It may be Christmastime but on a small, forlorn farm the holiday season is best forgotten, along with painful memories of loved ones lost. Mother Nature has other plans, however, and a chance snowstorm brings together two unlikely hearts, one human and one beast, yet both yearning for comfort, companionship, and that most elusive gift of all, hope. This lustrous jewel of a story, quietly told and perfectly complemented by soft, evocative paintings, reminds even the most cynical of readers that the heart indeed can recover and go on.
It is the season of Christmas, and that means it is time to trim the tree, decorate the halls, and, most importantly of all, write to Santa with a heartfelt wish for the perfect present. While other children may be dreaming of new toys under the tree or stockings filled with treats, one little girl simply asks Santa for a friend to share her holiday. But this is a pretty tall order for the jolly old man. Can Santa make her Christmas wish come true? Readers of all ages will be cheered to see that Santa manages to find not just the perfect present, but three special gifts. Charming artwork brings to life the joy felt in making snow angels, the satisfaction of a rousing snowball fight, the pleasure of baking holiday cookies, and finally, the inner peace one feels sitting quietly in front of a warm fire - all the more special when done with a new friend. Jane Monroe Donovan has illustrated numerous titles for Sleeping Bear Press, including Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow; the bestselling Winter's Gift; and all of the "Likes to Say" books. Jane makes her home in Pinckney, Michigan.
When Lily learns about a lottery for land plots to grow Victory Gardens, she tries to apply. But when the garden club president tells her she's too young to participate, Lily refuses to give up. She knows where there's a house with a big yard. The Bishops live in the largest house in town. It also has the largest yard. But the Bishops' son was the first soldier from the town to die in the war. Now Mrs. Bishop has hidden herself away in their house. When Lily asks Mr. Bishop for the use of a small plot within his yard, his grudging approval comes with the stern warning, "No bothering Mrs. Bishop." As Lily nurtures her garden, she discovers that the human heart is its own garden, with the same needs for attention and love. A former librarian, Helen L. Wilbur now works on the electronic side of the publishing world. Lily's Victory Garden was inspired by family stories of life on the home front during WWII. Helen also authored M is for Meow: A Cat Alphabet. She lives in New York City. Robert Gantt Steele has illustrated many projects and books about the American experience. He is particularly interested in military and WWII history. Robert lives in northern California.
Mo and Jo are fun-loving cavemen whose antics will surely delight kids, especially boys. Follow them as they attempt to de-stink themselves, play hide-and-seek, and make fire. The latest title in Blue Apple'sJump-Into-Chapters series, this book is designed to increase reading proficiency by offering a longer page count than picture books, but a lower word count than chapter books.
Scribbles the cat and Ink the mouse are buddies and fellow artists. Ink is excited for them to enter a "Draw a Dinosaur" contest. The prize is two tickets to a mud-themed amusement park. Ink is secretly scared of drawing a dinosaur. He urges Scribbles to have a go at it--but thinks the resulting effort looks like a prehistoric chicken. Next, Ink draws...an egg--and insists there's a dinosaur inside it. He's right! As the egg-drawing hatches, a baby dino crawls out, and starts wailing for his mommy. Suddenly, the Chick-a-saurus comes in and scoops the baby into her feathery arms. Realizing that they won't win the contest, Ink creates a "Best Buddy" trophy for Scribbles and Ink and dino-duo throw a mud party for Ink!
Andy, a crabby alligator, is a reluctant friend to Preston, a young coyote pup. Find out what makes Andy even crabbier! They spend lots of time not catching rabbits, falling over cliffs, and trying to decide the difference between an owl and a bear. A perfect bridge between picture books and text-heavy chapter books.
Andy, a crabby alligator, is a reluctant friend to Preston, an enthusiastic coyote pup. Three chapters link together to tell the overall story. In "Andy Also," Preston decides to re-name himself "the new Andy." In "Clang-Clang-Bing," the second Andy (Andy, also) goes back to being Preston, and makes a lot of noise. In "100 Rabbits," Preston asks Andy innumerable questions.
What makes a mouse house a home? With a problem to solve, an unexpected friendship, and a little mystery to unravel, Mouse House Tales offers twice the story of a picture book and all the warmth and charm of a modern classic. The book's two stories can be read all at once, or one at a time, making it a perfect fit for those who want a longer, big kid book but aren't yet ready for text-heavy chapter books. Whether read aloud or by an independent reader, kids will relate to the emotions and friendships that help Mouse turn her sweet little house into a warm and inviting home filled with fun, friends and cheese!
Picture perfect and perfectly pink! Posey and her friend Nina want to paint. Mom sets them up and tells them how to blend primary colors to make "every color in the rainbow"--and more! Nina shows an upset Posey how a painting mistake can turn into something pretty. Each girl paints something on their side of a big piece of white paper. Nina paints a pickle, Posey paints a princess. What do they name their painting? Princess Pickle!
Charged with caring for a friend's cat while she's away, Herbie Bear searches the house to find the pet.
Herbie and his siblings have fun with their imaginations while on their grandparents' boat.
Herbie Bear and his siblings and friends decide to build a fort, but must learn to cooperate and share their items to get the job done.
Hanna is fed up with her best friend, Lizzy, who is always trying to be better than her. When Lizzy tells Hanna she can throw her ball farther and succeeds, it’s the last straw. Hanna is tired of feeling second best, but what she doesn’t realize is that sometimes she makes Lizzy feel that way too. Maybe there’s a way they can still be best friends after all. A funny and relatable story about best friends, competition and learning to see things from another’s point of view.
Penguin likes to visit his friend Duck. But he begins to miss some of the things at home. How can Duck cheer up his homesick friend? Concept: Empathy/Caring for others. Book features: Big Words and Big Questions; original illustrations.
The birds in Kate's neighborhood have a secret: there's a party today! But where? Kate listens to the clues in the calls of her neighborhood birds and discovers an impromptu birthday party for week-old ducklings.
Mrs. Gumm finds a turkey egg and raises the poult for Thanksgiving dinner, but will her new friend become her dinner or a guest?
A beginner reader. Snail's team has fallen behind in the final game, but slow as he is, he shows up just in time to save the day.
Warm illustrations convey the deep bond between an old man and his six cats while teaching the reader about the cycle of life.
Madison refuses to visit Seemas house to sell candy because Seema speaks with an accent. But once she opens her heart to Seema, Madison finds out they can be best friends. This story illustrates the virtue of accepting and respecting others who are different from us.
Confident that her scrapbook will win first prize, Madison is upset when Jonathan wins instead. With consolation from her parents and Courage, her toy lion, she does the right thing and congratulates Jonathan on his success.
Mole lives underground but wishes she could catch the sky and bring the cool breeze, and the sun's warmth and light into her home. Her friends, Squirrel, Bird, and Frog, try to help by grabbing handfuls of sky as a special gift for Mole.
A beginner reader. Cat is terrified of taking his first parachute jump, but with Hippo's reassurance, he goes for it.
Patrick finds an "aminal" and on the way home, he describes it to his friends who think he has a giant aminal/monster and they need to save him.
Photographs of happy multi-ethnic children at a mixed-ability preschool, busily working and playing, illustrating the true meaning of inclusion.
