Michael J. Rosen

A family--a mother, a father, and their ten-year-old son--have come all the way from Florida to the Appalachian foothills to experience the wonder of a snowy weekend. At a nearby farm, a cattle dog is working, as she does every day, driving her forty head of cattle from pasture to corral and back again. And then, suddenly, a blizzard descends. The family is trapped outside, disoriented in the whiteout. They are panicked, exhausted, freezing, and stranded...

Told through the voices of the children, this inside view of life on their farm is authentic and sometimes surprising. Readers will learn about baling hay, tending cattle, work dogs, hunting, manure, and other activities on the Bennett farm, as well as some insights into the culture of living in a rural area.

Leaping from the Eiffel Tower in a wingsuit. Scaling Shanghai Tower, one of the world's tallest buildings. Camping on the roof of Philadelphia's abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary. These scenarios are real examples of explorations, adventures, and infiltrations of the built environment. Thousands of people around the globe engage in the recreational activity of place hacking: climbing, wading, jumping, or even ironing their way into prohibited or...

Sniffing armpits. Scuba diving for golf balls. Building secret passageways. For some lucky people, these strange tasks are all in a day's work. Want to learn about the men and women who destroy old buildings or make movie sound effects? Discover a range of weird jobs from around the world!

A fish that walks on land, a frog that makes its own sunscreen, and an insect that can become invisible? Whether to avoid predators, to stalk prey, or to withstand extreme temperatures, Earth's creatures have evolved some outrageous features and tricks to ensure survival. For example, did you know that the geoduck (nope, it's not a duck, it's a clam) can live as long as 160 years? And that the aye-aye, a nocturnal primate, uses echolocation and a...

A salvo of hilarity from that loose cannon of American humor that Mirth of a Nation editor Michael J. Rosen has culled from some 1200 pages of brilliantly original works by our best contemporary humorists. This action-packed compilation of highlights includes Bobbie Ann Mason's stint at the La Bamba hotline, David Rakoff's insights on families, Andy Borowitz's memoir of Emily Dickinson (basically, she was a drunken jerk), and Michael Feldman's helpful...

In this very special anthology of beautifully poetic short stories, thirty distinguished authors and illustrators explore the unique and varied meanings of home. Their touching words and magnificent art affirm the importance-and joy-of having a place to call one's own. Culturally diverse, multi-representative, and socially inclusive, this book is nourishment for the young soul. At a time when displacement and homelessness remain painfully present...

What do a blue whale, a grizzly bear, and an elephant-size piggy bank have to do with math? Find out in this hilarious romp through weight, volume, distance, and more. These zany scenarios add up to be full of fun!

Would you believe bee's venom could help you feel better? How about a candle in your ear, or a string running through your nostrils? People have used all sorts of kooky remedies to fight pain and illness. Some work. Others, not so much. Find out more about odd medical cures of past and present!

Many youngsters wish for a canine companion--but many instructional books are geared toward adults or more advanced readers! Providing an insightful and accessible look at several aspects of dog ownership, A Dog's Life highlights how to train, care for, and understand our loyal four-legged companions. Each book offers a brief tutorial on a different topic and works with the others to compile a comprehensive yet introductory guide to such issues as...