Merrill Lynch

Izumi is not like the other young women in the emperors court. While her friends spend their time admiring delicate butterflies and wearing beautiful silk gowns, Izumi is busy exploring the natural world. She finds worms, toads, and her absolute favorite creatures caterpillars to be much more fascinating. Izumi does not care about fitting in or following the strict rules of twelfth century Japanese society. She would rather observe how a caterpillar moves and grows. Her unique interests cause quite a stir among her family and the noble court, who do not understand her independent spirit. As pressure mounts for her to act like a proper lady, Izumi must decide whether to change who she is or stay true to her own curious heart. This vivid retelling of an ancient Japanese story celebrates the courage it takes to be yourself, even when everyone else expects you to be someone different.

Jump into a wild mystery where even your sleep is not safe! Eric is tossing and turning in his bed, suffering from a completely out-of-control dream. But this is no ordinary nightmare; it is a desperate call for help from the magical world of Droon. When you step off the glowing rainbow stairs with Eric, Julie, and Neal, you discover a massive disaster. A sneaky villain is actively stealing the dreams of everyone in the kingdom! The people of Droon are exhausted, cranky, and desperate for a good night of sleep. You must team up with the young wizards to track down this mysterious dream thief. Follow the magical clues, set clever traps in the dark, and use your bravery to catch the culprit. Can you return the stolen dreams and restore peace to the realm before the thief creates a permanent nightmare for everyone?

When the Turtle City vanished, it left behind the dangerous Ruby Orb of Doobesh. No one knew the true extent of the evil hidden inside this powerful red relic, but you are about to find out. Disaster strikes when Max falls under the orb's wicked spell and is whisked far away. You will join Eric, Neal, Julie, Galen, and Keeah as they desperately search for their missing friend. To break the dark charm, you must first locate the orb's magical companion, the legendary blue Sapphire Star. Your rescue mission will take you far beyond the familiar lands of Droon and out onto the wild, unpredictable sea. You will set sail on an epic voyage aboard the majestic ship, the Jaffa Wind. Battle fierce storms, navigate treacherous waters, and face incredible sea creatures in a race against time. Climb aboard and prepare for a magical maritime adventure you will never forget.

Get ready to race through the magical world of Droon at lightning speed! Everyone in the kingdom is buzzing with excitement because the great Quest is about to begin. Princess Keeah is determined to win the grand prize, and for a very important reason. The winning reward holds the exact magic needed to break a terrible spell cast upon her mother, the Queen. You must join forces with Eric, Neal, and Julie to help Keeah secure the victory. But watch out! Not everyone in this massive competition is playing by the rules. Sneaky racers are trying to cheat their way to the finish line, and they will do anything to stop your team. You will need to use clever tricks, teamwork, and quick reflexes to outsmart the villains and cross the finish line first. Step through the magical door and join the most important race Droon has ever seen!

Prepare to hear the villain's side of the story! You have traveled down the magical staircase to the world of Droon many times. You have helped Eric and his friends battle the wicked Lord Sparr, and you even befriended him when he was transformed into Kid Sparr. Now, the dark sorcerer you know so well is back, and he is more powerful than ever before. But this adventure is completely different. This time, Lord Sparr is the one telling the story! You will step directly into the shoes of Droon's biggest villain and uncover the hidden secrets behind his dark magic. Why does he want to conquer the kingdom? What is he truly afraid of? Uncover the mysteries of his past and witness his terrifying rise to power. Discover what it really means to be the most feared wizard in the entire magical realm.

Step directly into the shoes of Princess Keeah and experience the magic of Droon through her own eyes! As a junior wizard, Keeah has spent her entire life dreaming of the day she would finally receive her very own Wizardbook. When her mother proudly presents her with this magical gift, she is beyond thrilled. But holding such incredible power is extremely dangerous. Without careful practice, a Wizardbook can easily spiral out of control. If Keeah makes just one mistake, she might accidentally destroy the entire magical kingdom! You must help her learn to harness her new spells safely. She will rely on the support of her best friends, Eric, Julie, and Neal, along with the clever guidance of Max the Spider Troll, to stay out of trouble. Join Keeah as she tells her own thrilling story, masters her magical abilities, and proves she is a true hero!

Step through the hidden door, walk down the magical staircase, and discover the wondrous world of Droon! Things have gone terribly wrong for Neal. He has accidentally transformed into a giant bug once again. His best friends, Eric and Julie, know they cannot solve this strange problem at home. They immediately travel to the magical realm of Droon to seek help from Princess Keeah. The Princess believes a cure exists, but it is hidden away in the mysterious City in the Clouds. The clock is ticking fast. The friends only have a single day to reach the mystical city and find the magical remedy. If they fail, the City in the Clouds will vanish into thin air for an entire year, leaving Neal stuck as an insect. Join this daring rescue mission filled with magic, mystery, and incredible teamwork!

The mysterious city of Ut is built entirely on secrets. It only appears in the magical world of Droon once every one hundred years. To get past its massive walls, you need a special key hidden inside a magical bottle. Eric, Princess Keeah, and their brave friends have figured out the secret of the bottle, but they are not visiting for fun. They are on a desperate rescue mission. Hoja, a powerful and kind genie, is being held prisoner inside the city. The friends must sneak inside and save him before the city vanishes for another century. However, Ut is hiding much darker and more dangerous mysteries than they ever expected. As they navigate the strange streets, they realize these secrets involve their greatest enemy, the evil sorcerer Lord Sparr. Join the team on this thrilling quest as they race against time and dark magic to save their friend!

Walter has gotten himself into a massive and hilarious mess. His classmates are completely convinced that he is a superstar shortstop, bragging to everyone about his incredible baseball skills. The truth is, Walter is an absolutely terrible player who cannot catch a fly ball or make a proper throw to save his life. Terrified of embarrassing himself and letting down his friends, Walter comes up with a desperate and wildly creative plan: he fakes an injury. By putting a fake cast on his left arm, he figures no one can force him to play, and his secret will be safe. But keeping up a lie is a lot harder than it looks, especially when everyone is watching your every move. Follow Walter as he desperately tries to maintain his disguise while navigating the daily challenges of school, friendships, and the pressure to perform. This funny and engaging story perfectly captures the lengths we sometimes go to in order to avoid embarrassment, and what happens when the truth finally catches up with us.

The courageous mice of the Prisoners Aid Society are back, and this time the danger is closer to home. You might think a cellar is just a dusty room for old boxes, but for Bernard and his friends, it is the frontline of a massive rodent rebellion. A fierce army of rats has decided to take over the Ambassador's house, and they do not care who gets in their way. You will follow Bernard as he steps out of Miss Bianca's shadow to lead a daring defense against the invaders. Without his usual backup, he must rely on his sharp wits and a handful of brave volunteers to protect their home. The stakes have never been higher for the society. You will be on the edge of your seat as Bernard navigates treacherous tunnels and plots brilliant traps. Can a small but determined mouse truly outsmart a ruthless pack of rats? This thrilling chapter book delivers non stop action and proves that true bravery comes in all sizes.

The magical land of Droon is in terrible danger once again. Emperor Ko has clawed his way back to power, and his monstrous beasts are on the loose. They have uncovered a magnificent, lightning powered submarine hidden deep within the secret Fortress of the Treasure Queen. With this incredible machine in his grasp, Ko is plotting to completely destroy Jaffa City. You must join Eric, Julie, and Neal as they rush to save their magical friends from total disaster. But to stop Emperor Ko, they need insider knowledge, and there is only one person who can help. You will have to team up with your worst enemy, the wicked Lord Sparr. Can you really trust him to do the right thing, or is he leading you into a deadly trap? Step through the hidden door and dive into an explosive underwater adventure where the fate of Droon hangs in the balance.

Long before they became legendary spirit animals, four magnificent creatures roamed the wild lands of Erdas as Great Beasts. Briggan the Wolf, Uraza the Leopard, Jhi the Panda, and Essix the Falcon were the most powerful beings in the world. When a ruthless and mad king rises to power, these four noble animals must band together with a united army of humans and beasts to stop his reign of terror. But the Great Beasts soon discover that they are not the only powerful creatures fighting in this war. A devastating betrayal is already in motion, secretly planned by two of their very own. To save the world of Erdas from complete destruction, the Four Fallen must make the ultimate sacrifice. Dive into the hidden history of Erdas and uncover the lost stories of the original Great Beasts. Discover the extraordinary acts of bravery and the shocking secrets that set the entire Spirit Animals adventure into motion.

The spotlight finally shines on the bravest secretary in the Mouse Prisoners Aid Society. While Miss Bianca is away, a desperate plea for help reaches Bernard. An orphan heiress has been kidnapped by her very own guardian, and there is no time to wait for backup. You will join Bernard and his trusty stuffed bear, Algernon, as they launch a daring one mouse rescue mission. It is a terrifying journey into the unknown, filled with towering dangers and tricky traps. You will watch Bernard transform from a quiet assistant into a brilliant hero, using his sharp mind to outwit a greedy villain. Navigating the human world alone is the ultimate test of his courage and training. You will eagerly turn the pages to see if his clever plans can save the young girl before it is too late. This incredible adventure highlights the quiet strength of a loyal friend.

Harold the dog is not thrilled about the Monroe family's overnight camping trip, but the promise of toasted marshmallows convinces him to tag along. Chester the cat, however, is convinced the woods are full of evil spirits, especially since it is St. George's Eve. Harold tries to ignore Chester's wild imagination, focusing on the campfire treats instead. But when the Monroes pitch their tent near two strange men and their even stranger dog, weird things begin to happen. As a terrifying storm rolls in, Chester tells a horrifying tale about how Bunnicula the vampire rabbit was truly born. With alarms sounding in the dark and unexpected dangers lurking in the trees, Harold starts to wonder if Chester might actually be right. This hilarious and spooky adventure will keep you on the edge of your sleeping bag.

Great Beasts from legends past are returning to Erdas, binding themselves as spirit animals to a new generation of heroes. These powerful creatures unite the human and animal worlds, granting special kids incredible abilities to protect their lands. But just as these legends are reborn, a mysterious and ruthless stranger begins hunting them down. He is determined to capture the Great Beasts and will crush anyone who dares to stand in his way. The stolen legends are in grave danger, and it is up to young heroes from all across the globe to step up and stop him. You will experience a collection of thrilling stories that follow these brave kids and their spirit animals as they fight back against the darkness. Every battle requires immense courage and teamwork, proving that even the youngest heroes can change the fate of the world when they protect the creatures they love.

Annabelle's father is absolutely certain that magic does not exist in their urban environment, assuring her that fairies cannot survive in a backyard made of cement and weeds. But Annabelle is patient, and she knows that finding wonder just requires a little extra time and observation. Her persistence is rewarded when she discovers Jethro Byrd, a thumb-sized fairy child. Jethro's family has made an awkward crash landing in their tiny ice cream truck van right among the discarded bottles and cans. Annabelle is thrilled by the discovery and promptly invites the entire Byrd family to join her parents for an afternoon tea. Yet, as the fairies fiddle, sing, and dance merrily among the cake crumbs, Annabelle realizes she is the only one who can actually see them. This enchanting tale champions the power of childhood imagination and the hidden magic waiting to be found in the most ordinary places.