A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary—and finding it in a manner you’d never expect.

    There’s just one hitch: Spencer’s new pet is a balloon. And that means No. Sharp. Objects. No drooling dogs at the park. No prickly porcupines at the vet. And absolutely no pinning tails on any donkeys! Spencer’s New Pet is a story of pure fun about a boy, his dog, and a friendship that endures life’s sharpest...and most unexpected twists.

    Grouped in four progressive levels, Read and Share books - available individually for the first time - are specially selected for qualities that encourage literacy skills and a love of reading.Sixteen top-quality books with notes for extending reading fun inspire the confidence parents and children need to experience the joys of reading . . . together. Plus an informative Parents’ Handbook!What is Read and Share?—An expert selection of sixteen high-quality picture books by superb authors and illustrators, featuring a multicultural array of subjects, including poetry and rhymes, traditional songs, stories, and information books —Four progressive levels - Beginnings, Early Steps, Next Steps, and Taking Off - each including four fabulous picture books—Two full spreads inside each book offering suggestions and activities inspired by the story, designed to help parents and children get the most out of each book - and build a foundation for reading success—A separate 24-page, full-color Parents’ Handbook providing extensive practical information and detailed answers to many of the questions parents ask about encouraging their children’s literacy

    Each animal asks Groundhog to make his prediction in their favor the following year. Rather than being truthful about the fact that he just "calls it like he sees it," he leads them to believe he can control the weather, accepting their gifts of food and favor. On the next Groundhog Day, he finally admits he made promises he couldn't keep because he was trying to please everyone and makes amends.Matt Faulkner's rich illustrations are packed with hilarious details that will delight readers of all ages. No matter what weather the Groundhog predicts, curling up with this fun book is a great way to spend the winter.

    In this touching bedtime story, a little girl describes why her Mom is awesome. We see her going through her day, carrying the warmest feeling about her mother. Mom always knows how she feels and can help with any problem. Mom can make the most complicated braid and explain fractions; Mom can help to wake her up in the morning and hug her tightly when she’s sad. With adorable illustrations and a message to which everyone can relate, this is a perfect book for kids and their moms.

    Join spunky Cat the Cat as she introduces the very youngest readers to her world, where a surprise is waiting in every book.

    There's a problem outside and this cute bug is going to fix it by swapping colors. TThis is a fun and colorful, fully illustrated ebook, for ages 18 months and up.

    Cat and Bunny. Bunny and Cat.It's always been just the two of them—daydreaming, having adventures, playing their special game. Until the day someone else asks, "Can I play?"Mary Lundquist captures all the charm and magic of first friendship in her winning debut picture book.

    They can’t see eye to eye on anything. One day they venture out, and after nonstop disagreement, they realize something surprising: they don’t always have to agree to be on each other’s side.

    But when a new human suddenly enters their lives at Central Park, they're spending all their time in uptown! Everything is changing and it looks like this new human isn't going anywhere. Why couldn't everything stay as it was? Why did things have to change? Find out what happens between this Frenchie and the new human in his life in a story where change can be good and bring new adventures! This touching picture book is a nice way to help a child understand a parent's new partner or spouse.Eda Akaltun is a New York–based illustrator and printmaker from Istanbul. Prior to her work with Flying Eye, her illustrations can be found in the Nobrow magazine, of which she is a founding contributor.

    It's just that being good takes so much effort. When his owner finally has enough and sends him packing, it's silent Cat who misses him the most. Armed with a how-to book and quiet determination, Cat begins to instruct Bobo in proper dog etiquette. Shake, fetch, and roll over all go well. But can Cat really turn this incorrigible canine around? Drenched in cotton-candy colors and brimming with whimsical details, Bobo proves a fact all dog lovers know: nobody can resist a good dog, even when he's bad! Reviews Bobo, the great galumphing hound in Gail Page's How to Be a Good Dog is the canine Oscar Madison. . . .Pale and plump with a single black spot, Bobo has a Thurber-esque squishiness in Page's cartoonlike acrylics. His eyes are never more than two tiny dots, but they're endlessly expressive. How the author accomplishes this I can't say. But it seems to be an unwritten law that in the world of children's books, the larger the dog, the smaller the eyes, and vise versa. -New York Times Book Review, children's feature issue The pictures [in this book] are pleasing and, to my eye, beautiful. At the same time, they're genuinely funny. This, to me, is the best thing possible. And it's hard to do.---Daniel Pinkwater on NPR's Weekend Edition, Saturday, Feb 11th. To read more on the How to Be a Good Dog feature, click here. The quirky humor in the brief text is matched by the funny antics of the floppy canine in the illustrations as he tries to be a good dog, but always in his own way. -Kirkus Reviews This lively tale of a good-hearted canine and his kindly cat friend gets its charm from its bold and colorful illustrations...But it is the story, told in plain, simple, unembellished words that any child can understand, that grabs your heart and won't let go. -Curled Up With A Good Book The large acrylic paintings with cartoon figures and the simp

    "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

    Whether your best friend is a plucky Jack Russell, an indecisive basset hound, or a poodle with an indiscriminate appetite, you're sure to find this dazzling display doggone delightful.

    Will he learn what it truly means to be a winner?

    After Lola reads a book of garden poems, she wants to plant some flowers. She gets books from the library and chooses her plants. Then Lola and her mommy buy the seeds, make the garden, and mark the rows. Now it’s time to wait. . . .