The poignant words of two-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Angela Johnson and striking images from fine artist Loren Long join forces in this heartbreaking yet uplifting picture book about a boy, his love for trains, and his adulation of one legendary engineer. It's the story of a hero lost and a hero discovered, of a dream crushed then reawakened, but mostly it is a story of the force that sustains the human spirit -- hope.

    

    The Polar Express is a treasured holiday tradition. This lavish gift set includes a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake "All Aboard" ornament, and a note from author Chris Van Allsburg.Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1986, The Polar Express has sold more than 7 million copies, become a classic holiday movie, and been translated into stage productions that take place across the United States during the holiday season.

    In this inviting, rhyming read-aloud, two kids become travel buddies as they watch cities and landscapes and other hard-working trains rush by, and also observe the conductor and funny goings-on inside the train, all illustrated in a fresh, hip, colorful style. Hop aboard!"The chugga-chugga beat and appealing anthropomorphized trains will charm young train-lovers in this entertaining title that’s a perfect fit for storytime."--Booklist

    "To the pond!" says the duck. "To the forest!" says the monkey. "To the mountain!" says the bear. But Little Kangaroo doesn't say a word. He wants to go on an adventure with Little Train-adventure that leads him up a mountain, off a cliff, and back where he belongs: in his mama's pocket. This endearing picture book is perfect for train, toy and adventure lovers everywhere.

    in full color. That cheeky blue engine refuses to be sidetracked from his goal of taking schoolchildren home after their visit to the train yard--despite a host of obstacles along the way.

    A proud oil stain.There's nothin' plain about a train.Trains of all shapes and sizes are coming down the track -- bullet train, sleeper train, underground train, zoo train, and more. All aboard! Skila Brown's first-class poems, as varied as the trains themselves, reflect the excitement of train travel, while Jamey Christoph's vintage-style illustrations provide a wealth of authentic detail to pore over.

    Listen as it rushes past big cities and small towns. Listen as it sweeps through forests and fields and into tunnels. Hear the whistle wailing, brakes squealing, wheels rolling, r-o-l-l-i-n-g, stop. Now the train is homeward bound. All aboard!Notable Children's Books of 1991 (ALA)Best Books of 1991 (SLJ)100 Favorite Paperbacks 1994 (IRA/CBC)Notable 1990 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)Children's Books of 1990 (Library of Congress)Favorite Paperbacks for 1994 (IRA/CBC)

    From shiny London St. Pancras, Tom travels to places that wouldn't be featured on a standard holiday wish-list, and discovers the hidden delights of mysterious Luxembourg, super-trendy Rotterdam, and much-maligned Frankfurt. It's 186 mph all the way—well, apart from a power cut in the Channel Tunnel on the way to Antwerp.

    "A fun, beautifully illustrated, and heartfelt animal tale." -- Kirkus ReviewFormer Disney illustrator captures the emotions of the characters perfectly. Preschoolers will love the colorful illustrations and adventure while the simple rhyme will build confidence for early readers. Could this new family love a clumsy pup, whose legs had trouble keeping up; who needed help after too many falls, failed at tug and couldn t catch balls? Underlying themes of perseverance, courage, and acceptance of self and others from this magical story. The book is well suited for those who love illustrations from Disney, the fun rhyming of Dr. Seuss and silly antics of Curious George. About the Illustrator Len Smith has spent his entire career in children s entertainment, from Hanna-Barbera studio to Disney Feature and TV animation to Mattel Toys. Len designed Toontown in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit and designed the main characters for the Disney Afternoon series Talespin and Bonkers . He also worked on the four-time Emmy winning series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and was very proud to do the illustration for The Little Labradoodle: Puppy Pickup Day . Ages: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Grade: Preschool, 1, 2,3,4

    Now look up. From the sky one flake falls, then another. And just like that—it's snowing. In this beautiful book from debut creator Bomi Park, a young girl wakes up to the year's first snowy day. From her initial glimpse out the window to her poignant adventures—rolling a snowman, making snow angels—the girl's quiet quests are ones all young readers will recognize. Simple, muted text and exquisite, evocative art conjure the excitement of a day spent exploring the wonder of snow—and the magic that, sometimes literally, such a day brings. As subtly joyful as a snow day itself, this book will find its home in the hearts of young adventurers everywhere.

    Tootle, a young train in training, begins leaving the tracks to cavort in the meadow until engineer Bill figures out a way to lure him back.

    And every year her coat looks the same -- navy blue with two rows of buttons and a half belt in the back. But this year Gabrielle wants something different -- a purple coat. "Purple?" Mama laughs. But Gabrielle is quite serious. Alone with Grampa in his cozy tailor shop, Gabrielle does some fast talking. Still, even Grampa is dubious. His solution makes The Purple Coat a very special book, just right for every child who has ever wanted to try something different.

    One day, Mommy and Daddy take Little Elephant for a ride on a real train, and Little Elephant is so excited! But on the train, Little Elephant gets angry when no one wants to play trains with him. Cat wants to play with his plane. Penguin wants to play with his car. And Rabbit would rather play with his digger. How will they all find a way to play together?

    After asking several passing trains for help over the hill, a little blue train agrees to help the stranded toys. Even though she is small, the blue train tries her best to bring the toys to the children on the other side of the hill.