“The writing is clear and specific, and the expansive, colorful acrylic illustrations, including labeled diagrams, are themselves quite informative.” —Horn Book (starred review) From award-winning author-illustrator Meghan McCarthy comes an entertaining picture book that explores the training and day-to-day life of being a firefighter as they put out fires and saves lives.Do you have what it takes to be a firefighter? From attending the Firefighter Academy to training with a team, there are many things you have to accomplish before becoming a firefighter! Learn the tools firefighters use, the kinds of trucks firefighters drive, and the dangerous situations they find themselves in as they put their lives on the line to help others in this charming picture book from the author of Pop: The Invention of Bubble Gum.

    Soon their human visitors arrive, and the observations begin to flow: My, what silly things they do, all these creatures at the zoo. Walking on all kinds of feet, dancing to an inner beat. Babies riding on their backs, on their bellies, snug in sacks. Hear the silly sounds they speak, as they howl and squawk and shriek! But just who is talking about whom? With a clever twist of text and bright and festive illustrations, this picture book will have children begging for a trip to the zoo. Ages 4-8.

    His story started almost 25 years ago in Louisiana, where he hatched out of his egg to discover he looked different from the other hatchlings. They were green and Claude was white. The other hatchings avoided him, and his color made him vulnerable to predators. So Claude went to a special zoo that cared for alligators where he lived in a pen by himself. Now he was safe--but alone.One day, scientists at the California Academy of Sciences heard about him and asked the zoo if he could come and live in the Academy's swamp. He made a 2,800 mile journey to his new home, where he had a surprise--he would share his swamp with Bonnie, an alligator who the scientists hoped would be a friend for Claude.Unfortunately, Bonnie didn't like Claude's differences either, so she was moved to another home. But then Claude was alone again--or was he?With Bonnie gone, Claude began to interact with the five enormous snapping turtles who shared his swamp. The turtles didn't mind at all that Claude was different! And neither do the millions of people who visit him every year. They know that Claude's differences are exactly what makes him special.Claude includes back matter with answers to frequently asked questions about the famous alligator, including information about albinism in animals.

    The day the cows strolled down Main Street in fancy hats...Evy didn't notice.What was Evy doing?Evy is so focused on watching her garden grow that she misses all the silliness going on around her--pigs DANCING, donkeys FLYING, and sheep HAVING A PICNIC.But after Evy's spent all year taking care of her garden, everyone's invited to pumpkin time!

    The mixed-media illustrations using clip art, etchings, original drawings, and maps will remind parents and grandparents of an earlier time. Children will enjoy the collages, puns, and delightful wordplay throughout.

    Your teeth are sharp. Your front paws are paddles, your back paws are rudders, and you can swim for miles.Your home has always been the sea and the ice.A sea bear, far north in the Arctic, hunts and naps and raises her young. She moves with the ice, swimming, running, stalking seals, resting. She follows the rhythm of the sea and the seasons.But what happens when those rhythms change? What happens when there is no ice?Lindsay Moore shares the story of one polar bear’s journey for survival in this stunning picture book. Imagine.

    They're best friends, and whatever Fluff does, little Billy does too: climb, slide, swim, splash, run, and jump. Together, they have fun in their enchanting polar world--until something happens that rocks their friendship. Children--and parents too--will instantly recognize and relate to this familiar situation, and rejoice in how the penguin pals resolve their conflict.

    A Simon & Schuster eBook

    PBS’s hit animated show Wild Kratts follows the adventures of zoologists Chris and Martin Kratt as the duo visits animal habitats around the globe. Along the way, they encounter incredible creatures while combining science education with fun. Boys and girls ages 4 to 6 will dive into this deluxe Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader with the Kratt brothers as they activate their Creature Power suits to creep, crawl, and cuddle with amazing animal babies of all kinds! This deluxe Step into Reading leveled reader features animal trading cards and eye-catching foil on the cover. Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help

    So what do zoos do with all of that poo? This zany, fact-filled romp explores zoo poo, from cube-shaped wombat poo to white hyena scat, and all of the places it ends up, including in science labs and elephant-poo paper—even backyard gardens!

    Along the way, she thanks all the familiar things she loves—her warm boots, the song of the birds, the pretty clouds in the November sky. And when she gets home from her errand, her family thanks her for what she has brought. David Milgrim’s spare, repetitive text and colorful, contemporary illustrations are perfect for beginning readers, and leave no doubt about how much there is in the world to be thankful for!

    Then turn the page to find out about animals from around the world. Watercolor and collage illustrations show the many kinds of trails that animal leave behind in mud, snow, and sand.

    Lots of other animals grunt too… Barks, grunts, squeals—animals make all kinds of sounds to communicate and express themselves. With a growling salamander and a whining porcupine, bellowing giraffes and laughing gorillas, this boisterous book is chock-full of fun and interesting facts and is sure to be a favorite of even the youngest animal enthusiasts.

    Papa and Mama Wren gather treasures of the forest, from soft moss for a lining to snakeskin for warding off predators. Randi Sonenshine's lilting stanzas, woven with accurate and unexpected details about Carolina wrens, and Anne Hunter's gentle, inviting illustrations reveal the mysterious lives of these birds and impart an appreciation for the wonder of the life cycles around us. Back matter includes a glossary and additional interesting facts about wrens.

    Join brown bunny in search of friends in the forest. Marion Dane Bauer's charming and ryhmic text paired with Ivan Bates's bold illustrations will draw children into a wonderful world of friendship, animals, and counting. Marion Dane Bauer is an award-winning children's writer. She writes both fiction and picture books. She won the Newberry Honor for her fiction title ON MY HONOR in addition to many other prestigious awards over her writing career. Marion is also the author of LAND OF THE BUFFALO BONES, a critically acclaimed DEAR AMERICA. Her picture books have met with equal success and are adored by parents and children alike. Ivan Bates is the illustrator of many internationally renowned books for children, including JUST YOU AND ME by Sam McBratney. He is also the author and illustrator of the Orchard picture book FIVE LITTLE DUCKS. He lives on a farm in Norfolk, England.