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.
In this adaptation of The Emperors New Clothes, Mayor Peacock declares he will hire a tornado tamer to protect the town. After a long search, Travis arrives to fill the position and this trickster weasel has a plan. He will build a very special, transparent cover to protect the town. Travis magical cover is so transparent that only those smart enough and special enough can even see it. Mouse is doubtful, but his questions are brushed off. Months later, the cover has been hung and Travis has been paid a hefty sum, but a tornado is in the distance and the town is in its path. Will the magic cover protect the town?
The bustle of the crowd is waning and the zoo is quieting for the night. The polar bear picks up the ball and dribbles onto the court; the nightly game begins. A frog jumps up to play one-on-one and then a penguin waddles in to join the team. Count along as the game grows with the addition of each new animal and the field of players builds to ten. Three zebras serve as referees and keep the clock, because this game must be over before the zookeeper makes her rounds.
Dad says we have to move. He has a new job. Mom says I'll like my new room. Well, I'm not moving! Change isn't easy for young boys and girls. And when change means moving to a new school, a new house, and away from friends, well that can be downright complicated!
Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen - it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He's allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. When his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him! Pollen might be something we all love to hate, but can we really live without it? This story explains why we need it.
Teachers and parents of ESL students will cheer when they discover the Hola, English! series, as will those seeking to expose English-speaking kids to Spanish. Ten Little Fish combines numbers with simple adjectives (fish above, fish below; seven fish, fast and slow) and simple verbs (swim and dive fish, here are five fish).
The Hola, English! series provides children with reasons to talk and things they will want to talk about. In Sleepy Barker, Barker the dog is awakened by one sound after another (howl, hoot, boom) but finally falls asleep after being reassured that mom and dad are there for him.
This bilingual series will appeal both to Spanish-speaking ESL students and English-speaking kids who are learning Spanish. Its Raining Cats and Frogs features plural words and idiomatic expressions. It explores the difference between real and pretend and engages young children in selecting appropriate clothing for wet weather.
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!
While listening to a read-aloud biography of Reggie Jackson at the library, Herbie Bear imagines a fun adventure.
Herbie Bear and his siblings must learn to share and take turns when playing a game on a rainy day.
After the ball they're playing with gets ruined, Herbie Bear and his friend Michael must find an alternative. In their attempts to trade items for Herbie's younger brothers' ball, the boys learn a lesson in sharing.
Herbie Bear wonders how best to show family members his appreciation for all they do.
Herbie Bear loves to paint, but learns that some things are better off left as they are.
Herbie Bear struggles with math problems, but learns to take his time, raise his hand, and answer correctly.
Learn about the sound of short I, as Isabel plans what to bring on her family's big trip on a ship.
Learn about the sound of long I, as Isaac visits his grandparents' farm and enjoys making pies, riding in a tractor, and playing with his friend Ira.
Charged with caring for a friend's cat while she's away, Herbie Bear searches the house to find the pet.
Watch as Opal Owl and Stew Rabbit learn to use search engines to find information online, evaluate online resources, and discover the difference between fact and opinion.
Come with Opal Owl and Stew Rabbit as they learn how books are organized by fiction and nonfiction, how to use call numbers and the Dewey Decimal System, and how to search using a library catalog.
Learn from Opal Owl and Stew Rabbit how to protect library materials and what to do if an item is damaged.
Follow Opal Owl and Stew Rabbit as they learn how to get a library card, how to check out books at the circulation counter, and how to use a self-checkout station, and discover the concepts of due dates, fines, and limits on materials with them.
Learn along with Opal Owl and Stew Rabbit how to find, check out, and return e-books from a library using an e-reader.
Learn about the sound of the letter H, as Holly and Hank take advantage of a snowy day at home to build the perfect snowman.
