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Books in Picture Puffin Books series

  • Eleanor

    Barbara Cooney

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Sept. 1, 1999)
    Though she came from a wealthy and privileged family, Eleanor Roosevelt grew up in a cheerless household that left her lonely and shy. Years passed before Eleanor began to discover in herself the qualities of intelligence, compassion, and strength that made her a remarkable woman. In Eleanor, two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney paints a meticulously researched, lushly detailed picture of Eleanor's childhood world--but most importantly, she captures the essence of the little girl whose indomitable spirit would make her one of the greatest and most beloved first ladies of all time. "There are many biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt, but this one is special?Cooney is at her artistic best." --Booklist
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  • Brothers of the Knight

    Debbie Allen, Kadir Nelson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Dec. 31, 2001)
    Debbie Allen's contemporary retelling of the classic tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses with illustrations from Kadir Nelson! Reverend Knight can't understand why his twelve sons' sneakers are torn to threads each and every morning, and the boys aren't talking. They know their all-night dancing wouldn't fit with their father's image in the community. Maybe Sunday, a pretty new nanny with a knack for getting to the bottom of household mysteries, can crack the case. This modern, hip retelling of the classic tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses bursts with vibrant artwork and text that's as energetic as the twelve toe-tapping Knight brothers themselves. "A funky, fresh adaptation." —Publishers Weekly"This is a high-flying alternative to the tale's usual dainty renditions." —Kirkus Reviews
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  • Abuela

    Arthur Dorros

    Paperback (Puffin Books, May 1, 1997)
    A young girl and her grandmother celebrate their home and relationship in this magical story. Winner of the Parents' Choice Award!Come join Rosalba and her grandmother, her abuela, on a magical journey as they fly over the streets, sights, and people of New York City which sparkles below. The story is narrated in English, and sprinkled with Spanish phrases as Abuela points out places that they explore together. The exhilaration in Rosalba’s and Abuela's story is magnified by the loving bond that only a grandmother and granddaughter can share.Also available in a Spanish-language edition (ISBN: 978-0-14-056226-2)"A book to set any child dreaming...any reader can handle it, whether familiar with Spanish or not. It's just joyful."-The New York Times* "A marvelous balancing of narrative simplicity with visual intricacy...the city is transformed into a treasure trove of jewels, dazzling the eye, uplifting the spirits."–The Horn Book (starred review) * "Each illustration is a masterpiece of color, line, and form that will mesmerize youngsters...The smooth text, interspersed with Spanish words and phrases, provides ample context clues...a jewel."–Booklist (starred review)"Dorros's text seamlessly weaves Spanish words and phrases into the English narrative, retaining a dramatic quality rarely found in bilingual picture books"—Publisher's Weekly An ALA Notable BookAn NCSS-CBC Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social StudiesA Library of Congress Children's Book of the YearAn American Booksellers Pick of the Lists selectionA Booklist Editor's ChoiceA Horn Book Fanfare ListingWinner of the Parent's Choice AwardA Hungry Mind Review Children's Books of Distinction List selectionA New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing selection
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  • Strega Nona: Her Story

    Tomie dePaola

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Sept. 11, 2000)
    Tomie dePaola serves as "biographer" to his delightful Italian sorceress, Strega Nona, in this beautifully drawn prequel. The tale begins with little Nona's birth on a dark and stormy night, and ends where the original Strega Nona picks up-with Strega Nona taking on the bumbling, knock-kneed Big Anthony as an apprentice. This winsome story is illustrated throughout with Tomie dePaola's warm and sunny watercolors! "dePaola does a splendid job of working this sparkling tale into the Strega Nona canon." -Publishers Weekly
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  • Peter's Chair

    Ezra Jack Keats

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Aug. 1, 1998)
    The award-winning, classic stories about Peter and his neighborhood friends from the Caledcott Medal-winning author, Ezra Jack Keats. Peter has a new baby sister. First his father paints Peter’s old cradle pink, then his crib. Then his parents want to paint Peter’s chair! “Let’s run away, Willie,” he says to his dog. And they do. This is a gentle and reassuring story about sibling rivalry."A more charming or contemporary child than Peter . . . is hard to bring to mind."--School Library Journal
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  • Hi, Cat!

    Ezra Jack Keats

    Hardcover (Viking Books for Young Readers, June 1, 1999)
    On his way to hang out with the neighborhood kids, Archie very innocently greets a stray cat who follows him and gets in the way. The cat ruins everything - Archie's street show is a mess and his audience drifts away. But things aren't all bad: when Archie goes, the cat follows him all the way home, too!
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  • Time of Wonder

    Robert McCloskey

    Paperback (Puffin Books, June 15, 1989)
    Winner of the Caldecott Medal! For fans of Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine, and Make way for Ducklings."Out on the islands that poke their rocky shores above the waters of Penobscot Bay, you can watch the time of the world go by, from minute to minute, hour to hour, from day to day . . ." So begins this classic story of one summer on a Maine island from the author of One Morning in Maine and Blueberries for Sal. The spell of rain, the gulls and a foggy morning, the excitement of sailing, the quiet of the night, the sudden terror of a hurricane, and, in the end, the peace of the island as the family packs up to leave are shown in poetic language and vibrant, evocative pictures.
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  • Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book

    Muriel Feelings, Tom Feelings

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Aug. 15, 1992)
    A Caldecott Honor BookMoja Means One introduces children to counting in Swahili with helpful pronunciation keys, while presenting East African culture and lifestyles through an easy-to-understand narrative and vivid illustrations. “Magnificient, full-page drawings throb with the feeling of East African life.”—Child Study AssociationLook for the Caldecott Honor Book and companion title: Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book
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  • The Fortune-Tellers

    Lloyd Alexander, Trina Schart Hyman

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 1, 1997)
    This original folktale set in Cameroon is full of adventure and sly humor. Lloyd Alexander's story of a young man visiting -- and then becoming -- the village fortune-teller is brought to vibrant life with some of Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman's most memorable artwork. Both children and adults will relish The Fortune-tellers."A funny, playful story that evokes the irony of the human condition." -- Booklist,starred review"Alexander narrates his original tale with folkloric verve and his own mellow brand of irony;Hyman realizes the African setting in...splendid illustrations. A winning tale, superlatively presented." -- Kirkus Reviews,pointerreviewLloyd Alexander's many achievements include a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Medal, and the National Book Award.Trina Schart Hyman won the Caldecott Medal for Saint George and the Dragon and a Caldecott Honor Medal for Little Red Riding Hood, among numerous other awards.
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  • How Chipmunk Got His Stripes

    Joseph Bruchac, James Bruchac, Jose Aruego, Ariane Dewey

    Paperback (Puffin Books, April 14, 2003)
    Bear brags that he can do anything-even stop the sun from rising. Brown Squirrel doesn't believe him, so the two wait all night to see if the sun will rise. Sure enough, the sky reddens and the sun appears. Brown Squirrel is so happy to be right that he teases Bear. What happens when a little brown squirrel teases a big black bear? Brown Squirrel gets stripes and is called chipmunk from that day forward . . . Joseph and James Bruchac join forces to create this buoyant picture book, based on a Native American folktale.Illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey.
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  • Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

    Lloyd Moss, Marjorie Priceman

    Paperback (Aladdin, May 1, 2000)
    A Caldecott Honor book that is the perfect introduction to musical instruments and a counting book that redefines the genre.When this book begins, the trombone is playing all by itself. But soon a trumpet makes a duet, a french horn a trio, and so on until the entire orchestra is assembled on stage. Written in elegant and rhythmic verse and illustrated with playful and flowing artwork, this unique counting book is the perfect introduction to musical groups. Readers of all ages are sure to shout “Encore!” when they reach the final page of this joyous celebration of classical music.
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  • Hazel's Amazing Mother

    Rosemary Wells

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 2, 1992)
    A heartwarming story about the power of a mother's love from the bestselling creator of Max & Ruby.Hazel is out for a walk with her beloved doll Eleanor. But when she makes a wrong turn, she encounters some kids who are up to no good. Fortunately, Hazel's amazing mother is there to rescue her--and set the bullies straight--just in the nick of time."A beguiling book with a nonsensical streak that will make children look again and laugh."--Booklist
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