John McDonough

Belching beavers, this is the worst birthday ever for Ereth, the prickly old porcupine! Even his best friend, Poppy the deer mouse, seems to have forgotten about him. If Ereth wants a present, it looks like he'll just have to get it for himself. But when his quest for salt leads him instead to foster parenthood of a litter of boisterous fox kits, a bad birthday becomes the least of Ereth's worries. Return to the Dimwood Forest setting of Poppy and...

This delightful collection of knowledge nuggets is the perfect introduction to subjects ranging from history and science to the performing arts. Learn fascinating facts to impress your friends and maybe even score some extra credit points on tests. Condensed Knowledge provides answers to questions many of us don't think to ask. For instance, did you know the tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body? How about that many of the miracles of...

Open your eyes to one of the greatest naturalist writers of all time with these two short stories by William H.H. Murray. These stories, featuring John Norton, the trapper, were so well loved, that Murray performed them more than 500 times, on book tours in New England and New York. Written at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, Murray's stories of the Adirondack wilderness of the 1860s made outdoor activities like hiking and camping popular for...

Katherine Valentine's two previous Dorsetville novels enchanted readers with lovable characters and rich humor. The third installment delivers more of the day-to-day intrigue and comic happenstance only found in Valentine's endearing community. All is not well in Dorsetville-the sheriff is ill, tragic news awaits Lori Peterson-but in a close-knit community like this, there is no shortage of neighborly care to get you through life's twists and turns....

Have you ever wondered what makes popcorn pop? One second a kernel is sitting there, tiny and hard as a rock. Next thing you know, it bursts into a fluffy and delicious snack. If you're curious about this or any of the other mysteries surrounding us every day, then What Makes Popcorn Pop? is the book for you. For example, if salt isn't hot, then how come we use it to melt ice in the winter? Where exactly does wind come from, and how come we can't...

Athol Dickson, critically acclaimed author of River Rising delivers an emotionally moving story that will resonate long after its final word. In the surge of a single sin, Riley's wife, daughter, and faith all washed away. He now haunts the streets, a mere shadow of the godly man he once was. And then he hears of a town in Maine where miracles are happening. Awaiting Riley is a hope beyond his dreams. But will his past destroy this second chance at...

New York Times best-selling author Martin Dugard writes the first account of Columbus's little-known last voyage. Columbus' famed 1492 expedition wasn't his last. After tough times, he was given one more chance. But this voyage didn't have the fortuitous accidents of 1492. Instead, it brought a shipwreck and more violence and mutiny than ever before, pushing an aging explorer to his limit.

Best-selling author Katherine Valentine delivers the compelling finale to an endearing series set in the close-knit Connecticut town of Dorsetville. Featuring a shocking mystery, an unlikely romance, and barrels of wholesome fun, this inspiring tale offers conflicted characters a fresh start. With the Lichfield County Fair just around the corner, Dorsetville is a beehive of activity. But is there still time for faith and compassion to help a failing...

Brighty, a shaggy young burro, lives wild and free in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. He roams the steep cliffs with the squirrels and rabbits. But his favorite friend is Old Timer, the prospector who shares hot biscuits and calls him Bright Angel. One day Old Timer doesn't answer Brighty's loud "Eeeee-aw!" Instead, the friendly animal encounters a ruthless claim jumper. Will Brighty be able to bring the killer to justice and make the wilderness safe...

In Holy Father, celebrated papal commentator Greg Tobin surveys the extraordinary legacy of John Paul II and examines the new head of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI. Who is the German-born Joseph Ratzinger? Tobin sheds light on every chapter of the new Pope's life, from his childhood to his seminary education and through the career that led to the papacy. Tobin also provides an insider's look at the conclave that captivated the entire world while electing...