Xavier Ox loves music. But sometimes his drumming is rather EXPLOSIVE! So Alpha Betty and Xavier's classmates start an exciting experiment to build an extra-strong xylophone?just for Xavier Ox.

Barbara deRubertis recently retired after 31 years of teaching elementary and middle school classes. She has written more than 50 books for children that have been published by Kane Press. Barbara and her husband live in Cashmere, Washington. R. W. Alley has illustrated over 100 books for children. He has received numerous starred reviews and awards for his works, including a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award.