Now that his parents are separated, Ludo has two homes: one in the country with his mom, and the other in the city with his dad. The young boy doesn’t like leaving the countryside and his friends to go to his father’s apartment in the city, but he does find some entertainment in the flashing traffic lights on the street corner under his window. Ludo convinces himself (with the help of his father) that the lights are controlled by a tiny gentleman who sits inside the signal pole, flipping switches all day and night. Ludo starts sneaking out to leave food for the man, and he soon makes a new friend in the big city. A tender story, complemented by vibrant illustrations, that reminds us empathy and generosity are marvelous tools to overcome one’s troubles.
Grandpa told Mom, and Mom told me: The secret of a plant lives in every little seed. Seeds are truly amazing! Did you know that every seed, no matter how small (microscopic) or large (weighing up to 14 pounds), contains everything it needs to one day grow into a plant? Three generations of a gardening family work together to bring a backyard garden to full bloom. Young readers are taken through each important step, beginning with planting in the spring and ending with harvesting in the fall. And let's not forget the buzzy and buggy inhabitants, including bees, butterflies, and other insects (friends as well as pests). At the end of the harvest season, the family collects and stores the seeds for next year's garden. Rhyming text and lush artwork bring the wonders and joys of gardening to life. Back matter includes information about seeds.
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."
Mom got a new job. What will mom do at her new job? Let's find out! This A-level story uses decodable text along with repetition of sight words and vowel sounds to grow confidence in early readers. Original illustrations help guide readers through the story.
Dad and Cam are cooking, will they cook a yummy ham? Let's find out! This A-level story uses decodable text along with repetition of sight words and vowel sounds to grow confidence in early readers. Original illustrations help guide readers through the story.
Lola has a big smile on her face. Why? Because it's Tuesday--and on Tuesdays, Lola and her mommy go to the library. Join Lola in this cozy celebration of books and the people who love them.
The Sephardic Jewish custom of naming a child after their paternal or maternal grandparent is depicted in a warm and vibrant story about a young boy who has many cousins with his name, Jojo.
father brings home a stuffed rabbit with red and blue polka dots on its ears, Jeremy is thrilled. Jeremy and Pershey go everywhere together. Find out what happens when Pershey is lost when the family goes to the beach on vacation. A happy ending adds interest to this special tale about a boy and his rabbit, and encourages a lifelong love for reading.
There is nothing like an auntie's love. This sweet story celebrates the special bond between auntie and her little bunny at Christmas time. With a bedtime-friendly singsong rhythm and adorable holiday illustrations, this book is sure to charm children and aunties alike!
In Nasir's New Sister, beginning readers learn about the thoughts, emotions, and body sensations associated with new situations and relationships and how we can mindfully address them. Follow along as Nasir meets his newborn sister, faces feelings of jealousy, and learns to include his new sibling and help out. Vibrant illustrations and carefully leveled text will engage young readers in a supportive educational fiction reading experience about a new situation. A Let's Review! quiz helps readers reflect on the story, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Nasir's New Sister also features reading tips for teachers and parents and a table of contents.
A young bear and his family members make all sorts of birthday surprises for Mom while she's at work. Readers can search for the hidden ovals throughout the book's artwork. 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.
A young bear rides along with his mom as she does errands. Readers can search for the hidden triangles throughout the book's artwork. 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.
A bear and his siblings have fun with their imaginations while on their grandparents' boat. 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.
When the tsunami destroyed Makio's village, Makio lost his father . . . and his voice. The entire village is silenced by grief, and the young child's anger at the ocean grows. Then one day his neighbor, Mr. Hirota, begins a mysterious project—building a phone booth in his garden. At first Makio is puzzled; the phone isn't connected to anything. It just sits there, unable to ring. But as more and more villagers are drawn to the phone booth, its purpose becomes clear to Makio: the disconnected phone is connecting people to their lost loved ones. Makio calls to the sea to return what it has taken from him and ultimately finds his voice and solace in a phone that carries words on the wind. The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden is inspired by the true story of the wind phone in Otsuchi, Japan, which was created by artist Itaru Sasaki. He built the phone booth so he could speak to his cousin who had passed, saying, "My thoughts couldn't be relayed over a regular phone line, I wanted them to be carried on the wind." The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the town of Otsuchi, claiming 10 percent of the population. Residents of Otsuchi and pilgrims from other affected communities have been traveling to the wind phone since the tsunami.
Lou passe tous ses samedis avec Grand-Papa et Papi. Ils se rendent à la bibliothèque main dans la main, comme une guirlande de personnages en papier. Grand-Papa lit des livres sur la science et le design, Papi écoute des disques de rock and roll et Lou va de l’un à l’autre. Mais un jour, tout bascule. Papi fait une chute qui a des conséquences terribles: il sera confiné à un fauteuil roulant pour toujours, tout le temps. Incapable d’accepter son état, il se renferme et ne sort plus de sa chambre. En entendant Grand-Papa essayer d’égayer Papi, Lou a une idée. En utilisant des compétences qu’il a apprises de Grand-Papa et avec un peu d’aide des voisins, Lou élabore un plan pour Papi.
Getting a new pet can be an exciting and fun experience. But getting a dog comes with a lot of responsibility. To be sure you are ready for the big job ahead, learn about things you will need to do to make your dog happy in its new home.
When a new baby comes home to a family, it means huge changes in everyone’s life. A new baby brother or sister will need lots of attention from Mom and Dad. That’s where you come in, discover some of the things you can do to help out and learn more about what will happen at home.
When a parent gets a new job, often the family must move to a new city. Sometimes, people move across town to a new house. But in either case moving can be scary. Giving up your neighborhood friends, the bedroom you know, maybe moving to a new school. Saying goodbye is hard, but meeting new friends is exciting. Discover what you need to know about getting ready to move.
When Polly's father goes overseas to fight in World War I, her whole world changes. Though the war is in Europe, its effects are felt on American soil. There are food, fuel, and other supply shortages everywhere. Even something as simple and enjoyable as a family Sunday car ride isn't possible anymore. Everyone must do their part to help the war effort. Victory gardens are planted and scrap metal is collected. "It's the biggest event in our history. And it involves every single adult, every single boy, and every single girl," says Polly's teacher. As Polly struggles to make sense of the war, she wonders how she can contribute. When the government puts out a notice requesting peach pits to be used in gas mask filters, Polly knows how she can help.
Did you hear it too? Summer is calling. Summer has magic all its own. But Michigan summers? Those are something else. Told in sweet lyrical vignettes, Summer's Call captures that timeless Michigan summer feeling as it follows a family of four from sunrise to sunset. Summer in Michigan isn't just a season; it's a call that must be answered. Back matter includes an art activity that invites the reader to display their summer memories. Written and illustrated by local Michiganders.
Award-winning author Eve Bunting pens a tender tribute to maternal love. The love between mother and child is a deep, profound bond, and that is true whether the pair walks on two legs, flies through the air, or swims in the ocean. A mother knows how precious her child is. Through gentle, rhyming text, human and animal mothers tell their little ones why they love them, sharing what is beautiful and unique about their children. From wrinkly skin to sharp claws to prickly quills, mothers love their babies just as they are. Text provides a hint of the animal's physical characteristics, as sweet illustrations bring these mother and child relationships to life. Back matter includes photos and factoids about each featured animal.
Aiden helps his dad paint a chair. This B-level story uses decodable text to raise confidence in early readers. The book features long "a" sounds and uses a combination of sight words and long-vowel words in repetition to build recognition. Original illustrations help guide readers through the text. Includes author biography, phonetics, and teaching guides.
Sammy doesn't know where to turn in the confusion of a family move. Repetitive text will help readers build fluency.
When the whole family heads out for a day on the lake, who will make the biggest catch?
A young boy packs the most important items for a sleepover at Grandpa's house.
