Showing results by publisher "Phoenix Books" in Literature & Fiction

Pato is just a stuffed dinosaur, but he hopes that by emulating the giving and loving nature of Santa Claus, he'll become real. Can he do enough good deeds to make his wish a reality? This heartwarming story teaches us all to follow our dreams.

It's Lizzy's favorite holiday...Christmas! And this year, a very special surprise awaits Lizzy and her best friends, Eric and Petunia - a fantastic journey to the North Pole to visit Santa's workshop. This delightful story is read by actress Betty White.

Combine a crime, a criminal, a fat man in a fez, and a guy named "Chicken Man," and you get a zany sci-fi adventure that defies gravity. As Wizard of Comedy Daniel M. Pinkwater transports the Snarkout Boys and the Rat through the tunnel under North Aufzoo Street to the warmth of Beanbenders, you'll meet some strange characters and learn much about the versatile avocado.

Meet the Silly family—Willie, Millie, Lilly, and Billy—and their silly neighbors, relatives, and friends in this lyrical romp of storytelling. Inspired by his grandson, Hollywood legend and award-winning director and comedy writer Carl Reiner weaves a whimsical tale of family fun. Read by the author, this recording highlights fun rhymes, tongue-twisting tales, and hilarious characters that will make children everywhere giggle with delight.

After the loss of her parents, Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great mansion on the Yorkshire Moors. Unsure about her surroundings, Mary struggles to find a place in this new existence. Through the gentle guidance of the maid, Mary gradually becomes interested in a garden at the house, the key to which has vanished. In her quest to find and explore the possibilities the garden holds, Mary befriends a host of loveable characters. Is the garden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life?

Melvin Spellbound's humdrum life suddenly becomes extraordinary when 111-year-old Borgel arrives for a visit. In this clever, funny, off-the-wall story, Melvin's sort of Uncle Borgel seems like an Old World refugee when he shows up at the Spellbound home and moves into their back room with 32 small black suitcases. However, his true identity as an experienced time-and-space tourist is soon revealed when he takes young Melvin on a fantastic intergalactic road trip in search of The Great Popsicle.

Thumbelina is a tiny penguin, as a result of a wish by her parents for a child of their own. Much of Thumbelina's happiness was stolen from her when an unscrupulous, selfish sea turtle kidnapped her from her dwelling. This sets her on a series of adventures where she learns a great deal about things in life, and later meets a handsome prince who is her own size.

Do you believe in Santa Claus? You will after you've experienced this magical Christmas classic that pits cynics against Santa-believers. Miracle on 34th Street begins when a last-minute replacement in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade claims to be the genuine Santa. Is he the real thing or just a charlatan in a red fuzzy coat? In a classic courtroom climax, the department store's Kris Kringle must convince everyone, including a skeptical little girl named Susan Walker, that Santa Claus really does exist.

The Selfish Giant focuses on a garden surrounding a castle occupied by a giant octopus. While the giant octopus is off visiting his friend the Squid Ogre, young fish play in the garden; when he returns, he chases them away and builds a high wall around the garden to keep out all trespassers. Winter comes to call, and a perpetual bleak chill settles on the garden. The giant octopus grows increasingly lonely until the young fish find their way back in, and break the spell that keeps spring out.

The Ugly Duckling tells the tale of a duckling abandoned and deserted because he was different. Despite trying to make friends, the ugly duckling is laughed at and rejected by just about everyone he meets. Then one day the ugly duckling comes across a number of beautiful razorbills swimming in the ocean. It is here that he discovers his real identity, seeing his own reflection in the water. He had grown into a beautiful razorbill, too, and had never been an ugly duckling after all.

The beautiful gilded statue of the happy sea prince overlooks the sunken seatown, but the poverty and misery he sees make him very sad. He asks a whale to gradually pluck the jewels and gold from him to aid those who are suffering.

Each little sea pig is confident that his house is the strongest. But the real question is, whose will survive the big, bad sea wolf? This classic tale will capture children's interest and spark their imagination.

Lil' Jordan's 9 Holes of Fear is a fun, fictional tale of a courageous kid who, with the support of his father, conquers his fears by challenging a golf course filled with monsters. This story is an exciting and unpredictable adventure that also shares a lesson in the principles of sportsmanship. Lil' Jordan's potential, preparation, and perseverance help him face the nine-hole test.

In the excitement of the season, the true meaning of Christmas sometimes gets lost. These warm and humorous stories provide a gentle reminder that it is the day that we celebrate Christ's birth. In Waldo, Tell Me About Christmas, a little boy is more interested in his presents than in why we celebrate this joyous day until his best friend, Waldo, helps him learn the true meaning of Christmas. In The Star of Melvin, the smallest angel—who is responsible for the smallest star—is given a very special task. Can love alone make his star shine bright enough to show the way?

In Spanish for Natalie: A New Friend, two girls from different cultural backgrounds discover they have a lot in common. Natalie is eight years old and has only her new kitten, Popsicle, to call a friend—or so she thinks. After her father encourages her to meet the new girl across the street, Natalie discovers a whole new language: Spanish. Through her newfound friend, Maria, Natalie learns how to say many new words and phrases in Spanish, including hello and goodbye, as well as numbers, colors, foods, and animals.

Young and older listeners alike will treasure this collection of Beatrix Potter's beloved animal stories, narrated by Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw and legendary actress, singer, dancer, and comedian Carol Channing, with musical accompaniment. Stories include tales about the adventures of four little bunnies named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter; a terrier and a ginger cat who own a shop; a naughty squirrel who loses his tail; and two mischievous mice and a doll house.

Young listeners will adore these two inspirational children's stories that are accompanied by original music. The History of Christmas: In this charming metaphor about the discovery of self-worth and the following of one's destiny, a grandfather tells the story of Jesus' birth and how he found his star. The Smallest Mouse in Town convinces himself that he is a giant, and in the end, he proves that the most important thing is to be who you are no matter what. After all, liking yourself is one of life's most important lessons.

Abigail (the woodmouse), Russell (the hedgehog), Edgar (the mole), and Michelle (the badger)—known to their teacher as the Furlings—come face-to-face with dangers unintentionally brought to their forest world by the human pursuit of "progress." These woodland friends race against time to and work together as a team to help a friend in need. This exciting audio tale is based on the children's film Once Upon a Forest, produced by Hanna-Barbera studios.