Li is trying to pay off a car. It takes her many months of careful saving to make good progress. Right before her last payment is due, something happens that changes things. How can Li follow through on her commitment?
Tommy loves MMA. He and his friend Ben are the best at Stars MMA Fight School. They both compete to represent the fight school at a MMA competition in the city. As usual, Tommy chokes. Ben is the winner, even though Tommy is the better fighter. But Ben breaks his leg, and Tommy has to learn to tune out and focus to win.
Mai Pham cannot wait to return to Summit after the holiday break. She remembers how she used to dread it. School was a lonely place. But now Mai has two besties: Carson and Emma. Ever since Carson showed up, life has been different. Mai's new school ties don't please her dad. Friendships are a distraction. Can Mai prove him wrong?
Dan and Pete are excited to have a sleepover at Dan's house while their parents are away. Their excitement turns to fear when the dam breaks and a killer flood smashes through town. The boys decide to stay put until they realize that Dan's elderly neighbors may be in danger. When they reach the neighbors' house, they find one of them near death. His lifesaving medicine is under water, and his wife is too old to make her way to town to get more. Both boys brave the flood to go find help.
Students who fail to turn in their assignments on time will get a zero, Mr. Lee has decreed. Tyler and Malik had fun all weekend. Now they have to stay up all night to write their papers. Their classmate, Darcie, finished her paper days ago. And she agrees with Mr. Li's "no exception" policy. But now she can't find her paper...
The three pigs are just finishing up a hockey practice session when the Big Bad Wolf drops by and declares them Canadian bacon--and lunch. When north country bad boys Bear and Moose join the fray, the pigs invite the gang to settle their disputes The Canadian Way--with a rousing game of hockey. Will the big guys overtake the pigs with brute force? Or will the pigs skate circles around the lumbering baddies? One thing is certain, the trial is likely to end with a meal (poutine, please!). But will the piggies be on the menu?
Mr. Thatcher has been working to build the perfect house. And working. And working . . . and so, quite by accident, the house grows and grows in size. But it never seems quite like home. When a crowd of characters from his storybook neighborhood show up looking for a place to stay, Mr. Thatcher cries "It's not perfect yet! You don't want to stay here!" But soon he finds that what makes a house a perfect home has nothing to do with the craftsmanship and everything to do with the friends and family inside it.
Jack longs to be a pirate. He loves everything about the job, from the peacefulness of the ocean to the opportunity to make new friends to the excitement of exotic travel. Jack also loves to dance, from the graceful glide of the glissade to the energetic leap of the grand jeté; to the controlled kick of the grand battement. In fact, Jack often dances as he does his pirate apprentice chores. Unfortunately, Captain Squinty Eye's number one pirate-ship rule is PIRATES DON'T DANCE. Dancing is too silly and not fitting for a rough, tough pirate. What will it take for Jack to convince Captain Squinty Eye that dancing is not a bad thing, and may even help Jack be a better pirate? Or will Jack and his dreams get tossed overboard? An empowering and relatable story about staying true to yourself and following your dreams. Back matter includes explanations of dance movements, as well as definitions of pirate speak.
On a cold winter's night under a starry sky, a dozen snowmen swoop down into a woodland glen. With a swing and a glide, they waltz in pairs, moving gracefully along a frozen river to a one-two-three tempo. Wearing top hats and colorful mittens, the snowmen bump, spin, and laugh as they make their way to dance on a frozen pond in a clearing. But wait, who is tramping down the hill and into the very same space? A dozen penguins, with their gleaming eyes and red bowties, march into the clearing, interrupting the dance. It's a collision on ice. What a disaster! How can both groups share the same space? What will it take to sort out this kerfuffle to the satisfaction of both parties? Told in lyrical text with contrasting rhythms, this fun read-aloud offers a subtle lesson in cooperation for readers of all ages. Back matter includes song and sheet music, as well as a finger dance activity.
Luna longs for a pet but the apartment building where she and her family live has a very strict NO PETS! policy. Not even goldfish are allowed. While her friends try to help with alternate pet suggestions, none interest Luna. Almost ready to give up, Luna spies in the trash something small, something green, something someone has discarded--a wilted plant. Perfect! Luna names her new pet Stephanie, confident she can nurse the plant back to health. When others question Stephanie's suitability as a pet, Luna's devotion is unwavering. She knows Stephanie is perfect just as she is. But will Luna's love and care be enough to bring Stephanie to full health? And what are those strange bumps growing on her? Brought to life with warm, expressive artwork, this charming story of one young girl's belief, determination, and out-of-the-box thinking is perfect for anyone who has ever wished for a pet, only to be told no. Back matter includes tips on how to grow your own "Stephanie."
Miss Mary is beloved by her students. She makes learning enjoyable and easy, and her brightly colored knitwear brings a smile to everyone's face. Walking to school on the last day before the Christmas break, Miss Mary envisions all the fun students will have at recess. They'll make snow angels, build snowmen, and play other winter games. But recess isn't fun. No one wants to play. The snow is cold and the children don't have any mittens. Not to worry, thinks Miss Mary. She will knit mittens for her students as a Christmas surprise. But the store has run out of yarn, with no more deliveries before Christmas. Oh dear, where can Miss Mary find the yarn to knit mittens for her students? The clock is ticking on this holiday surprise. Brought to life in charming colorful artwork, this uplifting and gratifying story of generosity and love reminds readers of all ages that the best gifts come straight from the heart.
Sometimes a person with epilepsy might start to twitch or fall down. Uh-oh, it’s an emergency! Prepare young learners to empathetically understand and care for a friend with an epileptic seizure. Learn what’s happening, how to be a helper, and ways to keep your friend safe. A bright design and carefully crafted text takes fear out of emergencies to make them easier to understand.
A hungry wolf disguises himself as a sheep in order to steal and eat other members of the flock. He soon becomes the largest and fattest 'sheep,' which the shepherd then catches and cooks for his own dinner. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
The boastful hare thinks no creature can beat him in a race, but his overconfidence is tested in a race against a slow-moving tortoise. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
When a meek mouse is spared from becoming a hungry lion's next meal, she promises to return his great kindness. The little mouse later rescues a huge cat from a hunter's trap. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
Carrying her pail of milk upon her head, a milkmaid daydreams of what she will purchase once she sells the milk at market. But the milk is spilt before the maid can sell it, and thus readers learn the phrase 'don't count your chickens before they're hatched.' Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
Mr. Fox plays a trick on Ms. Stork--but he doesn't enjoy having the same trick played on him in return. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
A hungry heron spends all day looking for the perfect meal--bypassing all sorts of perfectly fine food in the process. The heron is so choosy that the sun soon sets, and he is forced to eat only a small snail. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
A vain crow has found some cheese to eat, but a hungry fox knows a secret: the crow cannot resist showing off! Flattering the crow into singing a song, the fox grabs the cheese when it falls from the crow's beak. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
A hungry fox tries repeatedly to reach some grapes hanging high on a vine. After numerous attempts, the fox gives up and stalks angrily away, saying that the grapes were most likely sour anyway. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
A bored shepherd entertains himself by falsely telling townspeople a wolf is stealing his sheep. When a wolf really does appear, the twice-tricked townspeople are convinced the shepherd is lying, and no one comes to his aid. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
Two mice cousins decide to visit each other's surroundings to learn more about their different worlds. But the city mouse soon feels that the country life is far too simple and boring for him, and the country mouse fears the city's many dangers. Additional features include pages defining fables and morals, an introduction to Aesop, a Think-About-It section, activities for further learning, and an introduction to both the author and illustrator.
A young bear learns about teamwork and patience during his school's field day events. Additional features to aid comprehension include a letter to educators and caregivers, an introduction to the authors and illustrator, a phonetic glossary, and an activity.
The old skateboard that a young bear built with his dad is worn out. Now that his birthday is near, the youngster wishes for a zippy new store-bought skateboard. But will that hurt Dad's feelings? Additional features to aid comprehension include a letter to educators and caregivers, an introduction to the authors and illustrator, a word list, and an activity.