Dustin Hansen

An orphaned giant named Berg is in search of just one person he can call friend. When he was very young, Berg's mother hid him in a cave and led an angry mob of villagers away, sacrificing her own life to protect her son. In all the years since, Berg has lived alone, the only reminders of his family are his mother's satchel and his recurring dreams of a white bear who shares a magical sand from a fallen star. When the white bear touches Berg with the star-blue sand, he feels safe and happy in his dreams. Sometimes, when he feels lonely, he will risk entering a village to trade a smooth river rock or a feather for food. He's really searching for kindness, companionship, and, maybe one day, someone who will want to get to know him and be his friend. But with every attempt he makes, people only see his massive size and cruelly chase him away, thinking he is nhold--a giant and a monster. Whoever this nhold is, Berg also fears him and hopes they never meet. In his travels, Berg comes upon a new town, a city made of iron where blacksmiths construct all kinds of ironworks from gates to sculptures to chains and weapons. Berg meets a little girl, Anya, who doesn't run and scream in fear like everyone else does. To his amazement and delight, Anya knows about the dream-sand and says she wants to be his friend. The mayor convinces the villagers of the benefit of having a giant around who can protect their city from the dangers he says nhold has in store for them. Anya has learned about the dream-sand from secretly watching nhold use it to trade for food and trinkets, and she suspects the mayor is planning something different than what he says. Fearing the city isn't safe for Berg, she warns her giant friend to flee. When a secret plot is revealed to capture Berg, the young giant has to figure out where he can place his trust. The story follows Berg on his journey and is told through text and graphic novel-style illustrations of beautiful dream sequences that reveal Berg's hopes and memories. Berg's mother appears to him in his dreams as a white bear, patient, nurturing and protective, and he sees himself as a little bear cub. Berg is often unsure what exactly the dreams mean, but sometimes they describe things which are about to happen or give him answers to problems he is facing. This tender and unique story-within-a-story is a riveting tale of loss, longing, adventure, being yourself, and finding the true meaning of friendship.

MY VIDEO GAME ATE MY HOMEWORK is a funny, fast-paced adventure that shows the importance of cooperation and teamwork and the importance of using your own unique abilities to solve problems. It s illustrated in Hansen s light-hearted, cartoony style, and filled with lots of sight gags and nods to videogaming conventions. DUSTIN HANSEN spent years directing and creating video games before becoming a writer and illustrator. His published works include the MICROSAURS illustrated chapter book series and his fan-favourite GAME ON! VIDEO GAME HISTORY FROM PONG AND PAC-MAN TO MARIO, MINECRAFT, AND MORE.

TINY T-REXES = BIG TROUBLE Adventures (and disasters) abound in this fun, fast paced illustrated chapter book about the perils of taking care of tiny dinosaurs. That's MY Tiny-Saurus Rex is Book 3 in the Microsaurs series. Danny and Lin are determined to be the best Microsaur sitters ever Sure, things got a little out of control with the tiny-raptors and the Professor's lab might have gotten a bit . . . destroyed. BUT it's all going to be absolutely fine. After all, they have a plan Unfortunately, even the best plans can fall through when faced with the terror of tiny T-rex twins, and with the Professor on his way home, Danny and Lin find themselves racing against the clock to fix everything before he kicks them out of the Microterium forever "Video-game creator Hansen mashes up dinosaurs, futuristic technology, extreme sports, and other ever-popular story elements in his first novel, which launches the Microsaurs series.... Hansen's peppy cartoons provide an up-close look at all the smaller-than-life action in this high-energy escapade." --Publishers Weekly on Follow that Tiny-Dactyl Books in the Microsaurs series: Microsaurs: Follow that Tiny-DactylMicrosaurs: Tiny-Raptor Pack AttackMicrosaurs: That's MY Tiny-Saurus RexMicrosaurs: Tiny-Stego StampedeMicrosaurs: Beware the Tiny-Spino

Disaster awaits when the most annoying girl in school discovers the existence of our favorite tiny dinosaurs in the fifth installment of Dustin Hansen's illustrated chapter book series. Vicky Van Varbles, AKA Lin's nemesis, AKA the most annoying person on the planet, has discovered the microterium Lin is convinced that this is the Worst. Thing. EVER Vicky has never kept a secret in her life. The only solution is to trap her in a bug jar for the rest of eternity. But Danny has a different plan . . . if they can induct Vicky into the (newly created) International Microsaur Protection Agency, he's sure she can be convinced to keep their secret. But first Vicky has to pass Lin's increasingly difficult and dangerous tests . . . If Danny can't get Lin and Vicky to work together, then the microsaurs really might be doomed

WATCH OUT FOR TINY DINOSAURS Mini dinos lead to big adventures in this second action-packed Microsaurs chapter book by Dustin Hansen. Danny and Lin are expert secret keepers. They're brave, smart, and maybe a little bit crazy. Which, as it turns out, is exactly what you need to be to take care of a rare collection of hungry, curious, extra-tiny dinosaurs. But when their friend Professor Penrod sends them a mysterious package filled with toothy, scratchy microsaurs hungry enough to chew through walls, along with a very large microsaur egg, even the bravest adventurers might find themselves outnumbered and in over their heads. Don't miss the second installment in this fabulous illustrated series by Dustin Hansen--perfect for reluctant readers, dino lovers, and kids of all genders. Praise for the Microsaurs series: "Video-game creator Hansen mashes up dinosaurs, futuristic technology, extreme sports, and other ever-popular story elements in his first novel, which launches the Microsaurs series.... Hansen's peppy cartoons provide an up-close look at all the smaller-than-life action in this high-energy escapade." --Publishers Weekly "Hansen mixes fantasy, science fiction, and realistic fiction to create a fast-paced read for elementary readers. His whimsical illustrations of the dinosaurs make them appear as lovable pets." -- Booklist "This fast paced book is full of action and the delightful illustrations will attract young readers looking for a good chapter book." --School Library Connection Books in the Microsaurs series: Microsaurs: Follow that Tiny-DactylMicrosaurs: Tiny-Raptor Pack AttackMicrosaurs: That's MY Tiny-Saurus Rex