Janet Stevens

Bear has plenty of land and endless wealth, but he just wants to sleep all day long. Down the road, Hare is wide awake, but he and his family have nothing to eat and no land of their own. Knowing that his hungry family needs a clever plan, Hare approaches the lazy Bear with a business proposal. Hare will do all the hard work of planting and harvesting the crops on Bear's land, and they will split the harvest right down the middle. Hare gives Bear a simple choice for his half of the crops: does he want the tops or the bottoms? When Bear lazily mumbles that he wants the tops, the clever Hare plants a field entirely full of root vegetables like carrots and radishes. Come harvest time, Bear is left with nothing but useless leafy greens while Hare's family feasts. This hilarious story is a classic battle of wits between a hard working trickster and a sleepy giant. As Bear tries to outsmart Hare in the next planting season, readers are treated to a brilliant lesson in clever thinking, problem solving, and the rewards of rolling up your sleeves to get the job done.

Coyote is always causing trouble, but this time he might have bitten off more than he can chew. While strutting through the desert, he spots a beautiful, woven blanket draped over a rather ordinary looking rock. Ignoring the warnings of his friend Hummingbird, Coyote decides the blanket would look much better on him. He snatches it and trots away, proud of his new prize. But the rock is not about to let its prized possession go so easily. Suddenly, Coyote hears a low rumbling sound right behind him. The giant rock is rolling after him, squashing everything in its path, and it wants the blanket back. What follows is a wild, hilarious race across the desert as Coyote desperately tries to outrun a massive, unstoppable boulder. He asks other desert animals for help along the way, but no one seems able to stop the rumbling rock. This fast paced, laugh out loud trickster tale shows exactly what happens when you take something that does not belong to you. The desert landscape comes alive as Coyote runs for his life, learning a very hard and very bumpy lesson about respect and consequences.

Bear would much rather sleep all day than tend to a busy farm. But his quiet life gets turned completely upside down when the fast-talking, tricky Fox convinces him to buy a gigantic, bright green donkey egg. Bear actually believes that if he sits on it long enough, a helpful young donkey will hatch out and do all of his chores. For minutes, hours, days, and even weeks, Bear lovingly and patiently cares for this mysterious green object. You will laugh as Bear's enthusiastic neighbor, Hare, drops by to offer terrible advice on how to properly incubate the strange egg. Of course, the egg is actually just a very large watermelon. Follow along on this hilarious countdown of patience as Bear finally discovers the truth about his unusual purchase. It is a fantastic lesson in dedication, gullibility, and the unexpected ways we can find sweet rewards.

Your favorite toy is more than just a stuffed animal; it is your best friend and your constant adventure companion. That is exactly how one young child feels about Plaidypus. This uniquely patterned, fiercely loved plush toy goes everywhere the family goes. He tags along for a fun morning at the busy park, rides in the shopping cart at the bustling market, and even sits by the peaceful lake. But a busy day full of fun means there are plenty of chances for a small toy to get accidentally left behind. You will feel the suspense build as Plaidypus repeatedly gets forgotten, lost, and nearly abandoned in various locations. Every time, a frantic search ensues to rescue the beloved companion. This tender, relatable story perfectly captures the sudden panic of misplacing a treasured object and the overwhelming relief of being reunited with your best stuffed friend.

Bird is completely exhausted and losing his mind. He shares an apartment with a rambunctious cattle dog whose herding instincts are completely out of control. Because there is no livestock in the bustling city, the enthusiastic dog spends his days aggressively rounding up throw rugs and loudly yipping at the living room chairs. Finally, Bird snaps and orders the dog to travel to the country to find a real, live cow to herd. There is just one massive problem: this sheltered urban pup has never actually seen a cow in his entire life! You will giggle as the determined city dog ventures into the rural farmland, mistakenly trying to herd tractors, pigs, and anything else that moves. Follow this confused but lovable canine as he searches high and low, learning the hard way what it actually takes to be a proper farm dog.

Every single night, the classic nursery rhyme gets read aloud. Every single night, the Dish and the Spoon dutifully run away together, and they always return just in time for the next reading. But tonight is completely different. The rhyme is about to begin, and the famous duo is nowhere to be found! The story simply cannot go on without them, so Cat, Cow, and Dog team up to embark on a massive search and rescue mission. You will join this determined trio as they rely on Fork's hastily drawn map to navigate beyond their own pages. Their quest takes them deep into the dangerous territories of other stories. They must carefully tip-toe past Little Boy Blue's haystack, avoid Miss Muffet's spider, and sneak around the Big Bad Wolf's kitchen. Help these desperate friends follow the clues before the giant wakes up and ruins their rhyme forever.

Your parents have decided it is finally time for you to learn the family trade. They pack your bags and send you straight to Bad School, where every proper wolf learns how to be selfish, rude, and delightfully wicked. But the Little Good Wolf has a terrible secret. No matter how hard he tries to be bad, he simply cannot stop being polite. He accidentally helps others, remembers his manners, and fails every test of villainy. The harder he attempts to be a fearsome predator, the more his true, gentle nature shines through. You will follow along on his hilarious journey as he struggles to fit into a pack that values bad behavior over a kind heart. Eventually, this sweet pup has to figure out if there is a way to stay true to his wolf heritage while also embracing the fact that he is wonderfully good.

The classroom grading just got a lot more dangerous. The hardworking little red pen has been busy correcting papers all by herself, making sure every student gets the feedback they need. But disaster strikes when she takes a tumble and falls straight into the deep, dark wastebasket! She is stuck, alone, and completely unable to finish her important work. Now, the rest of the classroom supplies must spring into action. The stapler, the scissors, the pushpin, and the highlighter have to figure out a plan. They must put aside their differences and cooperate to pull off a daring rescue mission before it is too late. You will be cheering for this brave team of everyday desk items as they discover that working together is the only way to save their bright red friend from being thrown away forever.

Merl the cat has everything perfectly arranged. He enjoys the softest pillows, the tastiest meals, and the undivided attention of his family. His household is quiet, clean, and utterly peaceful. But his luxurious lifestyle is instantly shattered the day a little golden retriever puppy comes bounding through the front door. This new arrival is clumsy, loud, and entirely too energetic. Even worse, the puppy is growing larger by the minute! You will experience the ultimate turf war from the perspective of a highly offended feline as Merl plots to oust the goofy intruder. He tries every trick in the book to reclaim his throne, but the massive, happy dog thwarts him at every single turn. This incredibly funny story explores the messy, noisy reality of blending a family, showing how even the most stubborn pet can eventually learn to tolerate a giant, slobbering new best friend.

Living with humans can be incredibly confusing. They make you wear ridiculous sweaters, they strictly control the treat jar, and they get entirely too upset when you chew on a simple shoe. Fortunately, the dogs of the United States have a hero they can turn to: Mr. Mutt. He is an expert canine counselor who responds to letters from desperate dogs everywhere, offering brilliant advice on how to train their unruly human families. You will chuckle at the heartfelt, hilarious letters complaining about everything from terrible dog food to annoying baths. Mr. Mutt has the perfect solution for every problem, but he has a major headache of his own waiting at home. The household cat, who goes by The Queen, is constantly trying to sabotage his advice column. Read along to see if this clever advice dog can solve the country's pet problems while dealing with his own feline nemesis.

Big Brown Rooster is feeling incredibly inspired. As the proud great-grandson of the famous Little Red Hen, he wants to prove that baking runs in his blood. He sets his sights on making the most magnificent strawberry shortcake the farm has ever seen. Unfortunately, he has absolutely no idea how to bake. Instead of doing it all by himself, he enlists the help of his eager but wildly unqualified friends: a pig, a turtle, and an iguana. You will burst into laughter as this chaotic kitchen crew completely misinterprets the recipe at every single turn. They confuse measuring cups, make a massive mess with the flour, and turn the kitchen into a complete disaster zone. Yet, despite the flying ingredients and culinary confusion, their shared determination keeps them going. Join this feathered chef and his messy helpers as they try to bake a dessert worthy of his famous family.

A scrawny jackrabbit is entirely tired of being the most frightened animal in the wild. He wants to be big, brave, and fiercely feared by everyone else. When his fairy godrabbit arrives with a magical offer, he leaps at the chance to get a magnificent pair of horns. With his new crown, he transforms into the very first jackalope! But this incredible magic comes with one very serious rule: he must never, ever tell a lie. Of course, keeping the truth straight proves to be much harder than he expects. You will laugh out loud as this newly minted jackalope tries to balance his tough new image with his promise to stay perfectly honest. His hilarious misadventures prove that changing your appearance does not instantly change who you are inside, and that telling the truth is the bravest thing of all.

The scorching sun is beating down on the desert, and Jack Rabbit has a terribly empty belly. Food is scarce, and he needs a clever plan to fill his cooking pot. Armed with nothing but his sharp wits and a dried-up tumbleweed, he sets out to trick the other cautious desert animals into sharing their secret food stashes. He enthusiastically announces that he is brewing a magical, mouth-watering tumbleweed stew, but laments that it just needs a few extra ingredients to be truly perfect. You will watch in amusement as the curious armadillo, the cautious buzzard, and the rest of the local wildlife slowly fall for his brilliant scheme. One by one, they part with their precious vegetables and spices. This clever twist on a classic folktale shows exactly how a little bit of smooth talking and a lot of teamwork can turn nothing into a feast.

Anansi the Spider is hungry, and Elephant's patch of ripe, juicy melons looks too good to resist. Using his sharp tools, Anansi easily burrows his way inside the biggest melon of the bunch and eats until his stomach is completely round. But when it is time to leave, the little spider realizes he has grown too fat to squeeze back out through the tiny hole. Trapped inside his delicious snack, Anansi realizes he has to use his brains to escape. When Elephant strolls by, the sneaky spider decides to have a little fun. He disguises his voice and starts speaking from inside the fruit, convincing the mighty Elephant that he has discovered a magical talking melon. Elephant is so astounded that he decides to carry the spectacular talking fruit directly to the king, gathering a parade of curious animals along the way. This laugh out loud trickster tale proves that being small does not mean you cannot outsmart the biggest animals in the jungle. Readers will love watching Anansi spin his hilarious web of lies, tricking everyone from the powerful elephant to the royal king just to get himself out of a sticky situation.

Epossumondas is his mama's sweet little boy, but he takes everything she says just a bit too literally. Every time this lovable possum visits his auntie, she sends him home with a wonderful gift. But getting those gifts home safely is a completely different story. When Epossumondas ruins a slice of cake by carrying it in his hands, Mama gives him clear instructions to carry it under his hat next time. So, when auntie gives him fresh butter, the sweet possum happily puts it right under his hat, walking home under the hot sun with hilariously messy results. This funny tale of mix ups will have readers giggling at every page. As Epossumondas tries his best to follow the rules, he leaves a trail of ruined gifts and wet puppies behind him, proving that listening closely is only half the battle.

Deep below the dirt, the prairie dog town is a quiet, peaceful place to live. That all changes when a strange, fuzzy, bright green thing drops right down their hole. You probably know it as a tennis ball, but to the prairie dogs, it is the greatest treasure they have ever seen. Soon, everyone is plucking and pulling the fuzz to make fabulous hats, stylish coats, and wild accessories. The excitement quickly turns into a massive, greedy fight over who gets the best pieces. When grumpy Big Bark steals all the fuzz for himself, he ends up in terrible danger. Now, the prairie dogs have to stop fighting, work together, and pull off a daring rescue to save him. Get ready for a hilarious, action-packed adventure that shows why sharing and sticking together is so much better than fighting over silly things.

Little mama mouse finally has the perfect shoe all to herself. Her babies have grown up and moved out, and she is ready for a peaceful afternoon with a hot bath and a long nap. Just as she gets comfortable, she hears a knock at the door. Suddenly, familiar faces like the speedy Hare, the slow Tortoise, and even a very hungry wolf are crowding into her quiet home looking for a place to stay. You will laugh out loud as her peaceful day turns completely upside down. Read along with the bouncy, rhyming words to find out how mama mouse handles her noisy new roommates. This funny, fast-paced story is packed with clever surprises and shows how making room for new friends can be the best adventure of all.

Finding true royalty requires a very unusual test in this beloved classic tale. A handsome prince travels the entire world searching for a real princess to marry, but he returns home disappointed. There is always something just a little bit wrong with everyone he meets. Then, on a dark and stormy night, a drenched girl knocks on the grand castle doors claiming to be exactly who he is looking for. But she is shivering, muddy, and certainly does not look the part. To uncover the truth, the clever Queen devises a secret plan involving a single, tiny green pea hidden beneath twenty thick mattresses and twenty soft featherbeds. Only a true princess could possibly be delicate enough to feel it. Settle in for a wonderful story that shows how real quality cannot be hidden by a ragged appearance, and learn why the smallest things can sometimes make the biggest difference.