A Snowman Named Just Bob

A recently built snowman comes to life and offers a message of friendship.

Provides activities and materials designed to reinforce language skills.

Who made the first snowman? Who first came up with the idea of placing snowballs on top of each other, and who decided they would use a carrot for a nose? Most puzzling of all: How can this mystery ever be solved, with all the evidence long since melted? The snowman appears everywhere on practically everything -- from knickknacks to greeting cards to seasonal sweaters we plan to return. Whenever we see big snowballs our first impulse is to deck them out with a top hat. Humorist and writer Bob Eckstein has long been fascinated by this ubiquitous symbol of wintertime fun -- and finally, for the first time, one of the world's most popular icons gets his due. A thoroughly entertaining exploration, The History of the Snowman travels back in time to shed light on the snowman's enigmatic past -- from the present day, in which the snowman reigns as the King of Kitsch, to the Dark Ages, with the creation of the very first snowman. Eckstein's curiosity began playfully enough, but soon snowballed into a (mostly) earnest quest of chasing Frosty around the world, into museums and libraries, and seeking out the advice of leading historians and scholars. The result is a riveting history that reaches back through centuries and across cultures -- sweeping from fifteenth-century Italian snowballs to eighteenth-century Russian ice sculptures to the regrettable "white-trash years" (1975-2000). The snowman is not just part of our childhood memories, but is an integral part of our world culture, appearing -- much like a frozen Forrest Gump -- alongside dignitaries and celebrities during momentous events. Again and again, the snowman pops up in rare prints, paintings, early movies, advertising and, over the past century, in every art form imaginable. And the jolly snowman -- ostensibly as pure as the driven snow -- also harbors a dark past full of political intrigue, sex, and violence. With more than two hundred illustrations and a special section of the best snowman cartoons, The History of the Snowman is a truly original winter classic -- smart, surprisingly enlightening, and quite simply the coolest book ever.

A magical change in the weather not only saves Snowman Bob from melting, but also inspires his friends to build a snowgirl to keep him company.

"Hooray! It is a snow day! And what a perfect time to make a snowman. But Little Sister needs help putting on her boots, Dad needs a hand with shoveling, and Gator wants to build a fort. Will Little Critter ever get to build a snowman?"--Cover back.

When he decides to go south for the winter, a snowman is surprised at what happens to him.

Today's first-time grandmothers are the youngest ever. At an average age of only 47, they're not the white-haired, cookie-scented matrons of yesteryear -- and please, don't call them "Granny." The Hip Grandma's Handbook resents is the perfect accessory for today's new grandma. An eclectic collection of humor, reflections, and product recommendations, it offers worldly wisdom and common-sense advice on everything from glam alternatives to "Grammy" (think M'Mere) to tips on feigning interest in yet another round of ultrasounds ("It looks...just like you"). The book's funny, funky voice is a refreshing alternative to the traditional titles on the market, yet it offers wholesome, time-honored information for conscientious grandmothers looking to nourish and nurture grandchildren -- while maintaining their own identity and having fun in the process. Entertaining and inspiring, the book is a thoughtful gift for M'Meres of any age.

Growing up on Mimi and Papa’s farm, Peter knows a lot about caring for pumpkins. One summer Peter finds a lonely pumpkin all by itself in the field, and with his tender care, the pumpkin flourishes. By autumn, it’s the very best pumpkin of all, and Peter wants to keep it for himself. But when a young girl shows up at the farm in quest of a perfect pumpkin, will Peter pass on his prized pumpkin and gain a friend? From the bestselling creators of Reindeer Christmas and A Snowman Named Just Bob, this enchanting story is filled with the magic of autumn and friendship.