David Ezra Stein

On a cattle drive in the desert on the night before Cowboy Ned's birthday, his horse Andy goes in search of a birthday cake, which he thinks will make Ned's birthday complete.

When Little Red Chicken comes home excited about what she learned in school, she explains to Papa that every story has "an elephant of surprise."

Monkeys, mice, snakes, cats, and many other animals demonstrate how to act towards others.

Enjoying the excitement of the world, newly hatched dinosaur Dinah stomps and chomps through the day before seeing a kiss, then resolving to kiss someone herself without whomping, chomping, or stomping them first.

A young mouse girl named Mouserella writes a letter with pictures to her beloved grandmouse in the country, letting her know all of the things that have been going on in her life in the three days since she has seen her last.

A dog without a human companion fetches his own slippers and curls up at his own feet but cannot reach a certain itchy spot in the middle of his back, compelling him to leash a poor lonely human who will loyally offer a helpful scratch.

"All the inspector wanted was an egg to go in his sandwich, so he heads to the café. The problem? The town is entirely out of eggs, and the local chef is panicked. Luckily, he spots a lovely duo having lunch: a woman and a chicken named Beaky Barnes -- it's his lucky day! But when the woman and Beaky have a fight over an offensive business arrangement (chicken-pulled coach service, anyone?), chaos ensues. With a chicken on the run, and an inspector...

Tired of helping others cool their drinks, Ice Boy proceeds to sneak out of the freezer and heads to the beach, where his edges begin to blur.

Loving to spend his days swimming, catching flies, and snuggling beside his dad, Tad the tadpole grows new limbs and begins wiggling, croaking, and kicking in his sleep, making him realize that it's time for a lily pad of his own.

"Watch out for the devious duck! A new bird has arrived in Simpleton and is here to ruffle some feathers with a plan to trick the townspeople out of their money. For what, you might ask? Buying freshly baked bread! (A duck's favorite snack, of course.) Meanwhile, the chef wants to hire a baker, the inspector is looking to get strong, and the inventor is trying out some new (explosive) ideas for a kitchen invention contest. But what about our favorite...