In a manger in Bethlehem, an angel offers Mary a vision of things to come & a chance to change it all. A naughty little donkey learns the meaning of love as he carries a very special mother & child safely to Egypt.

    For what better time than Christmas, that most family-oriented of holidays, to read stories written by authors honored as winners of the John Newbery Medal for their contribution for literature for children? This collection comprises stories by authors today's children know and love, from E.L. Kongsburg and Nancy Willard to Beverly Cleary. It also contain stories by writers familiar to their parents and, perhaps, to their grandparents, from Ruth Sawyer and Rachel Field to Lois Lenski, Eleanor Estes, and Madeleine L'Engle.Some of these stories are humorous. Childen will laugh at the antics of Ramona Quimby in "Ramona, the Sheep Suit, and the Three Wise Persons" and at Eliot Miles's Christmas wish in E.L. Kongsburg's "Eliot Miles Does Not Wish You a Merry Christmas Because..." Others of the collection recall the christmases of years past, as in "Once in the Year" by Elizabeth Yates and "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes. And others, like Madeleine L'Engle's "A Full House," remind us again of the true meaning of Christmas.This is a collection to savor and to read aloud. It's a book that can be read by the fire, on the beach, in the car on the way to Grandmother's house, or on any available lap. Most of all, it's a book for sharing and for celebrating the joys of Christmas.A portion of the royalties from this book will be donated to the American Library Association, administrators of the John Newbery Medal.

    This irresistible version is illustrated, and has an introduction by, Chris Riddell.This is a luxury edition with both black and white and colour artwork, ribbon marker and metallic blue sprayed edges.It was first published by Macmillan in 1876.

    BurkeThe Holiday Inside Job by Mary Jo BurkeHard to Catch a Christmas Thief (Hard Targets) by Wendy ByrneA Christmas Ghost & Zero Regrets (Dead by the Numbers Mysteries) by Jennifer FischettoChristmas Canapés & Sabotage (Culinary Competition Mysteries) by Janel GradowskiChristmas in High Heels (High Heels Mysteries) by Gemma HallidayChristmas Al Dente (Southern Pasta Shop Mysteries) by Jennifer L. HartSanta Claus, Lies, and Murder (Amber Fox Mysteries) by Sibel HodgeA (Gingerbread) Diorama of Death (Helen Binney Mysteries) by Gin JonesMini Pie the Christmas Spy! (Mini Pie Mysteries) by Libby LaMannaHave Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Greatest Hits Mysteries) by Leslie LangtryOrnamental Danger (Working Stiff Mysteries) by Kerri NelsonMotion for Mistletoe (Jamie Winters Mysteries) by Kelly ReyChristmas in Venice by Maria Grazia SwanBaby, It's Cold Outside (Tahoe Tessie Mysteries) by T. Sue VerSteegSanta's Little Mistake by Stacey Wiedower

    

    Now he's in the dog house--or rather the boathouse--after stealing the Christmas feast! Moments after Archie and Mac leave Spencer Manor, Gnarly hears a call for help from Rocky, the Maltese down the street. Four assassins for hire have invaded the home of Rocky's elderly owners. While the home invaders wait for instructions from a mysterious caller, Gnarly must plot to stop them. Can Gnarly save Christmas with only the help of an 8-pound Maltese dressed in an elf suit?Also, in this mini-anthology, Lucky Dog: A Mac Faraday Mystery Short Story."Today is going to be your day, you lucky dog," Lance Collins thought while waiting for the Spencer Police to notify him about his estranged wife's sudden death. He has planned the perfect murder to inherit her massive estate.One thing Lance hasn't planned on was Mac Faraday and his German Shepherd Gnarly. Gnarly hates murderers, especially dog hating murderers.Today is going to be one lucky dog's day. But which one?

    Accompanied by angels, shepherds, kings and even a Roman governor, she is rushing back through time and space to Bethlehem, to be present at the birth of Christ. Fifty years later a boy called Joachim pieces together her story from a magic advent calendar and brings it to a conclusion.

    The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is debated and disputed by modern historians. The sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings of Gildas. Arthur's name also occurs in early poetic sources such as Y Gododdin. The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful and imaginative 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain). However, some Welsh and Breton tales and poems relating the story of Arthur date from earlier than this work; in these works, Arthur appears either as a great warrior defending Britain from human and supernatural enemies or as a magical figure of folklore, sometimes associated with the Welsh Otherworld, Annwn. How much of Geoffrey's Historia (completed in 1138) was adapted from such earlier sources, rather than invented by Geoffrey himself, is unknown. Although the themes, events and characters of the Arthurian legend varied widely from text to text, and there is no one canonical version, Geoffrey's version of events often served as the starting point for later stories. Geoffrey depicted Arthur as a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. In fact, many elements and incidents that are now an integral part of the Arthurian story appear in Geoffrey's Historia, including Arthur's father Uther Pendragon, the wizard Merlin, the sword Excalibur, Arthur's birth at Tintagel, his final battle against Mordred at Camlann and final rest in Avalon. The 12th-century French writer Chretien de Troyes, who added Lancelot and the Holy Grail to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant strand of medieval literature. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend lives on, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media. The Sir James Knowles version of King Arthur is considered as the most accurate and well known original story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

    Then they realized that the fire burning between them was more than mere chemistry. It was the harbinger of a love that would warm them through the holidays . . . and beyond.

    Suitable for Late Elementary (HLSPL Level 3), this title covers piano solo; 4/4 meter; C Major; eighths and dotted-quarter note notation; mainly 5-finger positions with some hand-position shifts up and down the keyboard. It also includes lyrics.

    

    She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UKwith a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to-read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won't be able to resist Henry's amazing talent for trouble!FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HORRID HENRY AT JABBERWOCKYKIDS.COM!PRAISE FOR HORRID HENRY"Henry's over-the-top behavior, the characters' snappy dialogue, an d Ross's hyperbolic line art w ill engage even the mo st reluctant readers." Publishers Weekly"Like Dennis the Menace and Curious George, Horrid Henry is either finding trouble or creating it, and the kids are crazy about his antics." Meredith Smith, grade school teacher, DolceBellezza.blogspot.com"Kids will love reading the laugh-out-loud funny stories about someone whose behavior is even worse than their own." School Library Journal"Will make you laugh out loud." Sunday Times"Why Horrid Henry?"Kids love it! "I love the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon. They have lots of funny bits in. And Henry always gets into trouble!" "Mia, age 6, BBC Learning is Fun""It's easy to see why Horrid Henry is the bestselling character for 5-8 year olds." "Liverpool Echo"Because it's funny "My two boys love this book and I have actually had tears running down my face and had to stop reading because of laughing so hard. My oldest son is rereading all the books in this series on his own now and he still loves them. Happy reading!" " T. Franklin, Parent""A modern comic classic." "SF Said, Guardian Children's Books Supplement "Kids get to be harmlessly rebellious "Henry is a beguiling hero who has entranced millions of reluctant readers... little rebels will love this collection and even little angels will be secretly thrilled by Henry's anti-heroic behaviour." "Herald"Henry's naughtiness is a yardstick against which children can get a sense of their own moral goodness and social justice "What is brilliant about the books is that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world." "Emily Turner, Angels And Urchins Magazine"Reaches the most important age group - children who are learning to read "I have tried out the Horrid Henry books with groups of children as a parent, as a babysitter, and as a teacher. Children love to either hear them read aloud or to read them themselves. The books are spot on for the 5-8 age range and are fun for the adults who share them too." "Danielle Hall, Teacher"The structure provides new readers with a real sense of accomplishment "My son is 7 years old and a big Horrid Henry fan. This book lived up to his expectations! Horrid Henry is like most boys: he always has a plan and is always getting into mischief! It was amusing, and he could not put it down. Can't wait for the next. He read it cover to cover by himself in 2 days! That for me sells a book! He can't wait for the next one to be published. He has recommended it to all his friends." "Mrs. Tami Gold, Parent"Reaches both boys and girls equally "Wonderfully appealing to girls and boys alike, a precious rarity at this age." "Judith Woods, Times Books"A global publishing phenomenon with 12 million copies sold!"WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HORRID HENRY: ""Parents reading them aloud may be consoled to discover that Henry can always be relied upon to behave worse than any of their own offspring." Independent"An absolutely fantastic series and surely a winner with all children. My son took this book as his favourite during book week at his school and converted a few children to the cause. Long live Francesca Simon and her brilliant books! More, more please!""My 5-year-old adores them so much he couldn't wait to start reading because of them.""I really like Horrid Henry and like reading it to my dad. It's funny!" Matthew, 9, St. Albans"Horrid Henry is a fabulous anti-hero: monstrously selfish and greedy, he does things most children only dream about... a modern comic classic." The Guardian"My 6-year-old son has now read the whole series unaided and is quite content to re-read the stories again and again. My 5-year-old is dying to be able to read well enough so she can read them independently too!""Henry is really naughty and makes me laugh. He's very funny and he has lots of adventures." Martha, age 5, Bella"A flicker of recognition must pass through most teachers and parents when they read Horrid Henry. There's a tiny bit of him in all of us." Child Education"It didn't even make it to the library shelves and there's a long waiting list for it! Enough said." Nancy Astee, Child Education"A definite must for every teacher - reading about Henry makes your naughtiest child seem like a saint!""As a teacher of 8-year-olds, it's great to get a series of books my class love... They torment me to lend them the books so they can read them on their own. Need I say more?"

    Spiral-bound to lie flat plus a sing-along lyric book.

    When a package mysteriously arrives on his doorstep, he is invited on a trek that defies logic. Traveling far from his quaint home in St. Paul into the snowy landscapes of the Arctic, the journey takes him in search of the one man who may be able to help him find peace—Santa Claus.

    It has a biographical Preface by Lear himself, and concludes with some delightful 'heraldic' sketches of his cat, Foss.