A family with an ancient curse...

And the girl who will change their lives forever...

Tohru Honda was an orphan with no place to go until the mysterious Sohma family offered her a place to call home. Now her ordinary high school life is turned upside down as she's introduced to the Sohma's world of magical curses and family secrets.

It has been four seasons since Mariel, the warrior-mouse daughter of Joseph the Bellmaker, and her companion, Dandin, set off from Redwall to fight evil in Mossflower. Nothing has been heard of them since.

Then one night, in a dream, the legendary Martin the Warrior comes to the Bellmaker with a mysterious message. Clearly, Mariel and Dandin are in grave danger. Joseph and four Redwallers set off at once to aid them. As they push over land and sea, they cannot know the terrible threats they face.

Will the Bellmaker and his companions arrive in time to help Mariel and Dandin?

The acclaimed Farseer and Liveship Traders trilogies established Robin Hobb as one of the most splendidly imaginative practitioners of world-class fantasy. Now, in Book 2 of her most stunning trilogy yet, Hobb continues the soul-shattering tale of FitzChivalry Farseer. With rich characters, breathtaking magic, and sweeping action, Golden Fool brings the reluctant adventurer further into the fray in an epic of sacrifice, salvation, and untold treachery.

Golden FoolPrince Dutiful has been rescued from his Piebald kidnappers and the court has resumed its normal rhythms. But for FitzChivalry Farseer, a return to isolation is impossible. Though gutted by the loss of his wolf bondmate, Nighteyes, Fitz must take up residence at Buckkeep and resume his tasks as Chade’s apprentice assassin. Posing as Tom Badgerlock, bodyguard to Lord Golden, FitzChivalry becomes the eyes and ears behind the walls. And with his old mentor failing visibly, Fitz is forced to take on more burdens as he attempts to guide a kingdom straying closer to civil strife each day.

The problems are legion. Prince Dutiful’s betrothal to the Narcheska Elliania of the Out Islands is fraught with tension, and the Narcheska herself appears to be hiding an array of secrets. Then, amid Piebald threats and the increasing persecution of the Witted, FitzChivalry must ensure that no one betrays the Prince’s secret—a secret that could topple the Farseer throne: that he, like Fitz, possesses the dread “beast magic.”

Meanwhile, FitzChivalry must impart to the Prince his limited knowledge of the Skill: the hereditary and addictive magic of the Farseers. In the process, they discover within Buckkeep one who has a wild and powerful talent for it, and whose enmity for Fitz may have disastrous consequences for all.

Only Fitz’s enduring friendship with the Fool brings him any solace. But even that is shattered when unexpected visitors from Bingtown reveal devastating secrets from the Fool’s past. Now, bereft of support and adrift in intrigue, Fitz’s biggest challenge may be simply to survive the inescapable and violent path that fate has laid out for him.

The Immortals is a captivating series that includes four enthralling books: Wild Magic, Wolf Speaker, Emperor Mage, and The Realms of the Gods. This collection brings together the magical adventures of a young heroine as she discovers her unique powers and the responsibilities that come with them.

Join her on a journey filled with mystical creatures, epic battles, and unforgettable friendships. Each book builds on the last, weaving a tale of courage, growth, and discovery.

Experience a world where magic is real, and the stakes are high. This is a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to turn the page and dive deeper into the realm of the immortals.

The inhabitants of Redwall relax in the haze of summer. But as they do, the neighboring stronghold of Salamandastron lies besieged by the evil weasel army of Ferhago the Assassin. Worse still, Mara, beloved daughter of Urthstripe, Badger Lord of the Fire Mountain, is in terrible danger.

Then a lightning bolt uncovers the sword of Martin the Warrior, and young Samkin embarks on an adventure that leads him to Mara. Can the good creatures triumph over the villainous Assassin?

Years ago, the vermin clan of Sawney Rath kidnapped one of Redwall's own—a baby otter, destined to become their Taggerung, a warrior hero of ancient legend. But as young Tagg grows, he rebels against his destiny.

The young otter journeys in search of his birthplace, a member of Sawney's clan always near, out to destroy the deserter. With the feisty mouse Nimbalo, Tagg fends off the avenging vermin, but can he find his way back to the Redwall family from whom he was separated so long ago?

Here is all of the excitement and adventure a Redwall fan could wish for!

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends?

And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon? Join this enchanting tale of quick wits and friendship, full of humor and adventure.

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

Pushed from his family's nest by his older brother, barn owl Soren is rescued from certain death on the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school for orphaned owls, St. Aggie's. With a new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, he uncovers a training camp for the leader's own nefarious goal.

As they delve deeper into the mysteries of this school, Soren and Gylfie realize that they must escape. Their journey is one of courage and friendship, as they band together with other brave owls to uncover the truth and protect the owl world from unimaginable danger.

The bestselling Catwings series!

Mrs. Jane Tabby can't explain why her four precious kittens were born with wings, but she's grateful that they are able to use their flying skills to soar away from the dangerous city slums where they were born. However, once the kittens escape the big city, they learn that country life can be just as difficult!

A sex guide for all living things and a hilarious natural history in the form of letters to and answers from the preeminent sexpert in all creation. Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation is a unique guidebook to sex. It reveals, for example, when necrophilia is acceptable and who should commit bestiality with whom.

It discloses the best time to have a sex change, how to have a virgin birth, and when to eat your lover. It also advises on more mundane matters — such as male pregnancy and the joys of a detachable penis.

Entertaining, funny, and marvelously illuminating, the book comprises letters from all creatures worried about their bizarre sex lives to the wise Dr. Tatiana (a.k.a. Olivia Judson), the only sex columnist in creation with a prodigious knowledge of evolutionary biology.

Fusing natural history with advice to the lovelorn, blending wit and rigor, she is able to reassure her anxious correspondents that although the acts they describe might sound appalling and unnatural, they are all perfectly normal — so long as you are not a human. In the process, she explains the science behind it all, from Darwin's theory of sexual selection to why sexual reproduction exists at all.

Applying human standards to the natural world, in the end she reveals the wonders of both. Delightful . . . Easy to understand and hard to resist, it's sex education at its prime — accurate, comprehensive, and hilarious.

When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight—and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers who drinks too much and has a gun—and abuses his dogs.

So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger.

How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his?

The Other End of the Leash offers a revolutionary perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior compared to that of our canine companions. With over twenty years of experience, Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer, Dr. Patricia McConnell, shares her insights.

Humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its unique evolutionary heritage. Humans are primates, while dogs are canids, like wolves, coyotes, and foxes. This difference in "language" means that much can be lost in translation.

Key Insights:

• Learn how subtle changes in your voice and body language can help your dog understand your intentions.
• Understand why striving for "dominance" over your dog can lead to problems.
• Discover how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and prevent mischief.
• Explore how dogs and humans share personality types and why dogs prefer benevolent leaders over "alpha" figures.

Fascinating and insightful, this guide aims to enrich the rewarding relationship between you and your dog.

"Coming Home" is a powerful and emotional journey that follows Amy Fleming through the tumultuous aftermath of losing her beloved mother. She faces the daunting challenge of continuing her mother's cherished work at Heartland—a sanctuary dedicated to the healing of abused and abandoned horses.

After a tragic accident on a stormy night claims her mother's life, Amy must find the strength and courage to keep her mother's dream alive. With her innate skill and deep love for horses, Amy embarks on a path of healing and hope, both for herself and the horses that come to Heartland.

Join Amy as she navigates the complexities of grief, love, and renewal in this heartwarming story of resilience and passion.

From the unique imagination of Walter Moers comes another fantastical journey into Zamonia. This captivating story is astonishingly inventive, amusing, and engrossing. Rumo is a little Wolperting - a domesticated creature somewhere between a deer and a dog - who will one day become the greatest hero in the history of Zamonia. Armed with Dandelion, his talking sword, he fights his way across Overworld and Netherworld, two very different realms chock-full of adventures, dangers, and unforgettable characters:

• Rala, the beautiful girl Wolperting who cultivates a hazardous relationship with death;
• Urs of the Snows, who thinks more of cooking than of fighting;
• Gornab the Ninety-Ninth, the demented king of Netherworld;
• Professor Ostafan Kolibri, who goes in search of the Non-Existent Teenies;
• General Ticktock, the evil commander of the Copper Killers;
• Ushan DeLucca, the finest and most weather-sensitive swordsman in Zamonia;
• Volzotan Smyke, the corpulent Shark Grub;
• Rolv of the Forest, a Wolperting who can pass through the White Fire;
• Yggdra Syl, the guardian of the Nurn Forest and its talkative animals;
• Professor Abdullah Nightingale, inventor of the Chest-of-Drawers Oracle;
• and, the worst of luck, the deadly Metal Maiden.

With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man -- also named Jonathan Safran Foer -- sets out to find the woman who may or may not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war; an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior; and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.

Fables by Jean de La Fontaine is a collection of stories that have charmed generations. This collection includes tales of familiar figures such as a tortoise, a crow, a hare, an ant, a lion, and even a milk pot. These characters are brought to life by the extraordinary talent of La Fontaine, who is regarded as the prince of poets.

La Fontaine transformed the somewhat rigid tradition of the fable into an exceptional art form that delights the ear and the mind. His fables awaken the woods, animate the animals, and reach the hearts of all people. The moral of the story is that it's worth diving back into these fables, which captivate children and enchant adults alike!

These fables continue to be relevant and have enjoyed uninterrupted success due to their impertinent pertinence. Whether recited as in school, repeated privately, or enjoyed aloud as the actor Fabrice Luchini did, one cannot resist the simple pleasure of a fable.

The Magician's Nephew: When Digory and Polly try to return the wicked witch Jadis to her own world, the magic gets mixed up and they all land in Narnia where they witness Aslan blessing the animals with human speech.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter as they step through the wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia. There, they encounter the majestic lion Aslan, the evil White Witch, and embark on an unforgettable journey of bravery and discovery.

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. Peter Rabbit's cousin, Benjamin Bunny, has been a very popular character since this book's first publication in 1904.

In this tale, we hear all about his and Peter's adventures in Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden, and what happens to them when they meet a cat! Even more frightening is what happens to the two pesky bunnies when Old Mr. Benjamin Bunny finds out what they have been up to!

Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, and Tom Kitten.

Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. First published by Frederick Warne in 1902, it endures as Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden.

Re-originated in 2002 to mark the centenary of publication, bringing it closer to the original edition, six illustrations were restored, four that were removed in 1903 to make room for endpapers and two that have never been used before, Beatrix having initially prepared more illustrations than could be accommodated in the original format.

Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood.

With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder. She launched the now vast merchandise programme by patenting the very first Peter Rabbit doll in 1903. The product range continues to grow today with licences around the world including baby clothing and bedding, nursery decor products, and collectables. Upon her death, Beatrix Potter left 14 farms and over 4000 acres of Lake District farmland to the National Trust so that the place that she loved would remain undeveloped and protected for future generations to enjoy.

Today Beatrix Potter's original 23 tales are still published by Frederick Warne, alongside a wide range of other formats including baby books, activity books, and gift and sound books. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is number one in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books.

This unforgettable odyssey into the distant past carries us back to the awesome mysteries of the exotic, primeval world of The Clan of the Cave Bear, and to Ayla, now grown into a beautiful and courageous young woman. Cruelly cast out by the new leader of the ancient Clan that adopted her as a child, Ayla leaves those she loves behind and travels alone through a stark, open land filled with dangerous animals but few people, searching for the Others, tall and fair like herself. The short summer gives her little time to look, and when she finds a sheltered valley with a herd of hardy steppe horses, she decides to stay and prepare for the long glacial winter ahead. Living with the Clan has taught Ayla many skills but not real hunting. She finally knows she can survive when she traps a horse, which gives her meat and a warm pelt for the winter, but fate has bestowed a greater gift, an orphaned foal with whom she develops a unique kinship.

One winter extends to more; she discovers a way to make fire more quickly and a wounded cave lion cub joins her unusual family, but her beloved animals don't fulfill her restless need for human companionship. Then she hears the sound of a man screaming in pain. She saves tall, handsome Jondalar, who brings her a language to speak and an awakening of love and desire, but Ayla is torn between her fear of leaving her valley and her hope of living with her own kind.

In the shadow of an abandoned castle, a wolf pack seeks shelter. The she-wolf's pups will not be able to survive the harsh Transylvanian winter. And they are being stalked by a lone wolf, Morgra, possessed of a mysterious and terrifying power known as the Sight. Morgra knows that one of the pups born beneath the castle holds a key to power even stronger than her own - power that could give her control of this world and the next. But the pack she hunts will do anything to protect their own, even if it means setting in motion a battle that will involve all of nature, including the creature the wolves fear the most: Man.

His life was like a recurring nightmare: a train to nowhere. But an ordinary life has a way of taking an extraordinary turn. Add a girl whose ears are so exquisite that, when uncovered, they improve sex a thousand-fold, a runaway friend, a right-wing politico, an ovine-obsessed professor and a manic-depressive in a sheep outfit, implicate them in a hunt for a sheep, that may or may not be running the world, and the upshot is another singular masterpiece from Japan's finest novelist.

A New York Times bestselling author—and “a mythmaker for the millennium, a wiseacre wiseman” (New York Times Book Review)—delivers a surreal and elaborate quest that takes readers from Tokyo to the remote mountains of northern Japan, where the unnamed protagonist has a surprising confrontation with his demons. An advertising executive receives a postcard from a friend and casually appropriates the image for an advertisement. What he doesn’t realize is that included in the scene is a mutant sheep with a star on its back, and in using this photo he has unwittingly captured the attention of a man who offers a menacing ultimatum: find the sheep or face dire consequences.

Eternal Treblinka examines the origins of human supremacy and describes the emergence of industrialized slaughter of both animals and humans in modern times. The book concludes with profiles of Jewish and German animal advocates on both sides of the Holocaust.

The title is taken from a story by the Yiddish writer and Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer: "In relation to them, all people are Nazis; for the animals it is an eternal Treblinka."

The Foreword is by Lucy Kaplan, a former attorney for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who is the daughter of Holocaust survivors.

Young buck Rannoch was born on the night his father was murdered and into a herd of deer where hunger for power has gradually whittled away at all that is true and good. He knows he must escape to survive. Chased by stags, with their fearsome antlers sharpened for the kill, he begins a treacherous journey into the unknown.

Ahead of him lies a shocking and formidable search for truth and goodwill in the shadow of the Great Mountain. One day he will have to return to his home and face his destiny among the deer to fulfill the prophecy that has persistently given them hope: that one day a fawn will be born with the mark of an oak leaf on his forehead and that fawn's courage will lead all the deer to freedom.

Filled with passion and a darkness that gradually, through Rannoch's courage in the face of adversity, lifts to reveal an overwhelming feeling of light, Fire Bringer is a tremendous, spirited story that takes the reader deep into the hearts and minds of its characters as they fight for their right to live in peace.

Cão Como Nós tells the story of a very special dog. This was not just any dog; he was a rebellious, capricious, and disobedient creature, yet he was one of us. He was our dog, or more than that, a dog who did not want to be a dog, and was a dog like us.

In this heartwarming tale, you will meet Kurika, a dog who is as much a part of the family as any human. With brown spots and a kind of white star on his head, Kurika knows about friendship (after all, a dog is man's best friend), solidarity, and even how to console and protect. He can sense danger and even 'cry' at loss, yet he remains proud and restless, sometimes disobedient and showy. This book is a joyful and moving tribute to a beloved pet.

The Book That Started A Revolution

Since its original publication in 1975, this groundbreaking work has awakened millions of concerned men and women to the shocking abuse of animals everywhere. It has inspired a worldwide movement to eliminate much of the cruel and unnecessary laboratory animal experimentation of years past.

In this newly revised and expanded edition, author Peter Singer exposes the chilling realities of today's factory farms and product-testing procedures. He offers sound, humane solutions to what has become a profound environmental and social, as well as moral, issue.

An important and persuasive appeal to conscience, fairness, decency, and justice, Animal Liberation is essential reading for supporters and skeptics alike.

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, Terry Pratchett's first young-adult novel set in the enchanting Discworld, offers a delightful twist on the classic Pied Piper tale. At the heart of this adventure is Maurice, a cunning talking cat, and his band of unusually intelligent rats, who have names as unique as Big Savings, Nourishing, and Dangerous Beans. Together with a simple yet clever lad named Keith, they concoct a moneymaking scheme that involves infesting towns with their rat gang, only to later offer their "services" to rid the town of the problem for a fee.

Their plan seems foolproof until they encounter the town of Bad Blintz, which already has a rat problem of its own, complicated further by the presence of a young girl named Malicia, who possesses a wild imagination and a talent for finding trouble. Underneath the town lies a deadly maze of traps and poisons, and even more horrifying, a monster that not even Malicia could have envisioned. As Maurice and his educated rodents fight for survival, they encounter themes of life after death, good versus evil, and the sacrifice of the few for the many. While filled with Pratchett's trademark wit and humor, the story also explores darker undertones, making it a profoundly engaging read for young adults and older fans of the Discworld series alike.

Since we all eat, we all must poop. All of us! Everyone!

This wonderful, modern-day toddler classic presents information that children both want and need in a refreshingly honest, informative, and age-appropriate way.

The adventures of Christopher Robin and his friends in which Pooh Bear uses a balloon to get honey, Piglet meets a Heffalump, and Eeyore has a birthday.

More than a half-century ago, the naturalist Farley Mowat was sent to investigate why wolves were killing arctic caribou. Mowat's account of the summer he lived in the frozen tundra alone—studying the wolf population and developing a deep affection for the wolves (who were of no threat to caribou or man)—is today celebrated as a classic of nature writing.

It is at once a tale of remarkable adventures and an indelible record of the myths and magic of wolves.

Life of Pi is a fantasy adventure novel by Yann Martel published in 2001. The protagonist, Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel, a Tamil boy from Pondicherry, explores issues of spirituality and practicality from an early age. He survives 227 days after a shipwreck while stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.

Make Way for Ducklings is a classic tale that has enchanted generations of readers. This delightful story follows a pair of Mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon of the Boston Public Garden, a charming park in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. The story unfolds with Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings—Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack—navigating the bustling streets of Boston with a little help from the kind Boston police.

The book, awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1942, is celebrated for its unusual and stunning illustrations by Robert McCloskey, capturing both the humor and beauty of the duckling family's adventure. With its fine large pictures and wealth of detail, the story is as amusing as it is heartwarming.

This book is ideal for reading aloud and deserves a place of honor on every child's bookshelf. It captures the quaint charm of a family's search for the perfect home and is a testament to the enduring appeal of McCloskey's storytelling and artistry.

Eines Tages machen sich der kleine Bär und der kleine Tiger auf den Weg: sie suchen Panama, das Land ihrer Sehnsucht. Wenn man einen Freund hat, braucht man sich vor nichts zu fürchten!

Dass der kleine Bär und der kleine Tiger dicke Freunde sind, weiß jedes Kind. Zusammen sind die beiden wunderbar stark, stark wie ein Bär und stark wie ein Tiger. In ihrem Haus am Fluss haben sie es gemütlich.

Eines Tages findet der kleine Bär eine Kiste, die von oben bis unten nach Bananen riecht. Auf der Kiste steht "Panama". Also machen sich der kleine Bär und sein Freund, der kleine Tiger, auf den Weg dorthin, in das Land ihrer Träume.

One of the original 12 Little Golden Books, The Poky Little Puppy has sold nearly 15 million copies since 1942, making it one of the most popular children’s books of all time.

Now this curious little puppy is ready to win the hearts and minds of a new generation of kids. Join the poky little puppy on his adventures as he explores the world with wonder and curiosity, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Can the Empress of Blandings win the Fat Pigs class at the Shropshire Show for the third year running? Galahad Threepwood, Beach the butler, and others have put their shirt on this, and for Lord Emsworth, it will be paradise on earth. But a substantial obstacle lurks in the way: Queen of Matchingham, the new sow of Sir Gregory Parsloe Bart. Galahad knows this pretender to the crown must be pignapped. But can the Empress in turn avoid a similar fate?

In this classic Blandings novel, pigs rise above their bulk to vanish and reappear in the most unlikely places, while young lovers are crossed and recrossed in every room in Blandings Castle.

Born Free is a story that has captivated audiences since its original publication in 1960. Joy Adamson's remarkable tale of a lion cub, Elsa, highlights the transition between captivity and the wild. This journey is a testament to the unique bond that can form between humans and animals, bridging the seemingly unbridgeable gap between their worlds.

Joy Adamson beautifully captures the abilities of both humans and animals to coexist and thrive. Her account is an idyll and a model for understanding the sanctity of the wild, especially in times when it is threatened by human development and natural disasters.

Illustrated with evocative photographs, this book invites readers to experience one of the most heartwarming associations between man and animal. Rediscover the magic of Elsa's story, a narrative that continues to inspire and enchant readers around the world.

Where the Red Fern Grows is a beloved tale of a young boy named Billy and his two loyal hunting dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann. Together, they form an inseparable trio, exploring the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. With Old Dan's strength, Little Ann's intelligence, and Billy's determination, they become the finest hunting team in the valley.

As they embark on thrilling adventures, they find themselves enveloped in a world of glory and victory. However, their journey is not without its hardships, and they will face challenges that test their bond. The story is a heartwarming and exciting exploration of love, friendship, and the adventures that await in the wild.

It's an unforgettable adventure that captures the essence of the bond between a boy and his dogs, and a story that continues to resonate with readers of all ages.

Horse Heaven is a funny, passionate, and brilliant novel by Jane Smiley that dives into the world of horse racing. The story is woven into a marvelous tapestry of joy and love, chicanery, folly, greed, and derring-do.

The characters are as exquisite as they are haunting. Rosalind Maybrick, the wife of a billionaire owner, suddenly finds her life transformed in ways she never anticipated. Then there's Tiffany Morse, a 20-year-old stuck in her job at Wal-Mart, who prays for a change and gets more than she bargained for.

Meet Farley, a good trainer in a bad slump, and Buddy, a ruthless trainer who can't seem to lose even when he wants to. Roberto, an apprentice jockey, faces the challenge of outgrowing his dream career. Leo the gambler and his son Jesse try to understand why their "system" doesn't work.

Don't forget Elizabeth, a 62-year-old theorist of sex and animal communication, and her best friend, Joy, the mare manager. They all revolve around the horses: two colts and two fillies with the potential for greatness. Justa Bob, the plain brown horse who wins by a nose, and Mr. T., a horse with amazing talents, add to the mix.

Even Eileen, the Jack Russell terrier with real convictions, plays a significant role in this strange, compelling, and sparkling universe of horse racing. This book is a veritable celebration of the sport, depicted with verve, originality, tenderness, and sheer exuberance.

When it comes to children's books, it's hard to beat the bestselling team of author Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond for creative and captivating tales that are both fun and educational. They continue the tradition that began with such whimsical titles as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Moose a Muffin with yet another tale of actions and consequences: If You Give a Pig a Pancake.

Once again, Numeroff follows the potential effects of one creature's chaotic demands, creating a tale filled with beguiling characters, delightful anticipation, and a fun sense of adventure. In addition to being humorous and entertaining, If You Give a Pig a Pancake allows children to see how their own constant demands might frazzle their parents.

Kids should also enjoy studying the subtleties in Bond's colorful illustrations, such as the facial expressions of the book's adorable protagonist or the details found in a mountain of bubbles and the contents of a closet. Easy to understand, stimulating to both mind and eye, and irresistibly amusing, this is one book children will likely want to read over and over again.

In the fourth volume of the epic Redwall saga, a mouse-ship is attacked by the pirate rat Gabool and his heinous band of cut-throats. Hapless voyagers Mariel and her father Joseph the Bellmaker are mercilessly thrown into the sea by the pirates.

Mariel washes ashore, starved and near death, and is taken in by the hospitable inhabitants of Redwall Abbey. Sure that her poor father is dead, Mariel swears an oath of vengeance against the filthy pirates who killed her father. With the help of a motley band of animals, Mariel leads the charge to recover a bell and avenge her father.

Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears:

Click, clack, MOO.
Click, clack, MOO.
Clickety, clack, MOO.

But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes...

Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation. Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down.

Finally, the long awaited tale of Martin, the Warrior mouse of Redwall. As a child, Martin was brought to the stronghold of Badrang the Tyrant, forced into enslavement behind its massive walls. But he was strong. He was brave. And mere escape was not his plan as long as his father’s sword rested in Badrang’s ruthless fist…

Haroun and the Sea of Stories is Salman Rushdie's classic fantasy novel set in an exotic Eastern landscape populated by magicians and fantastic talking animals. This captivating work of fantasy shares the imaginative space with The Lord of the Rings, The Alchemist, and The Wizard of Oz. In this adventure, Haroun sets out to restore the poisoned source of the sea of stories. Along his journey, he encounters numerous foes, all intent on draining the sea of all its storytelling powers.

The Cricket in Times Square is a delightful tale that begins one night in New York City. The usual rumbling of subway trains, thrumming of automobile tires, and hooting of horns are interrupted by a sound unfamiliar to even Tucker Mouse, a seasoned inhabitant of Times Square.

Mario, the son of Mama and Papa Bellini, who run the subway-station newsstand, hears this new, strangely musical chirping. The sound comes from Chester Cricket, a disoriented cricket from Connecticut, who was drawn to the city by the irresistible smell of liverwurst and ended up in Times Square.

Mario is thrilled to find Chester and convinces his parents to let him keep the cricket in the newsstand, assuring his mother that crickets are harmless and perhaps even good luck.

What follows is an enchanting twist on the city mouse/country mouse story, as Chester adapts to the bustling city life. Despite his comfortable matchbox bed and the company of Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat, Chester misses his peaceful life in the Connecticut countryside.

This Newbery Honor Book, charmingly illustrated by Garth Williams, captures the imagination with its vivid storytelling and timeless charm, making it a must-have for children's bookshelves.

In the grand storytelling style of Watership Down and Tailchaser's Song comes an epic tale of adventure and danger, of heroism against insurmountable odds, and of love and comradeship among extraordinary animals who must brave The Wild Road.

Secure in a world of privilege and comfort, the kitten Tag is happy as a pampered house pet—until the dreams come. Dreams that pour into his safe, snug world from the wise old cat Majicou: hazy images of travel along the magical highways of the animals, of a mission, and of a terrible responsibility that will fall on young Tag.

Armed with the cryptic message that he must bring the King and Queen of cats to Tintagel before the spring equinox, Tag ventures outside. Meanwhile, an evil human known only as the Alchemist doggedly hunts the Queen for his own ghastly ends. And if the Alchemist captures her, the world will never be safe again...

The third addition to the beloved Redwall series takes place during the summer of the Golden Plain. Preparation for a great feast are underway at Redwall Abbey, and the young mouse Mattimeo is contributing his share of the labors.

But Mattimeo is the son of Matthias, the guardian of Redwall Abbey, and it is this fact that makes him the target of a fiendish kidnapping plot contrived by the vicious fox, Slagar the Cruel.

When Matthias and his brave followers abandon their homes and face enslavement for the return of their children, the captive Mattimeo stands to prove his worth—and an unexpected hero is born.

From the author of the beloved classic Where the Red Fern Grows comes a timeless adventure about a boy who discovers a tree full of monkeys. The last thing fourteen-year-old Jay Berry Lee expects to find while trekking through the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma is a tree full of monkeys. But then Jay learns from his grandpa that the monkeys have escaped from a traveling circus, and there’s a big reward for the person who finds and returns them. His family could really use the money, so Jay sets off, determined to catch them.

But by the end of the summer, Jay will have learned a lot more than he bargained for—and not just about monkeys. From the beloved author of Where the Red Fern Grows comes another memorable adventure novel filled with heart, humor, and excitement.