Can't Catch Me! How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace

My real name's a secret.
My friends call me E. B.
My special job means I must hide
My true identity.

It's true. E.B. is the CEO of a huge "underground" operation that requires special top-secret management. It's not easy, processing all those colored eggs and chocolate bunnies while keeping the whole organization hush-hush. But E B. wasn't born yesterday. He's hip to the usual suspects and those timeworn tricks kids use to trap him.

The first trap is quite simple.
Just carrots on a plate.
To catch me you'll need
Some better bait!

Yup, the Easter Bunny won't fall for that one any more than Santa goes for those camera-rigged cookies and milk. He knows all the usual tricks, like the deadfall rabbit hole covered by a small carpet. Kids can be quite clever, but E.B.'s super-sensitive spyware, his big ears, will tip him off to many such traps. And he's a bit of a shape-shifter as well, shrinking down to disguise himself as a small gray rodent if need be.

But after all, the Easter basket is the thing, and even though savvy kids have never caught him in the act, they always find the real-deal evidence of his work, those colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, and jellybeans, waiting in the morning, thanks to the skills and fast footwork of their springtime friend, in Adam Wallace's How to Catch the Easter Bunny (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, 2017).

With artist Andy Elkerton filling the pages with his fast-moving and stealthy big bunny and other colorful Easter paraphernalia and various fonts and text always in motion, kids will be challenged to continue to try to capture this big-footed spirit of the season. Author Adam Wallace is fully qualified to cue young operatives in, having already written three top-selling How-To manuals for crafty kids--How to Catch a Leprechaun, How to Catch an Elf, and How to Catch the Tooth Fairy.

Ninja Trap: How To Catch A Monster by Adam Wallace

School is done; I'm heading home.
It was such an awesome day!
I got the role of Ninja Master
In this year's school play.

So now I'm feeling brave and strong,
And full of courage, too!
But if I'm going to be a HERO,
There's one thing left to do!

Like most youngsters, our newly minted Ninja Master has an issue with that SOMETHING in his closet. This Monster has kept him half-scared for a long time with his spooky bumps in the night, and with his new title, Ninja Master is ready to take on the challenge of trapping this closet bogeyman once and for all. He gets into his ninja gear and gets Mission Closet Monster underway.

There's no doubt that Monster is in there. He lets out a ROAR!

Ninja Master pulls out his wind-up shark and sends him in to maul the Closet Monster, but he comes out with his snout out of joint. He tries a sticky ninja net spray, but Monster escapes. Ninja Master sends in his robot, who succeeds in capturing the Monster in his cage. Success!

But Monster looks all sad and crestfallen. He apologizes for being scary and explains what he really wants.

It's hard to to play when you're asleep.
I want you wide awake!

Ninja Master and Closet Monster strike a truce, and each gains a secret late-night playmate, in Adam Wallace's latest How-To story book, How to Catch a Monster (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, 2017) which, with artist Andy Elkerton's engaging and funny cartoon illustrations, joins the Wallace-Elkerton team's series of popular seasonal stories, How to Catch an Elf, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy, How to Catch a Leprechaun, and How to Catch the Easter Bunny. (See reviews here.)

'S NO Trick! How to Catch A Snowman by Adam Wallace

I don't thumpity thump or give warm hugs,
That's for my friends to do.
These clever kids will try to trap me,
But who will catch me.... YOU?

Of course the kids will give the chase their very best effort!

They try to coax Snowman onto the ice for a fun hockey game and trap him in the goalie cage, but he's too fast for them to score!

The kids strap on the skis for a downhill run, but Snowman's slalom outruns them, and on the ice his spins are twice as nice as theirs. And when they try to trick him into picking up some of their snowman snacks, ...he just makes tracks!

I'm glad I'm free, it's true.

But I can leave a gift for you!

That just how Snowman rolls, and the kids have to settle for Snowman's super SNOWMAN SCULPTURE conciliation prize in Adam Wallace's latest How to Catch book, How to Catch a Snowman, (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, 2018). Andy Elkerton's icy, snowy illustrations are lively and wintry, and as always, Snowman is up to the chase. The kids may not catch their quarry once more, but by now in this catchy series, they probably are not surprised. Other books in this series include How to Catch a Monster and Wallace's hit Christmasy chase story, How to Catch an Elf.

Swim Fins Recommended: How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace

How do you catch a mermaid?
You must be very clever.
With mirrors, crowns, and pearls galore.
This quest can't last forever.

For one thing, these kids can't hold their breaths underwater that long!

But kids who have taken on the detection and capture of the Tooth Fairy, a Christmas elf, a unicorn, a leprechaun, and the odd monster don't easily quit their quests.

But it's not easy. The M.O. of mermaids is little known, and outside of a predilection for sitting on rocks, singing, strumming lyres, and an admiration for fine jewelry, the habits and behavior of mermaids are not exactly common knowledge.

You don't learn this in school.
We'll need to build a gentle trap
And start near the tidal pool.

They come in peace to the tidal pool, hoping to befriend the finny beauty, but their soft seaweed lasso fails to hold the seemingly sturdy mermaid. The old sparkly-necklace-inside-the-fake-clamshell trick fails, too. It's time to try some technology.

But their submarine with robotic arms is too slow for the swift mergirl, and their cleverly rigged treasure chest only attracts an unwanted underwater bad guy!

SHARK!

The tables are turned. The would-be captors are now about to become shark snacks, and they have to rescued by what turns out to be a friendly mermaid after all, one who is pretty tough on her own turf, er, surf, in Adam Wallace's brand-new How-To Catch book, How to Catch a Mermaid (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, 2018). Author Wallace follows his familiar rhyming formula as his young heroes attempt to trap yet another mythical being. With their skills honed on catching unicorns, leprechauns, and Santa's little minions, this lighthearted quest nevertheless ends with the score Kids 0, Mythic Critters 7 in some buoyant high jinks, illustrated admirably by artist Andy Elkerton, whose mermaid is both comely and brainy and proves herself as totally in charge of the situation in her exquisitely illustrated under-the-sea domain.

Better luck next time, kids. Halloween is coming, and there are still plenty of spooks out there to be snared.

Dino Hunters: How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace

TOMORROW'S THE BIG SCIENCE FAIR.

WE'VE NEVER WON BEFORE, BUT THIS YEAR, I CANNOT LOSE!

You can't fault this kid for not having some BIG dreams. As a hunter, he's gone after some exotic creatures--a mermaid, unicorn, leprechaun, elf, a monster, a dragon, and even..., yes, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy.. But this time, it's for SCIENCE, and he's going after the ultimate catch--a DINOSAUR.

Dinosaurs have been described as huge, fierce, and carnivorous They have also been described as extinct!   But this kid doesn't buy that story! He's a full-blown dino extinction denier.

And besides, he and his friends have a plentitude of plans for this big game hunt. After all, they know all about dinosaurs! They try setting out a tasty meaty bait, but the dino bypasses the easy bite.

LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A PLANT EATER!

But one dino trap after another fails to capture this mighty--volcano deadfalls and power machinery with potent pulleys, their Robohugger 9000.

SHE SHOULD BE CALLED T. WRECKS!

It's back to the old drawing board, for our intrepid hunter and for intrepid author Adam Wallace and illustrator Andy Elkerton, in their latest in their How To series, How to Catch a Dinosaur (Sourcebooks/Wonderland, 2019). It seems as long as there are big beasts and magical creatures to catch, our boy will be game for the big game hunt and young readers will keep on chuckling at his efforts. See other funny books by Adam Wallace here.

On the Loose! How to Catch the Tooth Fairy by Adam Wallace

I'm the Tooth Fairy, Yes, I am!
And every single night,

I collect 300,000 teeth
While staying out of sight.

The tooth fairy is one proud practitioner, whisking away those unneeded baby teeth. Out with the old. In with the new!

And then there's that baby-tooth bonus, the money the Tooth Fairy leaves in exchange for the cast-off tooth.

But some kids won't settle for just taking the cash from the switch. Those kids, the same ones who also hide behind the sofa to sneak a peak at Santa Claus, often try to capture the Tooth Fairy. On this night there is a girl called Julie and a boy named Sanjeev who think they've got the perfect Tooth Fairy trap ready and waiting.

Every trap that's set for me
is sure to be defeated.

A trap of floss?
That's Julie's loss!

And Sanjeev? He can forget it! Kids 0, Tooth Fairy 2!

Many kids will try, but the Tooth Fairy continues to ply her trade with impunity, in Adam Wallace's How to Catch the Tooth Fairy (Sourcebook/Jabberwocky, 2016). Artist Andy Elkorn's illustrations show great charm and inventiveness, from cozy interior bedtime scenes from many perspectives to blue-black twilights in which the lively fairy surfs her way to work on a toothbrush.

And don't forget to pair this one with Wallace and Elkorn's hit for more March merriment, How to Catch a Leprechaun.

Details! Details! Only You Can Save Christmas! A Help-the-Elf Adventure by Adam Wallace

My name is Wink, Wink Silverbells.

It's my job to make sure Christmas Eve goes according to plan.

It's all gone well so far. Santa's loaded sleigh has just taken off with all eight reindeer feeling their oats and Rudolph's nose with a full charge. It's time for Santa's point man Wink to put up his feet in the now quiet workshop.

But what's that rolled-up piece of paper with a jaunty red bow? Did Santa mean to take it along? Wink has to know.

He reads the title and the first line about 12 Days of Christmas.

Oh, No! This must be a list of things Santa wants to give Mrs. Claus!

Wink looks at the first item: A partridge in a pear tree?

What the Elf?

There are no pear trees at the North Pole. And if there ever was a partridge, he's flown the coop and gone south by now! Wink needs some Christmas helpers--NOW! He turns to his readers to pitch in!

I need YOU!

Some substitutions are in order. Maybe you can round up some bird willing to perch in a fir tree?

Good. Now for a duo of turtle doves. No turtle doves? So how 'bout two turtles?

Okay! What's next? French hens? Parlez vous? Go outside and say "Oui!" over and over.

Now. What's next? Four calling birds? What does Santa think this place is--a poultry farm?

I found the four calling birds.

Actually they text more than they call, but... close enough!

You can see where this one is going, in Adam Wallace's Only YOU Can Save Christmas!: A Help-the-Elf Adventure (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017), a comic interactive holiday tale in which readers are called up to whistle, honk, yodel, and even wiggle their butts a couple of times (his term, not mine!) to get all the stuff together to surprise Mrs. Claus. And she's going to be surprised all right, what with the dancing ladies and leaping lords, five doughnut rings, and a menagerie waiting for her, not to mention the elves taking selfies. She won't even notice the boring gift--a vacuum cleaner--that Santa brought for her--but she's going to need it after the rest of her gifts get done dancing and partying--and whatever all those birds do.

Author Adam Wallace himself has been busy pre-Christmas, having given youngsters two new elf stories with which to make merry, counting his other just published picture book hit, How to Catch an Elf.

No Tooth Required? Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth by James and Kimberly Dean

PETE LOST A TOOTH!
"PUT IT UNDER YOUR PILLOW," HIS MOM SAYS.
"THE TOOTH FAIRY WILL COME!"

And it works! Pete puts the tooth under his pillow, and closes his eyes to sleep--and--COOL!--The Tooth Fairy appears, big blue eyes, azure tutu, wand, and wings and all.

Not only does she have his coin, but she has a job for him. She's too busy to get around to all the lost teeth before morning, so she deputizes Pete as a tooth fairy temp employee. He gets big yellow wings and a Tooth Fairy T-shirt--and his very own list of tooth-losers--all of them his friends.

Pete's first customer is Callie Cat, a sleeping beauty if he's ever seen one, and Pete takes the tooth and leaves a coin without waking her. Pete flutters on to Alligator's window and finds him snoring away, with one big bicuspid under his pillow.

CAREFUL! IT'S SHARP!

Carefully putting a coin under Alligator's pillow, Pete flies on to the last name on his list--Gus the Platypus, his favorite percussionist. But there's a problem. There is no tooth under Gus the Platypus' pillow. Pete searches all around, but there is not a tooth anywhere!

DOES PETE PANIC? NOPE!

There's only one thing to do. Pete bends the rules a little bit. He wakes Gus up and asks him where he's put his lost tooth. Gus puzzles at Pete's costume, but opening his mouth wide, he points out what should be obvious.

"PLATYPUSES DO NOT HAVE TEETH!"

Pete gets it that Gus is just trying to get in on the tooth-fairy fun, so Pete puts the customary coin under his pillow and returns to rendezvous with a very tired Tooth Fairy, ready for her shift to end.

It's No Problem and fist bumps all around, in James and Kimberly Dean's Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth (My First I Can Read) (HarperCollins). Author-illustrator Dean is the author of over 100 picture books and beginner reader books with their can-do theme and laid-back philosophy of life, and this one is just right for a readership who are busy shedding first teeth. The two Deans always provide a few nuggets of knowledge along with their easy reading practice, not to mention the positive view of life which comes with the fun.

For yet another Tooth Fairy tale, pair this one with one of Adam Wallace's How-To series, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy. (See review here).

St. Patrick's Day Tricks! The Gingerbread Man & the Leprechaun Loose at School by Laura Murray

One Monday in March the mischief began with a HEE HEE HEE from a wee little man.

"FO FIDDLEY-FEE! You can't catch me!

I'm a leprechaun on a mess-making spree!"

But that leprechaun is messing with the wrong man--Gingerbread Man--who knows a thing or two about being loose on the school himself!

Gingerbread Man sprints down the Kindergarten hall after the leprechaun, spotting a note hastily taped to the wall by the green-clad malefactor.

The Woodwinds, the Strings, Percussion, and Brass
Are Turned Topsy-Turvy, Awaiting Your Class

And it's true! When his class follows the Gingerbread Man to their band room, they find it is indeed a musical mess. The kids quickly put the tipped tubas and flipped flutes back in place, but their Gingerbread Man is already moving on to find the green-clad miscreant.

As Gingerbread Man strolls through the halls on patrol, he follows some telltale dropped shamrocks leading into the Boys' Bathroom. What a distressing sight it is.

He yelled with a blush:

"Where are your manners! Remember to flush!"

Is any place safe--including the Gingerbread Man's own gingerbread house--with a tricky leprechaun on the loose? Well, Gingerbread Man hasn't lost a race yet, in Laura Murray's latest, The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School(G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2018),  and in this latest salute to St. Patrick's Day celebrations at school, the pot of gold is in Murray's jolly rhymes and artist Mike Lowery's kid-friendly illustrations. Chasing down the wee man's pot of gold is a time-honored early childhood class activity to familiarize young pupils with the school, and this story makes a great storytime lead-in for the hunt around the school. And for a rip-roaring emcore, there's Adam Wallace's best-selling How to Catch a Leprechaun and Lucille Colandro's classic St. Paddy's Day parody, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! (peruse review here).

Including in this series are other primary grade classroom-centered gingerbread adventures such as The Gingerbread Man Loose at The Zoo, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck and The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas.