With roots in European folktales and American slave stories, this tale celebrates the trickster tradition of overcoming hardship by using one's wits. An exciting vertical format takes this funny story to its most entertaining extreme.

In this family story-within-a-story, a little red-haired girl curls up by her grandmother to hear how, long ago, another little girl and her brother crossed the Atlantic and came to America. An ALA Notable Children's Book, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, Parents' Choice Award for Literature, NCTE Teachers' Choice, and NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Bo ...

When Bridget the alligator arrives in the mail, she's only the size of a key chain! But after Zack soaks her in water, she grows into a real live alligator. Bridget wrestles the garden hose and swings from the monkey bars. And what other alligator can do cartwheels? Children's Books of 1989 (Library of Congress)

Bats fly into the spotlight in this exploration of such basics as where the live, how mothers raise their pups, and how they hunt for food. Included as well is a simple plan for a building a backyard bat house. 1995 Pick of the Lists (ABA)Best Children's Science Books 1995 (Science Books and Films)