One day they both went on a trip. They traveled up, down, across, around, through, between, behind, over, and under, until they finally met in the middle. Hello!Are they old friends?Or new friends?Did they just meet today?Or do they visit every day?And what do you think might happen next to the inside mouse and the outside mouse?

    An exploration of the creative process: from an initial tentative inkling, to the frustration of chasing the wrong notion, to finally the exhilaration of capturing—and nurturing—just the right idea.

    All he knows is his name: Steve. Fleeing through the night, pursued by half-glimpsed foes, Steve is rescued by the brave and beautiful Alex. Alex has appointed herself as the defender of a small village that finds itself under near-constant siege by the Mobs under the invincible Draugr: the Skeleton King. As Steve settles into his new home, learning the skills that will allow him to survive in this strange, hostile world, he continues to search for the answers to his own identity. At the same time, he faces other, more urgent questions: what does the Skeleton King want with them? How can they stop him from destroying the innocent villagers? What dark shadow lies across Alex’s past? And who is the grim, dark figure with the glowing white eyes? Other books in The Obsidian Cube series Book 2: The Skeleton King, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WKUZQ9S/ Book 3: The Mystery Revealed, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WKU5PQW/ Author’s Note: This short story is for your reading pleasure. The characters in this "Minecraft Diary Books" such as Steve, Endermen or Herobrine...etc are based on the Minecraft Game coming from Minecraft ®/TM & © 2009-2013 Mojang / Notch

    While Auntie June and Uncle Jonah watch for wildlife and set up their campsites, Rhoda is on the hunt for one thing: ROCKS.   She finds them in all shapes and patterns, from hearts and hats to stripes and sparkles. And every last treasure goes into her pack, making it heavier and heavier as they hike through forests and along streams. Soon Rhoda is sweaty, and tired of salami sandwiches, and wishing for her own bed. Then, on the last day, they come to the Big Lake. And its beach is covered in rocks. Rhoda can’t believe her luck.   After hours of play and even more rock discoveries, it’s time to head for home. By now Rhoda’s pack is too heavy to lift. Will she give up her rocks and return to the cabin for a real shower, a hot meal, and a soft bed? Or will she stay on the beach forever with her beloved collection? Her clever solution makes the most of her treasures—and offers delights for other hikers. Writer and teacher Molly Beth Griffin is the author of Loon Baby and Silhouette of a Sparrow. Jennifer A. Bell has illustrated over a dozen children’s books, most recently Toe Shoe Mouse and When a Dad Says “I Love You.”

    . . . Colette, Poulette, and Fifi end up delivered not to Philippe Renard, but to Phil Fox from the Bronx. Phil can't believe his luck-he hasn't had a square meal in weeks, and here's a free lunch right on his doorstep! But his plans to dine on the delectable fowl are foiled as the French hens work their Christmas magic on him, proving that the spirit of the holidays can bring the most unlikely folks together.

    It covers such topics as the hair on the fly's body (requires a lot of shaving), its ability to walk on the ceiling (it's pretty cool, but it's hard to play soccer up there), and its really disgusting food tastes (garbage juice soup followed by dirty diaper with rotten tomato sauce, for example). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Fly contains real information that will tie in with curriculum.

    These famous tales tickle the imagination and teach simple truths, ones that children and adults face every day. Inside are twenty classic fables, including The Tortoise and the Hare, The Goose Who Laid the Golden Eggs, and The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. Passed from generation to generation, Aesop's best-loved fables are presented here with beautiful illustrations that bring these naughty, bold, brave, and lovable creatures to life.

    Curly, curly, fancy, twirly. Twirly, whirly, long, and girly. She thinks long hair is the best! Until...those long locks become a snarly, tangly mess. Ouch! Suddenly, long hair isn’t so much fun. And no matter what she does, Sophie can’t control that hair! Then Sophie comes up with the perfect solution—why not donate her hair to someone who really needs it?

    This exciting and imaginative bedtime tale is told through Owen Davey's charming and witty words and illustrations - making this a perfect k-nightly read for every young adventurer.

    . . bedtime! He dons his pajama uniform, speeds upstairs, cleans up the nightly grime, and keeps watch from his towering bunk bed. Written by award-winning author Michael Dahl (Goodnight Baseball, Goodnight Football, and Goodnight Hockey) and illustrated by Ethen Beavers (DC Super Friends), this bedtime tale will have Batman fans, young and old, delighting in their nightly routines. Bedtime for Batman is the perfect way to say goodnight to your little Dark Knight.

    . . Set . . . Go to Bed!Jet to bed to get to bed!Don't be fooled or be misled!I'm gonna beat you, beat you to bed!It's a race to bedtime—but who will get there first?This zippy read-aloud will make bedtime a fun time for those little ones reluctant to make it to the nightly finish line.

    A visiting crocodile, bear and wolf, however, are starving. It's just as well that children taste revolting!

    In it, Anansi the spider learns that you usually have to work to get the things that you want, and that it is never a good idea to be too greedy!

    Leo wins our hearts and gains self-confidence in his struggle to make his very own light.