Alden promises to build the people of Thatchville new homes after theirs had been blown away in a windstorm. After having some trouble he runs into a beaver who supplies him with bamboo to build the homes in the promise that Alden would not follow him. Needing more bamboo Alden ventures into the forest again and this time the beaver would only give him more bamboo if he could guess his name. When Alden could not the beaver left, and Alden broke his promise and followed the beaver to the bamboo forest. After apologizing for breaking his promise and following the beaver, he decided to supply Alden with more bamboo.
When Dan and Dad go out for pizza they learn that just because it smells so good doesn't mean you should eat too much. It's much better if you share.
Wendy was always being forgetful. She never turns off lights or the TV, and always leaves the fridge open when searching for a snack. When her mom tells here that is like throwing money down the drain Wendy finally thinks she understands. She starts to empty the money from her piggy bank down the drain until her mom explains that was just a figure of speech.
A boat race turns into a lesson in helping others when Carly's boat begins to sink and Jose's boat flips over. The two decided helping each other was more important than winning the race.
Darling and Lovey were two turtledoves in a class full of graceful eaglets. They could not fly as well and were made fun of by the other students. They practiced and practiced and slowly got better. A tornado threatens during flight school and due to their perseverance and always listening to their teacher, they lead the class safely through the storm.
Peering out the window on a cold, snowy day Jonathan sees something in the doghouse in the backyard. Only it can't be his dog, Gizmo, because he's safe and warm inside the house. As he investigates he finds it is a rabbit trying to stay warm. He and his mom give the rabbit some fruit and veggies, only to discover each time they check there are more and more rabbits. As the snow melts and Jonathan goes out to check on the rabbits they are all gone. He was proud he had provided a nice, warm place for them.
All over the world, children want the same thing--the comfort of knowing that they belong, that they are part of something meaningful. Inside All takes the reader on a journey from the glowing edges of the universe into the warm heart of a sleepy child at bedtime, where we discover, not something small, but something huge. This is a story about how we each have a place in the world, and how the world lives in each of us.
Remember the wonder and innocence of catching fireflies as they dance through the summer nights? Here is an opportunity to share the magical experience with your children. Amy is afraid of dark shadows in her bedroom, but notices a slight glow in the back yard. With exuberance she catches fireflies in a jar, only to find their lights go dim until they are free again--and finds that her fear of the dark is gone too. The photo-illustrations are lifelike yet dreamy. A wonderful read-aloud.
Doodle dynamo Deborah Zemke is back with 36 new placemats, featuring tongue-in-cheek table manner lessons from a crew of zany animal friends. Zemke has taught many readers - and eaters - how to make fun, easy, and personality-filled doodles in her best-selling Doodle books and placemats. This set is sure to be another hit with diners.
A simple, small act of kindness may go much farther than you think. Brian wasn't looking for anything in return when he gave his mother a great big hug. Brian's hug set in motion a series of unselfish acts that reached more people (and even animals) than he could ever know. This is a story that happens every day, with infinite variation, among good-hearted people everywhere. After all, kindness IS contagious.
Using animal behavior as an example, this book proves that everyone is afraid sometimes.
When the class finds out that the new boy, Alex, exaggerates and even lies, no one wants anything to do with him. But when Alex helps Jim, he decides to befriend him, and soon Alex learns that to be accepted, you just need to be yourself.
The narrator of this story idolizes his older brother. But when big brother leaves for the army, the narrator tries his best to fill big brother's shoes for his younger brother.
Cyril is shunned by other animals in the zoo because he looks so different from them. However, when winter comes Cyril's colors and stories remind them of the beauty of the natural world and that spring will soon return.
Jim's "Strongest Man in the World!" costume gives him the confidence he needs to stand up to a third-grade bully and save the day.
A fanciful adaptation of a Turkish folktale that tells the story of a poor villager, a donkey, and a wise man whose clever plan outwits a tyrannical Mongol ruler.
After wondering about the new girl's hijab, the class learns just how much they all have in common.
When Jim returns to school after his dog, Muffins, has died, his friends try to comfort him, but Jim wants to be left alone. His classmates are hurt by his rejection, but their teacher explains that Jim needs time to himself. An excellent book for a child who has lost a pet.
Although the children are told to send a card to everyone in their class, George gets fewer cards than everyone else. But his classmates quickly rally round and successfully cheer him up.
At least one sibling in each family shown in this book has a disability. And like all siblings they play, squablle, and work together to solve their differences.
A fun look at manners. Readers will learn about the importance of saying please and thank you, and being respectful in their interactions with others.
When it's dinnertime at home, Zachary wishes he didn't have to help. When he visits his multi-ethnic friends, he is not asked to help, but discovers the many foods and traditions of their culture. He returns home eager to share his traditions with them, and to help with the chores!
It's time to color outside the lines. Max's teacher wants the class to color-in pictures for Mother's Day presents, but Max knows that his mother would not want a dumb flower picture drawn by someone else. Determined to express his creativity, Max runs off to draw his own picture. Max's drawing not only inspires the rest of the class to create their own original artwork but also enlightens the teacher. This book is good for your brain because: Early Childhood Literacy, Self-Expression
Mrs. Hartwell is preparing her class to take the Big Test. Knowing they have studied and are well-prepared, she helps the students practice how to sit quietly, fill in the bubbles, and follow the directions. She even instructs them on proper morning-of-the-test nutrition. As her students grow increasingly anxious about the Big Test, Mrs. Hartwell realizes she has to teach the most valuable test-taking skill of all: learning to relax!
Acclaimed author Kathryn Lasky explores the nature of friendship in three delightful stories for beginning readers. Creative, impulsive Poodle and loyal, dependable Hound are an unexpected pair. Together they star gaze, plant a garden and prove that two very different individuals can not only be compatible, they can complement and help one another. This book is good for your brain because: Friendship, Helpfulness, Language Arts
