All Charlie Tickler wants is for his parents to listen. Charlie's parents have left him (again). This time they are off to South Africa to help giant golden moles. And Charlie? He's been dumped with his TV-obsessed grandparents. Lonely and curious, Charlie heads into the village of Castle-on-the-Hudson, where a frightened old woman gives him a desperate message-in sign language. When she suddenly disappears, Charlie is determined to find answers. All Francine (aka Frog) Castle wants is to be the world's greatest detective. Frog, who is Deaf, would rather be solving crimes than working at the Flying Hands Caf¿. When Charlie Tickler walks into the caf¿ looking for help, Frog jumps at the chance to tackle a real-life case. Together, Charlie and Frog set out to decipher a series of clues and uncover the truth behind the missing woman's mysterious message. Charlie needs to learn American Sign Language (fast) to keep up with quick-witted Frog. And Frog needs to gather her detective know-how (now) to break the case before it's too late. Discover the surprising ways people listen in debut author Karen Kane's page-turning mystery filled with humor, intrigue, and heartwarming friendships. Edgar Award Finalist for Best Middle Grade Mystery

Mystery-solving best friends Charlie and Frog are back for more adventures in this sequel by acclaimed author Karen Kane -- now in paperback! Charlie is the new kid at Castle School for the Deaf and one of the few students who is hearing. It's hard to keep up (and fit in) when you don't know American Sign Language. That's why Charlie missed the most important detail of all about the Legend of the Boney Hand. It's real! And when the Boney Hand goes missing, outsider Charlie is suspect number one. Francine (aka Frog) Castle wants to be understood. Frog has been at Castle School for the Deaf her entire life. It's hard to break away (and stand out) when people don't take you seriously. That's why Frog desperately wants to solve a mystery and show the world who she really is: a detective. But when the Boney Hand goes missing, insider Frog is suspect number two. Together, Charlie and Frog must uncover the facts about an old legend and solve their latest case before the trail goes cold. It will take the help of unexpected friends and a daring race against the clock to finally reveal the truth. Explore what it means to be seen in this thrilling Charlie & Frog mystery from Edgar Award-nominated author Karen Kane.

Four hilarious stories, two inventive brothers, one irresistible story! Join Charlie and Mouse as they talk to lumps, take the neighborhood to a party, sell some rocks, and invent the bedtime banana. With imagination and humor, Laurel Snyder and Emily Hughes paint a lively picture of brotherhood that children will relish in a format perfect for children not quite ready for chapter books.

When Charlie moves next door to Sam, he's thrilled to have a new friend—even if she is a girl. Charlie has a little sister, also named Sam—or Sam Too, as the other Sam comes to call her. Both Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too) are Jewish, and they try to live by the religion's motto: Love your neighbor as yourself. The five brief stories in this book, accompanied by colorful illustrations, highlight the value of friendship and its ups and downs.

It's puppy love! This latest continuation of the award-winning Charlie & Mouse early chapter book series will delight newly independent readers. Lost and Found is full of relatable trials (a lost blanket), surprises (a lost dog), and delights (a new puppy!) and overflows with the series' signature humor and heart. Charlie and Mouse are finding surprises in all sorts of unexpected places. After Mouse's beloved blanket is lost and then found, they find a lost dog (and eventually her owner), seek out some ice cream, and discover a new puppy friend to take home at last. BROTHERS ARE THE BEST: The Charlie & Mouse books show a sibling friendship and a family dynamic that is kind as well as playful. AN ANIMAL LOVER'S DELIGHT: Featuring not one but two dogs—one very big and one very small—this fifth book in the Charlie & Mouse series makes a wonderful gift for any canine-loving kid! From going on walks to snuggling up together at the end of a long day, the furry friends in these sweet and silly stories are sure to enchant young animal enthusiasts. IDEAL FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: The interconnected but distinct short stories in this book offer an accessible transition for readers who are just moving into longer books, especially for reluctant readers. HUMOR WITH HEART: The Charlie & Mouse books bring a fresh, humorous, and heartwarming approach to central themes to which readers of all ages can relate: imagination, creativity, play, and family are fondly celebrated in each of these stories. WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS: Charlie and Mouse are mixed-race Japanese characters growing up in Hawaii, a setting inspired by the childhood of up-and-coming Asian-American artist Emily Hughes. Every book of this early chapter book series offers an opportunity for young children of many different backgrounds to see themselves reflected in the stories they love. Perfect for: • Newly independent readers • Parents • Dog lovers

Originally published in 1997 under the title Charlie the chicken.

Charlie, like all small snails, lives in a shell. And since this two-in-one protective cover is strapped onto his back, Charlie carries his home with him everywhere. One day, while having a snail race with his friends—as snails like to do—there’s a terrible accident. As Charlie nears the finish line, the misplaced shoe of a little boy running through the garden comes down and breaks his shell. Charlie’s shell—and his home—are completely destroyed. To make matters worse, winter is coming and Charlie has nowhere to go. Charlie’s friends try to help him find a new home, but none seem to fit just right: they are too hard, too sticky, too sharp, or too flimsy. Will someone be able to help Charlie find a new home before winter? Featuring a story of friendship from author and illustrator Doris Lecher, A New House for Charlie teaches children about helping others and showing compassion and empathy when hurting another person, even if unintentionally. Appropriate for children ages 3 to 6. Parents and educators will like the lessons throughout the book and children will be able to relate to Charlie as he tries to find a new home. Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

"With magical, concise and perceptive poems, Newbery-Honor winning author Joyce Sidman captures the life of a tree frog in an intimate and moving way. A master of the science note, her fascinating sidebars help bind the twin poems together and ground our perspective. We learn how treefrogs have sticky toe pads, how they still themselves when in danger, how they can change from green to gray to camouflage themselves - even how they eat their own skins, which is full of nutrients. The narrator's connection with this small creature brings solace, comfort, and a sense of mystery"--