Houghton Mifflin Books for Children Contents • Spring 2008 Letter from the Publisher . .inside front cover Walter Lorraine Books . 4 Houghton Mifflin Books for Children . 14 Curious George . 34 Houghton Mifflin Books for Children . 44 Young Birder’s Field Guide . 54 Houghton Mifflin Books for Children . .56 Graphia . .65 Paperbacks . 70 Adult . 89 American Heritage® Titles . 92 Adult Crossover Books . 94 Books by Publication Month . .96 Where the Authors and Illustrators Live . 97 Fall 2007 Backlist . 98 Holiday Books . 104 Easter and Spring Titles . 105 Poetry . .106 Children’s Book Council . 107 Houghton Mifflin Books for Children 2007 Awards and Accolades . 108 Website Resources . 110 Promotions Information ...................................................................... 111 Spring 2008 Subsidiary Rights . 112 Author, Illustrator, Title Index . 115 Ordering Information . 118 Bookstore Representatives . 119 Bat Night at the Library ............................................................ .inside back cover Use our handy color-coded format key below to determine what type of book you want. Board Book Picture Book Early Reader Fiction Nonfiction Reference Paperbacks Houghton Mifflin Company • 222 Berkeley Street • Boston, Massachusetts 02116 • (617) 351-5000 • www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com Cover illustration © Walter Lorraine contributing illustrators: James Marshall, Lynn Munsinger, David Macaulay, Allen Say, Arthur Geisert, Lisa Jahn-Clough, Bill Peet, Susan Meddaugh, Chris VanAllsburg, Bernard Waber, Nicole Rubel, Dianne DeGroat, and Casey G. Catalog design by Kat Black CELEBRATING FIFTY-FIVE SUCCESSFUL YEARS er Lorra alt in W e Upon his retirement we pay tribute to the illustrious career of Walter Lorraine, a luminary in the field of children’s books. In 1952 Walter Lorraine began a long and successful career at Houghton Mifflin Company when he became the production manager of children’s books. He later became art director, and finally Vice President and Director of the children’s book department. In 1995 he became the Vice President and Publisher of Walter Lorraine Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Company. He has discovered and nurtured some of the preeminent creators of children’s literature including, Lois Lowry, David Macaulay, Chris Van Allsburg, Allen Say, Bernard Waber, Susan Meddaugh, James Marshall, Bill Peet, Scott O’Dell, Arthur Geisert, Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger. The many authors and illustrators he has shepherded have won countless awards including, the Newbery Medal, the Caldecott Medal, the Batchelder Award, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books, National Book Award Finalists, and numerous state awards-chosen by children themselves. He is among only five editors to have books he edited win the Newbery and Caldecott Medals in the same year. In 1994 The Giver by Lois Lowry won the Newbery Medal and Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say won the Caldecott Medal. 2 Houghton Mifflin Company H IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS WITH WALTER LORRAINE His contribution to the publishing of children’s literature greatly exceeds the pictorial and design quality and the originality of the publications for which he is responsible. Walter Lorraine has displayed a remarkable consistency in his pursuit of the original, the unlikely and the genuine. He has successfully pre- served an atmosphere of joy, enthusiasm and idiosyncrasy ideal for the develop- ment of fresh talent. “Good children’s literature lets kids test reality safely, and gain maturity” Walter has said. “It opens up other perspectives and points of view and fires imagina- tions. I can’t think of a more rewarding activity than helping authors do that.” We congratulate Walter on fifty-five wonderful years at Houghton Mifflin and his role in firing the imaginations of children of all ages everywhere. Houghton Mifflin Company 3 Walter Lorraine Fiction A FANTASTICALLY FUNNY NEW BOOK BY TWO-TIME NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER LOIS LOWRY! Four “old-fashioned” children become worthy and deserving orphans and even find a wealthy benefactor in this hilariously tongue-in-cheek tale. Walter Lorraine Books March Black-and-white illustrations Ages 9–12 Grades 4–7 112 pages 7 x 9 MARKETING $16.00 • 9-copy floor 978-0-618-97974-5 display LC: 2007021550 • ARC mailings Fiction and giveaways • International author tour (including New York, Washington DC, Seattle, Flint, Portland, Madison, Vancouver) • National publicity • Bookmarks • National advertising • Conference promotions • Online promotion —author podcast • Book Sense promotion The Willoughbys Lois Lowry with illustrations by the author Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good old- fashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too. Replete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and decidedly old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children’s literature. 9-copy floor display 978-0-547-05730-9 $144.00 4 Houghton Mifflin Company H TWO-TIME NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER LOIS LOWRY! Lois Lowry is a preeminent voice in contemporary children’s literature with a canon of more than thirty books for readers of all ages, including The Giver and Number the Stars, both winners of the prestigious Newbery Medal. She recently received the Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors an author for her lifetime contribution to young adult literature. Lois Lowry has received countless honors and captured the imaginations of generations of devoted fans. She divides her time between Massachusetts and Maine. To learn more about Lois Lowry visit www.loislowry.com. Lois Lowry Lois Lowry talks about the inspiration for The Willoughbys: “I grew up on classic children’s literature, including fairy tales, so it has always MORE BOOKS BY permeated my consciousness. Somehow I was reminded of Hansel and Gretel, and LOIS LOWRY: the fact that their parents dropped them off in the woods intending that they die of starvation. Couldn’t do that in a book for kids today! I thought. Then chuckling, I thought: why not? And so I created the Willoughby parents, who go off on a lengthy vacation and then send the children a postcard saying, in essence: By the way, the house is for sale. When someone buys it, you will have to find another place to live. Leave your clothes; we might be able to sell them. The Willoughbys is simply a spoof, or takeoff, on classic children’s literature of the Gooney the Fabulous past, with all of its stock conventions—the orphans and villains and coincidences 978-0-618-76691-8 and long-lost heirs who turn up at the last minute.” $15.00 CL ALABASTER is actually a kind MALEVOLENT means wanting of mineral used for sculptures. to harm others or having an evil But it can also be an adjective influence. Even though if you meaning white like that mineral. glance quickly at the word it See if you can remember where may look like “male violent,” Gossamer the word alabaster appears in this word has nothing to do 978-0-618-68550-9 “America the Beautiful.” Then with males. It is actually pro- $16.00 CL you can be a Jeopardy! contest- nounced mah-LEV-oh-lent. ant, as this author once was. Some females are very malevo- lent. The Willoughbys comes CONFECTIONARY NEFARIOUS means utterly, complete with a unique has to do complet glossary, as well as a with candies. You can also spell ely wicked. The charac- e: confectionery The Wizard of Oz bibliography of all the books it with an ter in could mentioned within the text. Here (remember that, if you are ever have been called the Nefarious The Giver Wheel of Fortune is just a sampling of what’s on ). A confec- Witch of the West, but authors Newbery Medal included. tioner is a guy who makes or like to use the same beginning 978-0-395-64566-6 sells candy. Willy Wonka is a consonant, often. Perhaps L. $16.00 CL confectioner. Frank Baum crossed out nefari- For a complete list of books by ous after wicked came to his Lois Lowry, visit mind. Thank goodness, because www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com. Nefarious would be a terrible name for a musical. Houghton Mifflin Company 5 Walter Lorraine Picture Book A pair of wily cats conspire with the other animals to set a trap for the marauding wolf, using the three pigs as bait. Walter Lorraine Books March Full-color illustrations Ages 4–8 PreK–Grade 3 32 pages 9 x 12 $17.00 978-0-618-88934-1 LC: 2007019291 Picture Book Big and Bad MORE BOOKS BY ETIENNE DELESSERT: Etienne Delessert A wolf, Big and Bad, is on the loose, bounding across the hills and gobbling up every creature in his path. As he grows taller than the midnight moon, the other animals begin to worry that soon the planet will be too small for his increasing appetite. Beavers try to drown him in their pond, crows pelt him with walnuts, and moles dig an underground pit—to no avail. Alone, they are helpless against the mighty wolf, Alert! until a pair of wily cats comes up with a plan . 978-0-618-73474-0 Etienne Delessert reimagines the classic tale of $17.00 CL “The Three Pigs” by turning the tables on the marauding wolf as the animals join together to set a trap to stop his ravenous rampage. Beautifully illustrated, this allegorical retelling offers an alternative perspective on the original story, extending its significance and raising questions about unchecked aggression and the power of Humpty Dumpty cooperation.