Sid The Squid And The Search For The Perfect Job

With the help of his friend Alice, Sid the giant squid tries many jobs including firefighter, cook, and window washer, in the search for the perfect one.

It’s not unusual that a son doesn’t listen to his mother. However, it is extraordinary that both astoundingly transform into animals to make their points! Ben loved pretending he was an animal. But when his mom said, "clean up for dinner," Ben claimed, "Animals don't, so I won't." However, he didn't expect two could play the same game! Next child and parent transform into penguins, leopards, bears, and more animals in a humorous and enlightening dance of wits. This inventive tale reinvents the familiar bedtime routine. Both adults and kids will enjoy this amusing adventure, illustrated in colorful watercolors by an accomplished Disney and DreamWorks animator. An engaging twist on the “he said, she said” narrative delivers interesting facts about animal behavior with welcome doses of knowing understanding and humor. The author, a father with two kids, draws from personal experience to sympathize with both sides in the running (and swimming) debate. This contest is like Ben10 meeting Dr. Doolittle! This game of catch me if you can will make a satisfying storytime for parents, grandparents, caregivers, elementary school teachers, and children’s librarians. - - - “My boys love this story; they listen to it while hanging like a sloth or roaring like a lion... the story is imaginative and sparks their imaginations and the artwork is simply wonderful." - Geek Mom "As the appealing cover shows, animal-loving Ben likes to pretend he’s wild himself...The animals and their actions are well-chosen for child appeal. Pen-and-ink drawings with watercolor wash combine realistic images with the fantasy of this parent-child game...The clever premise of this well-worked-out story is likely to appeal as much to adults as to the children they get to share it with." - Kirkus Reviews “Dave Derrick has created a fantastic picture book that is entertaining, informative, and laugh out loud funny. When you add in his expertly drawn gestural illustrations, you have, simply, perfection. I wish I had thought of this!” - Chris Van Dusen, illustrator of Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson book series “Dave’s curiosity for the natural world is always obvious to me in his work, and he transfers that love for life to whoever chances upon it. His drawings and compositions show the wonder of the natural world, while his humor and his story layer it with life.” - Matt Nolte, Character Designer, Pixar, and illustrator of Brave: One Perfect Day

A tiger cub and little crocodile joust in a witty war of words. Delightfully illustrated by an animator on Disney’s 2019 The Lion King movie. In India the Bengal tiger is the king of the land. But the giant saltwater crocodile is the ruler of the water. What happens when the kids of these fearsome beasts meet? Let's get ready to rumble! These animals sing their own version of Anything You Can Scare, I Can Scare Better! Two youngsters engage in a playful battle of bragging rights. Their spirited banter and humorous romp will entertain readers of all ages. In lush spreads painted in traditional watercolor, this budding rivalry escalates. The two kids compare their tremendous stealth, strength, stamina, and even speed. The argument is subtly educating, but overtly hilarious; especially when readers learn what animal is truly the scariest thing in the jungle. In a playful game of one-upmanship, each tot boasts frightening canines, claws, and capabilities. They climb trees and swim circles around each other in a close contest. But will these terrible tykes discover someone even scarier than them? No elephant is waiting around to find out the answer! Children and their parents can identify with the desire to make one’s mark, stand out in a crowd, and be proud of one’s background and talent. Animal lovers can root for their favorite “king of the jungle.” Teachers and librarians will enjoy repeated readings of this tall tale, illustrated with naturalistic verve by a veteran animator at Disney and DreamWorks. The book was a Finalist for the 2014 Bull-Bransom Award for best children’s book illustrations with a wildlife or nature focus. - - - "In the style of an animated children’s movie, this endearing book captures the voices of two young jungle tots in a power struggle... Sculptor and animator David Derrick imbues his characters with the spunky personality reminiscent of Simba and other classic movie friends, bringing them to life with colorful, cartoonish drawings and boastful dialogue. This tale of independence and humility will be adored by children" - ForeWord magazine "I'm the Scariest Thing in the Jungle is one of those books that you realize could easily become your child's most favorite stories of all time. The book that, when they grow up, they'll want to read to their own children." - Just a Little Creativity "easily the family favorite... The font color is different for each animal so that your child can easily identify who is talking...It’s a wonderful device that works very well. You learn all kinds of things about the behavior and habitats of each animals... Eventually, the youngsters realize they have strayed too far into the jungle alone, and just who is the scariest thing in the jungle. I won’t spoil the ending for you. It’s too wonderful." - Geek Mom. Wired.com "Though we both enjoyed this story, what really won us over was the illustrations. They're fabulous, and are perfect for young children who enjoy looking through picture books. This book is the whole package- it's a great picture book, and fun story to read. This is one book worth adding to your e-book collection." - Mundie Kids

Read Along or Enhanced eBook: Who wears oven mitts, an apron, and a puffy hat? Who uses safety glasses and a saw? Clothes and special gear associated with an array of different professions appear on a clothesline, with an accompanying four line stanza asking the reader to guess what job that person does. Turn the page, and the worker wearing and using the featured items is revealed.

A prehistoric lizard must convince a hungry dimetrodon to play with its food! Comically illustrated by an animator on Disney’s 2019 The Lion King movie. The Permian Period was millions of years before the age of the dinosaurs...but it was still a eat-or-be-eaten world! When a small prehistoric lizard (a Coelurosauravus) finds itself on the menu, it must convince the predator (a Dimetrodon) to play with its food. When the carnivore balks, the tiny reptile simply won't take no for an answer! A hilarious debate and chase ensue between this odd couple. This playful pair provides classic comedic slapstick with over-the-top pratfalls and witty wordplay. Enjoy this an uniquely entertaining "dinosaur" tale with a twist! This humorous romp will resonate with children and their parents, who both know a contentious mealtime when they see it. Spirited banter will delight young readers. Dinosaur lovers can spy many different species hidden in the scenery. Vivid and energetic artwork turns the survival of the fittest into the survival of the funniest. Teachers and librarians will enjoy repeated readings of this tall tale, illustrated with naturalistic verve by a veteran animator at Disney and DreamWorks. - - - “Play with your Food is a lighthearted prehistoric romp, brought to life with vibrant full color illustrations." - Midwest Book Review “Adult readers and children alike will enjoy finding these animals hidden in the illustrations as the story progresses...and the hijinks continue. RECOMMENDED" - Library Media Connection "My boys enjoy the fun story lines that this author always seems to master, as well as the colorful and personable illustrations. As an artist myself, I aspire to create illustrations as enchanting as those within the pages of David Derricks stories. I'm sure it not easy find a balance in illustration between a dinosaur looking too ferocious and overly friendly, but the art in Play with Your Food hits the mark perfectly.... Play with Your Food will appeal to not only young dinosaur fans, but it's also sure to get any child who has been told not to play with your food giggling out loud. The story is simple and funny, and just long enough to keep the attention of even the younger readers. There's plenty of room for a child's imagination to roam in between the lines, especially if they take their time to explore the illustrated pages." - Just a Little Creativity

Little ones dream big. They may look like they're playing with tinfoil and cardboard boxes, but really, they're piloting rockets into space and becoming the first astronauts to walk on Mars. Learn a little about what astronauts do, and spark a passion that lasts a lifetime.

In 1768, an 11-year-old sailor named Nicholas took to the seas with British explorer James Cook on a 3-year expedition of discovery, venturing into an uncharted world filled with strange lands, mysterious peoples, and peculiar creatures. Sailing the Unknown, written by Michael J. Rosen in the shorthand style of a historical journal and illustrated with panoramic vistas by Maria Cristina Pritelli, depicts this historic journey from the viewpoint of young Nick.

Talk about a BIG catch! The 25-foot squid hauled in by a fishing boat off the coast of New Zealand in December 1997 was one of the most amazing stories of that year! Here's a fascinating look at the giant squid, cephalopods in general, and the implications of this extra-ordinary discovery--written in conjunction with The American Museum of Natural History.