"Punchy dialogue and compact sentences should make this a read-aloud delight."--Publishers Weekly"Part-slapstick, part-fairy tale, the gently humorous plot has enough twists and turns to keep newly independent readers engaged."--School Library JournalFred the dragon has a list of tasks he must complete in order to be a successful dragon--none of which comes naturally. But he's determined to make #5--eat people--work. Before you can say "pass the salt" he's gobbled up three people even though he doesn't have the stomach for it. Luckily a local shepherd, with the help of a giant and a witch, knows how to cure what ails him and get those pesky people out of his belly. It's happily-ever-after for everyone in ways you'd never expect.Geisel award-winning author/illustrator Geoffrey Hayes is a stepped reader maestro. The common threads between his wildly popular Uncle Tooth and Otto SIRs and the more recent Benny and Penny series (Toon Books) are...

Illustrated in black-and-white. When a creepy fortune-teller moves into Boogle Bay, spooky things start happening. One by one, people disappear, and those who remain begin acting very oddly. Otto is convinced that zombie monsters are up to some sneaky tricks--he even spotted one skulking by the movie theater! Will the swamp zombies take over the town before Otto, his Cousin Olivia, and their Uncle Tooth solve the mystery and save everyone?

A new addition to the premier first chapter book. When Otto gets lost in a deserted fun house, he discovers that it has been invaded by ghosts who once were a band of cutthroats and thieves. Will Otto find the secret exit in time or will he be trapped inside forever?