An IRA-CBC Children's Choice.An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists."When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty.

    "This is Thunder Cake baking weather," calls Grandma, as she and her granddaughter hurry to gather the ingredients around the farm. A real Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. But the list of ingredients is long and not easy to find . . . and the storm is coming closer all the time!Reaching once again into her rich childhood experience, Patricia Polacco tells the memorable story of how her grandma--her Babushka--helped her overcome her fear of thunder when she was a little girl. Ms. Polacco's vivid memories of her grandmother's endearing answer to a child's fear, accompanied by her bright folk-art illustrations, turn a frightening thunderstorm into an adventure and ultimately . . . a celebration!Whether the first clap of thunder finds you buried under the bedcovers or happily anticipating the coming storm, Thunder Cake is a story that will bring new meaning and possibility to the excitement of a thunderstorm.

    At first, big sister Lilly thought it might be fun to have a new baby in the family. But when her parents repeatedly coo, "Julius is the baby of world," Lilly's mouse hackles begin to rise. Soon the jealousy is too much for her, and she embarks on a rejection campaign that is hysterically funny, but also comforting for siblings who probably feel just as much resentment but would never go to Lilly's extremes. Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse refuses to shy away from the truly powerful and sometimes dark feelings of children. Through bright watercolors and handwritten, cartoon-style dialogue, Henkes relishes Lilly's wickedness. For example, she delights in insulting her oblivious baby brother: "If you were a food, you'd be a raisin," she whispers into his crib. "If you were a number you'd be zero." When she paints an elaborate family portrait, she leaves Julius out. When she throws a tea party, guess which baby doesn't get an invitation? But when a visiting cousin starts insulting baby Julius, we discover that the flip side of Lilly's intense jealousy is an even more powerful and lasting loyalty. ALA Notable Book, ALA Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List, Parent's Choice Honor for Literature. (Baby to Preschool) --Gail Hudson

    A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

    Based on the wonderfully atmospheric and dramatic Cornish tale of Old Tom, the fisherman, and his cat Mowzer, who braved the wrath of the Great Storm-Cat to save their village.

    One day, a man exhausts himself trying to chop down a giant kapok tree. While he sleeps, the forest’s residents, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, whisper in his ear about the importance of trees and how "all living things depend on one another" . . . and it works. Cherry’s lovingly rendered colored pencil and watercolor drawings of all the "wondrous and rare animals" evoke the lush rain forests, as well as stunning world maps bordered by tree porcupines, emerald tree boas, and dozens more fascinating creatures.Awards: IRA Teacher’s Choice (1991), ABA’s Pick of the Lists, Reading Rainbow Review Book, NSTA-CBC Outstanding Trade Book for Children

    Zelinsky, broke onto the scene back in 1990, it created a sensation with its clever characters, sly subplots, luscious colors, and the incomparable flair of its moving parts. Almost a million young readers have enjoyed the wheels that go round, doors that open and shut, and people who go bumpety-bump. Today it remains as fresh and engaging as when it was first published.

    One night, Lilly hears the whales and watches breathlessly as they "leaped and jumped and spun across the moon." Then, waking from what she thinks is a dream, she hears them call her name. Sheldon's brief story seems to be a celebration of the joys of fantasy and the belief in magical happenings. It is enriched by Blythe's wonderfully evocative paintings, which range from warm, realistic close-up portraits to dramatically moonlit seascapes. But beyond the pleasures of the dreamlike mood, the book has little substance. There is no deeper level of meaning, no foundation is offered for the idea that whales are magical, and certainly in the dolphinlike behavior of the whales there is no information on the actual habits and habitats of these wondrous creatures of the deep. --Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

    Over 100 5-star reviewers agree: "A wonderful book with a wonderful message: be yourself!""If you buy one book for sheer fun, there's no question it should be this one." —San Diego Union TribuneTired of his life as an emu, Edward decides to try being something else for a change. He tries swimming with the seals, he spends a day lounging with the lions, and even slithers with the snakes. But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may be the best thing after all.This picture book is an excellent choice to share in the classroom or at home—both adults and kids will laugh at and sympathize with Edward the Emu.

    It's just that she wants to play on the swing now, not after the wash has been hung up to dry. And she wants her soup now, not after the goats have been fed. Looking after Natasha keeps Babushka, Natasha's grandmother, very busy. Then, after lunch, Natasha notices a doll sitting on Babushka's shelf...a doll Babushka tells Natasha she played with just once when she was a little girl. When Natasha plays with the doll while Babushka goes to the store for groceries, she discovers why once is enough with Babushka's doll...and finds out just how tiring it can be to take care of a child who wants everything now.

    "Exceptional." - School Library Journal, starred review

    “A fresh, amusing piece.”--Booklist

    right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

    From sand castles and rock pools to boats and fish, the realistic scenes evoke images of a summer day along the waterfront where anything can happen.

    Little Beaver s search for a friend he thinks he hears across a pond is perfect for every child who's ever felt lonely."Children old enough to long for friends of their own will nestle right into this appealing story....Ideal for reading aloud at the beginning of the school year of during camp sessions, when there's a little bit of Little Beaver in every kid." -- Booklist"Perfect for little ones at quiet-time or bedtime." -- Publishers Weekly "Enchanting." -- The New York Times Book Review

    Now he sleeps on their beds, lets them dress him up in doll clothes, and laps up warm milk on chilly nights. But where does Charlie go during the day? It's not until a storm keeps Charlie away one night that the two sisters discover his other, daytime, home. But maybe that's not such a bad thing. Because, just like Elizabeth and Sarah, Charlie has two houses, two beds, and two families who love him very, very much!

    A child (with the help of artful pull-out pages) explains the extraordinary features of his blue balloon.

    When the girl is older, she is a ballerina and remembers that her mother gave her a dancing heart.... [An] exuberant celebration of dance." - School Library Journal, starred review

    The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts -- and bulging bellies -- reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for.

    In no time at all, hungry pirates come ashore and snatch the pudding--along with Grandma. Full-color illustrations.

    Although she has been saving for a ring, Stella decides to give her bundle of nickles to a carpenter who is trying to rescue his little girl from a war-torn country.

    She makes a cosy bear-den in the shed and prepares some tea and bear-food, and after some patient waiting there's a knock on the door.

    The Amish first came to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s, and to this day preserve a religious and "plain" life-style. As part of her household chores, Naomi looks after the chickens with her little sister, Ruth.One day Naomi and Ruth find an abandoned egg near the road. This is no ordinary chicken egg, though. In fact, surrounded by the simplicity and austerity of their Amish ways, this egg is almost "fancy." Naomi decides this special egg must be hatched. And when it is, it's plain to see that this is no ordinary chick!The girls manage to keep the chick, dubbed Fancy, a secret... until the day of the Vleckes' frolic, or community working bee. On this day, Naomi is to receive a white organdy cap, a family tradition, as a reward for her hard work and responsibility. But on this day, too, Fancy decides to introduce himself to the community.The results are a sheer delight, pure and simple. Patricia Polacco's passion has taken her into the heart of Amish country in search of a story. In this unabridged reading of her award-winning book, her lively voice, accompanied by her beautiful artwork carry this story of discovery and growing up into the hearts of all who listen and turn its pages.

    Noble Gareth defeats a dreaded knight and wins the hand of a fair maiden.

    Frost in a vigorous Bear Dance.

    Exploring an underwater cave in his homemade submarine, Alistair helps the frog people get rid of the dreaded monster Gooze.

    "Littler Rabbit Foo Foo riding through the forest, scooping up the goblins and bopping them on the head."

    Ruth, an octopus who loves to bake, spends so much time making shortbread, pies, cookies, and cakes that she opens her own bake shop.

    George's huge shadow always gets in the way and alienates him from his friends until, with the help of his shadow, he performs an act of bravery that wins his friends back forever.

    They are all hiding in the department store where they live, among clocks, cakes, carpets, and china. For a little kitten, a department store can be a wonderland of hiding places. In these illustrations where rooms are packed with colorful, exquisitely detailed treasures, the kittens make Tabitha Cat's job of finding them a challenge.

    Illustrates the story of the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the shepherds at the manger.

    Full color.

    At first glance the pictures on facing pages seem identical. But sharp readers will spot differences when they take a closer look. Some differences are easy to spot; others will be a challenge. Full-color and two-color illustrations.

    The author has written more than 40 children's books, and was awarded the Graphics Prize by the Bologna Children's Book Fair.

    Paddington's quest for Windsor marmalade leads him to Buckingham Palace in Paddington Meets the Queen. Armed with a new lasso, Paddington sets off on a wild fantasy adventure through the streets of London in Paddington Rides On!.

    Grandpa and his granddaughter spend a day in the park and see all kinds of strange things.

    Earl Grollman, DHL,DD author of Talking about Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child When Rachel is four years old, her daddy dies, and Rachel's life changes forever. She and her mommy ,from their house in Kentucky to the busy streets of New York City. At first Rachael feels so sad that it's as if her heart is upside down. But after a while Rachel discovers happiness - while keeping the memory of her father alive in her heart.

    The text is in Maori and English.Once there lived a sad and lonely sea creature named Paua. Mighty Tangaroa, the god of the sea, felt sorry for Paua and decided to give him a special gift.

    A child uses Mother's ordinary suggestions for a garden as a springboard for imagining all sorts of unique and creative garden ideas.

    There, standing in the yard outside his window, is a baby apatosaur. Knowing that the dinosaur can't stay, Wilbur begins the long journey back through time to take him home. Bravely facing a fierce saber-toothed cat and narrowly escaping a monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex, the two new friends trudge through the Ice Age and past the Cretaceous period, finally arriving at the Jurassic period. Once his long-necked friend is safely home, Wilbur makes the journey forward to his own time atop the largest, most spectacular dinosaur he's ever seen.

    "A small child imagines a future when he will be old with his Granddaddy and will sit beside him in a rocking chair and talk about everything...The poignant reality that time will never allow these two to coexist at the same age is softened by the fact that they do not have to be the same age in order to share happy times...The African American child and grandfather are...recognizable to anyone who has ever shared the bond of family love across generations." - School Library Journal, starred review

    W. Denslow is best remembered for the distinctive illustrations he created for the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This unique compilation features 9 of the best stories from his 18-volume series of picture books from 1903 to 1904, which featured novel retellings of favorite childhood tales. High-quality color reproductions of the artist's drawings accompany stories of Humpty Dumpty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and other beloved characters.Denslow rewrote several of these familiar stories, toning down harsher aspects of the original material to provide wholesome entertainment redolent of his era's mood and sensibilities. This new edition includes an Introduction by Oz historian Michael Patrick Hearn.

    Color illustrations.

    

    He is always late, always scruffy and always just slightly different. There seems to be no hope for him, but the story has a twist to it. Tony Bradman's many other titles include The Sandal.

    

    Then one day a kind taxi driver named Jim offers him friendship, a home, and a place in the front seat! From that moment on, Maxi and Jim revel in the sights and sounds of the city, and share all sorts of wild adventures-from rushing two clowns and a chimp to the circus, to singing duets with an opera diva! These and other adventures are brilliantly depicted in Mark Buehner's witty, detail-packed oil paintings.

    

    When Coyote sees Rabbit running through the forest, he runs after Rabbit, and soon all the animals in the forest are running away.

    But Daddy and Mat will miss her, even if Mama won't--or will she? A charming picture book about a childlike hurt resolved in an endearingly childlike way.

    Young children discover the world of numbers as they sing along with the popular tune, This Old Man, and follow the little old man playing knick-knack on a range of familiar objects.

    A collection of stories, including: The Witch Next Door / Esmeralda / Good Neighbours / The Frog Prince / Simple Jack and the Wizard.

    The text is easy to red but highly informative. A final two-page spread summarizes fact about the animal in each book.Lion cubs are much like domestic kittens when they're first born, but soon they grow up to be large and fierce.

    As two children go about their morning chores on the farm, they see various animals, each making its own distinctive sound.

    Many traditional tales are included, along with some modern stories that will soon become familiar favorites:"The First Christmas" - "Away in a Manger" - "The Gift Bringers" - "Befana" -"The Gift of the Magi" - "Worried Arthur" - "Decorations" - "Deck the Halls" - "The Magic Christmas Tree" - "A Computer for Santa Claus" - "Christmas Eve at the Zoo" - "Wake Up, Webster, It's Christmas!" - "Christmas Is Coming" - "Christmas Food" - "Jingle Bells" - "Three Presents for the Prince" - "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

    Presents in alphabetical order western art and memorabilia drawn from the collections of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

    The text is conceived as a survival game with points given for correct choices.

    Examines the experiences of the runaway slave who risked her life to help others through the Underground Railroad.

    When she outgrows it, it is made into a jacket, then a vest, then finally a knapsack. At last a doll's coat is fashioned to complete the cycle. The book is written as an illustrated prose poem.

    But Jon is afraid that getting stitches will hurt. Will he be brave enough to let the doctor take care of him?

    Fred was worried. What use was an old donkey who liked nothing better than to stand under the willow trees and dream?

    

    Discusses the history of libraries, the effects of the invention of the printing press on them, what goes on in libraries, and some prominent libraries of the world.

    Full-color illustrations.

    Winner of both the Governor General's Award and the Mr.Christie's Book Award, this story proves that dinner is always exciting when Uncle Henry comes to visit, especially when he shows up wearing a shirt entirely covered with tiny colored chickens!

    

    At various points in the text the reader is asked to state what is missing from the picture.

    

    Firstly in autumn, her fleece gets tangled in the hedge, then in winter, her fleece keeps her warm. In spring she has her own lamb. Then it's summer and time for shearing.

    The reader must try to find Frankie in the illustrations of various crowded places including the supermarket, zoo, aquarium and the video arcade.

    

    

    When the adults leave, Aunt Fred puts on a wild outfit and scoops Leila up onto her motorcycle. After a spectacular day, Leila forgets that Aunt Fred is supposed to be a witch. But a bedtime drink makes her wonder... is Aunt Fred trying to hex her?

    

    

    The mighty warriors and protectors of the American way of life are shown at their fighting, laughing and pizza-eating best. Full-color throughout.

    Katy knows that books are for reading, but her baby brother Alex thinks they are for eating.

    But by pulling the tab on the page, they can find a whole new picture. Excerpted stories from the beloved Milne books accompany the pictures. Full-color illustrations.

    On her way home one cold winter night, a young girl falls off a sled and is rescued by a large, furry white beast who lives in an ice cave with an old woman.

    A perfect lap book, this will be a favorite with even the smallest children and become a family treasure.

    Nate's visit to Grandpappy's house in Maine is filled with such everyday adventures as finding a four-leaf clover, watching a gray heron, and shopping for supplies.