The Legend of Lightning Larry


Aaron Shepard - 1993
    But what really terrified those bad men was that peculiar gun of his. It didn't shoot bullets. It shot light. And Larry always aimed for the heart. Can Larry save the town of Brimstone from Evil-Eye McNeevil's outlaw gang? Find out in this rip-roaring original tale of a gunfighter with a huge smile and a hankering for lemonade. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK -STORIES ON STAGE, - OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of -The Baker's Dozen, - -The Sea King's Daughter, - -The Monkey King, - and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Toni Goffe is the British illustrator of numerous well-loved children's books and is a winner of the 1993 Gold Medallion Book Award. He is also illustrator of Aaron's -The Legend of Slappy Hooper.- ///////////////////////////////////////////////// -One of the books every boy should have on his bookshelf; girls will probably like the story too . . . The language is perfect, [with] the right dose of silliness to make both parents and children chuckle . . . The illustrations are ideal.- -- Cindi Rose, San Francisco Examiner, Aug. 20, 2012 -A tall-tale superhero for our time. . . . A readaloud that could lighten up classes well up in the elementary grades.- -- Kirkus Reviews, Mar. 1, 1993 -Pass out the bandanas and dig out the spittoon. Read this story in an old-timer's voice, and everyone will have a good time.- -- Chris Sherman, American Library Association Booklist, Mar. 1, 1993 -Move over Wyatt Earp. Make room for a cowboy of a different caliber. A wide age range of listeners will request this one again and again.- -- School Library Journal, Nov. 1993 -A rib-tickler. . . . Kids will enjoy acting this out as readers theatre.- -- Jan Lieberman, TNT, Spring 1993 -Lovely. . . . Should reach the tickly bone of youngsters.- -- Storyline, June 1993 -Perfect for telling or reading out loud.- -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Spring 1993 -My class loved this story. Great to use when introducing tall tales.- -- D. Peccianti, Reviews of All Resources (Monterey Peninsula United School District) -Introduces one amazing cowpoke. . . . Will have young listeners laughing out loud and asking you to 'read it again.'- -- Smithsonian, Nov. 1993 -Told in the spirited language of a true yarn-spinner, this is a rollicking picture book to warm the heart of just about everyone.- -- Kids' Line, Summer 1993

The Wonderful Roundabout: Stories for Kids and Other Smarty Pants


Ioana Hreninciuc - 2013
    Each story is split into parts of approximately 500 words, so they can be easily read at bedtime. They are suitable for children over 5 years of age as the narratives may be too complex for those younger. The stories usually portray characters facing challenges. One friendly bear wants to learn how to read. A brave sailor leads the way to a magical island. A smart little boy tries to build a flying machine. They each succeed by perseverance, openness and ingenuity. They achieve great things by doing simple, good deeds. An important aspect of the book is that there are no situations where a character has to do wrong in order to gain something. Even when battles take place, as they sometimes do on pirate ships, they have no detail of violent gestures or actions. This is a point that has been attentively pursued throughout the book. There are many classical children's stories that involve a great deal of violence. Hansel and Gretel's own parents leave them in a forest to die, the huntsman in Snow White kills the wolf, Cinderella's sisters are filled with envy. The Wonderful Roundabout was written with the belief that stories can set the foundations for the moral character of children and, therefore, should, in all ways, inspire kids to become caring, generous and motivated individuals. Which is why references to violence or mischief are removed. The obstacles our characters face are more those that appear when one tries to follow a dream that is not readily accessible - such as reaching a magical castle, transforming a bicycle into a mouse or building a bridge in a beautiful place. Simply put, if at least one child becomes a better person after hearing one of the stories, then The Wonderful Roundabout would have fulfilled its purpose.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed


Mo Willems - 2009
    But what will happen when Grandpah, the oldest, wisest, and most naked Naked Mole Rat ever discovers Wilbur's secret?Funnyman and three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems exposes the naked truth about being yourself and wearing it well.

What's the Worst that Could Happen?


Yewande Daniel-Ayoade - 2020
    But Kayla could only imagine the worst-case scenarios as she tried to make friends at her new school. Will Kayla overcome her fear of rejection? Or will an overactive imagination get in the way?'What's the Worst that Could Happen?' tackles the subject of social anxiety in children with a deft, yet gentle hand. Children with social anxiety will find Kayla very relatable. Adults that struggled with shyness as children will also see themselves reflected in this book.

The Rescue Team


Billi Tiner - 2012
    Feeling abandoned and unloved, Ellie spends her days staring vacantly through the gate of her pen. Ellie’s life changes when she is finally adopted by a compassionate woman named Anne. Ellie and Anne form an unbreakable bond of love and friendship. A thunderstorm drives Toby, a young frightened kitten, to Anne’s porch. Anne and Ellie immediately welcome him into their family. One night, they hear an emergency broadcast announcement that a little girl is missing in the woods near their home. Anne, Ellie, and Toby join in the search to find her, and an incredible rescue team is formed. The team will be called upon again when a tornado tears through their town. Will they find any survivors?

Welcome to Lily's Room


Barbara Miller - 2012
    Lily invites you to see her lovely room and meet her many friends, including Bunny Rabbit and Josephine her kitten who is always by her side.

When I Wake Up


Joanna Liu - 2016
    that is, until her curiosity takes over and the magic of imagination begins. This delightful bedtime story, with a fun rhythm and whimsical illustrations, is the perfect way for winding down the day and getting ready for sleep.

Some Days


María Wernicke - 2012
    Down this passageway, it is not cold, there is no danger, and nothing bad can ever happen—and the person she longs for is with her again. The only problem is that, on some days, the passageway is not there. But maybe, together, mother and daughter can find a way to carry that feeling with them always.First published in Argentina, this lovely picture book will tug on the heartstrings of anyone who knows what it means to miss a loved one.

Goldy the Puppy and the Missing Socks


Kim Ann - 2020
    They disappear from the hamper, from the bedside, from anywhere and everywhere! Is there a sock monster afoot?

Everyone has a Mother


Sally Huss - 2014
     Whimsical illustrations of animals, insects, reptiles, as well as people, bring home the message that everyone has a mother. The idea is amusingly stated in rhyme to delight any small child and honor any mother. Over 30 happy and colorful illustrations dance across the pages.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Super Adventure!


Walt Disney Company - 2013
    Adventure is in the air when Professor Von Drake stops by the Clubhouse with a Super-Maker Machine that turns Mickey and his friends into superheroes! And just in time: Power-Pants Pete and Megamort have a shrink ray, and they won't stop until everything is miniature--including Mickey! The gang has to combine their super powers and work together in this storybook based on the Disney Channel special airing in October 2013.

Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story


Karl Beckstrand - 2014
    A picture book introduction to the night sky—Bright Star, Night Star accompanies an American Indian child in finding constellations, stars, moons, and other heavenly bodies (kids ages 4 – 9, preschool to 4th grade). STEM book activities include identifying constellations and distinguishing between planets and stars. Expose your child to the starry skies, Monument Valley, and a little space science; comes with an online astronomy GLOSSARY, characters of color, and rich illustrations to aid vocabulary comprehension by Spanish illustrator Luis F. Sanz (Why Juan Can’t Sleep: A Mystery?). About 400 words by award-winning children’s author Karl Beckstrand (The Bridge of the Golden Wood), 30 pages, 8.5"x 8.5" hard cover, soft cover, or ebook; science book/astronomy book for kids, Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (Mini-mysteries for Minors [multicultural/bilingual series], worldwide rights © 2014) Premiobooks.com, Baker & Taylor/Follett, Brodart, Ingram, Amazon/Kindle, Sun, Barnes & Noble/Nook, EBSCO, Flipkart, Gardners, iBooks, Inktera, Kobo, Library Direct, Mackin, Native, OverDrive, Quality, SCRIBD, txtr, and select retailers. LCCN: 2013913403, JNF051040, JUV011040, JUV036000, JUV010000, JUV020000, JUV054000, ISBN Hard: 978-0985398880, ISBN Soft: 978-0615856155 (ebook ISBN: 978-1310128097)

Oz: The Complete Collection


L. Frank Baum - 1900
    Frank Baum has been captivating the hearts of the young, and not so young, for over a hundred years.This delightful compilation includes all fifteen books written by L. Frank Baum:The Wonderful Wizard of OzThe Marvelous Land of OzOzma of OzDorothy and the Wizard in OzThe Road to OzThe Emerald City of OzThe Patchwork Girl Of OzLittle Wizard Stories of OzTik-Tok of OzThe Scarecrow Of OzRinkitink In OzThe Lost Princess Of OzThe Tin Woodman Of OzThe Magic of OzGlinda Of OzPerhaps there is no better, or fitting, introduction one could give to this compilation than the author's note that Baum himself writes in his very first book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Here he reveals the true intention of his work. Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations. Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident. Having this thought in mind, the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to please children of today. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out.

The Magic of Friendship Snow


Andi Cann - 2018
     Jojo looks around and everyone seems to have friends but her. She feels sad and lonely. Then, Jojo meets Puddles, the snowman made with magic friendship snow. Jojo will reassure children that friendship can be learned. Discover how Jojo makes a forever friend by reading this book.

I Am Not a Chair!


Ross Burach - 2017
    Full of vibrant and playful illustrations and hilariously absurd logic, kids will want to read it again and again.Could there be anything worse for Giraffe? Maybe being sat on by a skunk or smooshed by two hapless hippos, or worst of all—cornered by a hungry lion? No one seems to notice that Giraffe is not standing around just to be sat upon. Will he be able to find his voice and make his friends realize who he really is?