But the wild creature pines for his mate. When Yasuko, the kitchen maid, releases the bird against her lord's command, she and the one-eyed servant, Shozo, are sentenced to death. The grateful bird intends to return their kindness, but can he outsmart the cruel lord?Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Illustration, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year.

    It goes forth at nightto prowl around the fires.It even likes to minglewith the dancers...Shadow...It waves with the grasses,curls up at the foot of trees...But in the African experience Shadow is much more. The village storytellers and shamans of an Africa that is passing into memory called forth for the poet Blaise Cendrars an eerie image, shifting between the beliefs of the present and the spirits of the past.Shadow...It does not cry out,it has no voice...It can cast a spell over you...It follows man everywhere,even to war...Marcia Brown's stunning illustrations in collage, inspired by her travels in Africa, evoke the atmosphere and drama of a life now haunted, now enchanted by Shadow.

    A suspicious new member solicits the aid of Sherlock Holmes in uncovering the secret behind the Red-Headed League.

    Even their cats are too skinny for the mice to chase! When Tim goes out to find a job, he stumbles upon "the wee folk"--a band of leprechauns who give him gifts to make his fortune. That is, if Tim can keep clear of the evil McGoon family. . . ."The telling here has a well-honed, Irish lilt; the illustrations, by a Caldecott winner, are lively, expressive, and well sprinkled with sprightly men in green."--Kirkus Reviews"This book is a winner."--Booklist

    Angry at his brother for not taking him deep-sea fishing, Jethro stomps off, meets a jumbie, and enlists its help in changing his brother's mind.

    This amusing riddle about Goo and Spot's amazing and colorful adventures will definitely hit a child's funny bone, with a valuable lesson learned along the way. A great resource for preschool educators, librarians and parents of wiggly little children. Best suited for ages 5 and under.

    To find the answer to their question, the Super Readers fly into the classic story Twas the Night Before Christmas?. While in the story, the Super Readers meet Santa and discover that he visits all the children because it makes both him and them happy.

    Living in homes built out of tumbleweeds and saguaro ribs (from the fallen giant cacti), the first two javelinas are soon running from the hungry coyote, who had hoped to eat them with red chile sauce. And where do they go for shelter? Why, to their wise sister's house, made strong with adobe bricks. This clever and humorous tale is sure to delight children of all ages, especially those familiar with the Southwest. Dressed in cowboy duds and prepared for life in the rugged desert, these characters are more than any coyote bargained for.

    A hunterman and a crocodile take turns being captive and captor in a humorous folktale that teaches the importance of living in harmony with nature and is illustrated with ceramic-tile paintings.

    He does not have any spots, you see! He keeps seeing spots wherever he goes… One spot, two spots, three spots, Four! And many, many, many more. “Where did you get your spots?” he asks. Join Andrew as he discovers how the ladybug, the leopard and the owl came to have spots and discovers that spots often appear when you are least expecting them! This is a wonderful rhyming picture book for children of all ages.

    But when the Emperor is imprisoned in a high tower, only the Princess can save the day, flying her kite high up into the sky to rescue her father.

    This funny rhyming story takes a twist when it proves hard to get everyone to bed! Providing a subtle reminder to young children about the need to switch off from screen time as they get ready for sleep, Webster’s Bedtime is a brilliant bedtime companion book for the digital generation.

    From the author/illustrator team behind Stories to Solve, here are eleven more twisty mysteries for tweens who like to puzzle it out. A great choice for emerging readers who are ready for chapter books and like puzzles, brain-twisters, and more. How did they do it? How did a single firefly win a fight against one hundred apes? How did the priest catch a thief with a rooster? How did a student outwit the king? How did a frog escape from the pitcher of cream? These and eleven more tantalizing, brain-teasing mysteries are waiting in the pages of this book.

    Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist.

    No problem was too big for those women. But when one sister carves a real live baby out of granite, a big problem appears that is, you might say, too small.Lil Fella wailed so much that no one north of the Kancamagus Highway could eat, sleep, or plow. "Do something!" everyone demanded. But what? The five gals, who are strong enough to move mountains, are flummoxed . . . until a young backwoods girl named Nellie offers a small, simple suggestion.With its droll humor and inventive, witty pictures, this uproarious tall tale is a true original - one not to be missed.