Return of ZomBert

Return of ZomBert
Author: Kara LaReau
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2021-07-13
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536218200

A second meaty serving of the ZomBert Chronicles offers a suspenseful treat for animal lovers and fans of spooky mysteries. ZomBert is back in book two of a wry new mystery series by award-winning creators Kara LaReau and Ryan Andrews. A stray cat who escaped the YummCo Laboratories on the outskirts of Lambert, Bert has now been officially adopted by nine-year-old Mellie Gore. He spends his days dozing in Mellie’s room and his nights hunting . . . and devouring fresh prey. Bert’s health and memory have returned, and his newfound strength and smarts are off the charts. Mellie, meanwhile, is busy working odd jobs to fund her cat’s visit to the vet, convinced that Bert can win the Best Pet contest at the upcoming YummCo-sponsored Harvest Festival. But is Bert really the best pet in Lambert—or just the weirdest? And could he be plotting revenge? Clever illustrated fare for fans of Bunnicula and other humorous forays into the macabre.

Rise of ZomBert

Rise of ZomBert
Author: Kara LaReau
Publisher: Candlewick
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2020-07-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536201065

Could Bert really be a zombie cat? Two friends put their brains together to find out in a wry new mystery series. While helping her best friend, Danny, film his latest horror flick, Mellie discovers a scraggly cat behind a dumpster outside the YummCo Foods factory. Mellie names the stray Bert and hides him in her room, knowing her parents won’t let her keep him. But soon Bert has decapitated all her stuffed animals, and before long he is leaving the headless corpses of birds and mice as gifts for her. Danny is convinced the cat is a zombie, living on the brains of his victims. But is that what is really going on? Award-winning author Kara LaReau lets loose a fresh and sharply funny new mystery series, with an irresistible touch of the macabre. Fans of creepy stories and animal lovers alike will devour this fast-moving first episode in one gulp.

The Infamous Ratsos

The Infamous Ratsos
Author: Kara LaReau
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2016-08-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 076368726X

A 2017 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book! Louie and Ralphie Ratso are no softies. Readers are sure to chuckle as the determined Ratso brothers’ plans to act tough go hilariously awry. Louie and Ralphie Ratso’s dad, Big Lou, always says that there are two kinds of people: those who are tough and those who are soft. Louie and Ralphie are tough, tough, tough, just like Big Lou, and they’re going to prove it. But every time they try to show just how tough they are, the Ratso brothers end up accidentally doing good deeds instead. What’ll Big Lou do when he finds out they’ve been acting like softies all over the Big City? Perfect for emerging and reluctant readers, this clever and surprisingly warmhearted chapter book shows that being tough all the time can be really tough.

Revenge of Zombert

Revenge of Zombert
Author: Kara Lareau
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2023-09-12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 153623298X

In the final episode of the ZomBert Chronicles, can Bert and Mellie foil a plot to turn the entire town of Lambert into ravenous zombie consumers? A thrilling finale to an arch mystery-adventure series pits Bert the cat against the infamous YummCo Labs. Bert was a bedraggled stray before nine-year-old Mellie Gore adopted him--and has already escaped from YummCo once, vowing to find a way back to free the other captives. Now the Yumms have nabbed Bert again, and he wants revenge. Mellie's plans to rescue her pet are interrupted when the entire town, including her own parents, begin turning into YummCo-product-consuming zombies. And why is Mellie herself suddenly starved for food to fuel her buzzing brain? What exactly is happening at the YummCo Labs? With trademark wit and a taste for the playfully macabre, award-winning creators Kara LaReau and Ryan Andrews close out the ZomBert Chronicles with a funny and suspenseful flourish.

Baby Clown

Baby Clown
Author: Kara LaReau
Publisher: Candlewick
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2020-04-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0763697435

An award-winning author and a Caldecott Medalist introduce an adorable new circus star — who won’t stop wailing! When Frieda and Boffo Clown have a baby, everyone in the circus is over the moon. But there is just one problem: Baby Clown won’t stop crying! Frieda and Boffo try everything: putting on their silliest faces, driving him around in their tiny car. They even try taking off his red nose and big shoes. But that just makes Baby Clown cry more. Can Frieda and Boffo turn his little clown frown upside down in time for the sold-out show? Kara LaReau deftly juggles wit and warmth in this hilarious nod to parental persistence, while Matthew Cordell’s big-top-bright illustrations bring Baby Clown and his circus family to humorously frazzled life. Older siblings, in particular, will step right up to this applause-worthy picture book, joining Baby Clown in many a heartfelt “WAAAAH!”

The Infamous Ratsos: Ratty Tattletale

The Infamous Ratsos: Ratty Tattletale
Author: Kara LaReau
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 97
Release: 2021-03-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536218243

When Ralphie Ratso stands up to some kids who bullied his friend, they vow revenge. But will ratting them out make it worse? Sid and Kurt have been picking on Ralphie’s friend Tiny, and when Ralphie tells them to stop, the two boys get sent to the principal’s office. Now Sid and Kurt are out to get Ralphie! They upend Ralphie’s lunch tray, whip the ball at his head on the playground, and pelt him with peashooters when the teachers aren't looking—ping! Ralphie’s brother, Louie, says he should tell a grown-up, but Ralphie—not wanting to be a Ratty Tattletale—decides to “fight fire with fire,” only creating new problems for himself. It’s time to tell Big Lou, his dad, who has a few wise ideas for putting things right. Full of the charm and fun that Ratsos fans love, this fifth adventure highlights the difference between standing up for yourself and taking vengeance—and shows why confiding in a trusted grown-up when you have a big problem can be the coolest thing to do.

The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy

The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy
Author: Kara LaReau
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 65
Release: 2018-10-16
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536204161

Louie Ratso tries to help super-cool Chuck Wood win the heart of his friend Fluffy Rabbitski in the third installment of the Infamous Ratsos. Chuck Wood is the most popular kid in school, and Louie Ratso can’t believe that Chuck has asked him for help! Chuck likes Louie’s friend Fluffy Rabbitski, and he wants Louie to help him get Fluffy to notice him. As for Ralphie Ratso, he can’t believe that his brother wants to spend all his time with Chuck instead of with him. Meanwhile, despite Louie and Chuck’s attempts to get Fluffy's attention, she has eyes for only one thing: her garden. But there may be hope. As their father, Big Lou, tells his boys, the best way to get someone to like you is to show that you’re interested in what they like. After all, that’s how Big Lou won over Mama Ratso years ago. Can Louie help Chuck find a way into Fluffy’s heart? And will Ralphie find a way to let his brother know how much he misses him?

Deadtime Stories: Invasion of the Appleheads

Deadtime Stories: Invasion of the Appleheads
Author: Annette Cascone
Publisher: Macmillan
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2012-07-03
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1429992956

Another creepy tale for beside the campfire or beneath the covers from "Twisted Sisters" Annette and Gina Cascone's Deadtime Stories—now a hit show on Nickelodeon! Katie and Andy Lawrence thought moving to a new town—especially one named Appleton—was awful enough. They were wrong. When their parents take them to Appleton's famous apple orchard for a haunted hayride, weird things start happening. The ghouls who haunt the orchard seem spookily real. The kids they see are acting very strangely, like robots or...zombies. Then Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence disappear—and in their place, Katie and Andy find creepy shrunken applehead dolls! Now Katie and Andy have to find a way to turn their parents back to normal—before it's too late At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Mango, Abuela, and Me

Mango, Abuela, and Me
Author: Meg Medina
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2021-03-30
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536221627

“A poignant tale of intergenerational connection, transition, and patience. . . . Heartfelt, layered, and beautiful.” — Booklist (starred review) Mia’s abuela has left her sunny house with parrots and palm trees to live with Mia and her parents in the city. While they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English, and Mia learns some Spanish, too, but it’s still hard for Abuela to learn enough words to tell Mia her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfecto idea for how to help them all communicate a little better. Here is an endearing tale that speaks loud and clear about the love that binds families across the generations.

This Was Our Pact

This Was Our Pact
Author: Ryan Andrews
Publisher: First Second
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2019-06-11
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9781250196958

It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars. This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and they made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back. The plan is to follow the river on their bikes for as long as it takes to learn the truth, but it isn't long before the pact is broken by all except for Ben, and (much to Ben's disappointment) Nathaniel, the one kid who just doesn't seem to fit in.Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*. *And a talking bear.