An out-of-reach cookie jar, a hungry boy and his companion Horsie, and a giant robot. What could go wrong? A fun story with details readers will love, including cookie crumb precipitation!

An eight-year-old girl accompanies her grandmother on a singing tour of the segregated South, both of them knowing that Grandmama's songs have the power to bring people together. Full color.

Get ready to be inspired! Have you ever had an idea that leaves you puzzled, not quite knowing what to do or think? Delightful metaphors and literal interpretations dance through these pages as readers follow the birth of a young boy's idea, the challenges it presents, the opportunities it offers, and above all, the potential it embodies. "I liked being with my idea. It made me feel alive...It ...

From the same author and illustrator as the #1 nationally best-selling What Do You Do With an Idea? comes a new book to encourage you to look closely at problems and discover the possibilities they can hold.

Compelling, life-sized, carefully-detailed illustrations, punctuate the depth of Frederick Douglass's devotion to justice and liberty for all. The dark pain of loss at a young age translated into grim determination to learn words because "...Frederick sensed that words had power. ...he traded food for words." In a world of fast food and e-books, Rappaport reminds us to value the influence of speak ...

While this is primarily Pedro Martinez's biography, it is equally a celebration of the relationship he shared with his talented baseball-player brother, Ramon. A humble upbringing challenged them both to creatively pursue their love of baseball, and eventually dedicated practice and big dreams gave way to major-league contracts, friendly rivalry on national stages, and a championship win. Gorgeous ...

This wordless story comes alive through the wonder and kindness of a little girl. As a bright light would shine in a dark room, the young heroine wears red, the only spot of color at the story's black and white outset. Trailing her distracted Dad along city sidewalks, she collects simple beauty -- weeds and wildflowers in crevices amidst a cement jungle -- and then gives it away little by little. ...

This tale stages a meetup between extraordinary and ordinary. The learning is messy and extraordinary turns out to be unconventional, but Bloom the magical fairy believes her new "ordinary" friend, Genevieve, can save the kingdom. Genevieve's confidence grows with each success under Bloom's gentle direction. Lively, airy illustrations capture the delight and strength of a heart and mind equipped t ...

Gentle, uncluttered illustrations prompt empathy for Rocket. They show his kind, open wonder and the roadblock that could derail his mission. But friendship and a listening heart lead him to discover his potential that dovetails his love for words and for others beautifully. A beautiful message in a tale told simply.

A satisfying allegory told with rich vocabulary and a satisfying conclusion.

While Bella's story and its splashy, colorful illustrations evoke the 'crisp, crackly' feelings of fall, it also highlights the generosity of a skillful grandmother and the joy of a grateful grandchild. This one will be a frequent request by listeners as young as two years old, and an effective read to build vocabulary in readers up through Kindergarten.

Karen Harrington calls upon her experience with an agoraphobic mother to movingly convey her main character's angst in learning to live well through tragedy and extreme circumstances. Already facing difficult teenage years, Mysti suddenly becomes provider and voice of reason when her mother's agoraphobia strips away her ability to cope. While the text seems to go on without resolution for a good p ...

We can't get enough of this author/illustrator duo. They discover the most interesting individuals and masterfully shape the telling by relating familiar, present-day experiences with their characters' experiences, enabling details to stick. In this telling, William Carlos Williams faces the difficulty of balancing the need to earn a living with pursuing his artistic endeavors. He manages to estab ...

A celebration of friendship, from its hesitant start to its bittersweet end.

This story exudes beauty. It is a study in kindness and grace. It shows what knowing how to see beyond personal needs, penchants, and shortsightedness looks like. Nana's wisdom teaches readers to look with eyes that see beyond the surface to love the potential of each individual and to give. Because that is where joy begins. CJ: "How come it's always so dirty over here?" Nana (smiling and poin ...

The simple but delightful story focuses on the fun of friendship. However, the photographic illustrations elevate the book, making it an extraordinary reading experience. (Be sure to read the interview with the author at the book's conclusion!) Readers will be longing for friends of their own, possibly of the tree-climbing and nut-loving variety!

In a forest of seedlings, only one refused to let go of its leaves season after season. The tree's sad, cowering posture helps early grade school readers see that fear hinders the little tree's growth. Eventually with coaxing and reassurance, it lets go and is able to realize its full potential—to grow and to serve. A wise message, simply illustrated for easy comprehension.

Expect the unexpected! Houses, apartments, underground lairs, giant shoes and hollow trees capture the imaginations of young readers dreaming of home. Ellis encourages children to ask and answer questions (‘Whose home is this?’ ‘Why would someone live here?’) in a way that evokes wonder and inspires creativity. Kids will be redecorating their rooms and building forts afte ...