Books published by publisher Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.

Beware, ye pilgrims, of the Knotty List crew! In the third book in the adventures of the Knotty List, Cap'n McNasty and his crew of roguish rapscallions don't have any plans for dinner. Not to worry, though, because from their ship, the crew spies a huge feast being enjoyed at Plymouth Rock. Cap'n McNasty and his party of privateers may seem like the perfect dinner guests, but it isn't long until their mischievous manners reveal their true identity. Armed with delicious food, the pirates fight for the mouth-watering feast! Impish illustrations will keep young readers entertained, and starving for more. So whether ye be pirate or pilgrim, arm yourself for a Thanksgiving food fight the likes o' which you've never seen!

"This masterful translation of one of the most popular books of world literature makes available to an English readership the animal tales known collectively as Kalila and Dimna. Named after the two jackals of Pancatantra fame, this collection of stories is based on a 12th-century Persian translation of an 8th-century original Arabic rendition by Ibn al-Muqaffa‘. Set within a frame narrative of counsels given to the Raja of India by his Brahmin minister, the engaging tales about cats and mice, storks and crabs, tortoises and geese, owls and crows, and princes and ascetics, function as cautionary illustrations of human predicaments and all-too-human vices and virtues. Far from being a collection of children’s fables, Kalila and Dimna is a Machiavellian mirror for princes containing advice on how to preserve oneself from one’s enemies and get ahead at court and in life. The dialogues that constitute the bulk of the narrative harbor a dramatic immediacy, exerting a powerful effect even on a modern-day reader." —Maria Subtelny, University of Toronto

The Labrador named EVIE who teaches that Every Volunteer Is Essential in picking up litter and keeping our community clean is once again the star character in this second children s book, a portion of the proceeds from which will benefit Keep Evansville Beautiful (Indiana). EVIE Goes Clean and Green is written by Dexter Elementary teacher Susan Harp and illustrated by North High School art teacher Jon Siau. The 24-page hardbound book was written to help children (and their parents) understand the importance of recycling and being as green as possible. With the help of her daddy, EVIE learns easy ways to make small changes in her everyday life that will have a big impact on the environment. 11 x 8.5, 24 pages, hardbound

Axle grew up believing he was a manarkin boy living in the neat, orderly and sometimes boring village of Kamoo located on the planet Mizmoe, but on his twelfth year reality came crashing down around him. Suddenly he was transformed into a human boy and was forced to leave Kamoo and his mother behind. Axle passed through the Gate of No Return and entered into the wild and unruly realm of Bedlam.crab.jpgIn Bedlam rules don’t necessarily pertain to anything. Axle must survive in this chaotic place and stay focused on his quest to find Nacklenod. Nacklenod is the only person who can teach him how to read the Book of Equates and he could possibly know where or what has happened to his manarkin father. Nacklenod is the only one who can show Axle how to return through the Gate of No Return and eventually return to his real home on Earth.All this may sound easy until you get acquainted with Flobberjaw, a giant toad-like creature that eats anyone he considers less intelligent than he is plus he’s hungry all the time. He quickly cons Axle into doing an extremely dangerous chore for him. In order for Axle to not be eaten by this criminal blob, he must enter a horrid cave and retrieve Flobberjaw’s golden toadstool.To make matters worse, a greedy, dangerous creature named Grueloc inhabits this cave. And if that obstacle wasn’t enough, a bloodthirsty Crabster guards Grueloc’s island and all his stolen possessions.This action packed adventure is sprinkled with funny, ‘punny’ wordplay and slapstick humor. Once you start reading this compelling adventure, you won’t put it down.This hilarious adventure is targeted to third through fifth grade readers. The illustrations add to the appeal for boys reluctant to read!

Way down south in New Orleans, there’s a jazzy little sound on Halloween. As a mummy is transported down the street in a silver casket, a spooky parade follows, with a witch on bass drum, a skeleton on snare, a black cat on trombone, a jack-o-lantern on clarinet, and more. An author’s note explains the local tradition of second lines and jazz funerals.

The second adventure in the Axle Galench series is action-packed and humorous. If it wasn’t enough for Axle to wander through the strange land of Bedlam on his quest to find Nacklenod, now he must outrun and avoid the unforgiving Grueloc. During his journey, Axle is confronted by an array of characters such as Dander, a singing frog, a gang of Mean-monkins, a Giant Slurping Sloth, and a Lone Shark. Join Axle and his new best friend, Flitterninny, as they face these challenges and more. Did they survive? Only the Rafter-hog knows for sure, and a few others. Who exactly is Barnsfoggon, and what about Nacklenod? And what in the name of Mizmoe is a Chiggy-chomper, anyway? Not one chocolate bunny is eaten during this hare-raising adventure, but a few bacon bons bons are!