Kirjahaku

Three unusual companions--one fantastic journey Lucian is on the run from a pair of murderous soothsayers. Joy-in-the-Dance knows magic and marvels, and is on a quest. Fronto is a poet-turned-donkey who wants to break the spell that turned him into an animal. The three of them join forces and set out through Arkadia--on an amazing trip that will change their lives. "Master storyteller Alexander keeps the action brisk, packs the text with a riveting collection of weird characters, fantastic settings, plot twists, derring-do, heroes, villains, magic, prophecy, humor, shipwrecks, fires--what more could readers ask for?"--Kirkus Reviews

A wonderful collection of stories from an award-winning author. Never take a cat for granted Meet Baraka, the cat who plays chess more cunningly than any human; Pescato, who becomes mayor for a day and dupes royalty; and other cats who befriend, aid, and outwit their human companions. Brought to life with all of Lloyd Alexander's trademark wit and style, these felines will make sure that you never look at a cat in quite the same way "Brilliant storytelling with an old-world flavor."--Booklist

When Tamar, the young king of Sundari, loses a dice game, he loses everything--his kingdom, its riches, and even the right to call his life his own. His bondage is symbolized by the iron ring that appears mysteriously on his finger. To Tamar, born to the warrior caste, honor is everything. So he sets out on a journey to make good on his debt--and even to give up his life if necessary. And that journey leads him into a world of magic, where animals can talk, the foolish are surprisingly wise, and danger awaits...

Winner of the American Book Award (now known as the National Book Award)An ALA Best of the Best Books for Young AdultsA School Library Journal Best Book of the Year When Theo agrees to print a traveling showman's pamphlet, he only thinks of the money it will bring in. Instead, it sets off a chain reaction that results in the smashing of the press and the murder of his master. Caught on the wrong side of the law, Theo must flee the city. Soon, he has teamed up with the traveling showman Count Las Bombas (who is actually a con artist) and his servant. The trio is soon joined by Mickle, a clever, strong-willed girl with a mysterious past. Performing feats that astound and amaze, the motley crew falls into a trap set by Chief Minister Cabbarus, who is determined to wrest power from the grief-stricken king. Now they must not only save themselves-they must save the kingdom... This is the first volume in Lloyd Alexander's classic Westmark trilogy.

The second book of Lloyd Alexander's Westmark Trilogy explores the darker side of humanity and will leave you questioning everything. Theo is traveling Westmark, learning about the country of which he will soon be Prince Consort. He is not surprised to find great poverty-Mickle (now known as Princess Augusta) could have told him that from her years on the street. His friend Florian could have told him about the aristocracy's graft and corruption. But neither could have foreseen a loaded pistol in the practiced hand of the assassin Skeit. The echoes of that shot ring from the muskets and cannons of a Westmark suddenly at war--a war that turns simple, honest men into cold-blooded killers, Mickle into a military commander, and Theo himself into a stranger . . . "The plot is magnificent, the characterizations are excellent, and the issues are compelling."--Children's Literature

Gareth doesn't have nine lives, but he is definitely not an ordinary cat. For one thing, he can talk. For another, he has magical powers that Jason never dreamed of. "Anywhere, any time, any country, any century"--Gareth tells Jason he can take them traveling through time. And in the wink of a very special cat's eye, they're off. From ancient Egypt to Japan, from the land of young Leonardo da Vinci to the town of a woman accused of witchcraft, Jason and Gareth are whisked from place to place and friend to foe. This fantastic tale grabs the imagination and takes it far and wide, on the adventure of not one, but nine, amazing lifetimes.

Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper to a famous oracular sow, sets out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil.

The land of Prydain is threatened by the evil Arawn and his band of invincible warriors.

When Princess Eilonwy is sent to the Isle of Mona for training, she is bewitched by the evil enchantress Achren, so Taran and other friends must try to rescue her.

The fourth book of the Prydain cycle tells of the adventures that befell Taran when he went in search of his birthright and the truth about himself.

In this final part of the chronicle of Prydain the forces of good and evil meet in an ultimate confrontation, which determines the fate of Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper who wanted to be a hero.

Presents six short stories dealing with events that preceded the birth of Taran, a key figure in the author's five works on the Kingdom of Prydain.

Have you heard of Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny, Big Bird, or the Minions? I have observed children who have the natural ability to draw marvellous, interesting, and captivating cartoon characters like these. However, this book is designed for children who look at a blank page and don't know how to start. Those children are the ones who inspired this book. Children do not need to have art talent to invent their own original cartoon characters. The book follows step-by-step the development of Andy, a unique original cartoon character. The ideas used in developing Andy can inspire and assist children in their own inventions. And once children have their own cartoon friend, what do they do next? Well, they share their creations, talk about them and, using the ideas in this book, develop their personalities and abilities. In a classroom the presence of children's personal cartoons can increase motivation in mundane literary and mathematics activities.

Henry Holt Books for Young Readers is proud to publish this 50th Anniversary Edition of Lloyd Alexander's classic The Castle of Llyr, the third book in the Chronicles of Prydain. Whether readers are already familiar with the series or new to it, they won't be able to resist this beautiful special edition filled with bonus material and a new introduction by Origami Yoda author Tom Angleberger. Princess Eilonwy hates to leave her friend Taran and her beloved home, but she must go to the Isle of Mona to train as a proper lady. Eilonwy soon faces more than the ordeal of becoming a dignified young maiden, however, for she possesses magical powers sought by the evil enchantress Queen Achren. When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her.

Taran dreams of fighting heroic battles instead of being an Assistant Pig-Keeper until Hen Wen, the magical pig, disappears. With the land of Prydain under threat from the Horned King, and Taran searching for Hen Wen, he is drawn into a deadly quest. Coming face-to-face with warriors and witches, Taran is about to learn what it takes to be a hero.