless alien—with unknown capabilities and diabolical plans—and his band of mercenaries, the adult members of the team are taken hostage, and the siblings remain the team’s only hope. To save the adults, Ryan and Regan must outwit the brilliant alien and his well-trained force, free the prisoners, and thwart a seemingly unstoppable invasion. Crammed with cliffhangers, nonstop action, and unexpected twists and turns, this novel introduces scientific topics—sound and hearing, ultrasonic sound, experimental methodologies, flashpowder, human memory, and superconductivity—to children while engaging their imaginations.

The Trial of the Stone is a humorous folk tale in which a stone is accused of a crime and the villagers at the trial must learn to take the judicial system seriously. A young boy named Matt is off to visit his grandfather in a faraway village. He has been on the road all day, and when dusk falls, Matt finds a place to sleep near a big rock. He hides the few pennies he has for the next day's breakfast safely under a stone. A scoundrel in a red shirt watches Matt settle in and sees him hide his money. When the boy is fast asleep, the man tiptoes over, steals the few pennies and runs away. In the morning, the boy wakes to find his breakfast money gone. He looks everywhere - but no pennies. In his distress, he raises such a ruckus that the people from a nearby village come running. The constable takes charge and inquires what is wrong. Matt tells his sad story. The village chief then orders the constable to carry the stone to the village to stand trial for theft. The villagers trail along to see what will happen In the trial, the stone is accused of stealing Matt's money. The rock remains silent, but the crowd giggles. They are warned to keep quiet, as this is a serious matter. The rock refuses to answer any further questions and is finally charged with contempt of court. This causes the crowd to laugh out loud. As their laughter continues and they further annoy the court, they all end up being charged one penny for the disturbance. The chief awards the pennies to the boy. And it is the man in the red shirt who is ordered to carry the disobedient rock back where it belongs. With his new money, Matt buys his breakfast and goes happily on his way. The Trial of the Stone is based on an old folk tale that appears in various forms throughout Africa, Asia and South America.