Mama Lou is pregnant and everyone’s guessing what’s in her belly. Who is hiding in there? The bird thinks it’s a cat because everyone keeps petting it. The cat thinks it’s a mouse because Mama Lou is craving cheese. The brother thinks it’s a boy, and a good soccer player too. And the sister thinks it’s a doll she can dress up. Everyone has their own idea. “But I’m not any of those things!” the baby says from inside Mama’s belly. “I’m me! Don’t you understand?” No one can hear it. Until…WHAAA! The baby is tired of being ignored. It’s time their voice was heard. Finally the guessing is over and the baby can show their family who they really are!
Bruno's home is a bit different, but he wouldn't trade it for the world. Bruno's friend Sanjay is lucky: he doesn’t have to share his room (well, except with a pet iguana), and he can leave his toy soldiers all over the house. And Bruno’s brother, Mateo, who is visually impaired, is pretty lucky too: He has a dog named Rocco who helps him get around. Plus, Mateo can keep reading after dark by using just his fingers (while Bruno has to use a flashlight). Still, Bruno has it pretty good. He can leave his bed a total mess. He can play dinosaurs with Sanjay and his iguana. And he can listen to Mateo’s made-up adventure stories (Mateo is a great storyteller). If he had to compare, he’d say he was the luckiest of all to have such a great friend and great brother.
Ten-year-old Sly is spending the weekend with their fortune-telling grandmother at the mysterious Madsen Mansion. It’s Samhain, a time when the spirits can cross over into the living world, and the old mansion has secrets whispering in the rafters and unused rooms. When Sly and their grandmother hear a voice calling, Sly unlocks a cabinet that reveals a ghost girl who is trapped in a mirror. Then they accidentally speak the words of the spell that enchanted the girl in the first place, and Sly and their grandmother risk being imprisoned in the mirror as well. With the clock ticking till the end of Samhain, it’s up to Sly to solve the ghost’s riddles and puzzles and locate a long-lost book of spells in hopes of freeing them all.
This heartfelt imagining of what happens when a beloved pet dies offers children a caring introduction to the emotions of grief and loss, from a perspective of love and healing. Shay and their dog Fluffy are best friends. Through the years they are each other’s source of comfort and companionship in times of both sadness and joy. When Shay learns that Fluffy is sick and they must say goodbye, they feel angry and scared. But Fluffy offers a gentle reassurance—as she always has—and Shay reflects on the meaningful bond they have shared with their friend and the love for her that they will hold in their heart forever.
Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They walk to the library hand in hand, like a chain of paper dolls. Grandad reads books about science and design, Pops listens to rock and roll, and Lou bounces from lap to lap. But everything changes one Saturday. Pops has a fall. That night there is terrible news: Pops will need to use a wheelchair, not just for now, but for always. Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room. Hearing Grandad trying to cheer up Pops inspires Lou to make a plan. Using skills learned from Grandad, and with a little help from their neighbors, Lou comes up with a plan for Pops.
Hyperorganized perfectionist Beatrice More is determined to plan a spectacularly professional birthday party for her little sister, Sophie. But she is foiled at every turn: her mother insists on making a homemade cake (disaster!), her father offers up discount mismatched decorations (debacle!), guests are hard to find in their new neighborhood (dire!), and no gift seems remotely special enough (defeated!). Will Beatrice's organizational skills be enough to turn this party around, or will she need a little help from her friends and maybe even from Sophie herself?
Beatrice More is no average third-grader. She is a list-making, hyperorganized perfectionist whose laid-back parents and messy little sister consistently frustrate her high standards. And when a new house, a new neighborhood and new friends are thrown into the mix, Beatrice sends the family into a comic tailspin, all in the name of “professionalism.” Despite her most feverish organizational efforts, Beatrice ultimately discovers that some of the best experiences are the ones you can’t control.
Better Together explores how people gather in groups of all kinds to fulfill the basic human need for companionship. From the smallest units of parents, siblings and friends to global organizations that try to build on a foundation of common human experience to meet their goals, people working together are a powerful force for change. Too often, we look at someone and see all the ways we are different. People all around the world come together to build things, teach and entertain each other, and provide everything from better health care to good food to security and education. Better Together examines the many ways we are the same, no matter where we live.
Tomorrow is moving day and one little girl worries about moving so far, far away from her Aaji and Ajoba. But Aaji gifts her with a handmade kurta. A kurta with two big pockets for holding all the small things that will remind the girl of her grandparents--from the mogra flowers in Aaji's hair to Ajoba's diya. Then the girl has an even better idea and helps Aaji make two more kurtas with pockets she can fill to remind her grandparents of her too. When finally they are on other sides of a big ocean, they put on their kurtas--and do not feel so far, far away from one another. This touching story about worry and loving reassurance is part of our Own Voices, Own Stories collection.
Zoey’s dream of winning a national title with her dance team is crushed when her mom shares that they will be moving to another state. Once at her new school, Zoey feels like she doesn’t fit in. Will she be able to take a chance on herself and find a new dream?
Davit and Aram are having a rough time. They're both struggling with their dad's death, and then car trouble strands them near the woods. When a mysterious woman offers to help, the boys find themselves in a situation neither of them could have ever imagined.
Explores what happens when a family decides to move and provides strategies for adjusting to a new home, neighborhood, and school.
Discusses what happens when a pet dies, explores ways to remember a pet, and provides strategies for coping with grief.
Explores what happens when parents divorce and provides strategies for coping with a changing family.
After a long and unsuccessful search, Polka-dot Puppy finally finds a home.
Mousekin's mother reminds her it is a special day, but the little mouse cannot seem to figure out why.
Introduces readers to Ruth's day at a family reunion. Discusses the concept of family by showing Ruth with many family members, including her grandparents, her aunt, and her sisters. Additional features to aid comprehension include vivid photographs, Extended Learning activities, a phonetic glossary, and sources for further research.
When Joy is disrespectful to her mother, Leo the paintbrush teaches her about the importance of respecting your parents. Together, Joy and Leo learn about all the good things parents do for their children, as well as the value of speaking with kindness and helping out. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, a section on using respectful words, a S.T.E.A.M. activity, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research including web sites, an index, and an introduction to the author.
Glen and Mom get to work fixing a leaky sink. Find out more in this hi-lo decodable chapter book for early readers. This book uses sequenced phonics skills and sight words to help developing readers. Original illustrations guide readers through the story.
It's time for bed but Max just wants to keep drumming. What will Mom do? Find out in this hi-lo decodable chapter book for early readers. This book uses sequenced phonics skills and sight words to help developing readers. Original illustrations guide readers through the story.
Glen's bike is a mess. How will Dad help? Find out in this hi-lo decodable chapter book for early readers. This book uses sequenced phonics skills and sight words to help developing readers. Original illustrations guide readers through the story.
In this Little Blossom Stories book, Tulip the kitten goes missing, and her family searches high and low to find her. Uses decodable text, a repetition of sight words, and vowel sounds to increase readability. Focuses on the phonics skill of decoding open and closed syllables. Original illustrations help guide readers through the story.
In this Little Blossom Stories book, Mason and his sister Jolene run into some trouble with rabbits in their garden. Uses decodable text, a repetition of sight words, and vowel sounds to increase readability. Focuses on the phonics skill of decoding open and closed syllables. Original illustrations help guide readers through the story.
In this Little Blossom Stories book, Gram and Gramps search for the perfect gifts for their upcoming visit with their grandchildren. Uses decodable text, a repetition of sight words, and vowel sounds to increase readability. Focuses on the phonics skill of decoding consonant blends. Original illustrations help guide readers through the story.
In this Little Blossom Stories book, Bandit the dog escapes to chase a car and David needs to find him. Uses decodable text, a repetition of sight words, and vowel sounds to increase readability. Focuses on the phonics skill of decoding open and closed syllables. Original illustrations help guide readers through the story.
