Kevin Henkes

"Snow falls, animals burrow, and children prepare for the wonders winter brings"--

Relates several short episodes of Margaret and her brother Taylor, all pertaining to Grandpa's surprise birthday party.

The Vorlob family is making preparations. Preparations for the new baby, soon to arrive. Getting ready includes painting a mural in the baby's nursery and making a list of possible names. Adine, age ten, is used to the routine -- she has four sisters already: Bernice, Carla, Dot, and Effie. This time, however, the routine is broken. In more ways than one. Most significantly, Aunt Irene will be staying with the Vorlobs until Mrs. Vorlob is rested and...

Sheila Rae believes that she is not afraid of anything. She steps on cracks, walks backward with her eyes closed, and teases her sister for her fears. But when Sheila Rae gets lost one day, she discovers maybe, just maybe, she isn't quite as brave as she thought she was. A Live Oak Media audio production.

Lilly loves school, and she especially loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger. When Lilly gets a purple plastic purse and brings it to school, she wants to show it to everyone. Mr. Slinger, however, makes her wait to show the purse, and Lilly gets mad. What she does to Mr. Slinger – and how she makes up for her actions later – show Lilly at her funniest and most creative. A Live Oak Media audio production.

Even though nobody else believes that Jessica is real, Ruthie knows she is. But when the first day of school arrives, what will happen to Jessica? As usual, Kevin Henkes perfectly captures the child's perspective and delivers a story that is reassuring and delightful. A Live Oak Media audio production.

Big sister Lilly (star of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse) thought it might be fun to have a new baby in the family. But jealousy takes over and her efforts to alienate her oblivious baby brother are both hysterically funny and ultimately comforting for siblings with similar feeling of resentment. A Live Oak Media audio production.