'Bumpy the Grumblebee woke up and stretched his little wings. The garden was full of the scent and colour of flowers. His fat little body fluffed up in the sun's warmth, his stumpy little wings shining like jewels. But there was no getting away from the fact that his wings WERE short and stumpy. Some of the other insects laughed at him as he bumped and banged about trying to control his landing on his favourite flowers.'But Bumpy allowed his taste for adventure to grow, and in these seven short stories his escapades are brought to public attention for the first time, beautifully illustrated by Lesley Purdy. Bumpy makes new friends in the garden and beyond, he perfects his flying skills, he gets into scrapes, he saves others who are in worse peril, and in turn is saved himself.'These stories are a delight and Bumpy deserves a fan-base' ...'Charming, witty...' 'Acutely observed ...'

The Silent World of Mr. Grumblebee centers around Mr. Grumblebee, an ornery older man resistant to the changing world around him. He has a special disdain for the noise created in his energetic neighborhood. In a twist of fate, Mr. Grumblebee is granted peace and quiet when he loses his ability to hear. This unexpected change causes Mr. Grumblebee to wish for all the clatter that he had found so appalling back.

Young Mayzie McGrew becomes a worldwide sensation when a daisy grows out of the top of her head, and everyone attempts to get rid of it.

Recounts the events of a day when everything goes wrong for Alexander. Suggested level: junior, primary.

Ramona Quimby, one of the most loved characters in children's fiction, has now reached third grade. At school, she acquires a new teacher, Mrs. Whaley, who addresses the class as "you guys." At home, she helps the family "squeak by" as her father returns to college to become an art teacher. All the Quimbys have their ups and downs, but none feels them more intensely than Ramona. Her low point is undoubtedly reached the day she throws up in class and Mrs. Whaley instructs the children to hold their noses and file into the hall. But three days later Ramona recovers her verve sufficiently to give a book report in the style of a T.V. commercial, bringing down the house with her final ad-lib line of "I can't believe I read the whole thing!" Writing with humor and compassion, Beverly Cleary continues her chronicle of a child's growth and lovingly reaffirms the durability of the memorable Quimby family. They may not be nice all the time, but they stick together through good times and bad.

After shocking the elegant garden party by using a bad word, Elbert learns some acceptable substitutes from a helpful wizard.