Theodora is a perfectly normal duck. She may swim with a teacup balanced on her head and stay north when the rest of the ducks fly south for the winter, but there's nothing so odd about that. Chad, on the other hand, is one strange bird. Theodora quite likes him, but she can't overlook his odd habits...

If you want to see a whale, you will need to know what not to look at.

Pink roses, pelicans, possible pirates...

If you want to see a whale, you have to keep your eyes on the sea, and wait...

Victor Dickens hates to read, and nothing can change his mind. Or can it? How about a parrot with a peg leg? Or a rabbit with black barn boots? Or a field mouse with gold coins? Anything can happen on the whimsical, wonderful night when a little boy with a stubborn hatred of books discovers that printed words can take on lives of their own.

When bully Bryce Billings bets Fish Finelli that he can't find Captain Kidd's legendary long-lost treasure, Fish and his friends embark on a quest to find real-life pirate treasure.

Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal for the year's best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction!

Discover the magic of Beauty and the Beast in this petite edition of the classic fairytale, created especially for little readers with just a handful of words and bright, enchanting illustrations.

The wild and wacky world of Astronaut Academy is back! It's spring semester at this futuristic institution of learning, and Hakata Soy has lost his heart. Literally. And he's not the only one...

In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance.

Every day's an adventure with Isabella!

Isabella checks out the library, and steals the spotlight from some of the most memorable children's book characters.

If you want to see a whale, you will need to know what not to look at.

Pink roses, pelicans, possible pirates... If you want to see a whale, you have to keep your eyes on the sea, and wait...

Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Lane Smith, It's a Book is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age.

As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play!

 

The team behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site returns with another fabulous book for bedtime!

Bad Kitty faces her toughest challenge yet... Obedience school! 

Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins-adults-named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that?

Bring back the nostalgic games of yesterday — with modern interpretations! The Pocket Guide to Games revives the tradition of game playing without computers, joysticks, boards, or game pieces. All you need for these games can be purchased at the local super centre, big box, or hardware store. With tools such as balls, beanbags, broomsticks and ropes, parents and teachers can organize dozens of hours of fun and challenging activities for parties, summer camps, neighbourhood gatherings and school groups. For all ages, from elementary children to grandparents. Includes active games and quiet games in a range of variations: counting-out, choosing sides, who's it? and feats and forfeits.

Sample games include Bull in the Ring (circle game), Cross Tag (chase), Do This, Do That (imitating), Kaleidoscope (colours), Lady of the Land (drama), Old Buzzard (drama), Potato Race (individual competition), Shadow Tag (sunny day), Wink (circle game), Cat Party (a word game), Harlequin Wrestle (balance), Fetch and Carry (bean bags), Spooning (blindfold), Dodgeball, Poison and Hide the Thimble.

Not sure how to give a wedgie? From the author of The Big Book of Boy Stuff and The Big Book of Girl Stuff, lauded as "a comedic compendium" by the Ottawa Citizen, here's the ultimate how-to for the budding prankster in all of us.

Many of the greatest leaders and geniuses in history were also mischief makers. These were the people who had the courage to point out that things like slavery, global warming and turtleneck sweaters were bad. Their large-scale hoaxes and practical jokes include the Boston Tea Party, the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast and the Cheese Whiz Disaster of 2008. Paying homage to these brave men and women, The Pocket Guide to Mischief includes sections on Careers in Mischief and Mischief Makers Hall of Shame.

Worried about being nice? The Pocket Guide to Mischief also has a section on Excuses, Apologies and Etiquette, while the "mischief-makers credo" promises not to damage property or hurt anyone with a prank. More practically, instructions are given on complex skills such as becoming a world-class complainer, selecting an appropriate target and handling a rubber chicken. And who can resist the "stuff to gross people out" or taking the smart aleck quiz? With The Pocket Guide to Mischief, it's all in good fun.

Abracadabra ! Hocus-pocus! Allakazam! Happis crappis!

Say it together now — magic! Take a peek inside the magician's secret wardrobe to discover the tricks of the trade, the tales of derring-do, and the people who made the magic happen.

Demystifying the mystical is the popular, raucous, ready-to-trick-his-own-mother Bart King! But what, you may ask, can Bart do? He can show the ways of the most secretive magicians in the world.

This guide includes ways to:

• Improve street cred with sneaky tricks.
• Discover how some of the most popular illusions were created.
• Saw a woman in half and then swallow the sword.

With the trademark humour of award-winning author Helaine Becker (Boredom Blasters, Science on the Loose)  and the wit and skill of illustrator Steve Attoe comes a unique history of human innovation. Using "The Big Six," Becker shows how life-changing, earth-shattering inventions fit into human beings' desire to fill six basic needs: food, security, shelter, companionship, good health, and the need to make tasks easier.

What's the Big Idea? takes an in-depth look at 32 of our most important inventions and tells the story of how one invention led to the next. From the wheel to the spinning wheel, the alphabet to the printing press, steel to steam engines, and parachutes to...diapers?! For each invention, a "Big Idea" sidebar answers the question "why this invention and why now?" Plus, inventor biographies grant glimpses into the lives of geniuses such as Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Bill Gates, and a host of others. What's next in the exciting world of innovation? And where will it ever end?

Ages 8-12.

The bestselling Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series has been providing adults with help—and humour—for years. Finally, younger readers can also benefit from the best of the worst!

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Junior Edition is packed with funny, kid-friendly instructions on how to handle all sorts of situations at school, at home, outdoors and beyond. Learn how to outwit a nosy sibling, survive a family road trip and clean up your room in just 10 minutes. Also discover the best way to deal with a school dance and recover when you trip and fall in the middle of the cafeteria! With an appendix that includes lists of useful schoolyard comebacks, handy and true excuses, and a sibling room-sharing contract, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Junior Edition is truly required reading to get through the minefield commonly known as childhood.