Mike Thaler

With the help of his animal friends, Hippo builds a house, paints a picture, breaks out in spots, and celebrates a birthday.

Field day is one week away, and everyone has to go. But you'd rather go home! Crazy coach Kong is making up all the events! You might leap over lions, hop over hippos, skip through snakes, and tiptoe around tigers! Will it be a field day of dreams or a field day of screams?

From stories he has heard about the librarian, a young boy imagines the worst when his class visits the school library for the first time.

A little boy's imagination goes wild when he hears his new bus driver drives like he's in the Indy 500.

On the first day of school, a young boy expects only the worst when he discovers that his new gym teacher is "Coach Kong," Mr. Green.

For Hubie, preparing for school is worse than actually going to class -- his mother picks out all the wrong clothes, he endures anxiety-provoking visits to the doctor and dentist, and there are rumors about a new teacher who is worse than any other.

"Hubie's class is doing a secret santa this year for Christmas. Everyone picks a name and gets a gift for that person. But Hubie doesn't know what to buy anyone else ... especially if he picks a girl. Giving presents shouldn't be so hard!"--Back cover.

Terrified by the stories that have preceded the huge, new kid, Hubie tries to think of ways to keep from being beaten to a pulp by the giant bully.