Barbara Maitland was born and raised in England, but now lives in the United States. Her work has been translated into Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German and Korean.

Mr. Brown's haunted bookstore is so busy that he advertizes for help. He hires Miss Button who loves cats, ghost books and ghosts. Miss Button is perfect for the job - and for Mr. Brown! Although they like each other, they are far too shy to say so. It is up to Mr. Brown's clever and kind-hearted cat, Cobweb, with the help of her ghostly friends, to bring Mr. Brown and Miss Button together.

"Fans of 'The Bookstore Ghost' and 'The Bookstore Burglar' are already wise to the antics of the mischievous mice who are responsible for 'haunting' the bookstore. New readers will enjoy making this discovery ... a winsome addition to beginning reader collections."
~School Library Journal

"Short chapters, large, colorful watercolor-and-ink illustrations which provide ample visual clues to support the text, and a comforting plot, make this a fine book for new readers."
~Kirkus Reviews

Someone stole the key to the bookstore! Luckily for the owner of the Black Cat Bookstore, his clever cat, Cobweb, is on the case. Cobweb has a plan to scare the burglar away, and the ghost who lives in the bookstore is happy to help. But the burglar doesn't believe in ghosts. Or does he?

"Westcott's cheery, full-color, cartoon-line illustrations suit the lightheartedness of this mystery story, and young readers will take pride in reading five chapters of this scary but not-too scary easy reader."
~Children's Literature

"Mr. Brown's clever cat, Cobweb, witnesses an unsavory character stealing the keys to her owner's shop. To foil the theif's plans, the feline must enlist the help of the bookstore ghosts (hint: think mice) to haunt away the burglar when he returns at night. Beginning chapter-book readers will delight in knowing what the ghosts really are in Westcott's colorful illustrations."
~School Library Journal

Tired of waking up every morning to the deafening racket of the city streets, Mom decides it's time for a trip to Uncle Jack's farm. But she and her child soon realize there are different kinds of noises in a country morning - a whole symphony that runs the gamut from "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" to "Ooomoooo!"

"Mom ... and her child narrator are off to visit Uncle Jack out in the country. There they promptly discover that ... out here it's tweety, and quacky, and clucky, and MOOEY early in the morning. With suitcases piled in the back of the car, they're back on the road to home, sweet home in the big, bright, busy, quiet city. The wealth of onomatopoeic delights that fairly command listeners to chirp along lend fresh charm to this rollicking spin on the Country Mouse, City Mouse dilemma ... bedtime stories are a dime a dozen - try this as a wake-me-up instead."
~Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Buoyant text captures the din of city traffic and farmyard animal sounds. Bold, vigorous images are rendered in varied perspectives and are well suited to the lively narrative."
~The Horn Book

A little girl and her teddy bear do everything together. They sing together. They swing together. They ride together and they slide together. They nap together, and when they wake up - watch out! They are full of energy and ready for fun.

"With very few words and bold, colorful illustrations, this simple story explores the relationship of a toddler and her bear ... she is always accompanied by the forbearing bear whose expressive face adds to the charm of this well-crafted tale that manages to be cozy without being sentimental or cloying."
~Children's Literature Review

"The magic word is together in this simple love story. On each page a mop-topped toddler is seen holding her teddy. The two sing, swing, and nap together. "My bear loves me," she says, "and I love my bear." Your little one can have fun acting out the tale with his or her own favorite companion."
~Sesame Street Parents Magazine

Mr. Brown's ghost bookstore is too quiet - mice are scaring away his customers. He asks his cat to catch the mice, but she has other plans. With a clever cat, some hard-working mice and a resident ghost, Mr. Brown's bookstore is about to become very busy indeed!

"This clever story has an easy-to-read vocabulary and short chapters ... colorful and lively illustrations capture the tone of the text, and the artist's extra little touches (such as Mr. Brown's cat-patterned tie) will entertain children. While this book is aimed at newly independent readers, it will also make a fun read-aloud."
~School Library Journal

"Children just past the beginning readers should find this amiable tale well within their grasp. Westcott's jolly illustrations include lots of funny ghost story book titles, some amusing mice antics, and a multicultural group of bookstore customers."
~Booklist

Little Bear isn't scared. It's just that it's hard to fall asleep when the night is so dark. And it's too cold to fish in fast-moving waters. And why should he disturb those dangerous-looking bees if he doesn't like honey? "Scaredy Bear", "Scaredy Bear", his brother and sisters sing in a sticky chorus. But when this tale unfolds, Little Bear proves to everyone - including himself - that he is the rarest sort of brave bear.

"... Moraes's loose, fluid watercolors pick up visually on the whimsical cues in Maitland's tale, and he fills his forest world with plump and appealing creatures. Inviting sympathy for an all-too-familiar predicament, this should resonate with its audience."
~Publishers Weekly

"A purposeful story ... featuring a bear family that is full of personality."
~Booklist