Baby Bear shares special moments with all the important people in his life. With Momma, he gets to spend time in the garden, picnicking and planting butterfly bushes. With Daddy, he spends time on the farm, helping to fix the tractor and dig holes for planting. With Big Brother, he goes to the beach where they sail kites and chase each other on the sand. Aunt Grace takes him to the aquarium and answers all his questions, while Uncle Roy shows him how to be a clown. And it's always a special day when Nana comes to visit. But while each day's activity and companion may be different, the routine at the end is always the same. Baby Bear is tucked into bed with a reading from a special book and always with a honey oatmeal raisin cookie.
For many sports fans there's no such thing as too much hockey. And in I Spy with My Little Eye Hockey, young readers get double the fun. Matt Napier, author of Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet, teams up with photographer David Milne to create a visual puzzle book that challenges the deductive skills and sharp eyes of young readers. Dual look-alike photographs are filled with hockey masks, sticks, pucks, even miniature ice rinks and trading cards. But one of the scenes has been slightly altered. Can you see the changes? How many can you find? Poetic clues help young fans and seasoned veterans find the various differences between each pair of scenes. From the number of Zambonis on the ice to the sweaters hung in a locker room, hockey fans of all ages will enjoy this new way of spying the game!
When Jack and Ella come across a friendly--and talented!--lion in their backyard they are thrilled to take him in as their pet. And they're positive they know just how to care for their new pet, ignoring Grandpa's cheeky asides. But soon Leopold the Lion grows despondent and chubby. Even the circus who lost him won't take him back! Do Jack and Ella know what to do to get Leopold healthy again? A sweet story with a subtle commentary on making healthy choices.
Using a charming combination of poetry and prose, author Judy Young explains the bedtime habits of some common North American animals, including moles, moose, and beavers. Young readers will learn not only where certain animals make their beds but also how and why they sleep as they do. Each animal is introduced with a rhythmic singsong-y, tongue-twisting poem guaranteed to bring smiles and encourage reader participation. The accompanying expository text includes information about the animal's unique sleeping habits. Finally, at book's end, the reader is gently guided back to a soft cozy bed of her own.
What would you do with a moose on the loose? Would you chase him, or race him, or stand up to face him? What would you do with a moose on the loose? What would you do with a moose in your yard? Or in your house? How about in your room? Or in your tub? Would you give him two boats? Would you see if he floats? What would you do? Colorful, comic artwork highlights the hilarity that ensues when wildlife wanders indoors. Can boy best beast? By story's end, young readers will know exactly what to do when a moose goes on the loose!
Dozer the Goldendoodle has a wonderful life! He and his best friend, Chica, belong to a loving family. They have warm beds to sleep in, enough food to eat, and plenty of room in their yard to play and investigate. What more could a good dog want? As it turns out, Dozer wants an adventure. And when a runner runs past his yard, followed by another, and another, and another, Dozer decides to follow and see what is happening. In May 2011, unbeknownst to his owner, Dozer slipped out of his yard in Highland, Maryland, enticed by the sight of people running past. The runners were participating in the Maryland Half Marathon, a race benefitting the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center. Dozer joined the 2,000 runners in the race, inspiring everyone along the 13-mile race course. By the time his adventure was over and he was reunited with his family, Dozer's "Run" encouraged thousands of pledges in support of the Greenebaum Cancer Center. This true story of a playful dog that actually runs a half marathon entertains as well as inspires.
Have you seen an otter at play in the water? It's long and it's trim and it knows how to swim. It rolls and it spins. It twists and it grins. What if one day that otter jumps out of the water? Would you ask him to play? What if that otter follows you home? Would he bounce on the chairs? Would he skid down the stairs?
Since he was knee-high to a grasshopper, little Stu's favorite place to visit was the nearby zoo. He was there so often that even the animals recognized him. The animals' sounds, from the coos and the snorts, and the squeaks and bellows, and the brays and the whistles, were music to his ears. His mother called it a symphony. Stu loved to pretend to be a conductor when he listened to the animals. But now there is trouble brewing at the zoo. A man wants to take it over and turn it into something else, getting rid of the animals. When the animals learn of his plan, they want to take action. But no one has any ideas. No one but Stu. Young readers will enjoy seeing how Stu steps in to rally the animals to save their beloved zoo.
Everyone knows that the little kids table is the place to be for any holiday or family gathering. They just know how to have fun! This silly, rhyming story follows a group of rambunctious cousins from table setting to dessert. A universal theme, The Little Kids Table will have kids--and parents!--howling with laughter.
The treasures of Nebraska brought to board book form for the youngest book lovers. Toddlers will delight in this book filled with rhyming riddles framed by brightly painted clues, introducing the elements that make Nebraska so special.
Intriguing collage illustrations frame this timeless story of a young child who questions the significance of color. Speaking in verse, the child wonders if the natural world believes any particular color to be more important than another. Does the rain think I'm a color when it falls on my head? I wonder if the clouds think I'm a color... maybe they think I'm green or blue or red. The child comes to see the importance of a world filled with and accepting of all colors. Do I have to choose one color? I want to be them all - black, blue, purple, brown, pink, orange, yellow, red, white, and green. The whole world is full of colors - just like me.
From the quiet grandeur of the Himalaya Mountains to the urban city of Calcutta, T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet showcases India's exotic treasures. Visit the haunting Taj Mahal, a tribute from an emperor to his dead wife. Traverse the bustling streets of Mumbai, the second most populated city in the world. Sample a traditional meal fragrant with garam masala spices, or attend a cricket match where some games have lasted up to five days! Varsha Bajaj was born in Mumbai, India. Her book, How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?, was named to the 2005 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List. Varsha lives in Houston, Texas. Robert Crawford's paintings have appeared on the cover of major magazines such as The Atlantic and U.S. News and World Report, as well as books. He also illustrated Sleeping Bear Press's The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain. Robert lives in Woodbury, Connecticut.
South Dakota is home to an endless supply of American history and Americana. Did you know the world's largest drug store calls Wall, SD home? Or how about the triceratops was one of the state's earliest settlers? What about the prairie the Ingalls family called home? De Smet. Also in South Dakota! The answers to all of these and many more are is the latest Sleeping Bear Press A to Z state exploration - M is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet. The state's charm and significance in American folklore goes beyond those four presidents' wonderful mugs and it's all captured here in poem and expository text for citizens and tourists of all ages. M is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet is a welcome addition to the Sleeping Bear Press library and is sure to find a special place in homes, schools and libraries throughout the nation. Written and illustrated by the first time pairing of children book pros, author Bill Anderson and artist Cheryl Harness, M is for Mount Rushmore is the tribute to South Dakota readers will love. Well known in South Dakota circles and the country for his Little House work, Bill brings his poignant pen to M is for Mount Rushmore and the verse and text flow with feeling and pride. And breathing life into Mr. Anderson's prose is incredible images of Cheryl Harness. Bringing years of experience and an eye for extraordinary, Cheryl's images capture the grace and wonderment that is South Dakota.
Our continuing alphabet journey takes us to North Dakota, the home to such wide-eyed wonders as bison, mosasaurs and the Red River. Every letter in the alphabet is another chapter of a land rich in history, people and nature. Look to the skies for a bald eagle or to the horizon for a Wild Prairie Rose, the state flower. But no matter where children look in P is for Peace Garden, they're sure to find beauty and state pride on every page. This homespun tour of the Roughrider State uses folksy rhymes and in-depth text to share North Dakota's heritage with everyone. One just needs to open its pages to be taken on tour that will take them to Fargo, Bismarck and beyond. Paying special attention to the flora and fauna as well as the folklore that makes North Dakota a shining jewel in our nation's crown makes this book as important to its people as readers everywhere. Roxane Salonen uses her North Dakota roots to focus on the aspects of the state others rarely hear about. Share in North Dakota's glory and landscape through her glowing prose and illustrator Joanna Yardley's exquisite renderings of a vision rarely seen. P is for Peace Garden: A North Dakota Alphabet is sure to inspire and impress generations of reader for years to come.
Discover the unspoiled beauty of Arkansas in N is for Natural State: An Arkansas Alphabet. Acansa is the Sioux Indian name for the state we know today as Arkansas and this begins our alphabet journey. Next you'll find Blanchard Springs Cavern with its 80,000 bats and then to D is for Diamonds, and learn the Natural State is the only state that mines them. Illustrator Rick Anderson's rich and colorful images bring the beautiful vision of Arkansas to all readers.
Ross & Judy Young's combined belief that children comprehend intricate ideas at a very young age made it possible for them to seamlessly create "S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet." The husband and wife team elegantly synthesize text and illustration to provide a rich texture of the Show Me State. The alphabet book employs a two-tiered approach that reaches Pre-K through 6th grade students. A rhyme for each letter of the alphabet catches the attention of younger readers, while older elementary students grasp a richer understanding of the topic by reading expository information on the same page.
Bursting with history like no other city in the world, Washington DC is a tribute to the United States, its people and even the world. Monuments spot the landscape, tourists spot the monuments and their legends are learned. The story of DC doesn't stop there. Look beyond the monuments. That's exactly the Washington DC readers will discover with N is for our Nation's Capital: A Washington DC Alphabet. From Abigail Adams to the National Zoo and all the cherry blossoms, flags, houses and presidents in between, N is for Our Nation's Capital is like a field trip in a binding. Rhymes capture readers' interest and expository text expands on those points and others with little-known but fascinating facts. Did you know the cherry blossom trees that are an integral part of DC's scenery were gifts from Japan? Or that Mrs. Taft planted the first two? Readers will eagerly turn the pages to learn more true facts like these. Wonderfully written in engaging rhymes for young readers backed with expository text that reveals even more for the more inquisitive reader make N is for our Nation's Capital the perfect keepsake and tribute to Washington DC. Authored by the husband and wife team of Roland and Marie Smith and backed by Barbara Gibson's stylish illustrations, N is for our Nation's Capital is a perfect fit on any bookshelf. This great exploration into our country's nerve center will have teachers and parents excited and help introduce one of the world's most important cities to children from sea to shining sea.
As one of the 13 original colonies, the state of Connecticut has played a pivotal role in our nation's history -- from its Revolutionary War figures such as Nathan Hale to its captains of industry and invention. N is for Nutmeg entertains as it informs readers on the history and geography, facts and folklore of Connecticut -- learn why Groton is the submarine capital of the world and how Samuel Clemens got his pen name.
From the manmade glitter of the Las Vegas strip to the natural splendor of Lake Tahoe, Nevada's riches go beyond the silver and gold found in Virginia City. S is for Silver showcases the hardy wildlife (the Desert Bighorn Sheep and the desert tortoise) and even hardier pioneers (the builders of the Hoover Dam) who shaped Nevada's landscape and character. Eleanor Coerr began her professional life as a newspaper reporter and editor of a column for children. She taught children's literature at Monterey Peninsula College and creative writing at Chapman College in California. For the past 25 years, Eleanor has been writing children's books, lecturing, and visiting schools across the United States and abroad. Her previous children's books include Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes and The Big Balloon Race. Eleanor shares her time between Henderson, Nevada and Pebble Beach, California. Darcie Park was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and started drawing when she was five years old. She graduated with a BFA in illustration form California State University, Long Beach. She started her freelance illustration career in college and illustrated her first children's book, The Reluctant Dragon, her first year out of college. Darcie makes her home in Lake Tahoe.
"M is for Mayflower" is a wonderful addition to our series of state alphabet books, as Raven's sparkling verse and illuminating expository text are matched perfectly with Jeannie Brett's bright illustrations.This pictorial celebrates the treasures of the Bay State, and educates as it entertains elementary-aged New Englanders. Older readers will appreciate the guided tour through Massachusetts' history, and will learn more about their unique home. Where else could you find John F. Kennedy, Emily Dickinson, and Walden's Henry David Thoreau sharing the spotlight with Roxbury Puddingstones and the Quabbin Reservoir? Only in "M is for Mayflower."
The wide-open spaces of Oklahoma are brought alive for readers with charming rhymes about rodeos, land runs, and yes, even the musical "Oklahoma!" The people, places, and landmarks of the Sooner state are thoroughly explored through the popular two-tiered format for the Discover America State by State series, with simple rhymes for younger children and expository text for older children.
With its multitude of mountains and the highest elevation east of the Rockies, it's no wonder West Virginia's nickname is the "Mountain State." Abundant natural resources make it a leader in both industry and recreation, from glassmaking to rock climbing. Historic sites and sights include Harper's Ferry and the annual Native American Pow Wow, along with Lost World Caverns and White Sulphur Springs. Noteworthy West Virginians include Chuck Yeager and Olympian Mary Lou Retton. Mary Ann McCabe Riehle learned to appreciate the importance of reading and writing while growing up in the neighboring state of Kentucky. She graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Communication Arts and Education and has been a featured author and guest speaker at reading, writing, and library conferences. Mary Ann lives in Michigan with her husband, two daughters and their dog, Bisbee. Laura J. Bryant attended the Maryland Institute of Art and spent many years working in the display industry, which involved both illustrating, and designing scenery for projects including stage backdrops and corporate galas. She currently devotes all of her attention to the creation of children's books. Laura's other titles include A Fairy in a Dairy, Smudge Bunny, and the bestselling book God Gave Us You. Laura and her husband live in Mathias, West Virginia.
From the Penobscots, Passaquamoddies, Puritans, and pilgrims, to the proud people "Down East," L is for Lobster is the alphabet book for all Mainers. The rhymes and text woven through A to Z teach children about the many wonders of this great vacationland. Open the pages and explore the Quoddy lighthouse, learn about Old Town Canoe Company, or search the beaches for ocean treasures. With charming, warm illustrations from Jeannie Brett, as well as playful rhymes and informative text from Maine native Cynthia Furlong Reynolds, L is for Lobster is sure to become a favorite of children, teachers, and parents. Rediscover the deep, rich woodlands and sparkling ocean playgrounds of Maine through this delightful alphabet journey!
Nicknamed the "world's breadbasket," the contributions from the great state of Kansas reverberate far beyond its borders. Kansas has given us leaders in politics (Dwight D. Eisenhower), aviation (Amelia Earhart); and sports (Wilt Chamberlain); leads our nation in wheat production; and fuels our Hollywood image of the wild West (Dodge City). From A-Z, S is for Sunflower explores the broad plain of history and people that make up the state of Kansas.Born a few miles and a few months apart, Corey and Devin Scillian would meet 17 years later at Junction City Senior High School. Both graduates of the University of Kansas, Corey is a ceramic artist and Devin anchors the news for the NBC affiliate in Detroit. Devin's other children's books include Cosmo's Moon, P is for Passport: A World Alphabet, and the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. The authors live in Michigan with their four children. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio, Doug Bowles has been a freelance illustrator for 20 years. In addition to Doug's illustrations for children, he enjoys working with a wide range of clients in the advertising, corporate, and editorial communities. His work has been selected many times in the Society of Illustrators West competition, and he has had several gallery showings. Doug lives in Leawood, Kansas, with his wife and two children.
From the Appalachian Mountains to the Outer Banks, readers will be delighted to discover the beautiful state of North Carolina in "T is for Tarheel". Explore the Biltmore mansion, with its 255 rooms, which took nineteenth century millionaire George Washington Vanderbilt six years to have built. Learn about the history and lore of NASCAR racing under "Z is for Zoom!"