Hippo’s morning starts off good,
until friends say, “You should! You should!”
You should prance! You should sing!
Wear this hat! Stretch your wing!
Though Hippo wants to be a friend,
he wonders when the shoulds will end.

Hippo and friends will soon find out
that being yourself is what life’s about.

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Cam, her father, and her best friend can’t pass up eating at the best pizza place in the world. But they can’t leave the mall until they solve the mystery of the missing jacket. Will Cam’s photographic memory be enough?

The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years. Now younger readers can join in the fun with easy-to-read books featuring Young Cam Jansen and her best friend Eric. When readers are ready to make the transition to more difficult books, a familiar character will be ready and waiting for them.

“These appealing mini-mysteries will find a ready audience.”–Booklist

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Ethan and Ella search for lions on a safari in Kenya in the fifth book of Greetings from Somewhere, an exciting series about mystery, travel, and adventure.

Ethan, Ella, and their parents travel to the Maasai Mara in Kenya where they stay in a cabin and venture out on safaris every day in search of The Big Five game animals—the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard, the rhinoceros, and, of course, the lion. The kids are so excited when they see four of the five animals within the first few days, but where are the lions? Both Ethan and Ella could swear they’ve seen a lion’s tail poking out from behind a tree, but they cannot seem to find the animal itself!

Then, the twins talk to a boy and girl who live in the Maasai Mara. The locals give Ethan and Ella some clues about spotting lions. With a little help and some good detective work, the twins discover a whole lion family on their last day in Kenya!

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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“Go away,” the man growls down to them. “It is not safe here.”

Adventure and mystery lurk at every turn in Jay Henry Kaufman’s charming debut children’s story, The Mystery of the Cliff House.

Lucy, Eve, and Nate have always been the ultimate sibling trio. While Lucy is cautious and level-headed, Eve is outspoken and pushes everyone to take risks. Nate, on the other hand, is surprisingly intellectual for his age.

Together they hear about a large house on nearby Little Island that will be picked up and moved farther away from the approaching seaside cliff.

Thinking it will be the perfect place to search for fossils, the three children head off in search of adventure—but find a baffling mystery, instead!

After arriving on the island, Lucy, Eve, and Nate run into a sinister man who orders them off his property—and warns them of a giant, prehistoric shark that creeps within the island’s waters…

Does the shark really exist? And who is that strange man? Readers will delight in following the clues alongside the young explorers, where they will find the answers to their questions…not to mention some thrills along the way!

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** 2016 Moonbeam Book Award Winner**
If you enjoy Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce, you’ll enjoy Christine Keleny’s Agnes Kelly.
Book One of the Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure Series will make you laugh, set you on the edge of your seat, and leaving you wanting more – both the older and younger reader alike.
“Agnes Kelly, a girl growing up in the 1960’s, is not unlike twelve year old girls of the 21st century. She is inquisitive, observant and thoughtful. Middle school readers will relish Intrigue in Istanbul-An Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure by Christine Keleny from start to finish. I know my middle school students will thoroughly enjoy Agnes’ exciting escapades and so will you.”
Jill Peterson, teacher of 5th & 6th Grade Language Arts, Raymond, Wisconsin

Everyone at the table is as surprised by Grandma’s little maneuver as I am, but I’m not looking at my relatives or even at Peggy, I’ve got my eyes glued on Grandma Agee. She’s reading Uncle Bob the riot act over at the dessert table…I’m concentrating hard on Grandma’s face, specifically her lips. But she’s turned ever so slightly away from me so I can only make out a bit of what she’s saying: “I told ya…” and “…button your lip.” among the finger wagging and eye scowling she’s giving poor Uncle Bob.
With Grandma’s odd reaction and my dad being gone, unable to explain himself to me ever again, I feel an urgent need to find out is what in the world did he “get into” that Grandma Agee doesn’t want me to know about.

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Amy and her friends care for some chickens and prepare for the Santa Vista Quiz Bowl in the thirteenth book of The Critter Club series!

Amy has never liked being in the spotlight. When all of her friends decide to form a team for the Santa Vista Quiz Bowl, Amy isn’t so sure it’s a good idea. She knows she can answer the quiz questions…but can she do it in front of hundreds of people?

Meanwhile, the Critter Club is caring for a few chickens that need a home. And as the day of the Quiz Bowl gets closer, Amy starts to feel a little bit chicken herself! Will she get over her stage fright and help her team win?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers!

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  Buck Wilder has ten books about nature and how we are connected to everything around us. His four hard covers books, Buck Wilder’s Fishing Guide, Hiking & Camping Guide ,  Boating Guide and Animal Wisdom are for kids of all ages. Each is filled with fun facts and interesting highlights of nature, wild imaginative drawings, and secret hidden characters on each page.
  Buck Wilder’s ten chapter books are written for  the early reader – early elementary level of reading. Each book is filled with fun illustrations, hidden messages, and an unique story about our outside world and how we can have fun with it. His books have sold 500,000 copies with his most popular title being ” Who Stole the Animal Poop?”

(Timothy Smith)

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Ethan and Ella are on the trail of an Australian coral thief in the eighth book of Greetings from Somewhere, an exciting series about mystery, travel, and adventure.

Ethan and Ella are in Australia, home to beautiful beaches and some of the most famous coral reefs in the world—plus tons of cool fish and other underwater creatures! And not only that, Australia is home to Ethan and Ella’s aunt, uncle, and cousin. The twins dive right into the water for some snorkeling at their cousin’s beach house, and while they’re exploring, they come across a watch that’s still ticking. Whose is it? Then they hear reports of fishermen illegally taking coral from the reefs nearby. Could Ethan and Ella be on the trail of a coral thief?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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When Nancy Drew’s best friends Bess and George have a falling out because Bess’s locket was stolen from George’s book bag, Nancy is determined to find the thief and restore their friendship.

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Amy is convinced there is a booger under her bed. She hears the pitter-patter of little feet and scratching noises, but she’s too scared to look! When things from her room start to go missing, she’s even more certain that there’s something else living in her room. Will Amy ever be able to sleep in her bed again? Find out in Booger Under My Bed.

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Ethan and Ella find an ancient map and explore a Chinese palace in the fourth book of Greetings from Somewhere, a chapter book series about mystery, travel, and adventure.

From the Great Wall to the dumplings, Ethan and Ella love China so far. And the Forbidden City in Beijing doesn’t leave anything to be desired, either! When the twins get separated from their parents, however, they get do some exploring on their own.

As they are wandering, the twins happen across an ancient-looking scroll that appears to have a map on it. Being the mystery-solving duo they are, Ethan and Ella attempt to navigate the map…but they get lost in the palace. There are thousands of rooms, and they all seem to look the same! Will the twins figure out where the map is leading them? And will they ever make their way out of the Forbidden City?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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Ethan and Ella follow some icy paw prints that lead to a brand-new mystery in the ninth book in the Greetings from Somewhere series, exciting stories about mystery, travel, and adventure.

Ethan and Ella are back in the USA, though they’re still far from home. While visiting Alaska, the twins see glaciers and grizzlies, kayak through fjords, and learn about polar bears! They also meet some native people who tell them that lately their food supplies have been going missing. And when Ethan and Ella spot some nearby paw prints, they wonder who the paws belong to…and if they might belong to the thief responsible for stealing all the food!

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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When Scratch Murphy’s flea bag full of dough goes missing, Ace Lacewing is on the case. With friends Xerces and Zito at his side, Ace searches Six Legs Park for clues. From the Termite Tower of Terror to Queenie Bee’s Hive Rise Honey Stand, the place is crawling with suspects.

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Someone has stolen eighteen pumpkins from Patsy Pig’s Pleasant Valley Pumpkin Patch! Chief Detective Albert and his pals (see below) are hot on the trail of the Pumpkin Thief — but they need your help, or there may be no jack-o’-lanterns this Halloween! Follow along as theygo from clue to clue until they finally apprehend a surprising suspect — and learn how much they didn’t see along the way!

Illustrated in the same captivating style that has made Albert and his friends beloved by so many readers, Leslie Tryon takes the Pleasant Valley gang on a new adventure as they try to unravel the spookiest Halloween mystery ever!

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A little boy brings a plant home from pre-school. What kind of vegetable the plant will become is a mystery. After reading this book, there are suggested activities at the end for parent and child to do together.

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It’s Andy Shane and Granny Webb’s unbirthday, and Andy has thought of just the right gift for Granny Webb: a case to hold her beloved binoculars. The only problem is that Andy has no money. But with the help of his friend Dolores Starbuckle, he comes up with the perfect plan–a barn sale! And sure enough, the determined duo sells enough stuff to afford the binoculars case–but now where are the binoculars? The endearing Andy Shane and his enterprising pal Dolores call on their best detective skills in this witty mystery story. But can they solve the case in time for the unbirthday party?

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Winner of the 2014 Silver Falchion Award: Sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Mystery Writers of America.

“An entertaining examination of oceanographic food webs, good for both everyday read-alouds and classroom instructional use… An informational picture book that solves a whodunit of the sea in lilting, rhyming text.” Kirkus Review

Was it a shark, or did some other sea creature make a perfectly drilled hole in a clamshell? Come along and solve the mystery. “Did You Make the Hole in the Shell in the Sea?” has rhythmic and rhyming text, and simply drawn illustrations that are brightly colored and inviting. Each expressive character helps to bring the story to life, and although the story is fictitious, all of the characters tell an authentic tale of what really happens at the edge of the sea. The repetitive text and rich vocabulary make this a fun read aloud for ages 3-10 for families. This book is also an entertaining choice for any classroom teacher who’s studying the sea, and searching for a fun book packed with true facts about coastal marine life including sea stars, lobsters, clams, moon snails, and seagulls. Don’t miss this seaside adventure. The journey is about to begin. And the next time you find a shell at the beach with a perfectly drilled hole, you’ll know exactly what made the hole in the shell in the sea!

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Just what kind of monkey business has befallen Mr. Hound’s shop? Luckily, our team of plucky detectives has been chomping at the bit to take on their first case. When Mr. Hound hires them to investigate, they hoof it to his shop. And once they get sleuthing, wild horses couldn’t drag them away from the scent of a clue. But is it all just a dog and pony show to distract them from the truth? Idioms are everywhere in this hilarious first case of the Gumshoe Zoo detective agency as they attempt to solve Mr. Hound’s mystery. Early readers will love the multi-paneled comic book hybrid feel of this raucous adventure as the detectives manage to keep a straight face, collar some suspects, and solve a mystery, all while avoiding beating a dead—never mind. Plus, this is a fixed-format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.

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Ethan and Ella discover a secret society in Greece in the tenth book of Greetings from Somewhere, an exciting series about mystery, travel, and adventure.

Ethan and Ella have never been anywhere as cool—or as old—as Athens, Greece. Surrounded by crumbling buildings and ancient sculptures, the twins are excited to follow in their Grandpa Harry’s footsteps and explore the ruins. While they’re exploring, they stumble upon a mysterious painting on an underground wall. What is it? And what in the world is the Society of Apollo?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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A fun-filled hide-and-seek game book that poses questions and then reveals the answers when children lift the flap. The bright, cheerful art and simple text will delight young children and teach simple concepts about the everyday world. Full-color illustrations. Baby-Preschool.

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Tommy’s Aunt Jeanne has invited him for a visit, but when he arrives at her Victorian mansion, there is no sign of her-except for the mysterious rhyming clues he finds as he is led from room to room on a wild and magical search. With its suspenseful treasure-hunt plot, this enchanting picture book offers intriguing hidden pictures and clues that lead to a happy surprise ending.

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Will gumshoe Cam find Aunt Molly?s shoes?

Aunt Molly is in town. Cam Jansen and her best friend, Eric Shelton, are at the airport to greet her. They find Aunt Molly, but her favorite high heels are missing! Did she leave them in Peru, or China, or behind a trash can? Cam clicks her way through this brain-twisting easy-to-read mystery.

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There’s a new girl in school! Her name’s Jenny, and Cam and Eric are happy to befriend her and help her find her way around. But when it’s time for gym class, where’s Jenny? Which gym did she go to? Is there more than one gym? Young readers won’t be able to resist looking for clues in the story to help Cam and Eric find their new classmate.

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Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Angela Jackson and this is my diary. I’m an orphan. However, I know someday, I’m gonna have a family. I can feel it! It is 1935, at only 14 years old, I am very serious about singing and dancing but my favorite hobby is solving mysteries! My friends call me Angie. Those who I catch in criminal activities call me a lot of other things, like “that nosey little brat from Harlem who got me in trouble with the law.” My friends, Pauline and Lil’ Sonny often tell me the techniques I use to solve crimes are risky, sometimes downright dangerous. However, I always surprise them by solving each and every case. This diary includes true stories I write every day about my adventures and all the mysteries I solved in New York, especially across 125th Street in Harlem.

Signed,

Angie Jackson

Entry Log March 29, 1935

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When someone takes Mommy’s watch, Rose and Sally Dog search the farm–encountering lowing cows, barking dogs, clucking chickens, and meowing cats–in order to locate it.

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Ben lost something that belongs to his sister, and he has to find it. He is scared, but it doesn’t matter. Ben has to be brave. He has to go into the attic.

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Put on your detective hat for the second adventure from a dynamic mother-daughter team: beloved author Shirley Hughes and talented illustrator Clara Vulliamy.

Digby and Percy, best friends forever, have decided to take a vacation by the sea. Little do they know they’re about to drive right into another daring adventure! No sooner do they arrive at the Hotel Splendide when a very important guest—the fabulous pop star Peaches Meow—discovers that her priceless diamond necklace is missing. Can Digby and Percy track down the sinister figures at the heart of the mystery?

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Officer Buckle’s school safety lessons were sure boring until Gloria, the affable police dog, joins him on stage. When he discovers the reason his talks have become so popular, his feeling get hurt. Luckily, both Officer Buckle and Gloria learn the importance of the buddy system

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