From tying a bow and performing a show to baking a pie and waving good-bye, there’s no limit to the fun. …But what’s the VERY BEST thing we can do with our arms? Why, hugging, of course! And Octopus can’t wait to show little ones how it’s done.

    Now available in a pop-up edition, this acclaimed picture books tells the story of a ladybug so lazy that she doesn't know how to fly, so she catches a ride on each animal that passes by.

    Buoyant verse just right for reading aloud and bright, playful illustrations capture the singular feeling of a hazy, lazy day by the ocean, complete with a ball game with new friends, water-skiers and sailboats, and a picnic lunch of fried chicken and deviled eggs. This book is a captivating introduction to the beach for young children and an irresistible gift for beach lovers of any age.

    From her cozy cave, she can see clown fish, and sea turtles, and little butterflies swimming by. She especially loves watching the seahorses having fun, wiggling and twirling. Sometimes she will play with them, but occasionally Octopus just wants to be alone, somewhere quiet, and not so busy. So one day, she swims far, far beyond the reef and finds another cozy cave, only here she is perfectly, wonderfully alone. It is exactly what she wanted . . . until she’s ready to go back home to be with her friends.As she did in Little Owl's Night, Divya Srinivasan shows children a wonderful part of the natural world in a very warm-hearted way.

    Look out, Cheeky! Look out, Chee! Someone’s prowling—who could it be?     Can two clever monkeys outwit a hungry creature who’s on the prowl for a tasty lunch? And just who is this hungry prowler? From bestselling picture book giants Mem Fox and Jill Barton, here is a sweet, surprise-filled story that’s sure to have little ones everywhere leaping with delight!

    Right. I knew that...WAIT?! You're telling me I can become a BUTTERFLY?Yes.With wings?Yes.Wait for ME!!Ross Burach's hilarious, tongue-in-cheek exploration of metamorphosis will make you flutter with glee, while also providing real facts about how caterpillars transform into butterflies.

    But not if Lala has a say--because she's not ready to go to sleep! First she needs to say good night to the cat. And the goat. And the chickens. And, and, and . . .

    and John Archambault evoke the beauty and the mystery, and the sounds and the silences-- of rain.Listen to the rain, the whisper of the rain, the slow soft sprinkle, the drip-drop tinkle, the first wet whisper of the rain.Their marvelous ear for the melodies and rhythm of language, combined with James Endicott's spare, almost abstract paintings, have created a lyrical book with a haunting power-- perfect for reading aloud on a rainy day.An NCTE Notable Trade Book for the Language Arts.

    In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world-renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light. Author’s note and bibliography included.

    . . he has to. When the two meet again, Otto is still the same dirt-loving earthworm, but Bob has done the unthinkable: grown wings. Friendship overcomes all else in this sweet and funny story, because no matter what happens, . . . friends are important.

    But everyone around keeps asking her pesky questions she doesn't know how to answer: what are you making? Aren't you clever?Jamie does her best to tune it all out and focus on her creation . . . until she finds a like-minded friend.Widely respected artist Matt Myers makes his debut as an author in this story that celebrates creativity, introversion, and the beauty of a little peace and quiet.

    The last page is sure to delight with all the colors of the rainbow. What a fun way to learn colors!

    Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.DISCOVER AMAZING ANIMALS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it—and the desert is FULL of amazing and surprising animals!CAPTIVATING NONFICTION: Like its predecessors, this latest offering in the Over and Under picture book series illuminates the magic of the natural world and its amazing inhabitants by telling the story of one family's hike through a real-world desert ecosystem in lyrical prose and color-drenched illustrations. Even the most reluctant readers will be drawn into a fact-filled story this compelling!GREAT FOR TEACHING: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize learning about animal habitats/biomes in K–2 curriculums, while later grades address topics like food chains, conservation, and endangered species. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators.ENCOURAGES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS: Concern for and preservation of the wilderness is an increasingly talked-about topic. This book provides a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.

    A crab carrying his house. And Miranda and her friends, building a castle out of sand.But at the end of a day at the beach, the seagulls go back to their nests, the crab goes back to the sea, the castle goes back to the sand . . . and Miranda goes back to Mama, who wraps her up in a hug when it's time to go home. Because Miranda and Mama will always belong to each other.Perfect.

    They swim, eat fish, sleep standing up, look at people, and look at more people. It's an ordinary day at the zoo until a little girl drops something into the penguin pen...see extended summary