A princess, bored with her princess duties and fancy clothes, longs for freedom and adventure. Actually, she would prefer to be a frog! But then she falls in love.
Super Crazy Cat Dance creator Aron Nels Steinke is back, and now he's gone to the dogs! All aboard for the Super Duper Dog Park, an awesome amusement park where dogs ride bikes, fly kites, and have an unforgettable day!
In this gentle riddle of a tale, a well-loved horse recounts its adventures and various riders throughout the long years of its curiously restricted yet imaginatively rich life.
A sweetly poetic tribute to the interconnectedness of creatures and the natural world as well as humans and our loving relationships with one another is delicately rendered by artist Monique Felix.
With a nose for adventure and an eye on history, Homer Henry Hudson travels the world for pieces to add to his exhibits at the Curio Museum. Author and illustrator Zack Rock crafts a tale brimming with curiosities, not the least of which is the true identity of the museum’s canine caretaker, who, as he reflects on the exotic collection at his paws, becomes inspired to venture out into the unknown once again.
The famously inspirational poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1895, which first appeared in a 1910 collection of short stories and poems, is here accompanied by illustrations.
It is the winter of 1944. In Nazi-occupied Europe, a Jewish couple realize their fate is sealed and make a heart-rending decision so that their infant daughter might live. Roberto Innocenti's searingly beautiful illustrations capture the fear, love, and sadness of a Holocaust survivor's story.
In her haste to flee the palace before the fairy godmother's magic loses its effect, Cinderella leaves behind a glass slipper. The illustrations set the story in 1920s London.
In this clever twist on the Night Before Christmas story, a gingerbread boy cookie is carefully crafted and placed on a plate. He was made special to serve as Santa's nighttime snack, a homemade thank-you for all the presents he will deliver. The cookie wonders if he is brave enough to face up to his holiday duty. But instead of spending the evening contemplating his fate, the gingerbread boy finds himself facing two rambunctious puppies experiencing their very first Christmas. Their mischief includes a tug-of-war with presents, leaving a big mess. And it's up to the gingerbread boy to save the day and Christmas!
From earliest times, the concept of "play" has been part of the human experience. And while some pastimes have gone in and out of favor over the years, some never change or lack for enthusiasts. Using poetry and prose, Judy Young relives many of the familiar games of childhood and invites young readers to join along as she plays Kick the Can, Monkey in the Middle, and Double Dutch jump rope. "The rope starts to turn and I jump with my feet As I sing out a song with the same rhythmic beat, Turn around, touch the ground, first jump slowly, then fast; How many more jumps do you think I will last?" Colorful artwork reinforces the underlying message of the importance of physical play in today's techno-driven world. In Lazy Days of Summer even "older" children will recall the welcome tang of lemonade after a rugged game of tag.
Devon visits the Metal Man at his fiery workshop every day, despite the scorching heat of the city where he lives. At the Metal Man's shop, sparks fly from his welding torch as he cuts and melts together old pieces of junk into works of art. Devon is fascinated by the Metal Man's creations. Then one day, the Metal Man lets Devon put his own imagination to work. Aaron Reynolds's urban voice and the gritty illustrations of Paul Hoppe bring an exciting beat and pulse to the story of a young boy discovering his own voice and vision in art with a kind mentor to lead the way.
T is for a Time Alphabet uses poetry and expository text to explore the concept of time, from explaining basic units of measurement to showcasing important scientific achievements. Topics include famous inventors (Albert Einstein and John Harrison) and important structures and landmarks (Kulkulkan Pyramid and Big Ben). Budding scientists will discover what world-famous stone structure is believed to be an early calendar, follow the voyages of explorer Ferdinand Magellan to better understand the International Date Line, and learn to tell time using the Zulu time system.
Crow has some food and clever Fox wants it! Can Fox make Crow drop the food?
Rapunzel is trapped in a high tower by a wicked troll. The three billy goats want to help her but the troll won't let them cross the bridge! A handsome prince rides by on his horse. Will he be able to help the trapped princess?
Boris is a musician, playing the songs he learned growing up in Russia. Stella is a baker, baking cakes and pastries like her father used to back in Italy. Boris and Stella live in the city and are best friends. They like movies, hats, and each other. At holiday time, Stella wants to give Boris the perfect present for Hanukkah. She wants him to know how special he is. Boris wants to give Stella the perfect present for Christmas: she means so much to him. But perfect presents cost money and their bank savings contain very little. To make their dreams of perfect presents come true, Boris and Stella each sacrifice something very special. In a nod to O. Henrys The Gift of the Magi comes this tender story celebrating traditions, friendships, and gifts from the heart.
This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance by Canadian children's writer Margriet Ruurs. The author was immediately impressed by the strong narrative quality of Mr. Badr's work, and, using many of Mr. Badr's already-created pieces, she set out to create a story about the Syrian refugee crisis. Stepping Stones tells the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once-peaceful village to escape the ravages of the civil war raging ever closer to their home. With only what they can carry on their backs, Rama and her mother, father, grandfather and brother, Sami, set out to walk to freedom in Europe. Nizar Ali Badr's stunning stone images illustrate the story. Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer this book as a dual-language (English and Arabic) edition.
When it comes to explaining physical, cultural and religious differences to children, it can be difficult to know where to begin. What Makes Us Unique? provides an accessible introduction to the concept of diversity, teaching children how to respect and celebrate people's differences and that ultimately, we are all much more alike than we are different. Additional questions at the back of the book allow for further discussion.
Separation and divorce are difficult on the entire family. Often young children blame themselves or are unsure of their place in the family if these events occur. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed the Just Enough series to empower parents/caregivers to start conversations with young ones about difficult or challenging subject matter.
What happens when one small boy picks up one small piece of litter? He doesn't know it, but his tiny act has big consequences. From the minuscule to the universal, What Matters sensitively explores nature's connections and traces the ripple effects of one child's good deed to show how we can all make a big difference.
The Christmas story and the origin of many holiday traditions are thoroughly detailed in the text of S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet. The first Christmas cards were printed and sold in the United States by a German immigrant in 1874. Long ago, eating pie was believed to bring good luck, and during the holidays they were baked in an oblong shape to look like a manger. The message of Christmas is a message to all the world and is beautifully conveyed and illustrated in S is for Star. Our tradition of gift-giving is based on the Wise Men's visit to Baby Jesus. Nearly every country has its own gift-giving traditions. In Great Britain, children eagerly await Father Christmas. In France, he is called Pere Nol. In Italy, Befana brings presents, and German and Austrian children wait for a visit from the Christkindl. Celebrate these and many other traditions of the holiday season with S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet.
What happens when Sleeping Beauty really does sleep for a hundred years? She finds the world a very different place when she finally wakes up!
A princess is horrified when a cranky, old king arrives at the palace intending to marry her. She must first pass the frozen peas test to prove she is a real princess. But does she want to?
A fabulous retelling of the Ugly Duckling in which a family of ducklings are all born a little bit strange, except for one called Beauty!
The Three Little Pigs are terrified when they find out who their new neighbor is! They have met his kind before. Will they all get eaten up by the Big Bad Wolf?
Hansel and Gretel went out to collect wood for their father, but they got lost in the forest. Then a wicked old lady trapped them in her cottage! The Ugly Duckling followed a trail of bread that the children left behind them. Would the Ugly Duckling be able to rescue Hansel and Gretel?