Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Irving and Muktuk, polar bears at the zoo in Bayone, New Jersey, are the natural suspects when someone steals a shipment of imported muffins, but they decide to prove that they are not bad bears by finding the real thief.

Although they intend to live up to their notorious reputations when they are invited to a fancy hotel party, polar bears Irving and Muktuk end up behaving themselves when a scary bunny shows up.

Nick and Maxine accompany the eccentric lady to the eye doctor to help her four myopic mice who, after overindulging on cheesecake, go running into the streets, triggering a search that is aided by a helpful policemen and a rough-edged alley cat.

The inimitable Daniel Pinkwater (The Hoboken Chicken Emergency) brings his zany wit and wisdom to a gentle middle-grade adventure following a kid's off-the-beaten-path journey, featuring an unfocused spiritual guide, a not-quite-dwarf, a graffiti "artist," a ghost whale, and mystical shenanigans galore. "Crazy in Poughkeepsie is a ludicrous romp reminiscent of the Muppets! This is a book that will make you laugh, grin, and maybe look for more whimsy...

When a seagull drops a can of orange paint on his neat house, Mr. Plumbean gets an idea that affects his entire neighborhood.