But when Paco was struck down by a disease that left him unable to walk, Hickam was faced with a terrible decision, let his beloved cat live in misery or put him to sleep. Before that decision could be made, the space mission Hickam was working on needed to be rescued and there was only one sure way to save it: Paco's magic meow! This is a true story of the space age that is also a delightful tale of the love between an engineer and his cat.

    When Chuck gets ready to go to town, his barnyard friends gather around. Into the truck climb the duck Luck, dogs Nip and Tuck, the burro Buck, workhorse Huck, the chicken that goes “cluck,” Sue and Lou, and the goat Flo, too. So come along, jump in Old Blue—there’s still some room just for you!

    The simple text makes this book perfect for theyoungest readers, but the array of penguin factsincluding the "Penguin Parade" with information on all 17 penguin speciesmakes it an ideal choice for older readers as well.

    With her felt, bead, and sequin illustrations, Clare Beaton crafts an unusual and appealing picture book that teaches young readers the concept of opposites, while drawing them ever onward to the droll conclusion. The non sequitur juxtapositions of barnyard idiosyncrasies will not faze the lively, circular minds of children in the slightest; in fact, it's almost as if a child's logic was behind the concept and text from the start! Beaton's handiwork has appeared in many other cleverly tactile picture books, including One Moose, Twenty Mice. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie CoulterHow big is a pig? To find out, follow in the footsteps of a cheerful piglet as he takes you on a trail around the farmyard. You will meet beasts, birds, and insects of all shapes and sizes, until at last you come to a big surprise in the pigsty. With a clever, repetitive text, How Big Is a Pig? offers a gentle and humorous way of introducing pre-school children to all kinds of opposites.

    On this form you can viewAnimal ears and whiskers too.Lots of animals to be found,Shapes and colors ail around.Look at beaks and snouts with me.Make some more for us to see.Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1990 (NSTA/CBC)Parenting Honorable Mention, Reading Magic Award

    With plenty of repetition, this adventure is perfect for reading aloud and for joining in, and a satisfying ending provides a reassuring touch.

    The rooster crows, the rams clash, the bees buzz, and over there in the garden, a snake -- silent and alone -- winds and watches. David Elliott's graceful, simple verse and Holly Meade's exquisite woodcut and watercolor illustrations capture a world that is at once timeless yet disappearing from view -- the world of the family farm.

    Who fights off predators by spraying blood from its eyes? How does the slender, deep-sea gulper swallow prey twice its size? Who sucks out body fluids with its short, sharp mouthparts? Readers will learn everything they ever wanted to know about some of the scariest creatures on the planet.

    From tiny bee hummingbird nests to orangutan nests high in the rainforest canopy, an incredible variety of nests are showcased here in all their splendor. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this carefully researched book introduces children to a captivating array of nest facts and will spark the imaginations of children whether in a classroom reading circle or on a parent's lap.

    Some have fur, some have feathers, some have fins, but all are connected. This fact-filled rhyming exploration of the diversity of the animal kingdom celebrates mammals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and more! It’s a perfect match for budding naturalists and animal enthusiasts everywhere.

    Pigs love dirt - so go away!"Farmer's stubborn pigs refuse to be hogwashed, and no matter what he tries, poor Farmer cannot trick them into getting clean! But when several failed attempts leave him stuck in the mud, our determined farmer realizes his hogs may have been on to something all along... sometimes a mud bath is even better! New York Times best-selling author Karma Wilson's clever rhyming verse will engage parents and kids alike as Jim McMullan's illustrations bring to life these delightfully mischievous pigs with a penchant for all things muddy!

    Lightning gash! Windy lash! A storm drives all the farm animals indoors except for a lonely fox family. The barn isn’t their home. But where will they go for safety? This stunning picture books explores themes of acceptance and belonging: Large or small, Short and tall, There is room, There is room, There is room For us all.

    

    Heather Smith Thomas stresses the importance of understanding bovine behavior while covering breed selection, calving, feeding, housing, medical care, and humane slaughter practices. Along with in-depth information on raising grass-fed animals and dealing with toxic pasture plants, you’ll also find advice on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for your beef.

    Follows an eager young girl on a trip to the farmers' market with her parents as she contemplates what to buy with the money from her piggy bank.