Fran Manushkin

Katie loves music, and she'd like to make music of her own. She enjoys all of the instruments her dad and friends play, but none seem right for her. What instrument will match the music in Katie's heart?

Katie, her father, JoJo, and Pedro are on a special sleepover at the museum; but at night the dark halls are spooky, and it is easy to imagine that the dinosaurs are ghosts haunting the museum--and when Mr. Woo disappears the children become frightened.

Katie is delighted when her Aunt Patty asks her to be a flower girl--but then she starts thinking about everything that could go wrong and worries that she will spoil her aunt's wedding.

Katie's birthday is tomorrow, but she just cannot wait to find out what her present will be, so she and Pedro follow Katie's parents as they go shopping, but none of the places they stop seem present-worthy--Katie is disappointed, but when she gets home a big surprise is waiting for her.

When Koko, Katie's new white puppy, is scared by a noisy truck and runs away, Katie and Pedro try to track her down in the snow, following several false leads until they finally see Koko.

Pedro and his father go on a hike in the woods--where it turns out that Pedro knows a lot more about the plants and animals then his father does, but they both have fun anyway.

Pedro enters the same karate class that his friends Katie and JoJo, and learns some of the ninja moves that he admires in the movies. Includes glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and jokes.

When Katie's mom starts to feel under the weather, it's up to the spunky schoolgirl to help her get better. And with Mother's Day coming, Katie wants to get a super-special gift for her super-special mom. But sometimes the best gift isn't a thing you can buy or make ... it's being a kind and thoughtful daughter!

Katie's class is invited to see a new house a classmate's father is building, where they learn the steps to building a house and even who the new homeowner is. Includes glossary, discussion questions, and an interview.

Katie's dad surprises her with a trip to a ranch where she can ride a real horse.