Stephanie Calmenson - Children's book author

Bookshelf

Birthday at the Panda PalaceMay I Pet Your Dog?Jazzmatazz

Click on any cover to look inside the book.

 
 
DINNER AT THE PANDA PALACE
illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

This rollicking, rhyming PBS StoryTime favorite is a counting book, an animal identification book, and a book with lots of food and fun! But most important, each child will come away knowing that, "...there will always be room at the Palace for you."

"…bouncy, rhyming verse and an innovative cast of characters give this counting book zip…" -- Publishers Weekly

 
 
 
 
 


BIRTHDAY AT THE PANDA PALACE
pictures by Doug Cushman

Mr. Panda is throwing a birthday party for Mouse and you’re invited! Friends arrive with packages. What’s in them? Catchy rhyming riddles help you guess the answers. And wait! Mr. Panda has a special surprise. Come join this celebration of friendship and fun.

Fans have been clamoring for a sequel to the PBS StoryTime favorite, Dinner at the Panda Palace and now it's here! Par-ty!

"...a popular theme and winning ending emphasizing a friendship’s reunion…will encourage repeated readings with gleeful shouts at the appropriate time.” -- Kirkus

 
 
 
 
 
WELCOME, BABY!
Baby Rhymes for Baby Times
pictures by Melissa Sweet

Move over Mother Goose! These catchy rhymes are keepers! They're all about babies and things babies do. This is the perfect baby gift on its own or paired with GOOD FOR YOU! Toddler Rhymes for Toddler Times.

"Colorful and childlike…A fine alternative to board books and nursery rhymes..” -- Booklist

 
 
 
 
 

GOOD FOR YOU!
Toddler Rhymes for Toddler Times
pictures by Melissa Sweet

Twenty-five irresistible rhymes zoom in on a toddler's world. Youngest readers are invited to play, sing, join an alphabet parade and, most of all, feel good about themselves!

"...Joyously exuberant, Calmenson's verses enlighten and entertain." -- Kirkus Reviews

 
 
 
 
 
KINDERGARTEN KIDS
Riddles, Rebuses, Wiggles, Giggles
pictures by Melissa Sweet

Kindergarten is so much fun and there's lots to learn. Kids will love these interactive poems that give them a taste of a kindergarten day with Show and Tell riddle rhymes; a search for a missing class pet; a pizza party; a popcorn dance; a 100th Day of School celebration and more!

“…the text…delivered in rhyme, details the fun to be had in kindergarten...”
-- Publishers Weekly

 
 
 
 
 

ROSIE - A VISITING DOG'S STORY
photographs by Justin Sutcliffe

Read about Rosie, the author's sweet and shaggy dog, as she cheers people who are sad or sick or lonely. Find out if you can join a visiting program, with or without a pet of your own. And let Rosie cheer you.

"Rosie's real-life adventures make for one of the outstanding nonfiction titles of the year." -- Smithsonian Magazine

 
 
 
 
 

MAY I PET YOUR DOG?
The How-to-Guide for KIDS Meeting DOGS
(and DOGS Meeting KIDS)

pictures by Jan Ormerod

Do you like dogs? Would you like to meet some, pet some, see some tricks? Stephanie Calmenson’s own dog, Harry, will show you how. The first thing to remember is: Always ask MAY I PET YOUR DOG?

"Dachshund Harry leads…readers through every step of kid-meets-dog etiquette...most engaging…is the direct address from dog to child.” -- Horn Book, starred review

  
 
 
 
 
SHAGGY, WAGGY DOGS (and Others)
photographs by Justin Sutcliffe

Do you like Golden Retrievers? Beagles? Yorkies? Catchy rhymes describe these dogs and 22 more, with a surprise at the end. Find out if you're right for a dog and which dog is right for you.

"… snappy four-line rhymes reflect a joy in and love of dogs as they spotlight more than 20 canine breeds..." -- Booklist

 
 
 
 
 

PERFECT PUPPY
pictures by Thomas F. Yezerski

Some people -- and puppies -- think they have to be perfect. Some people -- and puppies -- learn they can make mistakes and still be loved very much. Meet a puppy you'll fall in love with -- mistakes and all.

“…warm story of acceptance, mistakes and all.” -- Horn Book

 
 
 
 
 
THE PRINCIPAL'S NEW CLOTHES
illustrated by Denise Brunkus

Mr. Bundy, principal of P.S. 88, is the sharpest dresser in town. Two tricksters want to sell him a suit that isn't there. One student is brave enough to tell the truth -- thank goodness! Read this story and laugh!

"The whole school should chortle with glee over this one!" -- Kirkus

 
 
 
 
 
THE FROG PRINCIPAL
illustrated by Denise Brunkus

In this hilarious sequel to The Principal's New Clothes, a bumbling magician turns P.S. 88's beloved principal, Mr. Bundy, into a frog, then finds he can't turn him back again! See what it's like to have a frog for a principal. Ribbit!

"...ribbit-tickling companion to The Principal’s New Clothes...” -- Kirkus Reviews

 
 
 
 
 
THE TEENY TINY TEACHER
illustrated by Denis Roche

A teeny tiny teacher finds a teeny tiny bone that belongs to a teeny tiny ghost who wants it for his teeny tiny... Read the story and find out. Life size children are invited to join the chant-along fun.

"...could easily become a story-hour favorite." -- Kirkus

 
 
 
 
 
Coming February 2008
JAZZMATAZZ!
pictures by Bruce Degen

When the weather gets cold
And a mouse slips in,
A jazzmatazz story
Is sure to begin…

Meet a piano-playing mouse, a dog with drums, a cat with a fiddle, a bird who sings, a fish who blows musical bubbles and one great tap-dancing kid! What kind of music will you make? Doo-dat, ditty-dat, doo!

"...a bright, syncopated jam session sure to please storytime audiences." -- Kirkus Reviews

 
 
 
IT BEGINS WITH AN A
illustrated by Marisabina Russo

There's no better way to learn the alphabet than with these catchy riddle rhymes. Try one!

This food starts with S.
It's long and it's thin.
I eat it with tomato sauce
that drips down to my chin.
What is it?

"A clever new alphabet book in riddle form ..." -- Booklist

 
WHAT AM I? Very First Riddles
illustrated by Karen Gundersheimer

Listen to me! Listen to me!
Clickety-clack!
Watch for me! Watch for me!
Coming down the track.
What am I?

Find word and picture clues on one page, answers on the next. Youngest readers love guessing games and will feel proud of each success.

"Catchy, rhyming riddles about familiar objects will delight young audiences…" -- Sesame Street Magazine

 
ZIP, WHIZ, ZOOM!
illustrated by Dorothy Stott

Zip, whiz, zoom!
Honk, whirr, vroom!
Toot-toot. Beep-beep.
Boom-de-boom!

Follow an assortment of people dressed up and carrying gifts as they drive, fly, sail, bike to a surprising destination. Noises, vehicles -- and family -- are at the heart of this book.

"...simple, breezy verse invites...audience's participation." -- Publishers Weekly

 
ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE
illustrated by Paul Meisel

Engine, Engine, Number Nine,
Rolling, rolling down the line.
Wheels are turning. Whistle’s blowing.
Soon we’ll find out where it’s going.

In this rollicking rendition of a traditional children’s rhyme, grown-ups, kids, an assortment of animals and a whole marching band board a train heading for… Read the book to find out. All aboard!

"...a definite read-aloud... will soon have even the youngest singing along.” -- Children's Book Review Service

 
MARIGOLD AND GRANDMA
ON THE TOWN

illustrated by Mary Chalmers

It's a special day when Grandma takes Marigold out on the town! There are a few problems along the way, but Grandmas always know how to solve them.

"This simple, sweet tale of a young bunny and her granny displays a genuine grasp of what children find funny." -- USA Today

 
HOTTER THAN A HOT DOG!
illustrated by Elivia Savadier

"I'm hotter than a hot dog
in a campfire!" I said.
"I'm hotter than a salamander
in the sun!" said Granny.

Word play. Hot day. Grandma's got a great idea to cool things off. Hop on the train -- the iron dragon -- and see where it takes you.

"Sweet, funny, and right on the mark ..." -- Booklist

 
WANTED: WARM, FURRY FRIEND
illustrated by Amy Schwartz

This is a warm, furry -- and funny! -- story of love and friendship. If you've seen the movie "You've Got Mail!", or the musical, "She Loves Me!" you'll know how it all turns out.

"Hare hilarity ... The telling is delicious ..."
-- Publishers Weekly

 
 
 
THE GATOR GIRLS
written by
Stephanie Calmenson and Joanna Cole
illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Meet the Gator Girls -- Ali, Amy and Gracie. Meet the Gator Guys -- Marvin and Dave. Follow their adventures in these FUNNY, easy-to-read chapter books!

"…will tickle children's funny bones... fun and easy to read."
-- School Library Journal, starred review

 
 
 

Selected Books with Joanna Cole

Anthologies

THE READ-ALOUD TREASURY
Favorite nursery rhymes, poems, stories, and more for the very young

BUG IN A RUG
Reading Fun for Just-Beginners

READY...SET...READ!
The Beginning Reader's Treasury

READY, SET, READ...AND LAUGH!
A Funny Treasury for Beginning Readers

GIVE A DOG A BONE Stories, Poems, Jokes and Riddles about Dogs

THE LAUGH BOOK A new Treasury of Humor for Children


THE SCARY BOOK

Activity Books

EENTSY WEENTSY SPIDER
Fingerplays and Action Rhymes

SIX SICK SHEEP: 101 Tongue Twisters

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD
and Other Riddles Old and New

YOURS TILL BANANA SPLITS: 201 Autograph Rhymes

PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY and Other Party Games

CRAZY EIGHTS and Other Card Games

THE RAIN OR SHINE ACTIVITY BOOK
Fun Things to Make and Do

FUN ON THE RUN Travel Games and Songs

MARBLES: 101 Ways to Play

Chapter Books

The Gator Girls series (see above)

     
LICENSED CHARACTER AND MASS MARKET BOOKS
(many under the pseudonym, Lyn Calder)

The Baby-sitters Little Sister Books – over 75 titles with Ann Martin

Sesame Street

CTW

Disney

Movie Tie-ins


DK Design Services