McDonald’s Happy Meal Books – Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Call of the Cowboy

Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Call of the Cowboy

Written by David Bruins
Illustrated by Hilary Leung

When the bear wants to spend the afternoon photographing birds, the exuberant cowboy inadvertently makes a nuisance of himself as he loudly chews bubble gum, hops on a pogo stick and slurps a pop. When the ninja just wants to read quietly, the cowboy is wildly distracting as he drums on rocks, bats a paddleball and gabs on his cell phone. The cowboy’s boisterous mood prompts the ninja and the bear to drop their respective activities, leaving their pal alone to wonder why no one wants to be with him. Can he find the peace and quiet he needs to figure it out? Readers will appreciate the warm and witty approach to getting along and will also love the playfully bold illustrations rife with fun-to-spot detail.

Series » Ninja Cowboy Bear

Deadpan text and cartoon-style illustrations pack a playful punch in the Ninja Cowboy Bear books, which were inspired by the classic game of Rock Paper Scissors. Starring a tight-knit trio of friends who counter conflict with respect and sensitivity, these stories celebrate the differences that make everyone unique and friendships special.

December 15, 2018

McDonald’s Happy Meal Books – Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Way of the Ninja

Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Way of the Ninja

Written by David Bruins
Illustrated by Hilary Leung

The creators of The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear return with a high-energy story about friendship. This time, the daring ninja learns that the greatest thrills and the best adventures are the ones we share.

The ninja’s playtime games are too rough-and-tumble for his friends the cowboy and the bear. The ninja isn’t interested in his friends’ games — and playing all by himself isn’t much fun. Can the rambunctious ninja ever meet his friends halfway?

Children will easily relate to the lesson about mutual respect embedded in a story about three different but nonetheless close friends.

Series » Ninja Cowboy Bear

December 15, 2018December 15, 2018

McDonald’s Happy Meal Books – The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

Written by David Bruins
Illustrated by Hilary Leung

The ninja, the cowboy and the bear do everything together — they paint pictures, compare cloud shapes in the sky, fly kites and much more. Though each friend is very different from one another, they enjoy each other’s company. Until one day when they begin quarreling and compete to see which one is the best. The bear can pile up rocks the highest. The cowboy can collect the most raspberries. The ninja can catch the most rabbits. When each contest leads to more resentment, it seems the friends will never stop disagreeing. Only when they learn to be considerate of their differences do they finally realize how much they appreciate each other.

The cute, yet stylized artwork combined with a fun story about friendship and celebrating differences make this legend an unforgettable one.

This playfully illustrated picture book also includes instructions for the Ninja-Cowboy-Bear game, which is similar to Rock Paper Scissors except that kids use their whole body.

Series » Ninja Cowboy Bear

The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear Coloring and Activity Sheets:

December 15, 2018

McDonald’s Happy Meal Books – Wild Buildings and Bridges

Wild Buildings and Bridges

Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by Carl Wiens

From cactuses to birds’ wings, termite towers to honeycombs, this book celebrates more than thirty examples of nature’s influence on building and bridge designs all over the world. In some instances, architects looked to nature to solve structural problems, like creating an earthquake-proof bridge by mimicking the long roots of a type of grass known for stabilizing riverbanks. Other examples show how nature provides artistic inspiration, like the famous buildings designed by Frank Gehry that evoke the beauty of moving fish. The incredible structures in this book prove that nature and architecture are perfect partners! Sidebar biographies tell us more about these famous architects who have used nature to spectacular effect in their designs. Fun activities throughout add an interactive element, with step-by-step instructions for science experiments and a design-your-own-structure activity.

Award-winning author Etta Kaner combines science and art in this unique look at nature’s influence on architecture and design. The emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking make it an excellent choice for science and technology lessons on structures, mechanisms and engineering. The book could also be used for studying earth science and the environment, as it promotes sustainability and eco-friendly structures. Detailed and eye-catching illustrations by award-winning artist Carl Wiens help make the concepts clear and easy to understand. This book will fascinate budding architects and makers who love building and learning how things work. Includes a glossary, resources, author’s sources and an index.

December 15, 2018

McDonald’s Happy Meal Books – Earth-Friendly Buildings, Bridges and More

Earth-Friendly Buildings, Bridges and More

Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by Stephen MacEachern

Introducing Corry Lapont: 12-year-old and aspiring “green” engineer. This dynamic title takes the form of Corry’s scrapbook. It’s a dazzling collection of postcards, brochures and other memorabilia documenting Corry’s research into green design. Kid-friendly language explains the engineering behind some of the planet’s most cutting edge towers, bridges, tunnels, domes, dams, dikes, locks and levees. These structures include the Vizcaya Bridge in Spain, where gondolas transport cars over the Nervion River, and the Channel tunnel, where trains speed between England and France in just 35 minutes. Readers will explore the environmental impact of structures, such as the pros and cons of dam construction and how rainwater can be used to cool buildings. Complex concepts are clarified with simple activities, as well as colorful drawings, fun facts and the occasional wisecrack from Corry’s kid brother, Riley.