Bill Cotter

The only rule in Larry's book is that the reader not push the button, but when no one is looking, it may be irresistible.

After enduring 10 harrowing years of the Great Depression, visitors to the 1939–1940 New York World's Fair found welcome relief in the fair's optimistic presentation of the "World of Tomorrow." Pavilions from America's largest corporations and dozens of countries were spread across a 1,216-acre site, showcasing the latest industrial marvels and predictions for the future intermingled with cultural displays from around the world. Well known for its...

The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair was the largest international exhibition ever built in the United States. More than one hundred fifty pavilions and exhibits spread over six hundred forty-six acres helped the fair live up to its reputation as "the Billion-Dollar Fair." With the cold war in full swing, the fair offered visitors a refreshingly positive view of the future, mirroring the official theme: Peace through Understanding. Guests could travel...

While the elves are looking the other way, the reader is encouraged to push the button, shake the book, and more despite the risk of getting on Santa's naughty list.

Wanting to be more like his father, a young boy spends all of his money on a product that will supposedly let him grow a beard almost instantly.

It took six years and cost $100 million, but on May 27, 1933, the gates swung open on the biggest birthday party the city of Chicago had ever seen. The Century of Progress Exposition, better known as the 1933–34 Chicago World's Fair, commemorated the amazing progress that had been made since the founding of the city just 100 years earlier. Many of America's largest companies joined with countries from around the world to showcase their histories...

To mark the 100th anniversary of the city's founding and the arrival of the first trans-Canada train, Vancouver's political and business leaders invited the whole world to participate in the festivities. The result was Expo '86, and more than 22 million people came for the party. It took eight years of planning and hard work to transform a former railroad yard into a colourful showplace full of pavilions and shows for the six-month event, but those...

En 1967, le Canada fêtait le centième anniversaire de son existence avec une fête spectaculaire, et tout le monde a été invité. L'Expo 67 de Montréal était la première exposition internationale à avoir lieu au Canada et c'était une grande réussite, qui a attiré plus de 50 millions de visiteurs. Le site de 405 hectares a été construit sur deux îles artificielles dans le fleuve Saint-Laurent et incorporait 90 pavillons d'aspects futuristes,...

In 1984, the city of New Orleans hosted the last world's fair held in the United States. Conceived as part of an ambitious effort to revitalize a dilapidated section of the city and establish New Orleans as a year-round tourist destination, it took more than 12 years of political intrigue and design changes before the gates finally opened. Stretching 84 acres along the Mississippi River, the fair entertained more than seven million guests with a colorful...

Don't miss the newest board book in this bestselling series. Larry wants your help to figure out what his present is. But whatever you do... DON'T SHAKE THE PRESENT!