Books published by publisher Blue Apple Books

Praise for Stella Is a Star:"Murphy's paintings with collage provide all the ideals of ballet, from frothy tutus to embroidered bodices, and her animals' expressions are priceless. Her upright pigs in leotards are graceful and Madame's stern expressions are flawless. . . . This story will please ballet fans, and any little girls who have felt left out."—School Library JournalStella is back barking on Broadway! Author and acclaimed actress/performer Bernadette Peters offers a charming tale of how two former shelter dogs, after a few ruff-patches, became devoted friends.In this companion title to Peters' New York Times bestsellers Broadway Barks and Stella Is a Star, the beloved canine heroine Stella finds herself alone. Her "mom" (who looks a lot like Bernadette Peters) goes on a journey to bring a shelter dog named Charlie to live with them. After a car ride with stops in Oklahoma and St. Louis, Charlie arrives in what Stella thinks of as her territory!At first, Stella is jealous of all the attention Charlie gets. But when she's hurt and needs a friend, Charlie shows her that he can be just that. In the end, Stella dances and Charlie yodels while Mom plays piano and sings.Young readers with new siblings, or new pets, will connect emotionally to this pet pair. Kids will understand Stella's frustrations and will root for Charlie, too!

Picture perfect and perfectly pink! Posey and her friend Nina want to paint. Mom sets them up and tells them how to blend primary colors to make "every color in the rainbow"--and more! Nina shows an upset Posey how a painting mistake can turn into something pretty. Each girl paints something on their side of a big piece of white paper. Nina paints a pickle, Posey paints a princess. What do they name their painting? Princess Pickle!

As a new baby is showered with gifts and attention, a big brother or sister often feels left out. Here's the perfect gift to accompany the baby's presents. Inside its colorful pages are fun activities for creating an album of big sister, or brother, experiences. Creative, positive, and realistic, it also provides kids with ways to express their good an not-so-good feeling about their infant siblings. Two pages of stickers add to the decorating and drawing fun. Give this perfectly-priced, stylish book to any new sister or brother, and they'll discover the many great things about being an older sibling!

A lilting kitty mystery combines with rain-centered facts to create an utterly charming fiction/nonfiction picture book. As kids are invited on the search for Kitty, they'll also discover what different animals do to enjoy, or avoid, a rainy day. Harriet Ziefert's rhyming couplets pair beautifully with Brigette Barrager's lush art to make a combination that is sure to please young readers and adults alike.What makes a duck waterproof? Where do butterflies hang out to stay dry? What serves as a built-in umbrella for a squirrel? Created especially for younger readers, here's a unique title that's part mystery, part science, and all curiosity-inspiring fun!

A runaway kitty named Simon introduces kids to what it takes to put on a show and have a moment in the spotlight. It's a kid-pleasing peek at a fascinating world the draws both stardom-seekers and those who prefer to remain behind the scenes. With illustrations by a bright new star on the Blue Apple list, kids will discover that there's just as much interesting stuff behind the footlights - and up in the catwalks - as on the stage!

Mount Rushmore, the Motown museum, a dinosaur trail, and a hot rod showplace are among the fascinating array of well-known, historical, and wonderfully oddball destinations on Charlie's travels. For every state, a selection of Did You Know... facts adds colorful information about the stops along the way. Did you Know... why Missouri is called the "Show-Me- State"? where Kool-Aid was invented? where you can find a 600-pound ball of stamps? And do you think you'll be able to spot the hidden Charlie in every state? The Travels with Charlie series offers a fun introduction to geography. Additionally, the books are an ideal choice for those times when young travelers might get a little squirmy and need something to hold their interest. Where will Charlie go next? That's still in the planning stages! This brand-new addition to the Travels With Charlie series completes the on-the-go pup's tour of the US with visits to 13 Midwestern states!

Why can't you hear a siren with your eyes? Spot an airplane with your hands? And how come a pickle on your ear isn't delicious? In You Can't Take a Pickle with Your Ear kids discover how each of their five senses is hard at work all day long, providing them with information and helping them get the most out of their daily lives. Whenever you think, "I'm oh-so-sweet," Pull off your socks and smell your feet! Sections such as "Hold Your Nose" and "Stick Out Your Tongue" (not the same time!) encourage hands-on investigations of what's happening inside kids' bodies and why a tongue is best for pickle tasting.

Seven anxious mother animals ask the title question, "Where is my baby?" The babies are revealed beneath each flap, as are their particular baby animal names (piglet, kid, chick, lamb, etc.), and each makes its signature sound (an oink, moo, meow, quack, chirp, baa, etc.). When turned, the flap changes the mother's expression from worried to delighted. Somehow, Mr. Taback is able to capture a mother's fond look on each of his animal creations. The last spread shows a parade of all the mother and baby pairs.

Every kid has them, and every parent, or kid-caretaker, has had to deal with them - those meltdown-tantrum-pitching-a-fit moments! Peter Panda has them - when it's time to leave the playground, when some other child has the book he wants, when Mama insists he eat some broccoli. When this happens: Uh-oh. Here it comes. Here comes that frown. Peter Panda melts dowwwnnn! Presented with humor and understanding, Artie Bennett's bright and sprightly story offers a way for children to recognize their own behaviors. Parents and kids can talk about what they see on the pages and gain some insight on how to handle such incidents - including when Mama Panda has a little meltdown of her own!