“Unlike my parents, I had no concept of what war was actually like.” With these words, 10-year-old Leon Leyson foreshadows his shattered innocence. Deft writing presents horrific injustices of war, grievous loss, and unfathomable disdain for humanity with an authentic voice that acknowledges such evil but chooses to more significantly highlight every scrap of hope and celebrate every s ...

Warning: this heartwarming, poignant story is not without its sad moments. However, the beauty of budding friendship and trust make it a worthwhile and beautiful tale.

A hungry bear finds himself in the big city...or does he? Text with just enough figurative language for early listeners, and active, painterly pictures complement each other beautifully. A humorous surprise ending provokes thought about narrator's voice, truthfulness and perspective—and compels you to "Read it again!"...and again.

Charming, find-a-new-detail-every-time illustrations enliven a father's hard work and loving relationship with his daughter. Rhythmic text in the style of "The House That Jack Built" gives young listeners the chance to memorize and chime in with repetition. The world is depicted as full of wonder, beauty and warmth for those who will joyfully dive into hard work and caring relationships.

The ability to focus on one task at a time is a learned skill. When the solution to Leo's growing to-do list appears as a multiplication of Leos because surely many hands lighten the load, the tasks multiply. Exhausted, Leo finds refuge in sleep and a dream made only for one. An adult-sized lesson, "What if I did less, but did my BEST?" written as a parable for kids. Classic Peter Reynolds.

Obstacles are simply opportunities in disguise. Marisol refuses to let disappointment cloud her ability to solve a problem; instead she opens her eyes to see the familiar as new. Maybe if challenge didn't stand in our way, we'd never have the chance to see differently -- to live a little more richly and create something better from having had the experience. Reynolds offers a refreshing tale of po ...

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. ...

A unique coming of age story, Ruby Reinvented is an authentic read for girls. Highlighting the importance of family, friendships and choices, this sweet and honest story is both inspiring and cautionary. Traits of honesty, teamwork, and believing in yourself shine as readers join Ruby on her quest to come to terms with the uniqueness of who she is and how that fits into the world around her. Ruby ...

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.

This is a fantastic way to "show not tell" how punctuation works. What would happen if punctuation took a vacation? Stories get unruly and time no longer make sense. In fact, communication gets a little unruly. Humorous punctuation postcards convey messages that resemble a punctuation mark's purpose, helping readers understand their proper use. Clever, animated, and a way to make learning fun.

A new take on the classic tale that begs to be read aloud and will be as much fun for the reader as the listeners.

Cleverly explains how wild seeds get spread to produce "wild gardens." The informative text is conveyed in story form, making it engaging for young readers or listeners.

Curiosity can take a young boy anywhere, even down the bathtub drain! This imaginative story entertains and gently promotes asking questions and pursuing answers.

A delightful introduction to a young boy who turns his personal hurdles—lack of confidence and not knowing how to capitalize on his strengths—into stepping stones for building friendships. Age-appropriate illustrations capture moments beautifully, conveying the emotional experience throughout.

The gentle narrative shows how dreams can come true in unexpected ways and in unusual places.

Ranger, a brave dog, wants to convince kids that reading can lead to amazing adventure. History comes alive as Ranger races through time helping young people overcome danger and evil in their quest to stay alive. Ranger and the boys he partners with are the perfect combination of bravery, curiosity, and loyalty. This story presents life-lessons like honesty, standing up for what is right, and how ...

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.

Little Red (a pencil) leaves her classroom tasked with finding a story worth writing. Almost at once, she becomes bogged down by descriptors, carried away by an endless string of words full-of-stick, and frightened by adverbs "suddenly, abruptly, and surprisingly" catching her off-guard. Play on words, parody, and humor cleverly entertain and show readers how parts of speech can enrich or misguide ...