Alex wants to buy his mother a birthday present, but all he has is a frying pan! He bangs on it with a street orchestra to earn money, but the musicians chase him away. When Alex fills his frying pan with soapy water to earn money washing cars, that doesn't work either. Finally, with great ingenuity Alex brings his mother a charming and original gift!
It's very difficult to be the youngest, littlest one in the family. Yurchyk's sister and brother are too old to play with him now; they prefer to do other things. And his parents are too busy. His companion is just a puppy, a little dog named Klapovukh. Yurchyk's father says that being big isn't just about growing taller but about doing big things! It takes courage to do big things: Is little Yurchyk brave enough?
When Jimmy's mother brings home a bag of five beautiful oranges, he wants to keep them all for himself. But his instinct to share with his family and friends is too strong to resist - until he has no oranges left at all! This day, Jimmy will learn a lot about the gift of generosity.
Mommy, Daddy, and Dorothy's brother, Martin, all wear glasses. But not Dorothy. She knows that glasses make people see better, and she wants to see better, too. Never mind that she can see perfectly without them. She feels like an outsider in her own family, and so she draws glasses on her face and on all her toys. But when she tries on her Daddy's glasses, she gets a big surprise!
Mommy, Daddy, and Dorothy's brother, Martin, all wear glasses. But not Dorothy. She knows that glasses make people see better, and she wants to see better, too. Never mind that she can see perfectly without them. She feels like an outsider in her own family, and so she draws glasses on her face and on all her toys. But when she tries on her Daddy's glasses, she gets a big surprise!
Big black Busunsul and little white Paskualina are the best of friends. They are both very unusual dogs and they live happily in a house together. They love to play the same games and to hike in the forest. They even sleep in the same room, sometimes cuddling up together when it's very cold. But what happens when a big, beautiful succulent bone comes between them?
Both Mum and Dad work in offices, but it's hard for a very little boy to understand what they DO all day, and why they're SO tired when they get home and can only play for a little while. With the help of his grandmother, who takes care of him, our young narrator tries to experience their workaday world, day after day, at home in a pretend office . . . and he gets really, really tired, too. . . .
Times are hard for Mommy, Daddy, and Ivan. They live in a tiny apartment and only have room for an imaginary dog, Ronny, who behaves badly--especially at night. They love him, anyway. One day they are able to move to a larger apartment and have room for The Real Ronny! A real dog! He's wonderful, of course. And they love him. But sometimes you can't help missing the things you left behind.
Jonah, like many little boys, is afraid of the dark. His older brother, Gor, and his baby sister, Arpi, share the bedroom with Jonah. But it's still a scary place at night, what with monsters under beds and on chairs, and who knows what's lurking in the spooky cupboard? But when Gor promises Jonah his favorite toy soldier if he'll just try not to be afraid, Jonah is too excited to sleep. Will the scary dark keep Jonah in his bed?
Both Mum and Dad work in offices, but it's hard for a very little boy to understand what they DO all day, and why they're SO tired when they get home and can only play for a little while. With the help of his grandmother, who takes care of him, our young narrator tries to experience their workaday world, day after day, at home in a pretend office . . . and he gets really, really tired, too. . .
Moush is having a bad day. His sister yelled at him and his mother scolded him. He hides in the closet and decides to run away from home. He begins to prepare by collecting things to take with him: his favorite coat, his schoolbag. But can he take from his home everything he would like to have with him?
Jonah, like many little boys, is afraid of the dark. His older brother, Gor, and his baby sister, Arpi, share the bedroom with Jonah. But it's still a scary place at night, what with monsters under beds and on chairs, and who knows what's lurking in the spooky cupboard? But when Gor promises Jonah his favorite toy soldier if he'll just try not to be afraid, Jonah is too excited to sleep. Will the scary dark keep Jonah in his bed?
Andy's family is moving to a new house. His mother, his father, and his sister all pack up their favorite things. But Andy can't pack his favorite thing - it's growing in their backyard! It's a beautiful cherry tree, and Andy will miss it terribly. He picks some cherries to bring to the new house, and the family eats them with their lunch. When he mentions how much he misses his tree, his mother has a wonderful idea!
Grandpa had 27 grandchildren, all who loved him, and shared the mangoes he brought home every day. Grandpa and mangoes always brightened the day. But grandpa was getting sick, losing his memory and the ability to even cut the mangoes. He was slowly leaving his grandchildren.
Both Mum and Dad work in offices, but it's hard for a very little boy to understand what they DO all day, and why they're SO tired when they get home and can only play for a little while. With the help of his grandmother, who takes care of him, our young narrator tries to experience their workaday world, day after day, at home in a pretend office . . . and he gets really, really tired, too. . . .
Matthew lives in an orphanage. He wanted a dog. He received other gifts and things through the years - stuffed animals, toys, snails, even lice - but never a dog. One day Matthew was finally getting new parents, and what did the parents have for him - a dog.
Mommy, Daddy, and Dorothy's brother, Martin, all wear glasses. But not Dorothy. She knows that glasses make people see better, and she wants to see better, too. Never mind that she can see perfectly without them. She feels like an outsider in her own family, and so she draws glasses on her face and on all her toys. But when she tries on her Daddy's glasses, she gets a big surprise!
Times are hard for Mommy, Daddy, and Ivan. They live in a tiny apartment and only have room for an imaginary dog, Ronny, who behaves badly--especially at night. They love him, anyway. One day they are able to move to a larger apartment and have room for The Real Ronny! A real dog! He's wonderful, of course. And they love him. But sometimes you can't help missing the things you left behind.
Mary wants to play with her friends Clara and Ana, but they're playing with their dolls, and Mary doesn't have a doll. Her mother suggests that she make one using wool and cotton and other things that they have around the house. So Mary makes a beautiful doll, but then she realizes: Her doll has to breathe, and how will it sneeze? What can she use for her lovely doll's nose?
Matthew wanted only one thing on Earth: a dog. He lived in a children's home, and they weren't allowed to have a real dog. The toy dog he got for Christmas was broken; the other animals he tried out as pets didn't live up to his expectations. He never ever thought about wanting a Mother or a Father, but one day when a couple comes to adopt him - he decides to keep an open mind!
Moush is having a bad day. His sister yelled at him and his mother scolded him, so he hides in the closet and decides to run away from home. He begins to prepare by collecting things to take with him: his favorite coat, his schoolbag. But can he take from his home everything he would like to have with him?
A young narrator wonders what his parents do at work all day, and why they come home too tired to play or read stories. When they tell him, he decides that he will work, too, reminding his parents of the importance of fun.
Moush is having a bad day, so while hiding in the closet he decides to run away. During his preparations he remembers all the good things in his world and how important a place he has in it.
When Jimmy's mother brings home a bag of five beautiful oranges, he wants to keep them all for himself. But his instinct to share with his family and friends is too strong to resist-until he has no oranges left at all! This day, Jimmy will learn a lot about the gift of generosity.
When Jimmy's mother brings home a bag of five beautiful oranges, he wants to keep them all for himself. But his instinct to share with his family and friends is too strong to resist - until he has no oranges left at all! This day, Jimmy will learn a lot about the gift of generosity.