Showing results by publisher "Recorded Books" in Animals & Nature

Erethizon Dorsatum—better known as Ereth, the self-centered, foul-tempered old porcupine—is having a birthday. And he fully expects his best friend Poppy, a deer mouse, to help him celebrate in a grand manner. But Poppy has gone off somewhere with her husband, Rye, and it appears she has forgotten all about it. "Belching Beavers," says Ereth, "I am not angry!" (Though perhaps he is—and more than just a little.)

Mr. Putter and his faithful cat Tabby love their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke. They are always bringing over yummy food - but all Mr. Putter and Tabby do in return is eat! Mrs. Teaberry's knitting party seems like the perfect time to return the favor. But when Mr. Putter goes to serve tea to the ladies at the party, things end up in quite a tangle!

Sitting on the porch with his dog, Mudge, Henry watches a man and a collie walk by. As the collie obeys the man's commands to sit, lie down, and stay, Henry looks at Mudge and thinks about the things Mudge knows how to do: drool, sleep, and jump up on company. So Henry decides to enroll Mudge in dog obedience school. On the first day, Mudge dances with the trainer; on the following days, Mudge learns commands. But will he learn enough to pass the final test?

In January, there's a lot of snow on the ground. One day when Henry and his big dog Mudge go outside to play, they see a sign in a store window. It says: SNOWMAN CONTEST, SATURDAY AT THE PARK. Henry runs home to tell his dad. On Saturday, the park is filled with people building all kinds of fancy snowmen. There are many dogs there, too. While Mudge makes friends, Henry and his dad get to work. They will need to make a very unusual snowman to win this contest!

Old Mr. Putter and old Mrs. Teaberry are neighbors. When Mrs. Teaberry hurts her foot, Mr. Putter and his cat, Tabby, offer to walk her little dream dog, Zeke, for a week. But Zeke is no dream dog. Zeke is a nightmare. On the first day, he drags Mr. Putter and Tabby through the neighborhood. On the second day, he wraps them around trees. On the third day, he chases big dogs until the big dogs turn around and chase them.

Meet Minerva, a doggie who's been very naughty today, as her parents would say. She ripped all the stuffing out of dad's comfiest chair, she peeled off wallpaper, she knocked over the milk, and she even poked her poor brother. But despite all her mischief, no one is paying any attention to her. What does a cute little Boston terrier like Minerva have to do to get noticed?

A trip to the museum with Pinky’s dad and his sister, Amanda, puts Pinky and Rex’s friendship to the test. Will their friendship survive when both youngsters set their sights on the same stuffed animal at the museum gift shop?

In this allegorical picture book, a young rabbit named Pancho eagerly awaits his papa's return. Papa Rabbit traveled north two years ago to find work in the great carrot and lettuce fields to earn money for his family. When Papa does not return, Pancho sets out to find him. He packs Papa's favorite meal- mole, rice and beans, a heap of warm tortillas, and a jug of aguamiel-and heads north. He meets a coyote, who offers to help Pancho in exchange for some of Papa's food.

In this delightful tale by Newbery Award winner Cynthia Rylant, Mr. Putter doesn't share Mrs. Teaberry's enthusiasm for a class on 100 ways to cook beans. And yet - finding it hard to say no to his kind friend - he attends the class with her anyhow, expecting to be bored.

When Henry and his big dog Mudge see a spy kit for sale, they know right away that it's time to break open the piggy bank. With their spy hat and magnifying glass and secret code card, Henry and Mudge can flirt with danger, steal secrets, and start cracking codes. On their first spy mission, Henry tells Mudge to try not to look suspicious. Mudge rolls in the mud and chews on an old shoe, so no one will ever think he's a spy. But then Henry finds a piece of paper with a real spy code written on it.

Many children understand April's dilemma when her cat, Sheba, has three kittens. April is thrilled until her father insists that theirs is strictly a one-cat household. April must give up three cats, but which ones? The aptly named Charcoal? Tiger-striped Butch? Sweet-faced Brenda?—or even Sheba?

Newbery Medal-winner Cynthia Rylant tells a charming story about the joys of sharing and teamwork. Every year, Henry makes a funny lunch for his mom on Mother's Day. This year, he will make a pineapple sofa! Henry and his dad head to the grocery store with Mudge, who gets to come in because everybody loves him. Mudge spends his time sniffing the Fruity Puffs and Cocoa Chews and eating crackers and a lollipop. Then they all head home to make Mom's special meal.

Pinky’s parents have called a family meeting. They want to decide what kind of pet they will have. Pinky wants a dog; his little sister, Amanda, wants a cat. The parents also vote for a cat. So the very next day the family gets a kitten. Although Amanda gives the kitten hugs and says it is hers, the kitten has other plans. It’s not long before Pinky and the playful kitten share a secret - one that could hurt Amanda’s feelings. What should he do?

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein's lively tale is a fantastic listen, and feisty Mama Squirrel will have fierce mamas everywhere applauding! Ol' Mama Squirrel has raised lots of babies, and she knows just how to protect them. Whenever trouble comes nosing around, she springs into action with a determined ''Chook, chook, chook!'' and scares trouble away. Her bravery is put to the test, however, when a really big threat wanders into town and onto her tree. But no matter what, Mama's not about to back down!

When Henry's parents choose Mudge, the wriggling puppy has floppy ears and straight, soft fur. Mudge is tiny. But Henry knows he'll grow. Now Mudge is three feet tall, and he's the best friend Henry has ever had. Mudge trots to school with Henry, and he sleeps on Henry's bed. But one day the big dog goes for a walk by himself and gets lost. When Henry comes home from school, he is alone. Where's Mudge?

In the forests of Minnesota, wolves are making a comeback. This has many people worried and some people mad. Hunters think wolves are “stealing" their deer, and every so often the wolves get through a fence and kill livestock. But wolves are a threatened species, and killing one means big fines and even jail time. When Seth Jacobson’s best friend Matt seems to lose his favorite calf in an attack, Matt is furious. He takes his frustration out by shooting an innocent wolf while Seth watches helplessly. Now Seth has an important decision to make. Is friendship more important than upholding the law?

What does a little bear wear as he dances and plays his way through a sunny summer day? Young listeners will be fascinated as John McDonough's upbeat narration perfectly delivers this book's lilting, musical rhyme and joyful, exuberant rhythm that make Jesse Bear's day a pleasure for everyone.

Critically acclaimed children’s author Jonah Winter reimagines a true story from 1987. The small Long Island town of Islip has a big problem - 3,168 tons of garbage and no place to put it! So workers pile the smelly refuse on a large barge, hire a tug boat, and send the stuff south to find a final resting place. But as the barge travels from North Carolina to New Orleans and from Mexico to Belize - nobody wants Islip’s rotting mountain of garbage.

While the snow swirls outdoors and the fire crackles in the hearth, Mr. Putter decides to write a mystery book. But he soon learns that writing isn't as easy as he thought it would be.

How can he possibly stay dry as he waters the roses, skips pebbles on the pond, and helps a blackbird with his bath? Young listeners will sympathize with Jesse's playful urge to wade in a puddle with a squirmy worm or "jump and squish and plop" with a green frog. They will definitely delight in the happy surprise ending. John McDonough's exuberant narration colorfully animates this joyous sequel to the best-selling Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?.