Books published by publisher Sterling, 2008

A dog is a man's (and a child's) best friend--but it's tough when your best friend can only bark, yip, growl, and howl!Young readers will empathize with this sweet and funny story of a boy who begs his dog to talk. Tim Bowers' humorous pictures give a glimpse of what life might be like if dogs could crack jokes, chat on the phone, and even sing lullabies!

The sizzling hot author of Action! Cartooning (100,000 copies sold!) has created a truly "fantastic" second book: a visually eye-popping, covers-it-all manual on drawing and understanding fantasy art. A former Marvel cartoonist and one of the most talented young artists in this very hip field, Ben Caldwell now delivers his thrilling follow-up to Action! Cartooning. Fantasy! Cartooning is ideal for all kids and adults who love the Lord of the Rings movies, anticipate the Christmas 2005 release of The Chronicles of Narnia film, or have ever read a Harry Potter book. As before, Ben does not merely teach readers how to draw a line here or a circle there; he provides much, much more. Artists will find true insider tips on how to create mind-blowing scenes, awe-inspiring monsters, bigger-than-life heroes, and really incredible, magical landscapes. And because Ben Caldwell knows the fantasy genre inside out, he explains all the complex stories and legends behind each image, too.

Baa Baa Black Sheep, have you any…songs? Children love to sing and be sung to, and these perennial tunes are always tops on the kids’ hit parade. Little ones will love the repertory that includes “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” “Pop Goes the Weasel,” and “Row, Row, Row your Boat.” And some—like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Pat-a-Cake,” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It” are more than just fun: they develop physical dexterity and teach parts of the body. All the songs are great for entertaining restless youngsters on car trips, during play dates, or on a rainy day.

The illustrations for this series were created by Scott McKowen, who, with his wife Christina Poddubiuk, operates Punch & Judy Inc., a company specializing in design and illustration for theater and performing arts. Their projects often involve research into the visual aspects of historical settings and characters. Christina is a theater set and costume designer and contributed advice on the period clothing for the illustrations.Scott created these drawings in scratchboard ­ an engraving medium which evokes the look of popular art from the period of these stories. Scratchboard is an illustration board with a specifically prepared surface of hard white chalk. A thin layer of black ink is rolled over the surface, and lines are drawn by hand with a sharp knife by scraping through the ink layer to expose the white surface underneath. The finished drawings are then scanned and the color is added digitally.The beautiful Meg, artistic tomboy Jo, doomed Beth, and selfish Amy: since the publication of Little Women in 1869, these four sisters have become America’s most beloved literary siblings. Louisa May Alcott’s rich and realistic portrait has inspired three movies and stirred the emotions of countless young girls. Set in New England during the Civil War, the novel follows the adventures of the March sisters as they struggle to pursue their dreams.

Based on a true story originally written by one of the survivors, Neta Lohnes Frazier’s account of seven children traveling westward still has the power to astonish. In the 1840s, the Sager family set off on the Oregon Trail, a dangerous and adventure-filled journey. Tragedy struck when both the mother and father succumbed to fever, orphaning the youngsters—one just a newborn. The entire wagon train adopted them, until they arrived at the Whitman Mission in Oregon. There, the Sagers settled into an ordinary life…until the day of an Indian massacre. The bravery of the Stouthearted Seven will amaze today’s young readers.

Lowly Worm's life is full of wonderful adventures-and that is why he has long been one of Richard Scarry's most beloved characters. And he's the shining star of this lively and funny collection. Young children will happily follow Lowly as he takes an unexpected ride on a hot-air balloon; helps Huckle find just the right gift for Mother Cat; and gets lost on a subway during a visit to the city. With everything from bike crashes to a big birthday surprise, these stories show exactly why Lowly is one special worm!

How do you keep a rhinoceros from charging? Take away his credit cards. "Over 2,000 riddles of all kinds, from simple to complex, for all ages. Written by a children's librarian, this is one riddle book that should be in both the adult and children's collections."--Library Journal. "A real bonanza for riddle fans. A great boost for budding comedians."--School Library Journal. "A massive collection. Index is helpful in finding specific zingers."--Horn Book.

Get on the case! Help famous detective Dr. J.L. Quicksolve and his son Junior solve some dastardly crimes. Interview suspects, evaluate their stories, examine crime scenes, and take note of strange details. Be on the alert for liars, tricksters, and unlikely alibis. * Did Mary Contrary kill her new husband? Or could it have been someone else? * Who was stealing cattle from McDonald's farm? To figure that out, you'd better follow the right truck--the one with the crooks inside! * How could a thief have gotten Lucy Looker's diamond ring collection out of her mansion without leaving the premises? * Someone kidnapped Benjamin Blowhard! But look closely at the ransom note, and you might be able to rescue him. * A couple of bank robbers want to make a speedy getaway. Can you stop them before they do? * Did Bobby steal the teacher's money from her purse? There's only one way to tell... The clues are all there. By reading these mini-mysteries carefully, paying attention, and using your powers of deduction, you'll solve the crime! Or if you're stumped, sneak a look at the helpful hints. 96 pages, 25 b/w illus., 5 3/8 x 8 1/4. NEW IN PAPERBACK.