After claiming the treasure that he and his brother haul out of the ocean, Herbert spends the rest of his life fearfully guarding it from possible thieves.

Explains why oysters make pearls and dangerous snakes have diamond-shaped heads.

"Mouse and Chipmunk covet the same nut"--

Gus, a troll who loves to sing, makes everyone happy with his songs until his desire for gold becomes so strong that he no longer has time to use his beautiful voice.

A diary account of fourteen-year-old Susanna Fairchild's life in 1849, when her father succumbs to gold fever on the way to establish his medical practice in Oregon after losing his wife and money on their steamship journey from New York. Includes a historical note.

A young boy, who wants his parents to buy him more cowboy equipment, learns a lesson about thankfulness when he meets a rodeo star who has no family. Includes a related Bible verse.

Goat is tired of eating grass. First she tries the dog's breakfast washed down with some of the cat's milk. As Goat becomes more adventurous in her eating, the family notices that things have gone missing-- including Goat herself, who begins to feel colorfully unwell.

While creating his Christmas list, Little Trevor tries to include everything, from night-vision binoculars to an invisible robot that is easy to hide, but he ends up learning that there is more to the holiday than just the gifts.

1611. James I has recently succeeded to the throne and the Elizabethan age is over. A new artistic and intellectual Renaissance comes to England. As trade routes open up, a rich and cosmopolitan middle class emerges, with an interest in architecture, gardens and textiles. Seven years after he was all but destroyed in his quest to take possession of the Pindar Diamond, Levant Company merchant and former ambassador to Constantinople Paul Pindar returns...