Mia is a perfectionist. She has been working hard on her floor routine and has high hopes of winning a medal. But at the meet, Mia makes one mistake after another. With the help of her coach and SUPER STARZ teammates, Mia learns that not all days can be your best days.
Grace's father is always pushing her to be a better gymnast, and the stress is getting to her. When Grace finally reveals the problem to the other SUPER STARZ, they encourage her to talk with her father. With their help, Grace learns the importance of speaking up for herself.
Isabella has Olympic dreams. But when she falls behind in school, Coach Kim tells her that she must bring up her grades or give up being on the team. With the help and support of her SUPER STARZ teammates, Isabella learns the importance of balancing her responsibilities.
Dot is fearless. She is always the first to try something new. But when she falls and breaks her ankle, Dot is out for the rest of the season. With the support of her SUPER STARZ teammates, Dot finds a way to still contribute to the team while she heals.
In this charming tale of two princess sisters, Charlotte is a perfect princess and Olive is, well, just Olive. She tries to be more like her older sister, but despite Olive's best efforts, she always seems to fall short. Will Olive ever shine like Charlotte? Readers will root for loveable Olive on her journey toward self-acceptance.
Maggie McNitch is not like other witches! Her favorite color is sunny yellow, she drinks lavender tea, and her wand is made from a feather! This story uses fun rhymes to explain that being different is something to celebrate.
Monsters can be afraid of things too! This story uses limericks to tell about a monster that hides from sunlight and chows down on bad dreams. Bedtime isn't so scary with this friendly monster nearby!
Can you imagine a dragon that can't breathe fire? No creature can help the sad little dragon create a flame--not even a genie, ghost, or fairy. But a rainy day and a new friend might be just what he needs! This rhyming story shows that perseverance always wins.
Are there things you cannot do, but wish you could? A young penguin named Luna has the same problem. She wants to swim in the wide Antarctic waters, but she still has some growing to do. Follow Luna as she grows up on the ice and learns to never give up!
Are there things you cannot do, but wish you could? A baby kangaroo named Willow has the same problem. She wants to jump higher than any kangaroo in Australia, but she still has some growing to do. Follow Willow as she grows up in the grasslands and learns to love what she has at each stage of her journey!
Are there things you cannot do, but wish you could? A baby monkey named Nala has the same problem. She wants to climb to the top of the tallest trees, but she still has some growing to do. Follow Nala as she grows up in the jungle and learns to keep on trying!
Are there things you cannot do, but wish you could? A young lion named Rory has the same problem. He wants to roar like the largest lions, but he still has some growing to do. Follow Rory as he grows up in the African Savannah and learns to love what he has at each stage of his journey!
Are there things you cannot do, but wish you could? A young beaver named Tim has the same problem. He wants to build the best dam ever, but he still has some growing to do. Follow Tim as he grows up by the river and learns about patience!
Even though her family calls her Emma Bemma, Emma knows she is really just a dilEmma because she is just medium. That’s because she’s the middle kid between her two brothers, who everyone calls Big and Little. Big thinks he's the coolest kid on the planet now that he's 10. That means he doesn’t want to play with LEGOs, or play anything with Emma anymore. And everyone thinks Little is just adorable even when he picks his nose and eats it! Ugh! What’s a middle child to do? What if she could get out of being the middle by taking on a new role? What if she acted BIG? Or even bigger than that? Will things go as planned? Or will she have another huge dilemma?
Everyone's hair is different and good, and one girl shares all the things that delight her about her nappy curls. It stretches! It's springy! It twirls and loops and hoops! But that's nothing compared to all the amazing things she can do with it to express her every mood and style. It is truly unique. Just like her! Part of the Own Voices, Own Stories collection.
When mother pigeon arrives in Paris she knows it's the perfect place to call home--for a while. She makes her nest and lays her eggs and, when her babies hatch, nurtures them until they're strong enough to take flight. But as little Petite watches her brother and sister take off, she determines she is too scared and simply will not fly. With her family's encouragement she finally tries--and falls--and tries again. And learns an important lesson about fear, failure, and inner strength that will carry her throughout her high-flying life.
Eleven-year-old Charlie Dembinski lives by the rules he writes down in his notebook. He knows that animals behave in predictable ways and it's easy for him to understand them. What Charlie doesn’t understand is why people aren’t the same way. Faced with a swarm of bees attached to a car, a cat with an unusual lump, a large dog who eats jewelry, a little dog who’s lost his confidence, and a best friend who’s upset for reasons he doesn’t understand, Charlie is put to the test. Can his rules help solve these problems? The third book in the Charlie's Rules series from bestselling author Sigmund Brouwer, Hush, Puppy is sure to delight young animal lovers. The straightforward plot, black-and-white illustrations and unique animal stories make this the perfect chapter book for early readers.
Toby is having the best birthday party ever until an ill-timed and unintended toot draws unwelcome attention and teasing. Poor Toby--he is so embarrassed! And now everyone is calling him "Tootles." To get out from under his cloud of shame, Toby goes to visit his grandmother, hoping to get some sympathy and understanding. But as it turns out, Grandma is a bit of a gasbag herself with her own windy issues. She toots not once, not twice, but THREE times during Toby's visit. And she's not even embarrassed about it! But Toby is. He's embarrassed by her and for her. It's only when Toby is facing another digestive episode that he realizes maybe it's time to follow Grandma's lead and not let little things get in the way of enjoying life. After all, gas happens! A sweet and funny lesson on how to handle life's hiccups and other unexpected "eruptions."
Life in 1880 Tenmile, Colorado, isn't easy. But it's all that 12-year-old Sissy Carlson knows. She's lived here her whole life, watching her father, the local doctor, tend to the town's citizens. And while the mountain setting is gorgeous, Tenmile is a rough gold mining town. It often feels like there's just a thin line between life and death. Mining is a hard job; men are hurt or even killed. Sissy sees the same thin line between the haves and the have-nots as she assists her father in his practice, seeing firsthand the personal and not-always-private struggles of his patients. Now that she's older, Sissy is starting to think of the world beyond Tenmile and where she might fit in. What opportunities might she find if she could just get away? What kind of future does Tenmile offer, especially for a girl? A poignant coming-of-age middle grade novel by New York Times-bestselling author Sandra Dallas.
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.
