Purple Bear Books

Books Spring 2007
The Nightingale
Hans Christian Andersen Illustrated by Igor Oleynikov When he learns that the nightingale's song is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world, the Emperor of China sends his courtiers to find the bird and present it as a guest at court. The nightingale can speak to humans and agrees to come, but when the Emperor receives a mechanical nightingale covered in jewels, he discards the real bird, which flies back to its home. Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved story in which a king learns humility from a bird was written in 1843 to honor Jenny Lind, the famous opera singer dubbed the Swedish Nightingale. This new edition of the childhood favorite features shimmering color illustrations by Russian artist Igor Oleynikov. Excerpt: In China, you know, the emperor is Chinese, and all his people are Chinese, too. This story happened a great many years ago, so it is well to hear it now before it is forgotten. The emperor’s palace was the most beautiful in the world. It was built entirely of porcelain that was very costly and so delicate that anyone who touched it had to be very careful not to break it. In the garden there were the most beautiful flowers, with pretty silver bells tied to them that tinkled, so that everyone who passed could not help noticing them. Indeed, everything in the emperor’s garden was remarkable, and it extended so far that the gardener himself did not know where it ended. Those who traveled beyond its limits knew that there was a great forest with lofty trees sloping down to the deep blue sea, where great ships sailed under the shadow of its branches. In one of these trees lived a nightingale, who sang so beautifully that even the poor fishermen, who were very busy, would stop and listen. Sometimes, when they went at night to spread their nets, they would hear her sing and would say, “Oh, isn’t that beautiful!” But when they returned to their fishing, they forgot the bird until the next night. Then they would hear her again, and exclaim, “Oh, how beautiful is the nightingale’s song!” Product Details Trade Binding: $15.95 ($17.00 Cdn) ISBN: 1-933327-30-8 Product Dimensions: 40pp, 8 1/4 x 11 3/8 Color illustrations throughout Reading Level: Ages 6 & up Publication Date: Spring 2007 On sale now at Amazon.com Place an order with our distributor	Enlarge Image
Books Fall 2007
Best Friends
K. T. Hao Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri Ben Bear is excited to get a new puppy. He names him Luke and asks his friend Chris Croc to help him build a dog house. Working together, the two saw, hammer, paint, and decorate, and in no time the dog house is built. But that night, after his friend goes home, Ben Bear can't sleep. He tosses and turns, tries counting sheep, and listens to the tick-tock of the clock. As Ben thinks back over the events of the day he suddenly remembers the very important thing he forgot to do! Excerpt: Ben Bear got a new puppy. He named him Luke. "I'm going to build you a dog house," said Ben Bear. "I'll ask my best friend Chris Croc to give me a hand." Chris Croc was glad to help. They sawed and hammered, they painted and decorated. Working together, they built Luke's dog house in no time at all. They finished just in time for supper and happily shared a pizza. Then Chris Croc said goodbye and headed home. That night Ben Bear could not fall asleep. He tossed and turned, and tossed some more. He tried counting sheep but that didn't help. He lay there, wide awake, listening to the ticking of the clock. Something kept nagging at him, something he forgot to do. Product Details Trade Binding: $16.50 ($18.00 Cdn) ISBN: 1-933327-39-1 Product Dimensions: 32pp, 9 x 13 Reading Level: Ages 4 & up Publication Date: Spring 2008 On sale now at Amazon.com Place an order with our distributor	Enlarge Image
Where's My Mommy?
K. T. Hao Illustrated by Alessandra Toni Polly drifts off to sleep and is awakened by a strange noise. Beside her bed stands an adorable — but lost — little lamb. The lamb asks Polly to help it find its mother, and Polly kindly agrees. Their moonlit quest takes them uphill and down, across meadows and fields. Along the way, they meet many animals who have some, but not all, of the attributes of the little lamb's mother. Will Polly succeed in helping the little lamb find its mother? Alessandra Toni’s enchanting illustrations help make this gentle bedtime story as warm and loving as a kiss goodnight. Excerpt: One cool summer night, Polly snuggled in bed, waiting for her mommy to give her a good night kiss. All the doors and windows were open and Polly could hear crickets chirping away outside. She had just drifted off to sleep, when suddenly she was awakened by a strange noise. She opened her eyes wide. Standing right in front of her was a fluffy little lamb. “Baa, baa,” said the lamb. “I’m lost. I can’t find my mommy. Will you help me?” Polly laughed. “Of course I will. Come on, let’s go see if we can find your mommy. What does she look like?” The little lamb thought for a minute, as they went outside. “She has four legs, just like me. Oh, look!,” he said, pointing across the field. “Is that her?” Product Details Trade Binding: $16.50 ($18.00 Cdn) ISBN: 1-933327-41-3 Product Dimensions: 32pp, 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 Reading Level: Ages 4 & up Publication Date: Spring 2008 On sale now at Amazon.com Place an order with our distributor	Enlarge Image
Who Did This?
K. T. Hao Illustrated by Poly Bernatene Ben’s mother is painting the living room with nice, smooth, even strokes. Painting’s hard work, so she settles down for a short nap. While she sleeps, Ben decides to finish the job. Nice, smooth, even strokes are boring, though, and Ben has a bright idea for livening up the job — and the walls! But when the ladder somehow tips over, and the good china somehow gets broken, all Ben can do when his mom demands, “Who did this?” is point to his dog, Booboo — a fib that has unexpected repercussions. Whimsical, color-drenched illustrations complement this fast-paced, funny story. Excerpt: One day Ben’s mom decided to paint the living room. She got up early and started right in. Her paintbrush went up and down, up and down in nice smooth strokes. While she worked, Ben played happily with his dog, Booboo. Painting was hard work. After a while mom needed to take a rest, so she curled up on the sofa and went to sleep. “Mom is tired,” Ben told Booboo. “I’m going to surprise her and finish painting.” At first, Ben painted just like his mom, up and down, up and down in nice smooth strokes. “This is boring,” said Ben, so he started to paint a picture on the wall. He painted a house with a big sun shining down, then he added some grass and a boy standing in the yard. As Ben stepped back to admire his picture he bumped into the ladder. The ladder started to tip over and knocked down all of his mom’s pretty china! CRASH! Product Details Trade Binding: $16.50 ($18.00 Cdn) ISBN: 1-933327-33-2 Product Dimensions: 32pp, 8 1/4 x 11 3/8 Reading Level: Ages 4 & up Publication Date: Spring 2008 On sale now at Amazon.com Place an order with our distributor	Enlarge Image