Hurrying away to brush his teeth, the pajama-clad bus driver implores readers not to let his feathered friend stay up late. Youngsters are thrust into the role of caregiver as the puerile pigeon attempts to talk his way out of the inevitable, coming up with requests that range from manipulative (I hear there's a good show about birds on TV tonight. Should be very educational) to cajoling (Y'know, we never get to talk anymore. Tell me about your day-¦) to classic (Can I have a glass of water?). Meanwhile, the fowl fights yawns and tries to keep his wide eye open, despite a drooping lid. Defying drowsiness to the last, he finally falls asleep, clutching his stuffed bunny tightly under his wing. Set against comfortably faded pastel backgrounds, the cartoon artwork focuses tightly on the main character, with his comments presented in dialogue balloons. The black-crayon lines speak volumes, as the pigeon's body language and the positioning of his ever-expressive eye humorously convey each nuance of the text. Children will be charmed by this bedtime treat, which will have them laughing out loud at the pigeon-and at themselves.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    The tuneful text and vibrant illustrations bop, slide, and shimmy across the page as Satchmo plays one, Bojangles plays two . . . right on down the line to Charles Mingus, who plays nine, plucking strings that sound "divine."     Easy on the ear and the eye, this playful introduction to nine jazz giants will teach children to count--and will give them every reason to get up and dance!      Includes a brief biography of each musician.

     There's a clatter in the tree! Is it Mouse? No . . . "Who?" calls Bear. Something quickly scampers by! Is it Hare? No . . . "Who?" calls Bear. Someone seems to be hiding from Bear and his friends. Who is it? WHO? How Bear and his forest friends discover a NEW FRIEND will enchant young readers. Karma Wilson's playful text and Jane Chapman's radiant illustrations make Bear's New Friend a perfect summertime read-aloud companion to the bestselling Bear Snores On.

    After much pleading, the little boy soon discovers how to deal with a noisy tiger. Full color.

    This New York Times Bestseller and ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book stars two unforgettable characters and is filled with humor that young children will appreciate—and recognize!Duck and Goose have to work at getting along. You see, Duck doesn’t much care for Goose at first, and Goose isn’t fond of Duck. But both want the egg that each claims to be his. As the two tend to their egg, and make plans for the future, they come to appreciate one another’s strengths. And when a bluebird points out that it isn’t really an egg—it’s a polka dot ball—the two are not dismayed. After all, it is a lovely ball. . . .“Duck and Goose have taken their places alongside Frog and Toad and George and Martha as fine examples of friendship, curiosity and problem-solving.” —Kirkus Reviews

    Clap along with silly monkey, stamp with enormous elephant, and roar out loud with lion! This popular nursery song comes alive with Jane Cabrera's zany animal paintings in a colorful sing-along action book that will put a smile on everyone's face.

    Children are introduced to the imaginative world of art and how a picture really can be worth a thousand words.

    The first of many nighttime adventures with the award-winning Bat Book series. Quick, call out! Tell all you can reach: the night is just perfect for bats at the beach! So pack your buckets, banjos, and blankets—don’t forget the moon-tan lotion—and wing with this bunch of fuzzy bats to where foamy sea and soft sand meet. Brian Lies’s enchanting art and cheery beachside verse will inspire bedtime imaginations again and again. Come visit a bedazzling world of moonlight, firelight, and . . . bats! Check out brianlies.com for more escapades with these zany bats.

    Fun, rhyming text is paired with bold artwork full of toddler appeal.

    There is a roadAt the bottomOf my FootWalking me.In a beautifully poetic and gently provocative text, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker invites readers young and old to see the world -- and our place in it -- through new eyes.Glowing colors and radiant images accompany this joyous celebration of the connections and interconnections between self, Nature, and creativity.

    Why? Because it's Tuesday--and on Tuesdays, Lola and her mommy go to the library. Join Lola in this cozy celebration of books and the people who love them.

    Everyone loves Edwina, the dinosaur who plays with the children and helps little old ladies across the road. Well, everyone except class know-it-all Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, who wants to prove that dinosaurs are extinct.

    His mother tries everything to make him feel better, but nothing she does makes any difference.Until…she finds the perfect hole. How will a deep, wide, and muddy-at-the-bottom hole make Little Roo smile? Well, Mom always knows best!From Sam McBratney and Charles Fuge comes a story perfect for parent and child story time that will guarantee a smile and a laugh from even the grumpiest reader.

    . . . On Tuesday, Mrs. Greenstalk was too tired to make dinner. . . .   Who will help the poor Greenstalk family? Chickens to the rescue! The amazing chickens on the Greenstalk farm race to help various family members and farm animals every day of the week. Every day until Sunday, that is, when Emily Greenstalk has a little trouble . . .   John Himmelman's expressive illustrations are filled with the kind of hilarious details that will delight young readers.

    One day, the benevolent bear meets up with a human. This human proceeds to do something the bear cannot understand: he raises his axe and begins to cut down a tree. Suddenly the bear doesn't feel like hugging anymore and must make a difficult decision on how to stop this destruction in his forest.The environmental message of Big Bear Hug is both funny and powerful, while simple enough to engage very young children and show them the awesome power of a hug.

     This classic song has brand-new verses and enough "tee-hees", "toot-toots", and "squish-splats" to keep kids singin', shoutin', and readin' again and again.

    He is demanding fair and equal treatment! The letters (more or less) agree to go backwards, but it's not long before P has some ideas of his own. And so does H, for that matter. In fact, it seems as if almost every letter has a different opinion about how the alphabet should be arranged. It's chaos! It's pandemonium! And it's definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humorous details, Bob Kolar's colorful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis's snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own.

    The largest and most comprehensive book of its kind ever written, it's an indispensable treasure trove of 1,700 child-tested favorite read-aloud titles, published since 1995. Everything here--the text chapters (About Children's Books and Ways to Use Them), the Annotated Read-Aloud Lists for preschool through grade 6, the professional books bibliography, and the indexes--is 100 percent new!This is the definitive source for the best recent picture books, fiction, poetry, folklore, biography, and nonfiction books to share with children. The extensively annotated bibliography incorporates thousands of innovative and inspirational ideas for booktalking, book discussion, creative drama, storytelling, poetry, writing, library skills, and other literature-based teaching.Books Kids Will Sit Still For 3 by librarian and children's literature troubadour Judy Freeman is here at last. The largest and most comprehensive book of its kind ever written, it's an indispensable treasure trove of 1,700 child-tested favorite read-aloud titles, published since 1995. Everything here--the text chapters (About Children's Books and Ways to Use Them), the Annotated Read-Aloud Lists for preschool through grade 6, the professional books bibliography, and the indexes--is 100% new! This is the definitive source for the best recent picture books, fiction, poetry, folklore, biography, and nonfiction books to share with children. The extensively annotated bibliography incorporates thousands of innovative and inspirational ideas for booktalking, book discussion, creative drama, storytelling, poetry, writing, library skills, and other literature-based teaching.Books Kids Will Sit Still For 3: A Read-Aloud Guide is the latest all-new volume in the Books Kids Will Sit Still For series, which includes Books Kids Will Sit Still For: A Read-Aloud Guide, Second Edition and More Books Kids Will Sit Still For: A Read-Aloud Guide.The three books together constitute a tour of the best of children's literature and how to use it, with a total of more than 5,000 invaluable annotations of exemplary children's books.

    Toddlers will love moving along with Yoga Baby in poses that mimic nighttime animals—from bats and owls to tired bunnies and sleepy bees. This interactive picture book also includes useful information for parents and educators, and photographic demonstrations of each pose.Bright, colorful, and accessible, Sleepy Little Yoga is a great way for little ones to enjoy the benefits of yoga.Sleepy Little Yoga is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

    Millie is unlike most other cows.  She chews her cud and grazes in the fields with the others, but she doesn't enjoy that nearly as much as she loves scaring the mail carrier.  It's too bad the mail carrier doesn't have as much fun each time Millie comes up with a new way to surprise him.  Who knew delivering the mail was going to be such a difficult job?Reading Level: 4 and up

    It’s not fair! But Mrs. Rosey Posey serves up a story and a yummy treat served on a fine china plate.This is a Level Two I Can Read! book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. It aligns with guided reading level J and will be of interest to children Pre-K to 3rd grade.

    It's also about curiosity: asking questions and exploring possible answers.Through simple words and child-friendly illustrations, this poetic picture book introduces young children to the exciting and ever-changing world of science.What Is Science? is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

    Featuring Todd Parr's signature colorful and kid-friendly illustrations, The Grandma Book portrays the different ways grandmothers show their grandchildren love, from offering advice and babysitting to making things and giving lots of kisses.

    Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. Cool format-large pop-up flaps throughout, die-cut cover adds cool effect. "When I get you, I'm going to eat you!" This statement is what wakes a young boy from his sleep. Curious, he begins searching for whoever-or whatever-is making the threat. But, this is no ordinary kid. He lives in a mansion full of boogie men, sea monsters, ghosts, and skeletons. As readers make their way through the house, they can open fun pop flaps that reveal scary surprises. So, who is making the threat? Kids will have to read to the end to find out-it's really his little sister in the pantry with a box of cookies!

    Through a  series of ingenious die-cut pages, the reader discovers things that are the opposite of what they seem: A black bat transformed into a white ghost, a sunny day that becomes a starry night. Posed as a series of 18 questions and answers, Black? White! Day? Night! is sure to be a big success with small children everywhere.

    The Laurie Berkner Band needs no introduction to the millions of children who already adore Laurie's fresh and irresistible music. Accompanying CD contains backing tracks of the songs from the activity section.

    She kisses him good night. She turns out the light. And he's not scared! No, not him! But when Granny shuts that door... SQUEEEEAK!How can a granny keep that spooky, squeaky door from scaring her little boy awake at night?Acclaimed storyteller Margaret Read MacDonald spins a humorous bedtime story, perfect for reading aloud, with comical illustrations by Mary Newell DePalma.

    This cutie pie ghost is sure to delight young readers with his naughty antics.

    She needs a special four-legged, scruffy old chair for the spot next to the fireplace. One day, she comes home to find a scruffy old dog in one of her chairs. They soon become best friends, until one day he goes missing!

    Here are activities that will build motor, music, social, and preliteracy skills in infants and toddlers. Mother Goose on the Loose incorporates books, rhymes, fingerplays, flannelboard stories, music, dance, and child-parent interaction into dynamic programs that will bring whole families into the library. Award-winning program creator Betsy Diamant-Cohen offers this valuable manual that helps librarians and educators create their own Mother Goose on the Loose (MGOL) routines with ready-to-use plans and materials. The guide features ten MGOL programs - each one with complete scripts and instructions! In addition, you'll find planning and scheduling sheets for implementing the program and instructions for designing your own original MGOL sessions. Chapters outline the learning process for infants and toddlers, including the importance of repetition, ritual, play, reading, movement, and music; provide tips for communicating with parents; and suggest ways to incorporate books, instruments, and props.Diamant-Cohen includes suggestions for expanding and evaluating the MGOL program and a list of FAQs (and answers) for sharing with parents and administrators. The companion CD-ROM features all of the rhymes and songs as well as a complete Mother Goose on the Loose script.

    Full color.

    They first appeared about 200 years ago, when dinosaurs lived. Frogs can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They have learned how to survive in almost every climate, using all sorts of survival tricks. But why are so many frog species disappearing? Learn all about these creatures and how we can protect them in the future.

    ??? how Martin Luther King Jr. helped black people in the United States??? how Martin fought peacefully??? how Martin showed determination?

    He wakes up his father and says, "Dad, there's a monster under the bed!" Naturally, Dad tells Little Bear to go back to sleep, but Little Bear keeps on insisting that a monster is lurking under the bed. Finally, Little Bear tells Dad something about that monster that simply cannot be ignored. A wonderful, pop-up paper monster on the book's final spread will surprise every little boy or girl who opens this book. Full-page illustrations on every page are rendered in darkly atmospheric colors.

    Through stunning photographs and simple text, books in this series introduce children to different animals and their characteristics. In this title, children learn what all frogs have in common, what some frogs have in common, and why every frog is special.

    This timeless story from India is about a poor boy's dream of having his own drum. His mother is very poor and cannot afford to buy her son the one thing in the world that he really wants. The poor boy's dream takes him on one of the most unlikely journeys and ultimately leads to attaining his dream. The folktale begins with his mother bringing home a magical stick that was given to her by a strange, little old man. The boy takes the stick with him on his journey and along the way he finds people in need of help. He offers them what little he has and they of course repay him with whatever they have in return. By the end of the story, his series of good deeds leads him to a traditional wedding ceremony where he saves the wedding day for the bride and groom when he presents them with a horse. In return, for his good deed, he receives a drum like the one he was dreaming of at the beginning of the story. This magical Indian story about a poor boy and his drum will teach readers the importance of caring, fairness and responsibility.

    And they’ll be amazed and delighted by the oversized pop-up surprises from bestselling illustrator Derek Matthews that truly bring the barnyard to beautiful life.Snappy Little Farm may be little, and it may not be quiet, but it’s the perfect place for kids to learn all about their favorite animals and the joyful racket they make--especially when they’re hungry!

    When Zeke, an old Texas cowboy, is ready for a hot bowl of chili, he must first get his newly purchased steer into the corral. By enlisting the help of a host of colorful characters, he finally gets his dinner--but not without the possibility of the antics starting all over again! Told in the author's inimitable native Texan voice, this humorous story makes for great read-aloud fun.

    Snatching the grocery list and picking out chocolate-covered pickles, he's not being very helpful. Just as Mama is ready to throw up her manos, she gives sweet Bebe a box of animal cookies. A dulce at last! He finds a camel, nibbles on a giraffe . . . eats an oso. Then they're off to the checkout line, smiling all the way.Susan Middleton Elya's tender yet feisty story and Steven Salerno's vivid art are perfect for budding English- and Spanish-speaking readers.Includes a glossary of Spanish words.

    Spring is here. Why do we have spring? What is spring weather like? How does spring weather affect plants and animals? What do people do during springtime? Emerging readers will delight in learning the answers to these questions. An experiment at the end of the book allows readers to be a scientist.

    Here ten adorable animal babies are featured in fabulous, vivid wildlife photography, each with a unique way of traveling, either independently or with a little help from mom and dad! And bouncing and trotting right alongside the elephants, penguins, and other animal friends are human babies and toddlers, sweetly depicted in spirited illustrations. Children will delight in this playful comparison of animals to humans! About the Author and Illustrator Kathryn O. Galbraith lives in Tacoma, Washington, and is a frequent speaker at schools and conferences. She is also an instructor in the University of Washington's Extension Program, Writing for Children.

    Each turn of the sturdy board pages will delight children as they peek through the die-cut holes that reveal a world full of bright colors and funny goings-on around the farm.

    Some sing and dance, while others can fold a basket of laundry in two minutes flat. Some paint (each in their own distinctive style), while others do a super job caring for the household pets. Even better, this entertaining book features pull tabs, touch and feel elements, fun flaps, and more.From the author and illustrator team that brought you the best-selling WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ME!, WHAT I DO BEST builds self esteem by celebrating the fact that every child does something well. Whether a child excels at sports, computers or folding laundry, there's a gold trophy for every one! This book is filled with fun novelties and gold foil.

    But where are the goodnight kisses hiding? Toddlers will delight in lifting the flaps and discovering the fun textures and brightly colored toys hiding underneath them. And when the hide-and-seek game is over, they can cuddle up for one last goodnight kiss. This fifth book in Barney Saltzberg's popular Kisses series is a cozy bedtime book complete with an inviting lift-the-flap game, a squeaker to press, and glow-in-the-dark stars--perfect for sleepy little ones who love to share goodnight kisses.

    In the Korean custom, Grandfather practices the ancient craft of kite making. "Tonight I will show you how to make a kite," he tells his grandson, Jinho. "For the best winds will be here soon." Grandfather teaches him how to trace the kite on paper, paint it, and build the frame from bamboo sticks. When the kite is completed, it's so beautiful Jinho can't wait to fly it. And he does—without Grandfather, and without the best winds.

    Share with your favorite little Baby Cakes. It's the perfect way to end any day.

    Fostering important values of diversity, tolerance, and positive self-esteem, this poetic, rhyming introduction to appreciating other cultures teaches the acceptance of others, even if they are different.

    Lewis the Librarian reveals Lewis's favorite things about his work as a librarian. This title emphasizes the joy of reading and promotes literacy.

    This enchanting book and CD will help children learn pre-reading, phonics, and word recognition skills and features a built-in handle and convenient CD storage compartment. The CD sings the story word-for-word so children can follow along with each page on their own and also includes 13 additional songs to provide more learning opportunities and more sing-along fun!The Sing a Story Handled Board Book and CD series encourages learning through music and promotes core preschool concepts, such as letter recognition, counting, and more! The built-in handle and CD storage compartment make the Sing a Story series ideal for on the go fun! Check out the other titles in this series!

    Text and photographs present the meat and beans group, along with the foods in this group, and examples of healthy eating choices.

    And Susan Dailey is a virtuoso at helping colleagues use music creatively. Sing a Song of Storytime is a compilation of musical storytimes she has used successfully. In addition to the music and lyrics, there are also annotated bibliographies of picture books related to music, along with tips on how to deliver these unique programs. This new resource includes: - 75+ songs, including traditional folk songs, new lyrics for familiar melodies, and original compositions- Activities, including flannel-board patterns, crafts, motions, and dances paired to songs- Popular children's books for use with the featured songs and music- Helpful hints for non-singers- A multimedia CD featuring music from the book, along with patterns, scripts, lyrics, and moreNew and veteran librarians, preschool and early elementary teachers, as well as daycare workers and parents will find hundreds of great ideas in this book. You might want to consider buying one for your staff and one to circulate. Make sure this musical resource is part of your collection

    But then he finds something very unusual buried in the snow.

    The CD is accompanied by a book with over 250 activities that teach children about colors, counting, growing things, friendship, and of course, bugs. Each of the eight CD/book combinations will provide hours of learning fun. 128 pages plus CD.

    Will the other monkeys be friendly? Will they all stare at her because she is in a wheelchair? Thanks to her sense of playfulness, Jani makes friends and has a wonderful first day at school! Green Bananas are easy stories for readers ages four to six, a new level just below Blue Bananas. Each book contains full-color illustrations and three simple stories that are linked together. The use of simple vocabulary and speech bubbles make these the perfect introduction to the Bananas series. As their readings skills grow, children can move from one level to the next and read other exciting stories in the Blue, Red, and Yellow levels.

    Text and photographs describe recycling, explains why it is important, and provides simple ways that children can recycle.

    Through a whole summer of biking, fishing, basketball, and waiting for watermelons together, Grandpap tries to guess his grandson's harvest wish. Lush, vivid paintings evoke the friendship, teamwork, and affection between grandfather and grandson as they share their wisdom and this special summer together.

    Though they planned an eight-day celebration to rededicate the Temple, they had lamp oil for only one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. Every year Jews around the world celebrate this miracle at Hanukkah. Now internationally acclaimed artist and graphic designer Seymour Chwast retells the story of Hanukkah in an innovative format in which pages gradually increase in size. This Hanukkah book is sure to become a family favorite.

    Gertie wears blue boots. BooBoo likes to eat, and Peedie loves to wear his red baseball cap (when he remembers!). In this oversize board book, little hands can lift big flaps and join the goslings as they have a fun day learning about colors, seasons, counting, and much more.

    But what is frightening him? It's not the dragon breathing smoke in the living room. Or the ghost snacking on toast and chocolate in the kitchen. The witches in the bathroom are too busy washing their dirty underwear to bother anyone. And the monsters performing ballet exercises in the bedroom aren't at all terrifying. But something in the house is very scary. And it's coming this way . . . A perfect read-it-aloud book which children will beg to hear again and again.

    Engaging art and creative text provide readers with basic lessons that last a lifetime. What Makes You Happy? is a child's exploration of all the things that make him and the people around him happy.

    A counting book that describes summer related activities and events.

    With padded covers and card-stock pages!Mother, may I go outside?Mother, will we walk or ride?In this sweet rhyming story a mother and child take a trip to the mall, where the child asks his mother for a present: a basketball, a toy, or a pet ("A parakeet, a snake, a guppie/A guinea pig, a mouse, a puppy..."). In the end, though, all the child really wants is a great big hug... ("and, Mother, may I keep this bug?"). Charming watercolor illustrations are by Melissa Sweet.This book features padded covers with rounded corners and card-stock pages.

    No matter how bad or sad she feels, her grandpa seems to know just how to make everything right.

    They might even be inspired to make up their own crazy kind of pie and sing out loud!

    The text comes with an audio CD that includes two versions of the song, both with and without vocals, so children can listen first and then sing along.

    It's Little Fox, freezing in the cold. The other chickens know they aren't supposed to let anyone in. But Little Chicken feels bad, so she sneaks out to find him a warm place. The two become instant friends, and search together for Little Fox's parents. All the other animals along the way seem to know something Little Chicken doesn't--foxes eat chickens. But when the two new friends find who they're looking for, Little Fox's parents realize that a good friend is more important than a good meal. Brigitte Sidjanski's story is full of heart and humor, brought to life by Sarah Emmanuelle Burg's charming illustrations. About the Authors: Brigitte Sidjanski lives in Switerland. Sarah Emmanuelle Burg lives in France.

    Gorgeous glacial landscapes re-create the stunning visual effects of the movie, with sparkly glitter and holographic foil.

     High-quality, sturdy construction. Innovative flaps and moving sections.

    Again! Again, they squeal. That’s the rapturous joy Nicola Smee captures, in simple rhythmic text and charming pictures. One after the other, a group of barnyard friends climb aboard Mr. Horse for a ride. Faster, they beg…, faster! But will faster lead to disaster? No…--just a satisfying ending that toddlers will love!

    Little do they know, this dinosaur is an Apatosaurus—he only eats plants! Can a couple of kids help him find something to eat?

    Milo's family offers suggestions to keep his bad dreams away: a warm glass of milk, a bit of exercise, but nothing helps . . . until the night Milo faces his fears and makes a very surprising discovery.This charming, perfectly paced story speaks to the frightened little mouse in all of us and what happens when we stand up to our own scary monsters.

    Little fans will be proud to help with the forecast by pulling the tabs and turning the wheels to make the rain come down, the snow fall, the lightning flash, and even a rainbow appear!

    Full color.

    Good thing Grandpa is along to teach him! Ride along in the boat with Gus and Grandpa as they catch all kinds of things ... except fish!

    The big, easy-to-turn clock hands make a fun clicking sound, encouraging children to move them around and discover how to tell time.

    Arlene Alda has put together words and images in a delightful and witty book of photographs as inviting as a pair of juicy pears. Did You Say Pears? takes a playful and very clever look at words that sound the same but have different meanings. Young readers will love to hone their budding sense of language with the deceptively simple text and the irresistible photographs that offer a first taste of the richness of words. A useful information page explaining the wordplay is included. Arlene Alda’s photographs challenge the reader to look and look again in this book that is bound to be a family favorite.

    4 snuffling hedgehogs, 7 blinking fireflies, and 10 swooping batsare only some of the nighttime critters creeping around in this interactive counting book with lots happening on every page!

    Correlated To Common Core, Texas TEKS, Virginia Sols, And Georgia Performance Standards. - GRL R

    Full color.

    Full color.

    Designed to support the 'Health and Well-being' strand of Every Child Matters.

    A look, peek, and lift-the-flap book full of adorable surprises!Peekaboo! Peek-a-Who?This precious novelty book contains gatefold flaps in the shape of hands that children can open to reveal who is hiding behind them: a cat, a teddy bear, a puppy, a doll, and a boy!This new twist on the classic game of peekaboo will entertain children and have them asking to read it over and over again!

    What she discovers, in the form of a slimy, slithery Some-Thing, is a new best friend. Mud pies, burping contests, snail racing--and sensational, eerily beautiful artwork deliver plenty of kid appeal.

    It is set to become a much-loved reading treasure.

    Everybody in the whole workshopWas buildin' to the workshop hop!Poor Elfis just can't keep up with the other elves in Santa's workshop. It's days before Christmas and the toys are never going to be done in time. So he's banished from the North Pole, relieved of his post! Soon, though, he's granted a wish by a passing snowman, and in a flash, he goes from everyday elf to rock icon, Elfis! In a series of hilarious tunes that'll get your lips and hips quivering, Elfis inspires his fellow elves through his gift of music-and in the process, saves Christmas, too.

    Jack and Guy climb mountains, visit cities, and explore forests. But one day Guy falls down a hole in the stairs and it's up to Jack to rescue him. What is going on below the stairs—only Guy knows.Publishers Weekly has described Nina Crews as "highly skilled at seeing through her photographic lens with the eyes of a child." Here she captures the excitement of make-believe and celebrates a child's imagination and resourcefulness in her signature style.

    But all of her paintings were sad and gloomy until one day, a stray little dog wanders into her gallery, looking for someone to love.Through their uplifting story, readers witness the power of friendship as an artist finds her unlikely muse in the irrepressible and infectious joy of a little dog.

    - Fits national reading standards by linking images to the text to provide picture clues and introducing ageappropriate vocabulary.- This series meets the Reading First initiative.- The repetitive language, structure, and rhyming patterns help children decipher words.- Word lists at the back of each book help build reading vocabularies.Curriculum Standards: Grades K-4 Social Studies StandardsCulture: I- Describe ways in which language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a particular culture.Individual Development and Identity: IV- Work independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals.- Explore factors that contribute to one's personal identity such as interests, capabilities, and perceptions.- Describe the unique features of one's nuclear and extended families.- Identify and describe ways family, groups, and community influence the individual's daily life and personal choices.

    The friends can't believe it. All they can do now is sit around sulking about how mean he is. But when Rico's mother makes him give the ball back, instead of staying angry, Max decides to invite him to come play with them. The rest of the animals think he's crazy. Won't Rico just steal the ball again? Maybe not if they give him a chance to join in the fun. This delightful book offers a reminder that sharing is the best way for everyone to have fun. About the Authors: Brigitte Weninger lives in Austria. Eve Tharlet lives in France.

    The family try everything to coax her into talking but she won't. One day, Daisy opens her mouth and out comes a stream of sentences and questions about the world and everything in it, much to her family's complete surpise!