Author Profile
Carmen Agra Deedy
14 Books
Carmen Agra Deedy is an internationally recognized, award-winning author of children's literature and a captivating master storyteller. Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Georgia, her diverse background deeply influences her rich, imaginative narratives. She is widely celebrated for her acclaimed works such as 14 Cows for America and The Cheshire Cheese Cat, weaving tales that charm and inspire young readers.
Long ago, the sun ruled the day and the moon was only allowed to shine at night. Because of this strict rule, little children were always sent to bed before sunset, meaning the moon never got to see them play! But one early morning, the moon hears the joyful sound of children laughing. She instantly yearns to see them in the bright daylight. When the sun angrily refuses to share the sky, the moon realizes she must come up with a clever plan. Will she find a way to break the rules and see the children smile? This beautifully illustrated original folktale shows what happens when you follow your heart to find your true place in the universe.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Bessie and Ninny are the best of friends. On bright, moonlit nights, Ninny playfully tosses buttons at Bessie's window to wake her up. Down the drainpipe Bessie slides, and together they run off to visit the grave of Ninny's wise grandfather, Oppa. It was Oppa who taught them the three most important things in the world: to dance, to sing, and to tell wonderful stories. Inspired by his enduring wisdom, the two friends make a very special, lifelong promise to each other. They vow that if one of them passes away, the other will dance on their grave to celebrate their memory. As the years go by, Bessie and Ninny grow up, facing war, separation, and the passage of time. This beautiful and tender story gently explores the deep value of keeping promises and shows how true friendship can endure forever.
6-8 Years
Every evening in Havana, Cuba, a young girl named Coqui eagerly waits by her window for Emilio, the Peanut Man. When he cries out, "¡ManÃ! Peanuts!" the two friends exchange their special, silly greeting. But Coqui's world changes forever when her family must leave their beloved home and move to the cold, unfamiliar city of Atlanta, Georgia. She tearfully promises Emilio that she will never forget him. As the years pass, Coqui learns a new language, adjusts to her new life, and becomes a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Sadly, the memory of her old friend begins to fade. But on her birthday, a surprise trip to a baseball game brings an unexpected familiar scent and a voice she thought she would never hear again! This heartwarming story beautifully captures the journey of an immigrant and the magical connections making a new place feel like home.
6-8 Years
Miss Lotty is finally ready to hang up her scales. After five hundred and fifty-seven years of faithfully guarding the books at Sunrise Elementary School, the famous Library Dragon is checking out for good. But on her very last day, a terrifying disaster strikes the school. Someone has decided to remove every single beloved book from the shelves and replace them all with computers. This shocking news is more than enough to make the retiring librarian feel a little hot under the collar. As Miss Lotta Scales bursts into a fiery rage to protect her precious collection, the entire school must figure out how to calm her down. Will anything be able to make her shed her dragon scales one last time? Jump into this witty and humorous adventure where you will discover the irreplaceable magic of real books and the dedicated librarians who fiercely protect them.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Walter Higgins is a scrappy kid with a massive imagination, but he is completely convinced that he is about to have the worst summer of his life. While his parents head off to climb a giant mountain, Walter is shipped off to Boston to stay with his strict Great Aunt Hortensia, who he secretly calls "the Warden." Just when he thinks all hope for fun is lost, a lonely, grizzled old shipbuilder named Zeb enters his life. Old Zeb has an impossible dream and a Great Secret Project, and he needs Walter's help to bring it to life! Working together, this unlikely trio discovers that some dreams are simply too big to be kept in bottles. This magical and fun-filled adventure reminds young readers that with a little teamwork and imagination, you can always reach for the stars.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
The trouble all starts with a very bad idea. Pepe the parrot is head-over-heels in love with a beautiful cat named Carina Felina. But Pepe’s affection quickly turns into a disaster when Carina suddenly decides to swallow the poor parrot whole! The chaos doesn't stop there. With a gobble and a slurp, this bully of a cat begins eating everyone she meets in her small Cuban village. She swallows a florist and her flowers, a cart driver and his ox, and even a boy and his goat! Who can possibly stop this out-of-control feline before she eats the entire town? Set in colorful Havana, this wickedly funny folktale proves that even the smallest and quietest creatures can sometimes save the day and teach the biggest bullies a lesson.
6-8 Years
Deep in the heart of the equatorial rainforest, life is mostly quiet for three friends: Ana Conda the boa, Slow Jim the sloth, and a toucan simply named Bill. But their peaceful jungle home is about to get a highly unusual visitor. When a bungling pilot accidentally drops the most famous resident of the North Pole right into their threatened habitat, the animals mistake him for the legendary TreeMan. Now, these South American friends are swept into a wild, unforgettable adventure that introduces them to a world far beyond their dark and gold riverbanks. This funny, touching Christmas tale turns every holiday tradition upside down. Nothing goes exactly as planned, and not everyone is who they appear to be. You will discover a story filled with generosity, tropical lunacy, and the gentle reminder that the true spirit of the season matters most.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Agatha is a talented weaver who spins the most beautiful yarn and weaves the softest cloth in town. When children ask where her wonderful fabrics come from, she always reminds them that everything comes from something—paper comes from trees, and glass comes from sand. After working very hard, Agatha finally saves up enough money to buy herself a brand-new, wonderfully soft feather bed. But her cozy nights are suddenly interrupted when six angry, entirely naked geese show up at her door demanding their feathers back! Now, Agatha must figure out how to make things right. This delightful and funny twist on a classic tale brings a gentle lesson about where the things we love actually come from. Discover how Agatha solves her prickly problem while learning to respect the delicate balance of the world around us.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Martina is a beautiful green cockroach who knows absolutely nothing about finding true love. Luckily, her big, bustling Cuban family is ready to help! While her relatives offer all sorts of gifts to make her look more attractive to potential suitors, her wise Abuela gives her something far more valuable: some truly shocking advice called the Coffee Test. At first, Martina isn't sure about spilling sweet coffee on anyone's shoes. But as suitor after suitor fails her grandmother's tricky test, Martina starts to wonder if a little green insect like her will ever find the perfect match. Just when she is ready to give up, a tiny brown mouse named Pérez steps into her garden. What will happen when Martina offers him a cup of café cubano? This witty, romantic folktale brings Cuban culture to life with lots of laughs!
6-8 Years
Sunrise Elementary School has a brand-new librarian, but she isn't your average teacher. Miss Lotta Scales is an actual, fire-breathing dragon! She takes her job very seriously and fiercely guards the library shelves. In fact, she believes her main duty is to protect the crisp, clean books from the sticky, messy hands of the children. With her thick green scales and fiery temper, no student dares to even touch a single page. But when a brave little girl accidentally opens a book and starts reading a story aloud, something magical begins to happen. Will the joy of a good story be enough to melt a dragon's tough exterior? This funny and heartwarming tale celebrates the power of sharing stories and reminds us that books are truly meant to be read, not just protected.
6-8 Years
Deep below the ground, Wombat is safe and sound. While dangerous bushfires roar across the Australian landscape above, he snuggles under his cozy, crazy quilt with a warm cup of tea.
But Wombat's peaceful evening is soon interrupted. One by one, five frightened Australian animals—a Wallaby, a Kookaburra, a Platypus, a Koala, and a Sugar Glider—appear at his door seeking shelter from the flames. Even though his burrow is getting terribly crowded, Wombat welcomes every single one of them inside. Because when you have the heart of a wombat, there is always room for one more friend in need!
Filled with humor, heart, and beautifully detailed illustrations, this touching story celebrates the power of generosity during tough times. It is a wonderful reminder that kindness and community can help us weather any storm.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
The bustling city of La Paz used to be filled with joyful noises, until the grumpy new mayor decides that the town is simply too loud. To enforce absolute silence, he institutes strict new laws that forbid anyone from singing! Slowly, the cheerful town becomes quiet and gloomy. But then, a brave and very stubborn little rooster struts into the city. He has a song in his heart, and he absolutely refuses to be quiet! No matter how severe the mayor's punishments become, the courageous rooster continues to crow at the top of his lungs. Will one small bird's loud voice be enough to remind the people of La Paz how to sing again? This funny and inspiring tale celebrates the importance of standing up for what is right and never letting anyone silence your true voice.
6-8 Years
Rita and Ralph are best friends who live on two little hills and meet every single day to play under their favorite apple tree. But today, everything goes wrong. A silly accident turns into a big argument, and suddenly, two best friends are two very angry neighbors.
Saying I am sorry turns out to be much harder than running down the hill. As the day gets sleepier and the frowns get deeper, Rita and Ralph have to figure out how to bridge the gap between their two houses. This comforting and rhythmic story perfectly captures the feeling of a bad day and the beautiful relief of making things right again. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever had a rocky moment with a best friend.
6-8 Years
56 Pages
In a small village in western Kenya, something extraordinary is about to happen. Hundreds of Maasai warriors gather around an American diplomat for a very special ceremony. It is just nine months after the September 11 attacks, and people all over the world are feeling sad. To bring comfort to grieving hearts half a world away, these legendary warriors decide to offer a completely unexpected and selfless gift: fourteen cows. In this true and deeply moving story, discover how a quiet act of generosity from a faraway village brought a bright light of hope and friendship to an entire nation. This elegant tale gently introduces young readers to the beautiful power of compassion and crossing cultural boundaries.
36 Pages
