Books published by publisher Cricket Media

If YOU were a kid in the ancient world, everything would be different—or WOULD it? Kids today share many of the same experiences as kids who lived in the ancient world - even though thousands of years have gone by. If YOU were a kid living in ancient Egypt . . . Would you go to school or gym class? What would you eat for breakfast and dinner? What toys would you play with? What "house rules" would your parents expect you to obey? Where would you hang out with friends? If I Were a Kid in Ancient Egypt offers a fascinating look at the daily life of children growing up many years ago—and how it compares to life today.

Burping buses, anti-hiccup machines, and frog whisperers—welcome to the weird, wild world of Doodlebug and Dandelion! Doodlebug and Dandelion Pinkley aren’t your average brother-and-sister duo: they live in a house called Casa Bizarro, eat beetle nut–squash stew, solve mysteries, and occasionally build robots. Through it all, they’re joined by a loony-yet-lovable crew of family, friends, and pets. These 13 short stories, written by Pamela Dell and brought to life in fabulous full-color illustrations by Dom Mansell, will both spark young readers’ imaginations and tickle their funny bones. All stories were originally published in the Parents’ Choice Award–winning Spider magazine, a Cricket Magazine Group publication.

Will Aliens Sing showcases 20 science fiction stories originally published in ODYSSEY science magazine depicting life in a not-too-distant future, where advanced technologies, environmental changes, and aliens in our midst alter the way we live. Each story in the collection features art by award-winning illustrator Ryan Durney. Eight fiction writers from the U.S. and England are represented. Introduction by Seth Shostak, alien hunter and senior astronomer at the SETI Institute.

Builders, inventors, engineers, dreamers—where would we be without the clever people who came up with the amazing inventions we use every day? Who first thought of making glasses or ice? Or decided traffic lights might be a good idea? You’ll meet them all in this engaging collection of favorite stories of inventors and their inventions from the pages of Ask magazine. Brimming with colorful characters, clever devices, cartoons, and big ideas, all lavishly illustrated in full color, this selection is sure to delight, tickle, and inspire the inquisitive child in everyone.

A big laugh starts small. The tiniest giggle-speck tickles your tummy, expands in your funny bone, nearly explodes in your cheeks, and then . . . WE HAVE LAUGHTER LIFTOFF! Nobody knows big laughs for young readers like the Parents’ Choice Award–winning Spider magazine, a Cricket Magazine Group publication. Short Stories, Big Laughs!, hosted by the hilarious Spider (he’s so cool they named the magazine after him), features 16 of Spider’s funniest original stories and poems, all in marvelous full-color illustration. Titles include: “How Winston Lost His Math Homework,” “Ribburta and the Rootintootin’ Highfalutin’ Ballet Extravaganza,” “The Sniz Ort,” “Dear Tooth Fairy,” and “Orange Schmorange.” Snorting is highly encouraged.

Ever use the expression "the big cheese"? Perhaps a friend used that phrase to refer to you? Wonder who first used the expression . . . and why . . . and when? Well, read on, Say What? has the answers—along with fun-to-read histories of more than 100 expressions in common use today. Drawn from the popular CALLIOPE world history magazine for kids department "Fun With Words," Say What is a fascinating read and a great source of fun facts for young readers interested in the roots and origins of expressions.

When your fairy godmother is the most proper person in the entire kingdom you had better be on your best behavior, especially if you want dessert! What’s a girl with an itchy nose to do? Until she learns proper sneezing manners, she can’t have any cake. Of course, this isn’t just any cake—it’s the best chocolate cake in the entire kingdom. Perhaps there’s a spell book around that can help.