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Books in Picture puffins series

  • The After-Christmas Tree

    Linda Wagner Tyler

    Paperback (Puffin, Oct. 1, 1992)
    Family members take their Christmas tree into the back yard and decorate it with edible trimmings for the wild birds and animals
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  • The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks

    Katherine Paterson, Diane Dillon, Leo Dillon

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Nov. 1, 1995)
    Wrtitten by Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson with painting by Caldecott winning illustrators Leo and Diane DillonA beautiful mandarin duck is captured and caged by a greedy lord who wants to show off the bird's magnificent plumage. But the wild creature pines for his mate. When Yasuko, the kitchen maid, releases the bird against her lord's command, she and the one-eyed servant, Shozo, are sentenced to death. The grateful bird intends to return their kindness, but can he outsmart the cruel lord?Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Illustration, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year.
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  • Hooray, a Pinata!

    Elisa Kleven

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Nov. 1, 2000)
    Clara picks an adorable dog pinata for her birthday party. She names him Lucky, and he becomes her constant companion. When the big day finally comes, she doesn't want to let everybody break him. But if Clara keeps Lucky as a pet, she won't have a pinata at her party. Luckily her friend, Samson, comes to the rescue with a wonderful solution -- and a different pinata that nobody will mind breaking. Elisa Kleven's lively, multicolored collage art is the perfect compliment to this joyful birthday story about the power of imagination.* "There is not a wrong note in this wonderful, upbeat picture book. . . Magical yet full of warmth and homey details, the pictures are a seamless blending of watercolor, ink, and cut paper. Alive with color, pattern, and shape, they'll keep even the most easily distractible child fascinated." --Booklist, starred review
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  • Caribbean Dream

    Rachel Isadora

    Paperback (Puffin Books, July 8, 2002)
    Where does sea meet sky?Where does sound meet color?Where does song meet soul? Here is a place where children run, splash, and sing, on an island in the West Indies, in a world that is nothing short of magical. Rachel Isadora's glowing watercolors and lyrical, evocative text celebrate the things that make the Caribbean a very special home. "The poetic text encourages the reader to visualize the meeting of the waves and the sand, wind and hill, song and soul, and to imagine the activities that follow." (The Horn Book)"Isadora's pictures move and sway like a Caribbean breeze." (Booklist)
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  • ISLA English Edition with Spanish phrases

    Arthur Dorros, Elisa Kleven

    Paperback (Puffin Books, April 1, 1999)
    This soaring story takes readers on a fantastic journey set in the same world and warm relationship as Arthur Dorros's award-winning Abuela! Rosalba is going on an imaginary journey to the Caribbean island where her grandmother grew up. Through her abuela's eyes and stories, Rosalba visits with relatives who still live on la isla and sees the beautiful terrain of the island--from the lush, tropical rain forest to the bustling old city. Along the way Rosalba and her grandmother visit a busy fruit market, then cool off with a swim in the turquoise sea filled with colorful fish. Their magical trip is brought to life by Elisa Kleven's shimmering collage artwork. Also available in a Spanish-language edition (ISBN: 978-0-14-056541-6)"Dorros's language is rich and magical—readers fly to la isla, too. Kleven's art is whimsical and quiltlike, crowded with sweet things and surprises."—School Library Journal"Vivid illustrations with myriad details bring the tropical scenes to life, and the well-chosen Spanish words and phrases are easily understood. Glossary."—Horn Book"The little girl and her grandmother, first seen flying over New York City in Abuela (1991), take off on another imaginary flight, this time to the Caribbean island where Abuela grew up. Isla is a tropical treasure."—BooklistNotable Book, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book CouncilCommended Book, Consortium of Latin American Studies ProgramsChildren's Book of the Year, Bank Street Children's Book CommitteeNotable Children's Book, National Council of Teachers of English
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  • A Letter to Amy

    Ezra Jack Keats

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Aug. 1, 1998)
    Generations of children have read, re-read, and loved Ezra Jack Keats's award-winning, classic stories about Peter and his neighborhood friends. Now, for the first time, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, and Goggles! are available in paperback exclusively from Puffin."A master of ingenious collages, Keats has made brilliant variegated pictures."—The Horn BookEzra Jack Keats (1916-1983) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than eighty-five books for children.
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  • Arnie and the New Kid

    Nancy Carlson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, June 1, 1992)
    Able-bodied Arnie teases Philip—a new student at his school who uses a wheelchair. However, after Arnie injures himself while making fun of Philip, he begins to understand what it means to be compassionate and welcoming."This is a triumphant ending to a purposeful story that will be welcomed for its lighthearted treatment of a common situation. Carlson's vividly colored cartoon illustrations feature a variety of animals humorously dressed in children's clothes." —School Library Journal
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  • What! Cried Granny

    Kate Lum, Adrian Johnson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, May 13, 2002)
    Patrick is having his first sleep-over at his grandmother's house. It's almost bedtime, but there's a problem-Patrick doesn't have a bed at Granny's. So Granny goes out to her yard, chops down some trees, and makes a comfy bed for Patrick. Now he can go to sleep. Right? Not yet. He doesn't have a pillow! So Granny dashes to the henhouse, collects some feathers, and sews a fluffy pillow for Patrick. Now he can go to sleep. Right? Not yet. A few other things are still missing . . . . If Patrick is lucky, this could go on all night!"Children will snuggle down with smiles on their faces after this comic spin on the paraphernalia associated with a common ritual." (Kirkus Reviews)
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  • The After-School Monster

    Marissa Moss

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Aug. 1, 1993)
    A little girl comes home after school and finds a monster in the house
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  • Animalia

    Graeme Base

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 1, 1996)
    “A delightful visual feast . . . The meticulous artistry is far-reaching in its innovation, detail, and humor.”—Publishers Weekly Within the page of this book You may discover, if you look Beyond the spell of written words A hidden land of beasts and birds . . . Animalia is a book like no other. Abounding with fanciful, gorgeously detailed art, it is an alphabet book, a guessing game, and a virtual feast for the eyes. Each page features one letter and images related to that letter—as well as a hidden picture of Graeme Base as a child! Animalia will entrance any child or adult who enters its fantastical world. “A tongue-twisting menagerie . . . [in] a perfectly delightful alphabet book.”—Charles Gibson, Good Morning America
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  • Boats

    Anne Rockwell

    Paperback (Puffin Books, March 1, 1993)
    From bathtub toys to gondolas on the Grand Canal, this book explores the small child’s world of boats.Using simple text and illustrations, these colorful boats of all shapes and sizes float through the waters of this delightful introduction to boats for young children.
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  • Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs

    Tomie dePaola

    Paperback (Puffin Books, April 3, 2000)
    Tommy is four years old, and he loves visiting the home of his grandmother, Nana Downstairs, and his great-grandmother, Nana Upstairs. But one day Tommy's mother tells him Nana Upstairs won't be there anymore, and Tommy must struggle with saying good-bye to someone he loves. Updated with new, full-color illustrations, this classic story will continue to win the hearts of readers of all ages."Children will want to hear this again and again." --School Library Journal, starred review"A quietly touching story Athat? depicts loving family relationships." --Publishers Weekly
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