Many people think that Charlotte Brontë loosely based Jane Eyre on her own life and experiences. See how Brontë tells her story through the eyes of Jane Eyre. Even though Jane was orphaned at an early age and forced to live with her evil aunt, Mrs. Reed, she still managed to be happy. Read along as Jane travels to Lowood School and eventually to Thornfield Hall where she meets Mr. Rochester, the only true love she ever knows.
Here's an offbeat story about a catboy who's best friend is a sunflower named Fred. When Fred and his buddy pass by a skeptical skateboarding cat-kid, he asks sneering questions about Fred and the duo's friendship. After a near miss with wilting heat and a fun, rain-soaked flower dance, the former skeptic decides that his new friends aren't so weird after all . . . at least no weirder than he is! This charming addition to the Balloon Toons series offers a canny portrait of how kids project personalities and feelings onto toys and other objects, and conveys the satisfaction felt when making an unexpected friend.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time, knowing what you know now? That is the story of a Connecticut Yankee who is magically transported back to King Arthur's time. But with the knowledge of modern technology. Will modern technology win out over the magic of Merline, the court magician?
Mr. Ball is delighted when he takes on a giant fire-breathing bird as his new pet. He is also completely oblivious to that fact that the bird has taken on Mr. Ball as her egg. Hilarity ensues, as throughout, Mr. Ball attempts to train his pet. Finally, Mr. Ball's faithful friends come to his rescue.
Mr. Ball loves to make to-do lists! But he NEVER finishes them. Will the easiest to-do list ever help him break his unfortunate history of didn't-do failures? Angry bees, a funky skunk, and a bathtub full of tomato sauce provide challenging obstacles as Mr. Ball tries to finally check EVERYTHING off his list!
With seconds to the finish line, Dalen and Gole lead the distant world of Budap's annual Junior-Jet Race. Suddenly they are overtaken. Left behind in a cloud of mysterious purple exhaust, they realize something doesn't add up. Looking for clues, the two friends uncover a tunnel that leads them to Earth. They arrive in Port Angus, once a lively west coast fishing community. The fishing industry is dying, and Dalen and Gole find themselves embroiled in a sinister plot to steal fish and send them to Budap. Pursued by government agents and angry aliens, Dalen and Gole are in a race against time to save both their own distant world and the fishing community of Port Angus.
Nadia is playing for her local soccer team, and they have made it all the way to the national tournament - against some very determined opposition. Unfortunately, Nadia's challenges don't just come from her opponents but from her teammates as well. After their coach is injured in a suspicious accident and the threats against the team mount, it is up to Nadia and her younger brother Devin to pull the team together and take a run at the championship.
Turns out, the dinosaurs weren't wiped out by a giant asteroid. No way! They saw that big rock coming and blasted off into space. There are 3 stories.
Follow the adventures of Buck, a loving family pet, who is stolen from his comfortable home to become a sled dog in the Yukon gold rush territory. As Buck faces freezing temperatures, starvation, and cruelty, he learns that he must be brutal to survive.
Elephant, Alligator, and Stork share poolside hijinks as they mix up their towels, tussle over ice cream, and compare diving styles. Best-selling author/illustrator Ethan Long brings his energetic and engaging style to this delightful story of poolside fun and summertime friendship.
An awesome series takes root! Animal Princess first appeared in The Totally Awesome Epic Quest of the Brave Boy Knight. Now she has her own trio of fulsomely funny adventures (with a cameo by Brave Boy Knight) set in a magical funkadelic kingdom ruled by Queen Mom and King Dad. Though they sometimes force her to wear awful, frilly dresses, Animal Princess prefers magical pajamas, quests, and battling three-headed wizards. Pink? Not her thing! It's radically awesome, big, funny fun!
Do dogs really dream? In Mike Herrod's hilarious Doggie Dreams, they do! And this pooch has dreams of grandeur: dining in a fancy restaurant, being a rock star, and becoming a brave knight.
In Ryan Sias's Zoe and Robot - Let's Pretend, a young girl tries to teach her robot how to pretend, but how do you use your imagination when you're a robot? Sias's vivid cartoons lend wit and warmth to a funny friendship.
A young boy and his best buddy Butterscotch search for hidden treasure, save the city from an angry monster, and patrol a kingdom. Amazing adventures ensue as brave boy knight saves the day!
A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in mythical Athens. The theme of the story is that love has no laws and is blind and unpredictable. William Shakespeare wrote many great comedies and tragedies. This story, an entertaining fantasy, takes the reader through a romantic farce on a midsummer's eve, during a time of great rejoicing amongst the elves and fairies who live in the woods. Puck, Oberon, Theseus, Hermia, Demetrius, Helena, Bottom, and Lysander are just a few of the characters in this timeless, world-famous comedy.
This is the sad fate of Philippe, twin brother of the King of France, until a daring plan to rescue him unfolds.
In a time before jet planes or fast boats, Phileas Fogg bets he can go around the world in eighty days- a then unheard of record time. Travel with him as he board boats, trains, and even an elephant! Will he beat the deadline and be rich? Or, will he be ruined?
When a brilliant scientist discovers an invisibility formula, he turns to a life of crime- stealing and terrorizing the public.
This story exemplifies camaraderie and the loyalty the musketeers had to their king, queen, and country. The main characters; Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the adventurous three musketeers, later joined by d'Artagnan, all unite in their dedication to the defense of France and the destruction of Lady de Winter, "Milady," the conniving spy of Cardinal Richelieu and wicked murderer of Constance Bonacieux, the loyal seamstress and friend of the French Queen.
The Scarlet Letter takes place in 17th century Puritan New England. Read along with this touching tale of Hester Prynne and her daughter Pearl as they struggle to survive as outcasts. Only one person, Arthuer Dimmesdale, the Reverend, knows Hester's true story, but he is kept away for fear of what the community will think of him. Find out how Hester turns hardship into the ability to help the very people who scorned her.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Victor Hugo's greatest accomplishments. This gothic tale about Dom Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, and his total infatuation and frustration for the beautiful La Esmeralda ends in disaster. The pathetic and disfigured Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell ringer, is forced to choose between his two loves- Dom Frollo and La Esmeralda.
Take a journey into the future of science and imagination, as seen through the eyes of Jules Verne. The adventures of Henry, Hans, and Professor Von Hardwigg take the reader from the surface of a planet they know to a world alien to them located deep inside the earth. Verne shows man's ability to survive even in the most adverse conditions and proves that survival is man's most basic instinct. He brings out the adventurer in all of us.
In this humorous satire, which makes fun of English politicians in the early 1700s, you'll travel to many strange make-believe worlds. Join Gulliver as he sails from the land of the tiny six-inch people called Lilliputians and the land of the giant people called Brobdingnagians, to the land of the Houyhnhnms- where wise and understanding horses tame herds of wild Yahoos, creatures that are strangely human!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place on the Mississippi during the late 1800s... when the riverboat and small towns along the river were adventurous, exciting, and romantic.
When Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist, tries to create life in his laboratory, the result is an ugly monster. Instantly feared by all who see him, the hated monster is driven into the countryside. Never given a chance at friendship or human companionship, the monster plots a terrible revenge!