This story is based on the life of Billy Bayly, a real boy who lived in Pennsylvania during the Civil War and had an unlikely friendship with a Southern soldier.

With simple but engaging text, paintings, and an illuminating author's note telling the true account of a young slave who joins the Union Army, this tale of a real person's role in the Civil War is ideal for beginning readers and burgeoning history buffs. Full color.

Fear of what other's may think can't withstand the arrival of a delicious soup at the block party. A realistic portrayal of childhood concerns about being different.

Level 2. Suzanne, Max, and Jake are making a pizza. First they mix the dough. Then they add the toppings and cheese. Soon it's ready. Yum!

After planting the seeds and watching them grow, huge pumpkins appear in a patch. Now we can make pumpkin pie and jack-o'-lanterns! Planting a garden is so much fun, and this rhyming reader shows us how.

It's picture day at the dog park. But before the first photo can be taken, an exuberant pack of pups needs a bit of grooming. So they're off to Shampoodle, the local pet salon, where the eager dogs simply cannot sit still. Full color.

Driven by an overwhelming sense of faith, direction, and conviction, Harriet Tubman risked her life repeatedly for the causes of freedom and equality. An amazing life beautifully captured in this biography for developing readers.

Though he is used to the city streets, Barney's horse becomes frightened of the noisy new overhead trains.

A seal at school!What happens when Sammy, the adventurous seal, leaves the zoo for the day? He goes to the city, finds a school full of kids and new things to do -- and he even learns to read!

Whether it's a squirrel stuck in the mud or an opossum trapped in a drainpipe, members of the Animal Rescue Club are always ready to lend a hand. Full color.

"Make the box, in which you enclose a gift, too beautiful and the recipient may just think the box is the gift! Is it? Young readers will love the suspense and the resolution of this fun interaction between friends who know each other well."

Rocket needs a story, one that will help him fall asleep. But as each available storyteller falls asleep, what's a wide-awake pup supposed to do? In an act of inspiration and improvisation, Rocket figures out a solution. Aa absolutely charming story!

Friends always come to the rescue, even when it makes the game harder for them to play. A delightful story of friendship and self-acceptance.

Curiosity overcomes fear, which leads to discovery in this delightful story featuring a lovable main character.

Rocket needs 100 items for the big celebration, so getting some help from Squirrel seems like a good idea—at least until they start collecting acorns. Great fun conetered around an annual common school celebration.

Level 2. Pal the Pony is the smallest pony at the rodeo! He's upset because he can't do what the big horses can do. But he discovers there is one thing he's better at than anyone else on the ranch.

Illustrated by Lisa McCue, this simple retelling of the Aesop fable is sure to be a great introduction to these classics for children. Full-color illustrations.