Crockett Johnson

Meet Ellen, a girl with a soaring imagination, and her floppy stuffed companion, who happens to be a remarkably sensible toy lion. In these twelve charmingly brief episodes, you get a front-row seat to their deep, often hilarious two-way conversations. While Ellen loves to invent wild scenarios, from pretending to be a fairy princess to playing an expert doctor, her lion always chimes in with a dry, no-nonsense dose of reality. You will quickly realize that he is the grounding force who counters her soaring fantasies with pure, practical logic. Together, they navigate the very real challenges of childhood, like overcoming a sudden fear of the dark, dealing with unexplainable sadness, and managing the jealousy that sparks when a shiny new toy arrives in the bedroom. This delightful collection perfectly captures the rich inner life of a child at play. It offers you a wonderfully droll, smart perspective on the quiet adventures that happen entirely inside a bedroom, proving that the best conversations often happen with your favorite stuffed animal.

Ellen and her incredibly practical stuffed lion are back for another round of witty, imaginative conversations right in the middle of the playroom. If you loved their first collection of adventures, you will instantly fall for these eight new episodes starring the highly sensible toy and his wildly creative owner. Ellen is always ready to spin an elaborate tale or launch into a dramatic pretend scenario, but her stuffed companion is determined to share a few tales of his very own. You will chuckle as the grounded, realistic lion tries to bring Ellen's soaring flights of fancy back down to earth with his perfectly timed dry humor. Whether they are debating the rules of a game or exploring the deep mysteries of the house, their playful arguments are always filled with affection. This charming chapter book captures the true essence of childhood play, offering you a smart, funny look at the beautiful bond between a child and a favorite toy.