Pandemonium breaks out at the science museum when Twitch the squirrel tags along on a school trip in this hilarious chapter book. When Twitch hears that the school children are taking a field trip to the science museum, he decides he wants to join in the fun--so he stows away on the school bus and hides in a backpack to get in. But as always, not everyone is glad to see a squirrel in their midst. Pursued by security guards, Twitch turns the exhibits into his own private carnival rides--swinging on a Foucault pendulum, riding a model Mars Rover, and skittering across the Bernoulli air pressure table. Just when it seems like there's no escape, Twitch's chaotic romp turns up some surprises for the museum staff. . . and a friendly boy in a wheelchair saves the day for the squirrel, sneaking him back out. With more than 50 energetic illustrations accompanying the short, hilarious chapters, Squirrel in the Museum is a perfect pick for young readers just starting to seek out longer texts--or a great read-aloud. For aspiring scientists, Squirrel in the Museum also includes an explanation of the scientific exhibits Twitch encounters--as told by the friendly science lab geckos.

Running into the school to escape a hungry owl was easy. But with the door locked and an angry dog chasing him, how will Twitch the squirrel get back out? He'll need a hand, of course. . . . and maybe a paw, a fin, and a wing, too. Can the classroom pets—including Sweetie the library rat, a snake named Angel, and the first graders' Green Eggs and Hamster—help Twitch get back to his cozy home in the trees? Each chapter is told in the voice of a different animal as the squirrel works his way through the school, visiting each classroom and trying to stay one step ahead of the principal's menacing dog, Cuddles. The different perspectives make this a perfect introduction to narrative point-of-view—and an extra-funny read-aloud. Lively black and white illustrations add to the humor, depicting Twitch's mad dash through the school and the chaos created by a band of class pets on the loose. With short, funny chapters, young readers will race through this novel to find out what the pets do next. For more of Twitch's adventures, check out Squirrel in the House and Squirrel in the Museum.

Squirrel hates to miss a party—whether or not he's been invited. So one cold day he decides to visit Cuddles the dog inside his house. He slides down the special squirrel entrance into a pile of cut-up tree branches (how thoughtful the humans are!), takes some of the food they've clearly made for him, and buries it in the pots of dirt they've left out. What a warm welcome! But when Cuddles catches sight of him and mayhem erupts, the smallest of the humans takes the blame for causing trouble. No one but Twitch the squirrel notices when the boy runs out into the snow. . . Or when he trips and hurts his ankle. Can the dog and squirrel put aside their differences, and figure out how to let the humans know their littlest one needs help? And is there more of that party food to celebrate with after? With short, funny chapters and lively pen-and-ink illustrations, the Twitch the Squirrel books are perfect to share and read aloud, or for young readers beginning to seek out longer books on their own. Told from the animals' point of view, they make a great introduction to narrative perspective—and most importantly, they're always hilarious. For more of Twitch's adventures, check out 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos and Squirrel in the Museum.

Pandemonium breaks out at the science museum when Twitch the squirrel tags along on a school trip in this hilarious chapter book. When Twitch hears that the school children are taking a field trip to the science museum, he decides he wants to join in the fun--so he stows away on the school bus and hides in a backpack to get in. But as always, not everyone is glad to see a squirrel in their midst. Pursued by security guards, Twitch turns the exhibits into his own private carnival rides--swinging on a Foucault pendulum, riding a model Mars Rover, and skittering across the Bernoulli air pressure table. Just when it seems like there's no escape, Twitch's chaotic romp turns up some surprises for the museum staff. . . and a friendly boy in a wheelchair saves the day for the squirrel, sneaking him back out. With more than 50 energetic illustrations accompanying the short, hilarious chapters, Squirrel in the Museum is a perfect pick for young readers just starting to seek out longer texts--or a great read-aloud. For aspiring scientists, Squirrel in the Museum also includes an explanation of the scientific exhibits Twitch encounters--as told by the friendly science lab geckos.

Author of the New York Times Bestsellers The Remarkable Farkle McBride and Marsupial Sue

"Squirrels wrestle, climb, and sleep in a celebration of these fascinating animals"--

A sixteen-year-old will give anything to be with her true love—even though he died two hundred years ago. . . . A sopping-wet little dead girl stalks a teen who had nothing to do with her death—honest! . . . A heartless man dances with his wife—after she's passed away. From the hilarious to the horrific, master storyteller Vivian Vande Velde explores the world of the dead—and the undead—in this surprisingly moving collection of unnerving tales.

How far would you go for a friend? In Nuts to You, the funny and moving illustrated novel by Newbery Medalist Lynne Rae Perkins, two squirrels go very far indeed to save a friend who has been snatched up by a hawk. Nuts to You “begs to be read aloud . . . another completely original and exceptional package from Perkins,” said the Horn Book. Nuts to You features black-and-white art by the author on every page, as well as exclusive material original to this edition. Jed, TsTs, and Chai are the very best of friends. So when Jed is snatched up by a hawk and carried away to another realm, TsTs and Chai resolve to go after him. Mysteriously, the hawk has dropped him. They saw it. Jed could be alive. New communities are discovered, new friends are made, huge danger is encountered (both man-made and of the fox and bobcat variety) and the mysteries of squirrel culture are revealed. Nuts to You is wholly original, funny, lively, and thought-provoking. Publishers Weekly said, “Readers . . . will relish the squirrels’ adventures, as well as Perkins’s laugh-aloud illustrations and equally witty footnotes.” Includes an introduction, epilogue, and footnotes throughout, as well as original exclusive material from the author.

This new Beginner Book about manic skiing squirrels—by J. Hamilton Ray with illustrations by Pascal Lemaitre—has the feeling of an old classic read-aloud. "Nobody knew how the mania grew. First there was one, and then there were two. Three more came gliding from under the trees. LOOK! On the hill. Those are squirrels on skis! Below lay the town, snow-covered and still. Not a sound could be heard. All was silent, until . . . Swwwishhhh swooped the skiers, all dressed for play. Eighty-five squirrels and more on the way!" As you can imagine, the townsfolk are NOT amused. Can intrepid reporter Sally Sue Breeze find out where the squirrels are getting their skis-and make them stop skiing long enough to eat lunch-before pest-control guy Stanley Powers sucks them up in his vacuum device? (Don't worry—Sally triumphs in a most unexpected way.) With delightfully understated, funny illustrations, this is the perfect book for beginning readers to curl up and chill out with on a snow day—or any day! Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7. This Read & Listen edition contains audio narration.

Twitch the lovably chaotic squirrel and Sweetie the Library Rat accidentally make their stage debuts in this hilarious chapter book, a new followup to 8 Class Pets. When Twitch discovers the kids at school are putting on a Cinderella play, he can’t believe his luck. He loves good stories! But how to watch the play undetected? He convinces friend Sweetie the library rat to join his adventure to the auditorium, but of course it doesn’t go as planned! Twitch and Sweetie will go behind the curtain and even above stage before the day is over in this fourth book in the celebrated series. With energetic illustrations accompanying the short, hilarious chapters, told from Twitch and Sweetie’s alternating points of view, Squirrel on Stage is a perfect pick for young readers just starting to seek out longer texts—or a great read-aloud. For aspiring thespians, Squirrel on Stage also includes tips kids can use to put on their own play.