Chris Barton

During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Why would anyone put such eye-catching designs on ships? Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship's speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs. Author Chris Barton and illustrator Victo Ngai vividly bring to life this little-known story of how the unlikely and the improbable became just plain dazzling.

Disney's Cars meets Superman with Mighty Truck: Muddymania, the second picture book in this series about an ordinary truck with extraordinary power Whenever there's trouble in Axelburg, Clarence is ready to pump up, rev up, and transform into Mighty Truck to save the day But when there's danger at the biggest, muddiest event in town, Clarence is in a jam. Can he zoom into action without revealing his secret to best pal Bruno and the whole crowd?Friendship is thicker than mud in Muddymania , an all-wheel-drive adventure illustrated by Troy Cummings and written by award-winning, bestselling author Chris Barton.

-The rhythmic, onomatopoeic text dances across exuberant watercolors with lots of movement. This celebration of a child's agency in choosing a means of artistic expression strikes just the right note.- --Kirkus -A delightful offering for reading aloud, especially during music-themed storytimes.---School Library Journal From New York Times bestselling author Chris Barton and new illustrator Louis Thomas comes a fun, rhythmic picture book about finding the music that is perfect for you A boy who loves to make noise gets to pick only one instrument (at his parents urging) in a music store, but there is too much to choose from There's triangles and sousaphones There's guitars and harpsichords Bagpipes and cellos and trombones How can he find the one that is just right for him out of all those options?

A cool idea with a big splash You know the Super Soaker. It's one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy. A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity began early in Lonnie Johnson's life. Growing up in a house full of brothers and sisters, persistence and a passion for problem solving became the cornerstone for a career as an engineer and his work with NASA. But it is his invention of the Super Soaker water gun that has made his most memorable splash with kids and adults.

Meet Clarence, a rickety old truck who goes from average to awesome when an unexpected trip through a mysterious truck wash transforms him. With pumped-up tires, a revved-up engine, and a squeaky-clean exterior, Clarence becomes a town hero In his first adventure, Clarence--aka "Mighty Truck"--pulls a friend from the mud, rescues a kitten, and stops a loose beam from destroying Axleburg. Fans of Disney's Cars and Thomas the Tank Engine will love this action-packed picture book, illustrated by Troy Cummings and written by bestselling author Chris Barton (of Shark vs. Train)

John Roy Lynch spent most of his childhood as a slave in Mississippi, but all of that changed with the Emancipation Proclamation. Suddenly people like John Roy could have paying jobs and attend school. While many people in the South were unhappy with the social change, John Roy thrived in the new era. He was appointed to serve as justice of the peace and was eventually elected into the United States Congress.This biography, with its informative backmatter and splendid illustrations, gives readers an in-depth look at the Reconstruction period through the life of one of the fi rst African-American congressmen.

Bone up on your gaming knowledge with this gently ironic yet thoroughly informative guide to video game terminology, presented as a picture book for all ages. "Attack Boss Cheat Code A Gamer's ABC "is an indispensable guide, a lively look at the language of video games that might actually bridge the gap between game-obsessed kids and their often-perplexed parents. If you can decipher the following sentence, you don't need this book: "This open beta game is in third-person but first-person is unlockable if you know the cheat code or install your own mod, but either way, for the best attack on the boss on this level, try to grab that power-up " Almost any 9-year old could translate for you but if you don't have access to one, try this book instead. Video games are the dominant form of pop culture today, a $75 billion industry worldwide, and an inescapable part of modern living. Don't be left out A quick perusal of "Attack Boss Cheat Code " is all you need to get in the game. Brilliantly colorful illustrations by video game artist Joey Spiotto vividly embody the terminology of video games, bringing the world of video games to life. Lucid definitions make terms clear and understandable, even for non-players. Presented as an alphabet, "Attack Boss Cheat Code "is also an entertaining visual history and glossary of gaming, providing a solid understanding of terms that have made their way into everyday language, from to "mod" to "RPG."

Here are some quotes from Chris Barton's friends and family when they found out he was writing a book: "What the Hell are you writing a book for? Nobody reads nowadays." "Who is going to buy it?" "I hope I am not in it..." So here it is: 'Beautifully Mundane', the story of David Banks, husband, father, normal everyday guy who is never going to change the world, or climb a mountain, or even go into space, but through whose eyes we can see that there is joy to be had in the normal complexities of everyday life. We follow his journey as he takes his family away on holiday to Cornwall, and we discover how much like David Banks we all are and that the mundane is not something we should be ashamed of but we can shout from the rooftops with pride. Oh and by the way it is funny too!!

Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?!If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train? With Tom Lichtenheld's hilarious and playful illustrations combined with Chris Barton's zany text, this irreverent picture book will have you both laughing out loud and eager for more crazy scenarios.

Most academic literature focuses on the position of the child in relation to the parent or the state. In reality, the law is more concerned with the role and function of parents, and this new book addresses the key issues of parental rights and responsibilities.