Books published by publisher Harcourt Children's Books 04-01-2007

A group of silly mice live happily in a cozy closet, until one day they spot a menacing orange glow through their keyhole. It must be . . . fire! What will they do? "Water! Water!" says Mrs. Votter. "Break down the door!" says Mrs. Orr. But is all the fuss really necessary?Bill Martin Jr's classic text gets a fresh update from Vladimir Radunsky. With the wry wit that fans have come to expect, Radunsky creates a wacky world of bumbling rodents behind the closet door. And for more fun, a keyhole cutout reveals a delightful surprise ending.

No one ever said it was easy being a monster. Take Frankenstein, for instance: He just wants to marry his undead bride in peace, but his best man, Dracula, is freaking out about the garlic bread. Then there’s the Headless Horseman, who wishes everyone would stop drooling over his delicious pumpkin head. And can someone please tell Edgar Allan Poe to get the door already before the raven completely loses it? Sheesh. In a wickedly funny follow-up to the bestselling Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, Adam Rex once again proves that monsters are just like you and me. (Well, sort of.)

Rose has always felt out of place in her family, a wanderer in a bunch of homebodies. So when an enormous white bear mysteriously shows up and asks her to come away with him--in exchange for health and prosperity for her ailing family--she readily agrees. The bear takes Rose to a distant castle, where each night she is confronted with a mystery. In solving that mystery, she loses her heart, discovers her purpose, and realizes her travels have only just begun. As familiar and moving as "Beauty and the Beast" and yet as fresh and original as only the best fantasy can be, East is a novel retelling of the classic tale "East of the Sun, West of the Moon," a sweeping romantic epic in the tradition of Robin McKinley and Gail Carson Levine.

More than anything, fourteen-year-old Littlejim wants to attend the academy so he can study to be a teacher, like Aunt Zony. But Mama gets sick and there’s work to be done on the farm. And the timber company’s coming to take away the only life his family knows. Will Littlejim be able to make his dreams come true? This is a touching story of a boy’s coming-of-age in 1920 Appalachia. “It’s a heartwarming story of family ties and friendships, set in an earlier era and another culture. Fans of the previous books will not be disappointed.”--Kirkus Reviews

By moonlight in the quiet forest, a young boy and his family decorate their favorite tree with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower-seed balls as a gift for the animals of the woods. “Sure to become a Christmas favorite, this beautifully illustrated story of a family’s unusual tradition brings to life the true spirit of Christmas.”--American Bookseller

W hen the sun has gone down and it's time for bed, what's a not-so-sleepy little polar bear to do? Put on some comfy slippers and head to the place where the wide-awake meet, of course! That's where they do the Polar Bolero--a magical dance sure to get everyone tuckered out and ready for dreaming. With its lively text and cozy illustrations, this is the perfect book for little ones who are feeling fidgety before bedtime. And after sharing this delightful adventure, even the most wide-awake listeners will be enchanted into falling fast asleep.

A merry meatball is rolling a path of destruction through a small town. He rolls over pets, petunias, and the library--where he refuses to shush. When he rolls over the mayor herself, the townspeople know it's time. Time to invite the meatball to dinner. . . Sly humor abounds in this charming, offbeat story that will appeal to anyone who's ever faced a bully--and, of course, to spaghetti fans of all ages.

Avon the snail and Edward the ant are back for another funny--and philosophical--adventure. This time, Avon has decided he wants to be a writer, only to discover that writing is way more difficult than he ever imagined. He finally gets the word Something written down, but there's a problem: What to write next? Luckily, his friend Edward is there to advise. Brimming with wit, wisdom, and humor, this warm and winning tale of two friends on a quest will be enjoyed by readers (and writers) of all ages.

Johnny lives in a town where everyone owns a shiny green stone. He has one, too, until his mean-spirited behavior makes him lose it. His family and the whole town help him search, but to find it, he alone must discover the “bright green sun in his heart.” “A symbolic and sensitive tale about a young boy who discovers that happiness and fulfillment can come from within.”--American Bookseller

Sasparillo, an armadillo from Texas, leaves his home to find out where on Earth he is, and with the help of a golden eagle, he discovers where he lives--in a city, in a state, in a country, on a continent, on a planet, in the solar system, in the universe. Along the way, Sasparillo learns about geography, history, the environment, and animals native to Texas.