This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 1999 by HarperCollins Publishers Inc .

Kathi Appelt has written a number of successful picture books. This is her debut novel. She lives in Texas.