Old Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose. She names the goose Rechenka, and they live happily together until one day when Rechenka accidentally overturns a basket, breaking all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs. But the next morning Babushka has a surprise awaiting her in the basket. She cries: "A miracle!" It is one of many in this charmingly told tale of friendship and caring. With vibrant illustrations, Patricia Polacco has joyously re-created the flavor of Old Moscow and its festivals. The eggs, stunningly colored and intricately designed, are authentic reproductions of eggs painted in the Ukrainian style. Rechenka's Eggs is a timeless story of classic beauty.

That adorable Emma Kate has an imaginary friend. They walk to school together every morning and sit together in class. They sleep over at each other's houses and do their homework side by side. They even have their tonsils out and eat gallons of pink ice cream together. But a hilarious twist will have readers realizing there's more to this imaginary friend than meets the eye!

Santa! He's not even real! It's not easy being Welcome Comfort-a foster child always moving from home to home and getting picked on by the kids at school. Even Christmas, the most wondrous time of the year, isn't so wondrous for Welcome, since he has no family, no presents, and no Santa Claus. But when Welcome meets Mr. Hamp, the school custodian, he finally finds a friend. And when Christmas comes around, Welcome is taken on an extraordinary adventure that changes his life forever. "Sentimental but appealing, the story of a special inheritance is illustrated with lively pictures wrapped up in cheerful Christmas colors."

A Child Study Association Children's Book of the Year An IRA/CBC Children's Choices Book A Parents' Choice Awards Picture Honor Book

It?s time for the annual Halloween picnic. But the kids are worried about the ghost of Titus Dinworthy. Except William, who?s pretty sure old Titus is just swamp gas; it?s Hester Bledden he?s worried about. Every time William is about to win a contest, Hester shows up, sticks out her tongue, and shouts, ?Peeee youuuuu!? But when something eerie rises out of the swamp, William gets a chance to show both Titus and Hester what a boy from Mudsock Meadow is made of.