Dimwood Forest

Ragweed the mouse is four months old and anxious to see the world. So he says goodbye to his family and friends in the Woodlands and, following the advice of a friendly vole, makes his way to the big city: Amperville. In Amperville, Ragweed sees things he's never seen before--like cats! In particular, he comes face-to-face with Silversides, founder and president of F.E.A.R. (Felines Enraged About Rodents). Silversides wants to make sure mice know their place in the world. With new friends Clutch, a skateboarding mouse with green hair, and Blinker, a pet mouse longing for freedom, Ragweed takes a stand against F.E.A.R. A prequel to Avi's award-winning Poppy and Poppy and Rye, Ragweed will delight listeners with its exciting adventure and contemporary sensibilities. John McDonough gives hilarious voice to the many wonderful characters in this charming book.

In Dimwood Forest, all the mice know that moving beyond Grey House requires the permission of the great horned owl, Mr. Ocax. No one but Mr. Ocax can guarantee protection against the horrible porcupines who lurk in the forest, waiting to grab innocent creatures. He frequently reminds the trusting mice of his importance, as he snatches careless ones for his frequent meals. But Poppy is a curious mouse, and a little foolish. When she is caught dancing in the moonlight on Bannock Hill, she soon faces not only the great owl, but a huge porcupine, and an impossible challenge. Poppy, an ALA Notable Children's Book, is a warm and lively tale for young listeners and their parents. Through the award-winning talents of the master storyteller Avi, the tiny creature's far-ranging adventure provides a hearty lesson about bullies and celebrates the strength of a courageous spirit.

Poppy has saved the creatures of Dimwood Forest from the terrible owl who killed her beloved Ragweed. Now she intends to travel west, to tell Ragweed's family the sad news. With her grumpy, but loyal porcupine friend Ereth by her side, the spirited deermouse sets out on a journey that will test her courage, but also lead her to a new love. Along the way, Poppy meets a charming golden mouse who looks like Ragweed, and together on the meadow, they dance a silent dance of love at first sight. But when Poppy reaches her destination, she finds that Ragweed's family is in trouble. Greedy, dam-building beavers are taking over their valley home. Once again it is up to Poppy to save the day. Of course, it can be very helpful to have a porcupine on your side. This is the highly anticipated sequel to Avi's Horn Book Award-winning, best-selling Poppy. The colorful creatures of Avi's legendary imagination spring to life with narrator John McDonough's warm, grandfatherly reading.

Belching beavers, this is the worst birthday ever for Ereth, the prickly old porcupine! Even his best friend, Poppy the deer mouse, seems to have forgotten about him. If Ereth wants a present, it looks like he'll just have to get it for himself. But when his quest for salt leads him instead to foster parenthood of a litter of boisterous fox kits, a bad birthday becomes the least of Ereth's worries. Return to the Dimwood Forest setting of Poppy and Poppy and Rye for an adventure that's pure fun.

Avi is the recipient of the Newbery Medal, Newbery Honor and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award. He pens the fifth book in his extremely popular Poppy series. When her sister suddenly shows up with a summons from their father, Poppy learns that he is not well and the old family home is about to be demolished by a bulldozer. Poppy decides to travel with her rebellious son Junior in the hope of salvaging their relationship.

With Poppy and Ereth, Newbery Award winner Avi brings his Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning Poppy series to a heartwarming conclusion. When a wintry blast buries the forest in snow and Poppy's husband suddenly dies, the deer mouse refuses to see anyone-including Ereth. The sad porcupine thinks he's lost his best friend forever. But when Poppy ventures forth again-longing for a springtime adventure-something swoops down from the sky and carries her far, far away. Convinced Poppy is dead, Ereth decides to give his dear departed friend a memorial service fit for a queen.

The first new book about Poppy in more than 10 years, from Newbery Medal-winning author Avi. How did Ragweed and Poppy meet and become friends? This audiobook tells their hilarious story! Adventurous golden mouse Ragweed is on a freight train leaving the city of Amperville. On his journey, he meets Lotar, a young, annoying, and lost raccoon who's desperate to reunite with his mother. Though Ragweed doesn't really want to help the raccoon, by doing so he winds up in Dimwood Forest. Ragweed is now ready to strike off on his own, but it's not long before he hears a cry for help. Following the sound of the voice, he finds a cage with a deer mouse trapped inside. When he asks the mouse's name, she replies, "Poppy." The way Ragweed comes to Poppy's aid, and how Poppy comes to his, is how their rousing and fateful friendship begins. As for that annoying raccoon, he keeps getting in the way. Fans of animal stories and especially of the beloved previous books in the Poppy series will love Ragweed and Poppy!