Cynthia Rylant

Life is beautiful, ever changing, sometimes not easy, but always worth waking up in the morning to see what might happen.

Although made of straw and borrowed clothes, a scarecrow appreciates his peaceful, gentle life and the privilege of watching nature at work.

"Annie loves living with her dad and her bunny, Snowball. But she wants her dad to find someone to love. Then he meets a woman named Martha. Soon it is time for a wedding!"--

When their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry hurts her foot, Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby agree to walk her dog for a week, not knowing what they are in for.

There is a softness and a quiet before the rain comes… When rain is on its way, some people and animals hurry home and get cozy inside. But others stay out to soak up the glorious showers! Wet drops bounce on leaves and roofs, creeks fill up, trees take a shower, cats have a show, and everyone relishes the rain.

Annie and her cousin Henry, along with Henry's dog Mudge and Annie's rabbit Snowball, enjoy a sparkling, wintry ice storm.

Kona the labrador, Gwendolyn the hermit crab, and Murray the bat help a lost bobcat kitten find his family after being swept down the mountain from the rain.

Annie and Henry join the summer reading club at the library, and vow to be "Book Bugs" for life.