By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

“’A told B,/ and B told C,/ I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.’ This infectiously rhythmic beginning introduces one of the liveliest, jazziest alphabet books on record. Tongutingling, visually stimulating, with an insistent repetitive chorus of ‘chicka chicka boom boom’, the book demands to be read again and again and again. Absolutely irresistible . . . let yourself go—and have fun!”—The Horn Book

ALA Notable Children’s Book 1989

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand

“Both the illustrations and the poetic text are full of affection and dignity; the several valuable themes are well integrated. An excellent contribution.”—Kirkus

In this poignant story, the counting rope is a metaphor for the passage of time and for a boy's emerging confidence facing his greatest challenge: blindness. "While classified as an Indian story, the love, hope, and courage expressed are universal."—Booklist, starred review.

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand

In an old farmhouse, bathed in the light of a full moon, a young boy creeps to his bedroom window and looks outside. Was that a voice he just heard, or the hooting of an owl? There it is again:
Come a little closer...
Come a little closer...
Listen to the night...
There's music in the air...
Beckoned by the voice, the boy sneaks downstairs, out the door, and walks toward the barn. As he gets closer he hears the sweet sound of a country fiddler and the rhythmic thumping of dancing feet. But who could possibly be having a barn dance in the middle of the night?
*“An engaging blend of words and pictures to set both the mind and eye dancing”—School Library Journal (starred review)

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand

“Deep, dark pictures of a windy, cloudy, spooky night provide the appropriate atmosphere for this tantalizingly told story-poem.”—Booklist

"A delightfully alarming story poem about a dark and windy night when a boy and his sister are sent on an errand and must pass a certain tree that moans and reaches out its arms, freezing their hearts with fear. Strong, exciting illustrations make it all real. The poem would be especially good read aloud."—The New Yorker

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by James Endicott

“A book that parents, teachers, and children will read again and again and again.”—School Library Journal

Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault evoke the beauty and the mystery, and the sounds and the silences-- of rain.

Listen to the rain,
the whisper of the rain,
the slow soft sprinkle,
the drip-drop tinkle,
the first wet whisper of the rain.

Their marvelous ear for the melodies and rhythm of language, combined with James Endicott's spare, almost abstract paintings, have created a lyrical book with a haunting power-- perfect for reading aloud on a rainy day.

An NCTE Notable Trade Book for the Language Arts

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand

”The rhythmic language and the energetic illustrations make for a dynamite presentation.”—School Library Journal (starred review)

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Robert J. Lee

“The book’s strong suit is its eye-catching design, which captures the action in attractive two-page spreads.”—Booklist

"A simple text with a lyrical rhythm describes a pumpkin in a garden, who unexpectedly whispers that he'll protect the yard from the 'foolies.' Lee's fragile watercolors cast an appropriately haunting aura to the strange proceedings."

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand

Here Are My Hands invites young children to respond spontaneously and creatively as they learn the parts of the body. The rhyming text and bold illustrations do more than name the eyes, ears, nose, and toes. By featuring children of many different backgrounds, the book quietly celebrates the commonality of people around the world.

"Here are my hands for catching and throwing…." This is a wonderful book to help promote self-awareness. Each page has wonderful multicultural illustrations pointing out a different body part. The rhyming text gives wonderful examples of the usefulness of each part.

By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand

One by one, the children choose from a plethora of handsome steeds: horses, zebras, ostriches, boars and bears, assembled in the ring of a merry-go-round. Rand's luscious watercolor technique adds to the momentum of the swirling merry-go-round, a dazzling array of vibrant colors. A diversity of phonetic sound, coupled with the staggered meter of the merry-go-round grinding to a halt, mirrors the feelings of ambivalence that children experience when such a wonderful ride is over. The combination of Martin and Archembeault's masterfully written and highly readable verse and Rand's characteristically rich illustrations makes this a rhythmic, raucous read-aloud.—Reed Business Information, Inc

“A rollicking celebration of everyone’s favorite ride.”—Kirkus