"Stunning. . . . a bit like if you took Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Monsters Inc. and shoved them in a TARDIS."—Buzzfeed It’s a tentacled, inventive, gooey, world in there. . . . Elliot Von Doppler and his friend Leslie think nothing ever happens in Bickleburgh, except inside the gleaming headquarters of DENKi-3000—the world’s eighth-largest electronics factory. Beneath the glass towers and glittering skywalks, there's a rambling old mansion from which all the company’s amazing inventions spring forth. And no one except Uncle Archie knows what’s behind the second-to-last door at the end of the hall. Until Elliot and Leslie are invited to take a glimpse inside. They find stooped, troll-like creatures with jutting jaws and broken teeth. Tiny winged things that sparkle as they fly. And huge, hulking, hairy nonhumans (with horns). It is unlike anything they’ve ever seen. But when Chuck Brickweather threatens to shut down the DENKi-3000 factory if a new product isn’t presented soon, the creatures know they are in danger. And when Uncle Archie vanishes, it’s up to Elliot, Leslie, and every one of the unusual, er, “employees” to create an invention so astonishing it will save the Creature Department.

Offers a sophisticated rhyming adventure featuring a courageous girl named Katrina Katrell and her intriguing quest to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Zorgamazoo. 30,000 first printing.

Jamie Carpenter's father is dead, his mother is missing, and he was just rescued by an enormous creature named Frankenstein. Now Jamie is pulled into a secret organization responsible for policing the supernatural, founded more than a century ago by Abraham Van Helsing. . . . Department Nineteen takes us through history, across Europe, and beyond - from the cobbled streets of Victorian London to prohibition-era New York, from the icy wastes of Arctic Russia to the treacherous mountains of Transylvania. Part modern thriller, part classic horror, it's packed with mystery, mayhem, and a level of suspense that makes a Darren Shan novel look like a romantic comedy.

In this epic new adventure series that "is sure to keep lovers of Rick Riordan running to the shelves" Sam London is recruited by the Department of Mythical Wildlife and sent on a covert mission when the secret that legendary animals are real is in danger of being exposed (School Library Journal)! Haunted by a dream of a mythical gryphon, Sam London uncovers an ancient secret that will change the way he sees the world forever. Recruited by Dr. Vance Vantana, an eccentric zoologist and park ranger sent by the government, Sam is whisked away on an adventure that takes him to the farthest reaches of the globe. Along this journey, Sam learns an incredible truth: mythical creatures are real and living among us in our national parks. A special department in the U.S. government ensures that their existence remains hidden. But Sam’s dream is an omen that the secret may now be in danger. Someone seeks the power to expose these creatures and overthrow humankind—and that power can only be found in a magical talisman known as the gryphon’s claw. "A death-defying, globe-spanning adventure, packed with creatures out of folklore and myth....[Guardians of the Gryphon's Claw is] a solid series opener and debut for Gallicano, who stocks his story with engaging characters, human, and otherwise."-Publishers Weekly “So original and exciting. This is the best fantasy-adventure novel I have read in some time.”—Martin Olson, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventure Time Encyclopaedia

IF THESE CREATURES DON'T PUT ON A SHOW, THEY'LL BE PUT ON A PLATE! When Jean-Remy receives a singing telegram from his long-lost sister, Eloise Yvette, the Creature Department is once again thrown into an invention frenzy. Rumor has it that the Ghorks have taken Heppleworth’s Food Factory hostage. And worse, they are threatening to make tasty treats of the creatures inside! Elliot and Leslie lead the way to the town of Simmersville with Ghork-grappling inventions in hand. A grand Food Festival is in full swing, and the fanciest restaurant in town is serving a very suspicious Special. Elliot takes a bite, but when strange green hair starts growing on his arm, he wishes he hadn’t. A very hairy Elliot, a blurrified Leslie, and our favorite department of creatures finally come nose-to-snout with the Ghorks and uncover a sinister scheme. But can they fend off the gang of ravenous Ghorks before dinnertime? Praise for The Creature Department: “Stunning. . . . a bit like if you took Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Monsters Inc. and shoved them in a TARDIS.”—Buzzfeed “The creatures are a giggle-inducing example of an imagination run wild.”—Associated Press “The creatures are the main appeal . . . and their antics, coupled with the strong visuals, will attract readers who enjoy imaginative, slightly silly fantasies.”—School Library Journal “A literal Creature feature, with plenty of cinematic and digital spinoff potential.”—Kirkus “A lot of silliness, a bit of rickum rockery, and a giggle of grossness.”—New York Journal of Books

The next middle-grade rhyming novel from the award-winning author of Zorgamazoo! Prince Puggly of the muddy, terminally unfashionable Kingdom of Spud is surprised when he receives an invitation to a lavish ball in the far more chic Kingdom of Spiff. Puggly is sure that the Spiffs will take one look at him and laugh him out of their kingdom. And that’s exactly what they do. . . . But then Puggly meets Francesca, the bookish Princess of Spiff, and together the two set out to teach Francesca’s Spiffian countrymen an absurd lesson in style. Award-winning author Robert Paul Weston once again delivers a humorous fantasy in rhyming verse that just begs to be read aloud. And this time, it comes with a message that’s sure to impress: There’s more to a person than how they are dressed.

This sweet and gentle picture book celebrates summer in Japan, as one little girl shares her love for bugs with her cousin who is visiting from America. Two young cousins who are separated by language, continent and culture meet for the first time when Jill's family travels from America to Japan to stay with Natsumi's family during the summer holidays. Natsumi's nervousness about meeting her cousin from across the sea quickly disappears when she discovers that her cousin is a lot like her: they both love summertime's hot sandy beaches, cool refreshing watermelon, festivals and fireworks. Then Jill asks Natsumi about the strange buzzing sound that comes from the nearby trees, and Natsumi is nervous once again. What if Jill is frightened of Natsumi's cherished cicadas, the insects that sing the music of summertime? This is a tender, evocative story that celebrates the special pleasures of summertime and of reunions with faraway family and friends.