Toby Speed

"Speed and Root bring plenty of panache to their task, stewing up a tasty goulash of a book . . . Speed's inventive, rhythmic verse is particularly well spiced with wit." The Horn Book

"The team behind Two Cool Cows returns in this remarkable veggie opera. This poetically phrased and oddly poignant tale might . . . [be] another omen of a budding potato-liberation movement." Publishers Weekly

"An exciting story full of fun, complemented by delightful illustrations." School Library Journal

* The New York Times Extended Children's Best Seller List
* Publishers Weekly Children's Bestseller List
* Blue Ribbon Winner for 2000 from the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
* Selected by Publishers Weekly as the book featuring the "Most Curious Anthropomorphism" in a column called "A Lighthearted Awards Ceremony"
* Reviewed on Curious Pages: Recommended Inappropriate Books for Children. Wooo-hooo!

Available in paperback. Email me to order.

"Two hip, sunglass-wearing Holsteins borrow some 'new black button-back boots' and head for a party on the moon . . .[They] thunder unstoppably toward a bunny-hopping rendezvous." -Kirkus Reviews

"Those wanting to know why the cow jumped over the moon will find some tweakingly twisted answers in this nonsensical story. A rewarding romp." -Publishers Weekly

"Fresh and funny." -Booklist


* An American Bookseller Pick of the List
* An IRA-CBC Children's Choice Book

Available in paperback (limited). Email me to order.

"These poetic riddles in lyrical language take a little girl from dawn to evening . . . . Delicate watercolors drench these seven watery puzzlers with a pleasing balance of word and picture followed by the solution depicted across the next double-page spread. The combination of adroit textual clues . . . and winsome visual allusions won't do anything to dampen young imaginations." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Recommended)

"Every riddle is a satisfying mix of brainteaser and giveaway, abetted by Downing's guileless watercolors." Kirkus Reviews

"The poems . . . beautifully express the capricious nature of water." –Booklist

Available in hardcover. Email me to order.

"Speed spins a comforting, old-fashioned tale, and Root's soft palette adds to the antiquated quality with amiable, expressive characters. A small book with a generous heart." Kirkus Reviews

"This wish-fulfillment tale belongs in a storytime along with Millions of Cats." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A fresh, funny, warm-hearted tale with captivating watercolor illustrations." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Available in hardcover. Email me to order.

"A bit of stray sunbeam, music from a string quartet, a breeze from the windchimes, and a stray kiss are just a few of the unusual ingredients that Hattie beats into this wedding cake . . . This bit of magic stirred up with lots of imagination is a sure recipe to delight young audiences." School Library Journal

* Starred review in Booklist

Available in hardcover (limited). Email me to order.

Most stories about leaves begin in spring when they are little buds. The buds unfold, all greeny-yellow. They grow to full size and turn a deeper green. When autumn comes, they turn orange, red or brown. They fall off the tree and blow away. And that's the end of the story . . . most of the time.

Available in your library.

"Crawly Bug crept over the sill and stole a crumb from Mama's hot pie. He carried it back to the nest. "'Yum,' said his dozens of brothers and sisters. They got in line and wriggle-jigged over the daisies, under the milkweed, over the crab grass, under the chicory, up the trellis, and over the sill. One by one they took a crumb. And the pie disappeared."

This was a Weekly Reader Book Club book a long time ago. It may be hard to find.