Kenyan orphans, Kitoo and Nigosi, spend their days studying, playing soccer, helping their elders with chores around the orphanage and reading from the limited selection of books in their library. When the librarian gives Kitoo a copy of Sports Around the World he becomes fascinated by an image of the Canadian national men's ice hockey team. Then one day the fates align and Kitoo finds a pair of beat up old roller blades, he teaches himself to skate and dreams of one day playing hockey like the men in his book. But you can’t play ice hockey in Kenya, can you?
In the spirit of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, this story introduces readers to the hidden magical—and mysterious—world of gnomes, elves, and trolls.
When Mr. Reynolds sells his farm, he discovers that Ethel the Emu doesn't want to move. Will anyone be able to change her mind, or with Ethel convey?
What was supposed to be a relaxing ocean crossing for Billy Stuart and his friends after their adventures on the island of Crete quickly transforms into a veritable odyssey. A violent storm throws them off their maritime course and leads to a downpour of events with potentially tragic consequences: mutiny, vicious monster attacks, siren songs and more. The dire situation doesn't get any better when they finally make it to shore. A thousand dangers make the Zintrepids' every waking moment seem like a nightmare. And is Billy Stuart still on the trail of his grandfather, the explorer Virgil Stuart who has traveled through time? Or are the Zintrepids forever lost in an unknown age and strange place? Brightly illustrated and enhanced with games and puzzles throughout, Billy Stuart and the Sea of One Thousand Dangers is the third title in the Billy Stuart Adventures series, following Billy Stuart and the Zintrepids and Billy Stuart in the Minotaur's Lair.
Reece's new dog, Ruckus, tears through life like a Tyrannosaurus rex. He bites everything that moves and drives Reece's mom nuts. The puppy was Dad's idea, to make things easier for Reece after his parents' separation, but Ruckus is not easy at all and Mom is getting fed up. When her diamond earrings go missing, it sends the family into a tailspin. What happens when a dog swallows something precious? Reece is about to find out. But they can't give up on this little Jack Russell terror, can they? He's family, after all. We first met Reece and his family in the Orca Echoes title Where's Burgess? by Laurie Elmquist.
In "Who's in Charge" Stella gets a lesson in responsibility when she volunteers to watch her best friends dog, Bella, for a few days. The only problem with this plan is that Stella didn't ask her mother for permission. With new baby Marco at home, Stella's mom already has her hands full. But Grandma agrees its good for Stella to have some responsibility as she's getting older. It looks as though Stella has things under control. It's only for a few days; what could go wrong? When Bella gets loose and runs away, Stella is heartbroken. Will Stella find Bella before Evie gets back? And where does she even start to look? Its just another day in the life of Stella Batts! In this early chapter book series, the ups and downs of Stella's life are charmingly chronicled.
In Needs a New Name, Stella decides to change her name after a boy from her class keeps calling her "Smella." How hard can it be to pick a new name? It's not as easy as it sounds.
When super snooper Joey brings his pot-bellied pig Pickles to stay, Hank never imagined that a pig with a cute name like Pickles could cause so much trouble. Book #2 in the series.
In this early reader with five short chapters, emerging readers meet Pig and Goose. Pig is happy. She loves to dance. She loves to eat. But she cannot fly. And she cannot swim. Goose can fly like a bird. Goose can glide across the water beautifully. But he cannot tell stories or host a party like Pig can. Pig and Goose are very different. But what they do have in common is that they like each other. And they love springtime. Simple text and charming illustrations guide beginning readers throughout the story and encourage independent reading.
Captain Space Cat and her trusty Robo-Dog face galactic trouble when Mars uses its Mega Magnet to try and steal Earth. Find out how they save the day . . . and Earth’s tuna!
Being a fairy isn’t as easy as you might think. We are not born with good fairy skills or fairy magic—we have to go to school to learn and practice them. I go to Rowan Tree School for Fairies (etc.)—it is the best school in Riverfalls Forest. It is where fairies, elves, pixies, sprites, goblins, and gnomes can learn about the magical powers of our forest plants, hone our skills in elf-shot, and win prizes for the tangliest, messiest fairy-locks. It is also where I have my best—and scariest—adventures!
There is a full moon and Frankie the cat is feeling rather strange. Then something quite incredible suddenly starts to happen!
There is something very strange about the Egyptian cat that Jed and Ruby spot in the museum, hidden among the Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Later on they come across a real cat, who follows them home. But this is no ordinary cat, as they are about to find out.
When three boys all run away from home to try and live like pirates, life is easy at first. Then they meet Bonnie-Ann who trains them like real pirates. But their real talent turns out to be more musical.
Melinda is struggling to find a birthday present for her Dad. What do you get a pirate who has everything?! Her brother Ricky starts to cause trouble and before you know it the two of them get themselves into terrible danger.
Melinda and her brother Ricky discover the whereabouts of some secret treasure! However, the sinister Captain Crook is after the treasure too and takes the children to Skeleton Island where they must find the treasure or await their doom!
Harry really wants to win his team's soccer game and earn the respect of his teammate Brad. However, things do not go as planned. Then, one day, Harry discovers the wall at the end of the playground and its strange magical powers. Soon every wish Harry makes comes true!
Betty Q is no ordinary girl. She is an ace detective whose special deductive powers can solve any mystery!
Caspar can't take his eyes off his new birthday present - a new scooter! He soon finds out it's not just any scooter but one with magical, time-traveling powers.
Angelica just can’t help herself! In this third book in the series, Angelica, aka Jelly, is confused for a junior reporter and decides to make the most of her mistaken identity to learn what it’s like to be a real journalist. Jelly and her bestie, Joon, are soon busy with problems at the new library, trouble in the lap lane at the local pool and a predicament in a rare-book room. With her keen observational abilities and a knack for creative solutions, Jelly soon has more than enough material for an article. But will she be able to keep up the ruse when a new friend starts nosing around?
Billy Stuart, the young raccoon leader of the Zintrepids Scout troop, aspires to be just like his grandfather, a globe-trotting adventurer who knows no fear. After accidentally traveling through time in pursuit of the elder Stuart, Billy and friends find themselves lost in a land inhabited by giants: giant plants, giant animals, GIANT MONSTERS! Billy and his companions set off to explore the island, looking for fresh water and food. But a hailstorm forces them to take shelter in a grotto, where they find the trail of Billy’s grandfather, Virgil Stuart. However, following Grandpa’s footsteps turns out to be much more perilous than they expected. And stranded in the heart of this mysterious island, the Zintrepids can’t shake the feeling that they are being watched. Brightly illustrated and enhanced with games and puzzles throughout, Billy Stuart in the Eye of the Cyclops is sure to amuse readers of all ages.
Twelve Terribly Active Princesses who were not Exactly Dancing is a “fractured fairy tale” that imagines what would happen in the twelve dancing princesses were actually sneaking into a fairy world in order to play baseball. In this fun and beautifully illustrated story, the 12 princesses take their baseball skills to the next level when an unassuming young field manager stumbles on to their secret.
Snow White, the Seven Dwarves, and the Adorable Bed and Breakfast is a “fractured fairy tale” that imagines what would happen if Snow White took her amazing cleaning and organizing skills and applied them to business. In this fun and beautifully-illustrated story, Snow White takes control of her own fate and improves the lives of everyone around her, without any help from a prince. This fairy tale retelling is a short chapter book suitable as a read aloud or for young, advanced readers. It's perfect for fans of Ursula LeGuin's Catwings or Ruth Stiles Gannett's My Father's Dragon.
Dad finds a homemade sign on the front door from Amy, a girl in the neighborhood, saying that her dog, Spot, is lost. Danny and Norman decide to become canine detectives and use their noses to search for Spot.
When Cricket McKay and her best friend, Shilo, discover that a cougar has been seen in the town of Waterton, they are thrilled that school closes for a few days as a precaution. The townspeople are worried though. They want the cougar caught and relocated, which could be disastrous for the cougar. Cricket's dad, the national park's warden, is receiving reports of the cougar causing all kinds of trouble around town, but it's the type of trouble it doesn't make sense for a cougar to get into. Then Cricket and Shilo find evidence that another animal may be to blame. With the help of a visiting researcher who is in Waterton studying cougar behavior, Cricket and Shilo must convince the townspeople, and Cricket's dad, that they're after the the wrong animal before it’s too late. This is the fourth title featuring Cricket and her friends, following Bats in Trouble, Ospreys in Danger and Salamander Rescue.
