In this abundant and kaleidoscopic collection, Spagnoli includes stories from Japan, India, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Laos, Tibet, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Burma, and Nepal. After profiling modern Asian storytellers practicing traditional storytelling styles, she arranges the stories around dominant Asian themes such as Harmony and Friendship
High John the Conqueror sometimes called simply High John or John was a slave trickster who always outwits Old Master. Much like Greek slave Aesop's animal characters, High John was the subject of a series of subversive narratives, whose mission was to outsmart his oppressors. Tall tales of High John's exploits flourished during slavery, but after emancipation they fell out of circulation and his antics were all but forgotten.
Posey Prefers Pink introduces an "it-must-be-pink" little girl named Posey and her patient-about-pink family. The story uses a lot of "p-word" alliteration in conveying Posey's preferences for pink furniture and decor, foods, clothes, and toys. She will throw a pink-hot tantrum when her parents try to insist on incorporating other colors into her clothing or food choices. But during a trip to the mall Posey surprises everyone--especially herself--when she suddenly prefers...a purple dress!
Elephant, Alligator, and Stork share poolside hijinks as they mix up their towels, tussle over ice cream, and compare diving styles. Best-selling author/illustrator Ethan Long brings his energetic and engaging style to this delightful story of poolside fun and summertime friendship.
This charming concept book puts the child-reader "in charge" of an assortment of unruly little monsters (stand-ins for their real-life counterparts). Each displays certain "monstrous" behaviors (crabbiness, selfishness, etc.), which kids will recognize in themselves. Being in charge motivates kids to handle/address these behaviors and provides a sense of ownership over how to help them be happier, more well-behaved monsters. It's an ideal little book for young kids to share with a grown-up.
An awesome series takes root! Animal Princess first appeared in The Totally Awesome Epic Quest of the Brave Boy Knight. Now she has her own trio of fulsomely funny adventures (with a cameo by Brave Boy Knight) set in a magical funkadelic kingdom ruled by Queen Mom and King Dad. Though they sometimes force her to wear awful, frilly dresses, Animal Princess prefers magical pajamas, quests, and battling three-headed wizards. Pink? Not her thing! It's radically awesome, big, funny fun!
This two-part book program offers activities to supplement standard U.S. history classroom textbooks. Lessons can stand-alone or coordinate with any text. Activity pages include basic concepts, graphs, maps, vocabulary comprehension, and nonfiction informational excerpts that help make meaningful connections with historical concepts, facts, and ideas.
Ricky is the only family Donyell Mason has left. When Ricky becomes a prime suspect in a terrible crime, Donyell sets about to clear his big brother.
Cecilia has always been secure in her world. A high school cheerleader, she is pretty and popular. And she dates Ryan, one of the cutest boys in her school. She leads a charmed and pampered life. Clearly everyone forgot the warnings buried deep in the quatrains of Nostradamus-- the end of days. When the world they know is destroyed, will their struggle to survive destroy their love? This new normal-- this new life-- is cruel and unpredictable and tests both of them in ways that they've never imagined. But it's not the end, only the beginning, but the beginning of what? From what we've calculated, it's been seven days since The End. We don't really have a more suitable name for it. There was absolutely no warning. It was three days after Christmas. We were alone and scared. Nobody expected the theories and stories to actually come true. After 2012 passed with no strange activity, the whole idea of the apocalypse seemed like rubbish. But we were proven terribly wrong. Nostradamus got it right after all.
Cecilia has always been secure in her world. A high school cheerleader, she is pretty and popular. And she dates Ryan, one of the cutest boys in her school. She leads a charmed and pampered life. Clearly everyone forgot the warnings buried deep in the quatrains of Nostradamus-- the end of days. When the world they know is destroyed, will their struggle to survive destroy their love? This new normal-- this new life-- is cruel and unpredictable and tests both of them in ways that they've never imagined. But it's not the end, only the beginning, but the beginning of what? This situation was way out of my control. I was willing to give up anything to go back to the way things were before... I tried my best to comfort and reassure Cecilia that somehow everything would be okay. But I really couldn't be convincing when I could barely convince myself. We were walking into an unknown world. A world without leadership. No government. No medicine. No transportation. No food except what we could grow... or kill. It was going to be mass chaos.
Gabby Herrera is not like her perfect sister, Celia--straight-A student, obedient, responsible. Her parents don't get it. They don't get er C-average report card. Her love for basketball. "The three of them think anything is possible if you just try hard enough. Well, I've tried. It's not possible." She can't be who she is unless she is just like them. And if she's not like them, she's not a real person. She's a broken person. A broken Herrera. And that is unacceptable.
Sixteen-year-old Neema Powell was always the best-looking girl in school. Her girlfriends said that she looked like Beyonce, with beautiful caramel skin and a body others would kill for. But right now she was a wreck. Her mother's sleazy boyfriend was towering over her screaming, "Get out!" And her own mother wouldn't even look at her as she walked out of the apartment into the dead January day. Neema knew that Nate, her boyfriend, would take care of her. I'll give Mom a couple of days to calm down, Neema thought, and I'll swing by to pick up a few items. Like my pills. A couple of days couldn't hurt. But those two days made all the difference, and Neema must draw from somewhere deep for the inner strength she will need.
After two years in a loving home, TJ's mother got him back. She was clean. No pot. No meth. His chest felt like it was burning. His heart was racing. Trapped. He felt trapped. He didn't have a say. Everything he had come to care about would be gone: Miss Dixie, hot meals, friends, Mae's little hand, and Annabelle. And the brutal life he'd escaped quickly reclaimed him. Kaden Cruz didn't run after him. Instead his voice boomed, "You owe us." TJ didn't look back. But he knew this wasn't the end of Kaden Cruz. He could still hear his father's voice. "It's not free. You'll have to pay them back one day."
Zoos are amazing places to see and learn about the many native and exotic of animals that inhabit this world. Some animals are plentiful while others are threatened or in danger of extinction. Zookeepers not only feed and care for these animals, they may also be helping to conserve and protect whole species through breeding and "head start" programs. Follow the extraordinary duties of these unusual animal helpers in this behind-the-scenes photographic journal.
Step back in time and follow dinosaur tracks around the world. Whether made by a few dinosaurs or large groups, these tracks provide clues to the movement and behavior of these lovable ancient creatures. What dinosaurs made the tracks and what do scientists think they were doing when they made them? The author tells the story in rhythmic rhyme that may be sung to the tune of Over the River and Through the Woods.
An eye-opening exploration of the history of the 1909-founded SIS and other British espionage agencies, investigating their typical training and tools as well as the escapades of famous spies.
An examination of the weapons, tactics, and strategies used in the ongoing war against Islamic extremists, from guerilla combat and suicide bombings to high-tech weapons and new laws.
A simple introduction to the Boston Red Sox major league baseball team, including its start in 1901, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.
A simple introduction to the Baltimore Orioles major league baseball team, including its start in 1902 as the St. Louis Browns, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.
A simple introduction to the Los Angeles Dodgers major league baseball team, including its start in 1884 in Brooklyn, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.
A simple introduction to the New York Mets major league baseball team, including its start in 1962, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.
A simple introduction to the Cincinnati Reds major league baseball team, including its start in 1869, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.
A simple introduction to the Toronto Blue Jays major league baseball team, including its start in 1977, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.
A simple introduction to the Chicago Cubs major league baseball team, including its start in 1876, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years
A simple introduction to the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team, including its start in 1882, its World Series triumphs, and its stars throughout the years.