Twelve-year-old Astrid has come to Ghana with her family in 1979 so that her father can help oversee Ghanas first democratic election. Astrid and her brother, Gordo, were told it would be a great family adventure, but they soon find out that everything about Ghana is difficult; the heat, the food, the threat of disease, the soldiers on the roads, the schools. Gordo fits in more easily than Astrid, who is often left to look after her baby sister, Piper, as their mother begins to fall apart under the strain of living in Ghana. When the government is overthrown, Gordo comes down with malaria and a soldier threatens her family, Astrid is surprised to discover how protective she has become of her new home.
When grade-eight science-project time rolls around, J.J. Murphy skips the beakers and the papier mâché and dives into research about jerks. And idiots. But mostly jerks. By his own estimation, his science project, On a Scale from Idiot to Complete Jerk, is groundbreaking, exhaustive, highly scientific and seriously worthy of bonus marks. Beginning with the dawn of humankind and concluding conclusively with a very cool pie chart, the project dissects the elements of jerkosity through extensive case studies and scientific illustrations. It explores the who, what, when, why and how of jerks and, more important, peppers the lively research with sciencey-looking graphs and charts that reveal a lot about J.J., his family and friends, and the jerks of this world.
Life is hard for ten-year-old Safiyah in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi. Too poor to go to school, she makes a meager living for herself and her grandmother Cucu by selling things she finds at the garbage dump. After using scavenged paper to fix up the inside of the hut, Safiyah starts a mural on the outside. As word of the paper house spreads, Safiyah begins to take pride in her creation. When Cucu collapses after a fire, Safiyah stays at the hospital to help care for her grandmother. While Safiyah is away, her friend Pendo works on the mural, which upsets Safiyah. But when Pendo attracts media attention to the paper house, Safiyah and her grandmother are given a chance of a better life.
This introduction to Australia explores the geography and culture of this country.
What happens when Sleeping Beauty really does sleep for a hundred years? She finds the world a very different place when she finally wakes up!
A princess is horrified when a cranky, old king arrives at the palace intending to marry her. She must first pass the frozen peas test to prove she is a real princess. But does she want to?
A fabulous retelling of the Ugly Duckling in which a family of ducklings are all born a little bit strange, except for one called Beauty!
The Three Little Pigs are terrified when they find out who their new neighbor is! They have met his kind before. Will they all get eaten up by the Big Bad Wolf?
Hansel and Gretel went out to collect wood for their father, but they got lost in the forest. Then a wicked old lady trapped them in her cottage! The Ugly Duckling followed a trail of bread that the children left behind them. Would the Ugly Duckling be able to rescue Hansel and Gretel?
Cinderella meets Jack and the Beanstalk in this fun rhyming text. Jack and Cinderella climb the beanstalk and find a giant fairy godmother. Can she help them get to the prince's ball?
Cinderella's fairy godmother grants her wish to go to the ball. She meets the prince, but Cinderella does not behave like a princess at all! The fairy godmother must teach her a lesson.
Little Bad Riding Hood is off to see Granny carrying a very tasty basket of cakes. She escapes from the Wolf, but the cakes look very tempting. Can she get to Granny's house without eating them herself?
The beast of Pea Castle was sad and lonely. He needed a kiss from a princess to turn him back into a handsome prince. One day, Beauty arrived at the castle. The beast put a pea under her mattress, and she could not sleep a wink. Was Beauty the princess that could break the spell?
Jack is very poor but an expert at making bean pies. One day he meets a very hungry giant, who luckily does not like the taste of people.
Rhymes talk about water and the many forms it takes in oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlandseven in the bodies of living things! Children will love the pictures that accompany the fun rhyming verses! Rivers flow from high ground to low. They carry fresh water as they go. The source of a river is where it begins. The mouth of a river is where it ends. Rivers meander in curves and bends.
Children will love the wonderful pictures in this fun introduction to the kinds of homes animals make in various habitats: Homes are in habitats, on the ground or in trees. Some are in water, in lakes, rivers, or seas. A home can be a cave, a burrow, or nest. It is a safe place for animals to rest.
This book introduces young readers to their roles within a family. From brother and sister to granddaughter and friend, this title uses a child-centered approach to explain who children are to the people around them. An activity asks the readers to close their eyes and think about which role they love the best.
This upbeat book describes the things we do when we are happy. Positive statements such as "I like to smile," and "I like you," help reinforce in children the joyful feeling of being happy. An activity asks children questions about what makes them happy.
Simple rhyme gives children a fun lesson in having a positive attitude. In this book, children will also become familiar with the format for dialogue within text as they are asked on several pages to repeat the phrase "Today is a great day!" out loud. An activity encourages children to think positively and see how it spreads to other people.
What do people and other living things need to survive? Numerous images with simple labels show children all the things we need to live and be happy, from water and food to shelter and love. An activity asks young readers to describe how they have fun.
This question and answer book invites readers to explore the world around them. Throughout the book, children are asked, What do you see? What do I see? The response appears on the opposite page. Colorful photographs show what they see - a bee, a bunny, a chimpanzee, and even a girl in a seashell! Repetitive text patterns and rhyme engage readers as they build fundamental literacy skills.
This engaging book uses a simple rhyming pattern to tell the story of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Wonderful photos and illustrations show Santa and his reindeer on their annual trip, as well as the joy on childrens faces on Christmas morning. An activity asks children to draw their own picture of Santa Claus.
What clothes do we wear when it is summer or winter or when it is time for bed? Appealing photos with simple labels help children learn why we wear different clothes for different seasons or for doing certain activities. A special section shows children in uniforms and costumes and asks readers to identify when each of these special clothes might be worn.
Rap is being used to teach reading in many schools today. It is a fun way to introduce sounds and rhymes, as well as beat. This books hilarious pictures of rapping reptiles will make children laugh and want to create their own rap verses. The funny rapping reptiles introduce their classifications, body structures, behavior, and food choices in a really cool way.
Engaging photographs help children explore their different skills and abilities, from reading and singing to helping care for younger siblings. By naming the things they can do, children will feel empowered and motivated to continue learning and growing. An activity asks children to name five things they do well and what other things they would like to try to learn.
