Grandma started running around with a metal pot, asking all the neighborhood kids to sit and pee in it. That's a sight I will never forget. She was a tough Ukrainian Jew that survived the war, so no kid wanted to ask questions. They just sat on it and peed in that pot. No Smiling allowed is a comedic take on life in the former Soviet Union, as an immigrant in America. Julia Bendis has compiled many years of funny stories about her old-fashioned and traditional Russian parents, their understanding of how life works in the United States, their hilarious adventures, and her own younger generation's view of what it was like to blend in as a weird-looking kid from Russia. The book follows Julia and her family from their life in Riga, Latvia, which was part of the former Soviet Union, through their move to California and all the adventures in between. Who knew that assimilation in a new country could have so many hilarious twists and turns?

A hilarious encore to Don't Make Me Laugh No laughing or smiling or giggling -- Mr. Frimdimpny doesn't like it. He's the crocodile in charge of this book, and he never laughs. Follow his rules or else! This humorously subversive picture book invites brave readers to join Freddy Fafnaffer, the pig, in disobeying the bossy Mr. Frindimpny, in three comic acts. The first presents Mr. Freshley Prest Panz, Jr., who is about to receive the prize for best-dressed man in the world. The second act features the World's Tiniest Circus, definitely worth the price of admission. Act three starts with the warning NEVER take a red balloon to a fancy concert -- but someone ignores this advice. Remember, no laughing!

A new, hilarious picture book for kids from the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of P IS FOR PTERODACTYL! What makes this picture book for kids be THE WORST read aloud book ever? Try reading these sentences aloud: The mummy prepared farro for dinner. The mummy prepared pharaoh for dinner. Sounds the same, right? But they're totally different! Kids will laugh at the irreverent, super silly humor and witty illustrations that provide context clues and help explain the outrageous sentences. While kids are cracking up at you repeating yourself, they also will be learning about homonyms and homophones! There's also a glossary to help explain the sound-alike words. This hysterical book for kids is sure to delight parents, teachers, and anyone who loves to laugh at the absurdity of the English language. "Those who love wordplay are the natural constituency for No Reading Allowed: The Worst Read-Aloud Book Ever, a picture book that's bright with comic scenes... [and] brilliant pairings of picture and word (and word with word)."—The Wall Street Journal "If you're a logophile (=word nerd), grammar geek, or a bookworm, and especially, if you're a teacher or homeschooler, snag a copy of No Reading Allowed for yourself and a friend. This will be a hot holiday gift for us word nerd folks!"—Imagination Soup

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.

From Rwanda to Sierra Leone, African countries recovering from tyranny and war are facing an impossible dilemma: to overlook past atrocities for the sake of peace or to seek catharsis through tribunals and truth commissions. In this work, Rice reports on Idi Amin's legacy and the limits of reconciliation.