The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Victor Hugo's greatest accomplishments. This gothic tale about Dom Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, and his total infatuation and frustration for the beautiful La Esmeralda ends in disaster. The pathetic and disfigured Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell ringer, is forced to choose between his two loves- Dom Frollo and La Esmeralda.
Take a journey into the future of science and imagination, as seen through the eyes of Jules Verne. The adventures of Henry, Hans, and Professor Von Hardwigg take the reader from the surface of a planet they know to a world alien to them located deep inside the earth. Verne shows man's ability to survive even in the most adverse conditions and proves that survival is man's most basic instinct. He brings out the adventurer in all of us.
In this humorous satire, which makes fun of English politicians in the early 1700s, you'll travel to many strange make-believe worlds. Join Gulliver as he sails from the land of the tiny six-inch people called Lilliputians and the land of the giant people called Brobdingnagians, to the land of the Houyhnhnms- where wise and understanding horses tame herds of wild Yahoos, creatures that are strangely human!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place on the Mississippi during the late 1800s... when the riverboat and small towns along the river were adventurous, exciting, and romantic.
When Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist, tries to create life in his laboratory, the result is an ugly monster. Instantly feared by all who see him, the hated monster is driven into the countryside. Never given a chance at friendship or human companionship, the monster plots a terrible revenge!
What if you and your family were marooned on a desert island? Would you be able to survive? This is a story of the Robinson family. Learn how they used materials from the shipwreck, their resourcefulness, good humor, and hard work to build a good life. Did they ever get rescued?
Kidnapped by his scheming and wicked uncle, teenager David Balfour is forced to sail the high seas on the ship the Covenant. With the help of an unlikely friend, a Scotsman who is rebelling against English rule, David escapes. However, together they still face more danger before David can regain his stolen inheritance from his uncle.
What would it be like to travel thousands of years into the future? How would Earth have changed? Would people have changed too? Step aboard The Time Machine and journey to the year 802,701. Learn how humankind has evolved into two-races one simple and child-like and the other strange and terrifying. Then join the Time Traveler as he travels still further, revealing the final secrets of Earth's future.
When seaman were sailing only wooden ships, Captain Nemo was the master of his incredible, futuristic submarine, the Nautilus, which journeyed through many strange and adventurous voyages...
The Last of the Mohicans is a historical story in Cooper's brilliant frontier tales. It is an exciting adventure about America's original inhabitats- our Native Americans- and Hawkeye's heroic plight and pursuit against his white brothers while battling the evil and vengeful Huron Chief Mugua.
A week of fun begins when Mrs. Calamari and her many cats move into a new apartment and the landlord--who has lost his glasses--declares "No cats are allowed!"
Captivating and unusual images that adorn buildings, from musical instruments to a pencil, and a big wheel with wings will invite children to look closely at buildings in their own neighborhoods and to want to learn more about them.
Clever word play and comic-book style illustrations showcase the adventures of two "bad eggs" who run amok until Chip--one smart cookie--steps in!
Strap on your safety harness, because this tall tale is the wildest ride in the lower 48! Readers will experience the adventure of a lifetime as they follow Rose from Sitka Sound to Nome to the Northern Lights over the peaks of Denali.
Down, down, down. Step down below to see the world. A fantastical journey introduces young readers to subway travel. Five children pay the fare, pass through the gates, and zip through the tunnels of subway stations in ten cities around the globe. The trip around the world underscores how travel and cultural connections create community. Back matter includes information about the ten stations mentioned: Atlanta, Cairo, Chicago, London, Mexico City, Moscow, New York City, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. This book is good for your brain because: Early childhood literacy, Multiculturalism, Transportation
Piggies plot a peculiar path. Two little piggies run amok on the farm, as they travel from the pumpkin patch, through the garden, into the black bull's pen, and back to mama pig in time for a nap. The piggies' antics introduce young readers to prepositions of direction. Alliteration, assonance, and rhyme in each of the three stanzas make for a great read-aloud. Young and old alike will laugh out loud at the antics of these mischievous, fun-loving piggies. This book is good for your brain because: Strong picture/text support, Vocabulary development, Directional words, Mapping skills, Figurative language, Life Science, Organisms and their environments
The kids at school want to know why Becca is wearing glasses and a patch. Instead of telling them she has amblyopia, Becca leads her friends imaginative adventures to explain her new fashion accessory. Mitch Vane's illustrations capture the spunky exuberance of this resourceful heroine.
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
Amiqqaq is excited when his family catches a bowhead whale. As his family prepares to celebrate the traditional Iñupiaq whaling feast, Amiqqaq learns about the spirit-of-the-whale.
Thump, creaak, clink-clunk . . . MOOOOO! Mr. and Mrs. Noodleman don't know what to do. They've left city life behind and moved to the country with hopes of being farmers. But their dreams turn grim when nightly visits from Boo Cow scare the Noodlemans' hens so much, they won't lay any eggs! These first-time farmers are at a loss. Why is Boo Cow haunting them, and how can they banish this ghostly bovine visitor? Baehr's fun and accessible text make this book a great read-aloud. With unexpected twists and turns, Boo Cow keeps readers guessing as they attempt to solve the mystery on the Noodlemans' farm. This book is good for your brain because: Great read-aloud, encourages audience participation, promotes the importance of learning about others before we judge them
Get ready for an alphabet revolution! X is exasperated. Every other letter in the alphabet has so much to do and plays such important roles in making words. X expects more. He calls for a vote on a new alphabet (gasp!). According to the Alphabet Constitution, X has every right to question the status quo. But the night before the vote, X is plagued by dreams of what could happen if he were to take on another letter's job. S has to run around a lot making singular words plural, except sometimes he isn't needed at all, and sometimes he needs to bring along another letter... it was all very confusing. Then X thought he'd like to be E. E was very important and very useful. E agreed. But E was exhausted. He was in thousands of words and constantly busy. X didn't think E's job was a good idea after all. Jef Czekaj explores the order of the alphabet and the rules of spelling and grammar with hilarious consequences. His graphic-novel-style illustrations make these concepts and the story of X exciting, exhilarating, and extraordinary.
After a long night of foraging, a tired raccoons returns home to sleep in Old Tree's branches. Oblivious to the rain and wind of a raging storm, the raccoon is protected and sheltered by the tree.
"The course of true love never did run smooth." (A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare) Stand aside, Mr. Darcy. Keep walking, Rhett Butler. There's a new romantic hero in town. And, though he may not have all the ladies in the valley swooning with desire, he sure knows how to pitch the woo. Iza Trapani does it once again in this favorite song about a lovesick frog and his search for the perfect missus. Her exquisitely charming and truly funny illustrations that explore the lighter side of romance. Even Jane Austen would have to bow to this most amiable and irresistible story. After all, you might have to kiss a frog to find a prince.
