MOI AND MARIE ANTOINETTE (Bloomsbury, forthcoming September 2006), by Lynn Cullen.
Marie Antoinette was one of the most celebrated queens in history… but she was once a little girl, too. As told by her vain but devoted dog, Sebastian, here is the story of the young princess’s life — from her childhood in Austria, to the elaborate preparations leading to her marriage to Louis XVI; from her unhappy rise to power in turbulent times, to the birth of her own children. Lynn Cullen’s spirited text sheds light on a side of Marie Antoinette few have seen — that of a vulnerable young girl thrust into a role much bigger than she could have imagined. Stunning illustrations by Amy Young capture the grandeur of life in 18th century Versailles and the touching intimacy of a child’s lasting love for her pet.

SPIKE AND CUBBY’S ICE CREAM ISLAND ADVENTURE (Henry Holt, 2004) by Heather Sellers. A dogs-at-sea adventure filled with turbulence, friendship, and plenty of ice cream! Spike and Cubby are the best of friends. They are also a working dog team: Cubby is a writer with no time for interruptions, and Spike’s an illustrator with a knack for distracting. But when the distraction is the amazing Ice Cream Island — specializing in Spumoni Baloney Grande — what dog can resist? This playful adventure proves that friendship can weather more than a bit of rough-and-tumble, and especially that a little distraction (and a yummy treat) can lead to inspiration. See more....

MY PONY JACK (Viking Easy-to-Read, 2005) by Cari Meister.
Meet Jack! Taking care of a pony is fun, but it’s a lot of work, too. Readers can follow along as Lacy grooms her pony, Jack—from brushing his coat and tail to cleaning his hooves. This simple story with irresistible illustrations showing lots of visual clues is perfect for children just learning to read on their own. A picture glossary of terms is included. Buy the book!

MY PONY JACK AT RIDING LESSONS (Viking Easy-to-Read, 2005) by Cari Meister.
It’s lesson-time for Lacy and her lovable pony, Jack. They practice their posting trot, the bumpy sitting trot, and Lacy’s favorite — the canter. This series features simple stories with playful illustrations, which capture the charming connection between a girl and her pony. Buy the book!

MY PONY JACK AT THE HORSE SHOW (Viking Easy-to-Read, 2006) by Cari Meister.
Lacy and her pony, Jack, are competing in a horse show. Lacy gets Jack ready by braiding his mane, combing his tail, and more.When they arrive at the show, Lacy is initially overwhelmed. It’s so big! But once she and Jack get onto the course, they do just fine. They even win a second-place ribbon. Buy the book!