This story, about how a young black soldier rescues a white soldier, opens young readers' eyes to the injustices of slavery and the senselessness of war. Highly charged emotionally, this masterful retelling of a true story is seen through the white soldier's eyes.

    Molly Lou Melon is different, but this doesn't slow her down.

    . . no matter where you may live.” This stunning picture book is the perfect gift for parents of a new baby.“This loving book will be something to treasure."' –Booklist"The quiet narrative is so intensely felt it commands attention. . . . a lyrical celebration." –Kirkus Reviews

    But when little Patricia wishes on a shooting star that she could do something—anything—to show him up, she finds out just what wishes—and rotten redheaded older brothers—can really do. Patricia Polacco's boldly and exuberantly painted pictures tell a lively and warmhearted tale of comic one-upsmanship and brotherly love.

    It's a deadly contest of man-vs-machine written with such power that this African-American folk hero becomes as awesome as a force of nature, yet as familiar as an older brother. Pinkney's stunning art shows John Henry's energy bursting from nature. Full color.

    It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who's that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin?Good night, Giraffe.Good night, Hyena. Sneak along behind the zookeeper's back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous good-night romp.

    in full color. An apple pie is easy to make...if the market is open. But if the market is closed, the world becomes your grocery store. This deliciously silly recipe for apple pie takes readers around the globe to gather ingredients. First hop a steamboat to Italy for the finest semolina wheat. Then hitch a ride to England and hijack a cow for the freshest possible milk. And, oh yes! Don't forget to go apple picking in Vermont! A simple recipe for apple pie is included.

    One night the stepmother sends Vasilisa to visit Baba Yaga, an errand from which the gentle girl has little chance of returning alive. "An engaging text and accomplished paintings set this version apart....A stylized and classy offering."--School Library Journal.

    The little girl wears it to school proudly, and when the other children laugh, she gives them a quick lesson about what it means to be rich. Judith Sutton's beautiful paintings bring one of Dolly Parton's best-loved songs to life. "The heartfelt verses are imbued with the same genuine, infectiously likeable spirit Parton herself projects." Publishers Weekly

    Color illustrations.

    One day Carrie is taken under the hill by the Little People. Sent to bring her back, Catkin finds his courage and cleverness tested to the full.Antonia Barber's original story reads like a classic fairy tale. Rich with English folklore and mythology, Catkin is magical story-telling at its best!

    He is a blue-bellied toad hopping aimlessly through life.  She is a sad peach yearning for escape and adventure.  Then one remarkable day, Peach and Blue explore the pond that Blue calls home and awaken each other to a world neither has ever really seen before.  Lush illustrations by the award-winning illustrating team of The Salamander Room and The Frog Prince, Continued perfectly complement this unique and graceful story.From the Hardcover edition.

    When Doctor Dog jets off to a medical conference in Brazil the Guimboyles decide they can't survive without him and so he returns to rescue them from all sorts of ailments: itchy nits, tickly tonsils and worms to name but a few. . .

    Full-colour illustrations, for ages 6-10 years.

    A Child Magazine Best Children's Book. Full color.

    Cinder Edna was forced to work for her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, just as her neighbor, Cinderella, was.Edna, on the other hand, had learned a thing or two from doing all that housework, such as how to make tuna casserole sixteen different ways and how to get spots off everything from rugs to ladybugs. And she was strong and spunky and knew some good jokes.Then one day the king announced that he would give a ball ...

    Grouped in four progressive levels, Read and Share books - available individually for the first time - are specially selected for qualities that encourage literacy skills and a love of reading.Sixteen top-quality books with notes for extending reading fun inspire the confidence parents and children need to experience the joys of reading . . . together. Plus an informative Parents' Handbook!What is Read and Share??An expert selection of sixteen high-quality picture books by superb authors and illustrators, featuring a multicultural array of subjects, including poetry and rhymes, traditional songs, stories, and information books ?Four progressive levels - Beginnings, Early Steps, Next Steps, and Taking Off - each including four fabulous picture books?Two full spreads inside each book offering suggestions and activities inspired by the story, designed to help parents and children get the most out of each book - and build a foundation for reading success?A separate 24-page, full-color Parents' Handbook providing extensive practical information and detailed answers to many of the questions parents ask about encouraging their children's literacy

    All the Colors of the Earth "would be a wonderful book to use in multicultural classrooms in schools.""How better to celebrate ethnic diversity than to look to children, the hope of the future? This glorious picture book does just that."—Booklist"A poetic picture book and an exemplary work of art. The simple text describes children's skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena and then describes love for these children with rich colors and flavors. A celebration of diversity." —School Library Journal

    When the Princess learns what her father has done, she is horrified. But she is as clever as she is beautiful. Quickly, the Princess devises a plan to escape and, relying on her own spunk and good sense, ultimately marries the man she chooses for herself.

    ?Wait! I didn?t finish you,? cries the little girl who made her. ?I?ll finish myself,? calls the princess, and the wind carries her away, over a meadow and a river, to a carnival and a town, until finally she finds her way home. Elisa Kleven?s ?mixed-media collages are a kaleidoscope of color and activity, encompassing a vast, multiracial cast of happy people? (Publishers Weekly). ?The best book yet from this talented author/illustrator, and one that children will love.? -- School Library Journal, starred reviewElisa Kleven?s award-winning picture books include her own Ernst and The Lion and the Little Red Bird, the illustrations for Abuela, by Arthur Dorros, and her most recent book for Dutton, The Puddle Pail. She lives near San Francisco, California.

    He was a farmer but not like any farmer you've ever met. He didn't grow corn, okra, or tomatoes. Harvey Potter grew balloons. No one knew exactly how he did it, but with the help of the light of a full moon, one friendly child catches a peek of just how Harvey Potter does it. And keeps some magic for herself.

    Play leapfrog with a silly dog. And that's just the beginning of all the fun! Come along and join Silly Sally and her outrageous friends as they parade into town in a most unusual way.

    Della Ragon, that's who.Oh to you it might seem frightful, but to her it sounds delightful.

    He finds the way to his old home, but the house is dark, with three rusty padlocks on the door. A black cat with eyes of fire appears and leads him through Prague's silent streets and monuments in seach of the three golden keys that will open the door of his boyhood home and restore the city to life. In this reissue of one of his most personal works, Peter Sís recaptures the wonder of his own lost childhood in Prague and celebrates the city's wonderful cultural heritage, reborn after forty-five years of Communist rule. He wrote it for his young daughter, Madeleine, who is growing up in the New World, so that when she is old enough to understand it she will have a record of the strange and wonderful heritage that is her birthright. An utterly magical book on every level.

    Estelle Condra, the author who has experienced a severe loss of her sight, has told Nellie's story in such a way that it will bring tears to your eyes. A great story for teaching children about those that are less fortunate than they might be.

    Once, Mona went to visit her. The couldn’t speak each other’s language, so they made up their own. They learned about each other’s worlds, and they discovered each other’s secrets. Then it was time for Mona to go back home, back to the other side of the earth. But even though there were millions of miles and millions of people between them, they remained true neighbors forever.

    She introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. But when they agree to swap homes, they find unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse to make a sumptuous and stunning picture book.

    The subjects are, first, antonyms--such as above/below and weak/strong--and then lunch. The paired dinosaurs, in a goofy array of pastels, are almost all smiling, even when the rhyme insists they're "grumpy"--so when they settle down to a lunch with (and not of) each other, the end is satisfying. The pictures and swingy short verses will make this a good group read-aloud, even for the very young. -BooklistThese prehistoric monsters are just perfect for the preschool crowds. A natural for story time. -School Library Journal

    

    Full color.

    Eventually he realizes that cracks are everywhere and reminds us all that our flaws are perfectly natural.

    But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day--like everything else--is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds--and how she finds it--will keep young readers cackling.Minerva Louise expresses a range of emotions from pleasure to curiosity. . . . A great choice for storytime.--School Library Journal, starred reviewAn ALA Notable BookA School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

    There are only two beautiful sea creatures called Theefysprays in the ocean, and the fisherman must decide what to do when he catches one on his hook.

    But the-mongrel-that-nobody-wants has the most amazing talents. He can cook! He can juggle! He can even play the violin! Then one day Courtney the wonder dog packs up his trunk and leaves home - but the children find out his helping paw is not far away. . .

     The Sleeping Lady is a modern-day folk legend that accounts for both Alaska's first snowfall and for the origin of this beautiful mountain. It is also a classic tale about a time of peace and the consequences of war. Enchanting oil paintings by artist Elizabeth Johns capture the village life of the giant people, a prehistoric, peace-loving group and the drama that ensues when they must face a band of menacing warriors. The tale centers on the fate of the story’s two betrothed lovers, Nekatla and Susitna, whose encounters with war bring a lasting change to the land and their people. Cloaked in snow in winter and wildflowers in summer, Mount Susitna embodies the hope for peace so relevant at any age. As much a mythical explanation for natural phenomena as it is a tale about a time when people lived in harmony with nature and each other.

    When it came time for them to marry, the tsar called the princes to his side and said: "String your bows with the strength of ten men, and shoot an arrow as far as you can into the heart of Russia. Whoever finds your arrow shall be your pride."

    When three mean and hungry tigers disrupt Hodges' Cafe and its customers one Friday night, it's Hodges' crazy duck who saves the day.

    After a hard-working little black truck breaks down and is towed away, it is repaired and given a second life.

    Six-year-old Ima Bean sets off such a flood of mishaps when she tries to help her grandpa that she begins to worry whether she will ever be forgiven.

    Bring me the Firebird, or I swear by my sword, your head will no longer sit upon your shoulders!A retelling of a popular Russian folktaleDemi's retelling captures the charm and drama of this favorite Russian folktale, while her lavish, gilded illustrations vividly evoke the grand setting and daring adventures.

    He uses his violin to sing a song he plays only for a beautiful dancer named Pavelle. When Gemino is injured, Pavelle does her best to mend him, replacing his heart with a tiny seed watered by her tears. Only then does Gemino sing again, as his heart blossoms with affection for the ballerina who has transformed him with her love. A soft dream spun of song and dance, this sweetly evocative picture book about the power of love will enchant young ballerinas who yearn for something magical.

    Even Brownie the cow has been taken in to a warm shed. But Christmas is a magic time and when Father Christmas visits the donkey with a huge, bulging sack the donkey offers to help him with his last delivery.

    The experiences of a young girl whose younger sister faces major surgery and the many conflicting emotions she feels.

    Through these innovative, interactive and entertaining books, children see themselves accomplishing great feats and having magical adventures. Simply insert the child's photo into the book, and the child is in the middle of the action on each page.Through the creative role-play in each Picture Me "TM" Book, children can learn important lessons about life, social interaction and self-esteem -- all contributing factors to a higher IQ. In Jesus Loves Me, children discover that they are loved by Jesus no matter what.

    Anna is in bed, sick with a fever and her father keeps her spirits up with stories of an ice land where a princess sets out on a ship made of ice. Full color.

    

    How a family who lives by the sea prepares for an October storm is vividly depicted in this dramatic story told from a child's perspective and rendered all the more affecting by striking full-color paintings.

    Fudwinkle tells Alistair's closs, "I want you to bring in the most unusual plant you can find", Alistair decides to cruise the galaxies for the most unusual plant in the entire universe. Space travel is no problem; Alistair mastered it in "Alistair In Outer Space". But Alistair doesn't count on aliens invading Earth. Only Alistair can save Earth from the aliens. But who will save Alistair's science project? Can Alistair save Earth and be on time with his homework?

    

    A collection of Haitian folktales featuring magical human and animal characters, from tricksters and buffoons to dancing dolls and talking fish.

    The reader is asked to answer questions about each illustration.

    Dangers await across the snowy wastes--deep crevasses, cruel winds, and fierce wolves--but the two leopards cannot rest until they reach food and safety in the next valley.

    Seeking Sammy

    A simple pull of the tab activates a musical chip. Each page of the clever book features lyrics and colorful pop-ups. Full color.

    

    

    Elmo looks in Count's castle, Oscar's trash can, Big Bird's nest, and other places on Sesame Street before he finds his little glowworm in time for bed.

    Moore. Truly a local Christmas favorite!

    

    

    

    Includes bold, colorful illustrations and surprise moving parts on every page.Elinor Bagenal was born in the Kenyan outback. She went to school in the United Kingdom and studied music and dance. She is a talented musician and has traveled all over Europe with a dance band as well as all through Africa. She set up a children’s book shop in London and was a children’s editor for many years.Steve Augarde was born in Birmingham, England. He is an illustrator, musician, amateur mechanic, and a genuinely original paper engineer. His illustration work includes thirty children’s books, as well as advertising, comic strip, and animation drawings for the BBC. His music includes work in semiprofessional bands, mostly jazz, playing guitar and double bass. Steve is married to a midwife and has two daughters.

    Each volume fully explores the lifestyles and habitats of animals that few people even know exist. Simple, concise text covers the animal's classification, its unique characteristics, its methods of survival, what the animal eats and who eats it, reproduction and care of the young, conservation issues, and the relationship of the animal to humans. Each book's large size and stunning, full-color photographs bring these remarkable subjects to life. A glossary, further reading list, map, and index make "What on Earth" books as educational as they are fun

    Giving a tour of the popular opera Hansel and Gretel, Thee's interactive paintings take the reader from lobby to backstage. Curtains lift up, die-cut pages create a three-dimensional scene-and we watch the hidden "performance" actors and actresses, theater manager and stagehands, orchestra members, lighting directors, costumers and artists. Includes a tipped-in program to the story of Hansel and Gretel.

    When his attempt at escape fails, Hezekiah is befriended by a wise old crow who tells him what he must do in order to be free. The intriguing, moving text is highlighted by exceptional, bold full-color woodcut paintings.

    Although Foxbury's Town Burglars burgle one shop each month to give the police practice chasing burglars, this time the robbers have other plans.

    Why do his parents want this baby when they've already got him? He gets very angry--shouting and throwing things. Eventually, though, he is persuaded that being an older brother isn't so bad at all. Full color.

    This child-centered look at family violence encourages victims to take action to help break the cycle of abuse.

    The author's previous books include "Hello Tree", "I'm Hot", "I'm Hungry", "A New House" and "Welcome to the World". She has won several prizes for her work.

    Ryan brings word play to a new art form, and his fun with bending stereotypes helps reveal our own stereotypes and a sense of self-discovery.

    With the help of a shape-shifting fox, the Prince of Alban goes on a series of quests, among such enemies as the Giant With Five Heads and the Seven Big Women of Jura.

    A sumptuous collection surveying a half century of self-taught art by William Edmondson, Minnie Evans, Howard Finster, Clementine Hunter, O.W. "Pappy" Kitchens, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Elijah Pierce, Nellie Mae Rowe, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, "Son" Thomas, Mose Tolliver, Bill Traylor, and others.

    Full color.

    God loves you and so do we! Ricky Van Shelton

    So when he asks his mother for a pet of his very own, she brings him a plant. What fun is that? Teddy names his plant Spot, and as he cares for Spot, he also learns to care for all the family pets. Full color.

    Colourful activities are intended to encourage children to start to recognize words and phrases.

    

    Readers will visit a country farm and a small village in 19th-century Europe, as seen through the eyes of two children. Text and illustrations offer a wealth of information about the work of art isans and tradespeople. Full color.

    Get set for action, adventure, and lots of fun with this full-color retelling of Disney's blockbuster The Lion King!

    Winnie is unable to fly with the other witches on Halloween, but her grandmother assures her that when she really wants to fly, she will be able to.

    

    Peter Lippman's 2.2-million-copy-bestselling Mini-House series is a hit with kids and adults alike. You pick one up. You hold it. You turn it around. You peer inside the windows, and then you pop the latch, opening the door to the story-and to a child's imagination.It's a Mini-House Book that's a Shoe! Mother Goose's House brings to life ten traditional Mother Goose rhymes-for a whole new lapful of readers. Selection of the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club. 276,000 copies in print.

    

    A flea in his fur was making him twitch. Scratch is being tormented by a tickly little flea that simply refuses to leave him in peace. Scratch has several imaginative ideas to get rid of it, but will any of them work? Or is the flea here to stay?

    When the youngest son of a king sets out to find the firebird which has been stealing golden apples from his father's tree, he meets a gray wolf who helps him with his quest.

    Informative sidebars and a glossary are included.

    Whose tail is it? If you haven't guessed the answer, just turn the page! This delightful play-and-learn book has been completely revised and reillustrated for a new generation of children to enjoy. "Accompanied by simple, bright illustrations, this rhyming tale of tails will appeal to young children who delight in solving puzzles."--Horn Book.

    An illustrated version of the popular song enumerating favorite things, from raindrops on roses to silver-white winters melting into springs.

    These amazing playthings are as much fun to make as to play with. Using common household odds and ends, construction is no fuss, no mess, with no complicated instructions. So open this book, let your imagination and creativity fly, and let's make toys!

    Amination techniques, using film, paper, collage, puppets, models (and more) are explained in simple, precise language, and illustrated in easy-to-follow steps.

    Stacy has mixed feelings about her new sister Ashley, but when the baby dies of sudden infant death syndrome, Stacy is sad and misses her.

    

    When he drops his pipe into the sea, his mood becomes even fiercer. The passengers, afraid for their lives, turn to an elderly samurai, Michihara, to intervene and save them from Noguchi's wrath.Using the best weapon of all, his wits, Michihara is able to defeat the young warrior and teach him the true meaning of being a samurai.For centuries, stories like Noguchi the Samurai have helped students of Karate to understand that ancient and dignified martial art. This retelling will appeal to anyone who is interested in Karate or has ever had to ward off a bully.

    Full color.

    Includes wonderful illustrations by Alan and Lea Daniel.

    One day when an important spell goes wrong, Blunder finds himself in terrible trouble. Luckily his assistant, a rabbit called Whiskers, has also been studying magic..."

    Max and Minnie, town cats who live indoors, travel through a magic mousehole to the woods and discover the difficulties of surviving in the wild.

    The glowing, full-color paintings are as evocative as the poems they complement.

    Here are shelf-size editions of both Graeme Base's popular books, Animalia and The Eleventh Hour packaged together with a special full-color, 22 x 32 1/4 poster designed by Graeme Base from the Lazy Lions Lounging in the Local Library page in Animalia.

    Jr Lib Guild.