by Elise Primavera

The companion book to Elise Primavera's much-celebrated Auntie Claus, Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas, gives Sophie Kringle's younger brother, Christopher, a turn in the starring role. Finally, Chris will learn the Kringle family secret--that his great-aunt Auntie Claus, inhabitant of penthouse 25C of New York City's Bing Cherry Hotel, is Santa Claus's older sister! When Chris overhears someone say that only babies believe in Santa Claus--and then repeats the rumor!--he is immediately summoned by Auntie Claus for tea, marmalade cake, and a talking-to. During teatime he learns of the PRUNES--Parade Rainers United National Elite Society (people who would dare to say there's no Santa) as well as the B-B-and-G List (Bad-Boys-and-Girls) that Santa makes each year. Taking it all with a grain of salt, Chris decides to use the scientific method: he'll behave so boorishly that he'll get on the List--if he still gets presents, he'll know it's all a hoax. Sophie attempts to demystify Christmas for him once and for all, sending him up in a magical elevator to the North Pole where he discovers (1) he made the List, (2) PRUNES exist, and (3) Santa exists. Sharing some of the smart-alecky humor of Jon Scieszka's Time Warp Trio series (Ozzie and Pam Spam are on tour promoting their new book We're Geniuses and Yer Not!, for instance), Auntie Claus then dashes the comparison with a sweet-as-cherry-pie maxim--"the best things are invisible"--which also happens to be the key to Christmas. Once again the whimsical, grand, richly colored paintings steal the limelight in this o'er complicated holiday tale. Still, those enchanted by the first Auntie won't want to miss it. (Ages 6 and older) --Karin Snelson

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by Elise Primavera

"Sophie wondered about her great-aunt a lot. She's so mysterioso! Sophie thought. And this was true. There were many strange goings-on up in penthouse 25C. Most people considered Auntie Claus just another eccentric New Yorker. But Sophie knew there was more to her than met the eye." As if Auntie Claus's everyday red velvet gown with furry white trim isn't unusual enough, there is the diamond key that hangs around her neck. During her year-round tea and Christmas cookie rituals, she always leaves young Sophie with the words, "And darling, always remember my first and final rule--whether it's birthdays, Christmas, or Halloween, it is far better to give than to receive!" Oddest of all, every year she departs on a "business trip" right after Halloween and doesn't return until Valentine's Day. One year, the spoiled and rather unpleasant Sophie (who, like her little brother, is all about "receiving," and as much as possible) decides to stop wondering about her great-aunt and start investigating. She stows away in a large box, is loaded into a Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator-style enclosure with all of her great-aunt's luggage, and is shot off into the sky. Landing with a thunk, she is greeted by Mr. Pudding, who assumes she is the new elf and sets her to work in the mailroom. As Mr. Pudding extols the virtues of hard work, Sophie thinks, "Rules, schmules." But her work hasn't quite yet begun. When Santa asks for one brave elf to volunteer to go to the coal mines and pick up the "B-B-and-G List," Sophie gets nervous. The B-B-and-G List is the list of bad boys and girls who will go without Christmas presents... or worse. She volunteers, thinking she just may be on that list. But when it's her little brother she sees on the list, Sophie finally learns the important lesson that Auntie Claus has been trying to teach her. When that happens, Sophie whirls up out of the coal mines into the Grand Ballroom of the North Pole, where Auntie Claus is revealed to be Santa's sister with much fanfare. Award-winning illustrator Elise Primavera's gorgeous artwork is positively luminous, recalling the splendid Christmas television specials How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the Claymation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in extraordinary compositions, compellingly portrayed characters, and unusual perspectives. Not at all surprisingly, Nickelodeon Films has already secured the rights to this action-packed, highly visual story to make a full-length live-action film in the year 2000. (Ages 4 and older) --Karin Snelson

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by Elise Primavera

Franny longs for adventure but can't even do a cartwheel. Pru can do a cartwheel but prefers hiding under her quilt making up safety tips. Cat has no use for safety tips but supposedly has ESP. And Ivy has had a seven-year string of bad luck—a Jinx that's about to get a whole lot worse. The four are thrown together when a pair of mysterious ruby red slippers turn up, along with the fashionably mad Cha-Cha Staccato, who bears a frightening resemblance to a certain wicked witch. . . . As hilarious as it is original, The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is an unforgettable take on girlhood, piano recitals, The Wizard of Oz, and the dependable everyday magic of true friendship.

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by Esile Arevamirp

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by Elise Primavera

"Sophie wondered about her great-aunt a lot. She's so mysterioso! Sophie thought. And this was true. There were many strange goings-on up in penthouse 25C. Most people considered Auntie Claus just another eccentric New Yorker. But Sophie knew there was more to her than met the eye." As if Auntie Claus's everyday red velvet gown with furry white trim isn't unusual enough, there is the diamond key that hangs around her neck. During her year-round tea and Christmas cookie rituals, she always leaves young Sophie with the words, "And darling, always remember my first and final rule--whether it's birthdays, Christmas, or Halloween, it is far better to give than to receive!" Oddest of all, every year she departs on a "business trip" right after Halloween and doesn't return until Valentine's Day. One year, the spoiled and rather unpleasant Sophie (who, like her little brother, is all about "receiving," and as much as possible) decides to stop wondering about her great-aunt and start investigating. She stows away in a large box, is loaded into a Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator-style enclosure with all of her great-aunt's luggage, and is shot off into the sky. Landing with a thunk, she is greeted by Mr. Pudding, who assumes she is the new elf and sets her to work in the mailroom. As Mr. Pudding extols the virtues of hard work, Sophie thinks, "Rules, schmules." But her work hasn't quite yet begun. When Santa asks for one brave elf to volunteer to go to the coal mines and pick up the "B-B-and-G List," Sophie gets nervous. The B-B-and-G List is the list of bad boys and girls who will go without Christmas presents... or worse. She volunteers, thinking she just may be on that list. But when it's her little brother she sees on the list, Sophie finally learns the important lesson that Auntie Claus has been trying to teach her. When that happens, Sophie whirls up out of the coal mines into the Grand Ballroom of the North Pole, where Auntie Claus is revealed to be Santa's sister with much fanfare. Award-winning illustrator Elise Primavera's gorgeous artwork is positively luminous, recalling the splendid Christmas television specials How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the Claymation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in extraordinary compositions, compellingly portrayed characters, and unusual perspectives. Not at all surprisingly, Nickelodeon Films has already secured the rights to this action-packed, highly visual story to make a full-length live-action film in the year 2000. (Ages 4 and older) --Karin Snelson

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by Elise Primavera

Franny longs for adventure but can't even do a cartwheel. Pru can do a cartwheel but prefers hiding under her quilt making up safety tips. Cat has no use for safety tips but supposedly has ESP. And Ivy has had a seven-year string of bad luck—a Jinx that's about to get a whole lot worse. The four are thrown together when a pair of mysterious ruby red slippers turn up, along with the fashionably mad Cha-Cha Staccato, who bears a frightening resemblance to a certain wicked witch. . . . As hilarious as it is original, The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls is an unforgettable take on girlhood, piano recitals, The Wizard of Oz, and the dependable everyday magic of true friendship.

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by ArtSelect

Artist: Elise Remender Title: PrimaveraFrame: NoneImage Dimensions: 18 in. W x 48 in. H Visit our ArtSelect storefront for a wide variety of top quality framed art prints, canvas, mirrors and more.

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by Tomaso Albinoni

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by Elise Primavera

The companion book to Elise Primavera's much-celebrated Auntie Claus, Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas, gives Sophie Kringle's younger brother, Christopher, a turn in the starring role. Finally, Chris will learn the Kringle family secret--that his great-aunt Auntie Claus, inhabitant of penthouse 25C of New York City's Bing Cherry Hotel, is Santa Claus's older sister! When Chris overhears someone say that only babies believe in Santa Claus--and then repeats the rumor!--he is immediately summoned by Auntie Claus for tea, marmalade cake, and a talking-to. During teatime he learns of the PRUNES--Parade Rainers United National Elite Society (people who would dare to say there's no Santa) as well as the B-B-and-G List (Bad-Boys-and-Girls) that Santa makes each year. Taking it all with a grain of salt, Chris decides to use the scientific method: he'll behave so boorishly that he'll get on the List--if he still gets presents, he'll know it's all a hoax. Sophie attempts to demystify Christmas for him once and for all, sending him up in a magical elevator to the North Pole where he discovers (1) he made the List, (2) PRUNES exist, and (3) Santa exists. Sharing some of the smart-alecky humor of Jon Scieszka's Time Warp Trio series (Ozzie and Pam Spam are on tour promoting their new book We're Geniuses and Yer Not!, for instance), Auntie Claus then dashes the comparison with a sweet-as-cherry-pie maxim--"the best things are invisible"--which also happens to be the key to Christmas. Once again the whimsical, grand, richly colored paintings steal the limelight in this o'er complicated holiday tale. Still, those enchanted by the first Auntie won't want to miss it. (Ages 6 and older) --Karin Snelson

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by Esile Arevamirp

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by Elise Primavera

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by Elise Primavera

Horror has never been so absurd. After a bloodcurdling summer at camp, Fred and Anthony are eager to get back to watching horror movies and slacking off at school. But on their first day back, the boys' plans are dashed by some chilling changes at Sunny Babbling Brook Elementary. Their nicest teachers have been replaced by maniacs, and the cafeteria now serves nothing but organic health food. Then worse, a new kid named Billy Bob Bomzie, son of the infamous Mr. Bomzie, shows up to torment the boys. Right away Fred and Anthony are framed for a rash of weird accidents at school. Clearly Billy Bob is guilty, but the whole school is suddenly in love with him. Not only that, he's rolling in awards and dough for his hit picture book, which is thirty-two blank pages. How can this be? The boys suspect he is receiving help from some being in the Netherworld in charge of making dreck popular. Now it's up to Fred and Anthony and their new ally, the Phantom of the Mop Closet, to defeat the dark forces at Sunny Babbling Brook. While they're at it, maybe they can find the supernatural force to make their own dreck popular and rake in some dough!

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by ArtExpression

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