Jane Yolen

Commander Toad and his crew set off to find new worlds and explore old galaxies only to find themselves being sucked into a big black hole

A funny space adventure that spoofs Star Wars while providing an easy-to-read story. --Booklist When Commander Toad and the crew of the Star Warts learn that a disaster has struck and asteroid, they race across the galaxy to the rescue. But it's hard to figure out just what is wrong, especially when there is a language barrier between the Star Warts crew and the pigeon inhabitants of the dis-asteroid. A hero is needed, but is even intrepid Commander Toad brave enough to save the day? Fans of DK Readers: LEGO Star Wars, Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda, and silliness will toad-ally love Commander Toad

All the jump-roping, rollerskating, skyscraping excitement of city life is packed into this pulsating collection of poems selected by Jane Yolen. Poems by Langston Hughes, Jane Yolen, Rachel Field, and others capture the rush and rumble, toss and tumble of taxis and trains, pigeons and parks, sidewalks, and street cleaners. Ken Condon's bold illustrations evoke the gritty passion of the urban scene. Young readers will delight in this irresistible anthology that crackles with energy and zest.

During a voyage of exploration through uncharted space, the crew of the majestic spaceship Star Warts, led by the intrepid Commander Toad, discovers a planet made up entirely of water