Special days are times for fun and togetherness. They also link us to the Earth's seasons, and they help us keep track of how time passes. Most of all, they are deeply rooted in folk tradition. Learn more about: the winter holidays, like Christmas and Hanukkah; spring celebrations like Easter and Asian New Year; fall festivals, like Halloween and the Day of the Dead; and summer celebrations, like the Fourth of July. Holidays and festivals draw us together. They remind us of who we are, where we come from, and what we believe. As we travel through the year, folk festivals give us strength. And they make life more fun!
Have you ever played cards on a rainy afternoon? Do you and your friends play jump rope, play hide-and-go-seek, or play Red Rover? If you did, then you were enjoying a folk game. Learn more about these games, including the long history behind: face cards; tag; hide-and-go-seek; some board games; and baseball. Games help us deal with life. They give us physical exercise. They challenge our minds . . . and most of all they fill our lives with fun.
Have you heard these common proverbs? Let sleeping dogs lie. Where there's smoke, there's fire. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Or what about these riddles? What is black and white and red (read) all over? Why did the chicken cross the road? Why is 6 afraid of 7? Proverbs and riddles are tiny, bite-size pieces of folklore. They make us think. They tease our brains. They may make us laugh. But most of all, they tell us something about who we are and how we see the world.
Have you heard of Anansi, the mischief-making spider from Africa? Do you know about the Blackfoot woman who married a star? Or have you heard stories about Jack, the hero who always wins both the treasure and the princess's heart? Discover stories from North America's folklore, including tales about: why the world is the way it is; heroes and fools; ghosts and horrors; and death and the world to come. Stories have power. They share the wisdom of other generations. They stir our imagination. They give us hope and courage. And sometimes they just make us laugh!
Did you know that todays jolly Santa Claus was originally a Catholic bishop? Or that Santa Claus is connected to Saturn, an ancient Roman god? Or that in some places, Santa rides a camel? Christmas is a holiday of light and giving, and Santa Claus has become a traditional symbol for the seasons deepest meanings. Learn more about: Santa the Christ Child Christmas animals the Wise Men Christmas plants Christmas songs and cards. Across North America, Christmas is an occasion for love and joy and celebration. Discover the traditions and folklore that make this holiday so special.
Trosclair loves to row to Bee Island, although he knows that Gargantua, a giant alligator, is lurking there. Using his wits and a beehive, Trosclair rids the swamp of Gargantua for good.
In this delightful tale of the power of the imagination, Art's supplies come to life in the studio, creating mayhem and magic -- and art! Pastels, pencils and paints, crayons, brushes and markers, everything gets in on the act of creating a mess-terpiece of fun. Chris Tougas' brilliant illustrations and clever text explore the essence of the creative process in a way that children will understand.
Posey Plans a Party has a lot of "p-word" alliteration and asks kids to count how many "p" words are in the story. The plot portrays Posey and her family planning, assembling, and enjoying a tea party. It's a perfectly pink primer on party planning--the menu, preparations, decorations, the invitation, dress code, entertainment, activities, etc.
Daisylocks needs a home that is just right. She asks Wind to help her find the perfect habitat to spread her roots, and he accepts the challenge. Wind blows Daisylocks to the plain, the mountain and the wetland. She objects to each place one by one too cold, too hard, too wet. Daisylocks is not ready to give up! They try the humid rainforest and then the warm beach; those are not just right either. Will Wind find the perfect climate and soil for Daisylocks to place her roots and grow into a beautiful flower?
When Tree Kangaroo and Koala dig a well to get some water, Tree Kangaroo ends up doing all of the work and Koala ends up with a stumpy tail in this origin story from Australia.
A series for the young architect, designer or archeologist who wants to unearth the wonderful cities and dwellings of the past and learn how ancient builders worked.
A series for the young architect, designer or engineer who wants to plan and build their own ecologically sound home that will also help our planet.
A series for the young architect, designer or engineer who wants to plan and build amazing future style homes and workplaces.
Rafferty's Rogues presents an exciting and entirely novel approach to a range of math topics. This gang of lovable rogues have big, bad ideas but their limited knowledge of mathematics means every bold adventure ends in failure. The dumbest land grab ever gives the lowdown on length, measures and measurement equipment, distance, size, area, and lots more
Rafferty's Rogues presents an exciting and entirely novel approach to a range of math topics. This gang of lovable rogues have big, bad ideas but their limited knowledge of mathematics means every bold adventure ends in failure. The dumbest bank robbery ever gives the lowdown on money, banks, banking, bank accounts, notes, coins, bullion, interest, security codes, and lots more.
Can science save your life? In Science to the Rescue, Joe an adventurous scientist, must apply his knowledge of science to survive being alone in six challenging environments around the world. Learn about the geographic, climate, and geological features of each environment as you follow Joe in each exciting story of survival.
Can science save your life? In Science to the Rescue, Joe an adventurous scientist, must apply his knowledge of science to survive being alone in six challenging environments around the world. Learn about the geographic, climate, and geological features of each environment as you follow Joe in each exciting story of survival.
Can science save your life? In Science to the Rescue, Joe an adventurous scientist, must apply his knowledge of science to survive being alone in six challenging environments around the world. Learn about the geographic, climate, and geological features of each environment as you follow Joe in each exciting story of survival.
Can science save your life? In Science to the Rescue, Joe an adventurous scientist, must apply his knowledge of science to survive being alone in six challenging environments around the world. Learn about the geographic, climate, and geological features of each environment as you follow Joe in each exciting story of survival.
Can science save your life? In Science to the Rescue, Joe an adventurous scientist, must apply his knowledge of science to survive being alone in six challenging environments around the world. Learn about the geographic, climate, and geological features of each environment as you follow Joe in each exciting story of survival.
Can science save your life? In Science to the Rescue, Joe an adventurous scientist, must apply his knowledge of science to survive being alone in six challenging environments around the world. Learn about the geographic, climate, and geological features of each environment as you follow Joe in each exciting story of survival.
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.
Harriet delivers the mail each day, carrying loads of letters and packages in her humongous pouch. After a long week of work, she decides to take time off to go to the beach with her little Joey. Along the way, she encounters a group of hilarious marsupials who ask Harriet to carry their stuff -- from swim fins to a kayak. Poor good-natured Harriet cannot say no until . . .
