Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she's so worried that she's about to break out in...a bad case of stripes!

Parents need to know that A Big Guy Took My Ball! is a clever look at how assumptions fuel misunderstandings and conflict. It's a funny story of a playground mixup that kids from preschool to elementary school can relate to. The publisher recommends it for ages 6 and up, but the humor and themes are good for kids as young as 4.

Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows that the kinds of birthday gifts he and Sergio receive are not the same. After all, when Ruben’s mom sends him to Sonny’s corner store for groceries, sometimes she doesn’t have enough money for everything on the list. So when Ruben sees a dollar bill fall out of someone’s purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. But when he gets home, he discovers it’s not one dollar or even five or ten—it’s a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for a new bike just like Sergio’s! But what about the crossed-off groceries? And what about the woman who lost her money?

Elephants are gray. Pigs are pink. Only the chameleon has no color of his own. He is purple like the heather, yellow like a lemon, even black and orange striped like a tiger! Then one day a chameleon has an idea to remain one color forever by staying on the greenest leaf he can find. But in the autumn, the leaf changes from green to yellow to red . . . and so does the chameleon. When another chameleon suggests they travel together, he learns that companionship is more important than having a color of his own. No matter where he goes with his new friend, they will always be alike. Colorful illustrations and spare prose make this story of friendship perfect for a board book edition to introduce simple color concepts to toddlers.

Frank wasn't satisfied doing ordinary frog things. He wanted to fly, but he was a frog and frogs can't fly. Follow along as Frank jumps and runs and leaps and dives until he finally finds his place in the pond. The companion book on cd will transport you and your child into Frank's world with sound effects and wonderful performances by children and adults.

Hermit Crab seeks the perfect home—and learns to appreciate change—in this Ready-to-Read edition of Eric Carle’s beloved story. In this classic story from Eric Carle, Hermit Crab grows out of one house after another as he searches for the perfect home. Children who must change schools, move to a new town, or even graduate to a new grade in school will relate to Hermit Crab’s situation and take heart as they see that growing up isn’t really so scary after all. Filled with whimsy and wisdom—and based on the true behaviors of the hermit crab—this modern classic features Eric Carle’s trademark vibrant collage illustrations and lively text that has been adapted into a Level 2 Ready-to-Read edition, making it ideal for newly independent readers.

Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl. But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends decide it’s time they returned the favor.

The perennially popular tale of Alexander’s worst day is a storybook that belongs on every child’s bookshelf. Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair. And it got worse... His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV! This handsome new edition of Judith Viorst's classic picture book is sure to charm readers of all ages.

Alexander is not going to leave his best friend Paul. Or Rachel, the best babysitter in the world. Or the Baldwins, who have a terrific dog named Swoozie. Or Mr. and Mrs. Oberdorfer, who always give great treats on Halloween. Who cares if his father has a new job a thousand miles away? Alexander is not -- Do you hear him? He Means it! -- going to move. Alexander's back, facing another of childhood's trials and tribulations with Judith Viorst's trademark humor and keen sense of what's important to kids.

Emma tries to teach her dog,Toby, to be good, but no matter what day of the week it is, he is always in trouble!

Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. So when she gets a chance to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be.

This is a story of an unlikely pair of friends, a whale and a mouse, who despite having nothing in common, love each other very much. Throughout the book, they show unwavering kindness towards one another, saving each other’s lives without expecting anything in return.

Arthur and Buster get lost when they take their first bus ride downtown to go swimming. But during the ride they are so busy talking, reading, and sleeping that they miss their stop. Then they spend all their money on a snack and need to put their heads together to find a way home. Arthur the Aardvark's trials and tribulations will strike a chord with youngsters who surely share his hopes and fears in the face of challenges such as siblings, illness, and school, among others.

He's been on the scene in your stores and selling in big numbers for almost twenty-five years: Arthur, the bestselling aardvark. Now his Emmy award-winning, number-one rated children's TV show, Arthur, has catapulted his book sales to new heights. Arthur has sold in the past, continues to sell in record numbers in the present, and Now Little, Brown offers a fantastic promotion to make sure Arthur and D.W. will be star performers this fall and always. The promotion features an eye-catching display, extensive print and television advertising, and lots of prizes for booksellers and customers, too. Arthur's been around for almost twenty-five years, and if he's going anywhere, it's up -- in sales and in the ratings! Stay tuned to Little, Brown for more adventures from loveable Arthur, his sister, D.W., and their pals, for now and always.

None of Arthur's friends wear glasses and his classmates tease him! But when he stops wearing them, he gets in all kinds of trouble. Maybe four eyes really are better than two.

Arthur is overjoyed when he brings home his new puppy, Pal. But when Arthur forgets to close Pal's gate, the puppy goes wild! It's a good thing Arthur has some training tricks up his sleeve!

Unhappy with his nose, Arthur visits the rhinologist to get a new one.

On the first day of school Arthur discovers he's got the toughest teacher in the third grade! The pressure is on to study hard for the all-school Spellathon. Can Arthur beat last year's champion speller? Or will he let Mr. Ratburn d-o-w-n?

The sun is setting and it's getting chilly. When Bear's friends discover that he is not at home in his lair, they march out into the cold to find their pal. Friends don't let friends stay lost! Wren, Owl, and Raven take to the skies while Badger, Mole, and Mouse search on the ground. Pretty soon Bear is found, and once he's back in his cave, he feels quite safe with his friends all around. Little ones are sure to love the Classic Board Book edition of this sweet, reassuring Bear story!

Autumn has come to the woods, and Bear doesn't feel well. He sniffles and sneezes. He cannot sleep. He aches all over. Worst of all, he's feeling too poorly to play with his friends. How Bear's good friends take care of him with herbal tea and lullabies until he begins to FEEL BETTER is the heart of this loving story that will be familiar to any little one who has ever had the sniffles.

Eager to play in the fall leaves, Bear heads out to find his friend, Mouse, but is startled by clatter in a tree. Determined to find out who is making all the noise, Bear goes on a short journey, picking up all of his friends on the way, until he discovers a quite bashful owl whom he declares their NEW FRIEND!

A life lesson that all parents want their children to learn: It’s OK to make a mistake. In fact, hooray for mistakes! A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal of discovery. A spill doesn’t ruin a drawing—not when it becomes the shape of a goofy animal. And an accidental tear in your paper? Don’t be upset about it when you can turn it into the roaring mouth of an alligator. Barney Saltzberg, the effervescent spirit behind Good Egg, offers a one-of-a-kind interactive book that shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. A singular work of imagination, creativity, and paper engineering, Beautiful Oops! is filled with pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and even an accordion “telescope”—each demonstrating the magical transformation from blunder to wonder. The smudge becomes the face of a bunny, a crumpled ball of paper turns into a lamb’s fleecy coat—celebrate the oops in life.

No one is safe from Big Bad Bunny. First he steals from Little Chick, Little Squirrel, and Little Goat. Then, it's off to the bank to get some money! But Big Bad Bunny is no match for Wise Old Bunny, who runs the bank. And when Big Bad Bunny finds himself in over his head (literally), he has a change of heart and turns into Very Good Bunny. Set against the backdrop of the Old West-brought to life with bright, bold illustrations-this hilarious tale of a bunny gone bad (and then good again) is great for reading aloud.

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do?

In this funny counting book, Billy Bully learns what it means to be a good friend. "When Billy Bully comes to play he always takes the fun away." As Billy Bully does one rotten thing after another, his friends dwindle to zero. With a little effort, Billy Bully realizes that a real friend doesn't think only of himself. Kids will love to count down--and most importantly--back up, as Billy Bully makes it up to his friends and gets the whole gang back together!

It was Boa’s birthday. 
It was going to be the best one ever. 
Or so he hoped.

He invited his friends round.
They would all bring him wonderful presents.
Or would they?

Stanley and his friends are exploring a mysterious cave. It's such fun! But then they see lots of strange shadows... Oh no! It must be a cave monster! With a bright, shimmery finish throughout, this action-packed adventure has a sparkly surprise ending!

When the class bully, Brenda Bailey, makes fun of Jessica’s skinny legs and her boyish lunch box, Jessica doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t want to be a tattletale, but she also wants the bullying to stop. Can Jessica find the courage to stand up for herself? From the team behind the first three books about Jessica and her worries, Bullies Never Win is immediately relatable, relevant, and a must-have for every school and library.

Buster hoped there would be juicy steaks or fancy cheeses or spicy sausages in the box. But inside was something Buster did not want. And that something was a cat named Betty.

Amazing photos accompany a fun search-and-find game by Walter Wick, the creator the NY TIMES BESTSELLING Can You See What I See? series and the photographer of the enormously successful I Spy series. A pirate ship and a chest of gold take readers on a journey through time that leads to the location of purloined treasures. Beginning with a zoom of a gold coin, photographs pull back to reveal the story of the coin's travels from the hull of a pirate ship in the 1700's to the shore of a beach town today.

This charming story presents a new way for young children to understand how to creatively embrace who they are, no matter what others think. Carla’s lunch box is filled with odd delights like the Olive, Pickle and Green Bean Sandwich, the Banana-Cottage-Cheese Delight, and the unforgettable Chopped Liver, Potato Chips, and Cucumber Combo. To Carla, they are delicious and creative lunches, but her teasing classmates are unconvinced and abandon her at the lunch table to eat her bizarre sandwiches alone. One day, however, tables turn when Buster—the worst tease of all—forgets his lunch on the day of the picnic and Carla thoughtfully offers him her extra sandwich. Her own spirited nature helps Carla teach her classmates that "unusual" can actually be good. Lively illustrations help showcase the book's messages of acceptance, tolerance, individuality, and creativity, and the funny plot and authentic dialogue are sure to make this tale a favorite among elementary school children. Carla's creative sandwich solutions provide young chefs-to-be with the inspiration to create sandwich masterpieces of their own.

Chester Raccoon's good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning - ever. Chester is upset that he won't get to play with his friend anymore. Mrs. Raccoon suggests that Chester and his friends create some memories of Skiddel, so that they will have good memories when they miss him. Chester, his brother Ronny, and their friends decide to gather at the pond, where they combine their memories and create a touching celebration of their friend's life. Many young children must face the loss of loved ones or the need to attend a funeral. This sweet story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how "making memories" can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one.

BONK! An award-winning father-daughter team make the sky fall an entirely new way. You may already know the tale of a not-quite-so-bright little chicken whose encounter with an acorn and gravity convinces him the sky is falling, but youÕve never seen the story told this way. A brilliant collaboration brings us a bold and colorful retelling of the classic tale, as crazy-eyed Chicken and all his panicked friends run away from the sky and right into an eye-catching gatefold surprise.

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round. Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again? This popular picture book has sold more than a million copies and was named a Notable Book for Children by the American Library Association. "Perfectly executed in words and illustration, Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes's talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences."—The Horn Book Supports the Common Core State Standards

Cici dreams of being a novelist. Her favorite subject: people, especially adults. She’s been watching them and taking notes. Everybody has one special secret, Cici figures, and if you want to write about people, you need to understand what’s hiding inside them. But now she’s discovered something truly strange: an old man who disappears into the forest every Sunday with huge pots of paint in all sorts of colors. What is he up to? Why does he look so sad when he comes back?

One stormy night, a lost and lonely owl walks into a farmyard looking for a place to sleep. After a restful night in the henhouse, Owl wakes to discover that the hens want him to leave. They're looking for a rooster, not an owl! How will Owl convince his new friends that he should stay? With action-packed illustrations, this hilarious picture book will be a story-time hit!

Tinka is a cool dog, a school dog, a breaking all the rules dog. A hall dog, a ball dog, a crash-into-the-wall dog. Join Tinka, a dandy, sandy Golden Retriever, as she unexpectedly visits her owner at school and helps his class learn to read. Bright illustrations rendered in acrylic paint add to the excitement in this playful back-to-school story about a boy and his "loves-to-hear-a-book" dog.

Don Freeman's classic character, Corduroy, is even more popular today then he was when he first came on the scene in 1968. This story of a small teddy bear waiting on a department store shelf for a child’s friendship has appealed to young readers generation after generation.

"When David gets in trouble, he always says . . . 'NO! It's not my fault! I didn't mean to! It was an accident!'" Whatever the situation, David's got a good excuse. And no matter what he's done "wrong," it's never really his fault. Soon, though, David realizes that making excuses makes him feel bad, and saying he's sorry makes him feel better. Once again, David Shannon entertains us with young David's mischievous antics and a lighthearted story that's sure to leave kids (and parents) laughing.

David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each school day with trouble-and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader.

Dinosaurs Divorce Will Help you Understand: * Divorce Words and What They Mean * Why Parents Divorce * What About You? * After the Divorce * Living with One Parent * Visiting Your Parent * Having Two Homes * Celebrating Holidays and Special Occasions * Telling Your Friends * Meeting Parents' New Friends * Living with Stepparents * Having Stepsisters and Stepbrothers.

A little mouse meets a seal, a giraffe, a hippopotamus, a fox with red, red fur, and a surprise as he bravely looks to find a friend in this miniature version of Eric Carle's classic tale specially designed for the very young. Using his brilliant collage technique, Mr. Carle creates a world both childlike and touching in its poignant simplicity.

When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you've never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate. In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum.

In this highly entertaining story for young children, kids will learn when "squealing" on your fellow classmate is appropriate and when it is merely tattling! Set in a school classroom, the "kids" in the class constantly tattle on each other, creating an air of frustration and distrust. As the story unfolds, the teacher, rather than strictly policing the situation, addresses underlying feelings and encourages mutual problem solving. This story helps teach children when to "squeal" on important issues and when to work it out alone.

Caldecott Honor winner David Shannon applies his wonderful off-beat humor to the story of a duck who decides to try riding a bike--and loves it! Another young, funny book perfect for reading aloud. One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. "I bet I could ride a bike," he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on and began to ride. At first he rode slowly and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun! Duck rode past Cow and waved to her. "Hello, Cow!" said Duck. "Moo," said Cow. But what she thought was, "A duck on a bike? That's the silliest thing I've ever seen!" And so Duck rides past sheep, horse, and all the other barnyard animals. Suddenly, a group of kids ride by on their bikes and run into the farmhouse, leaving the bikes outside. Now ALL the animals can ride bikes, just like Duck!

Is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it . With more than 100,000 copies sold, this classic picture book is now available in a sturdy board book that little ones will love holding in their own two hands. Smart, simple and funny, it offers a hilarious choice—and one readers of all ages will rejoice in making.

Kids today need manners more than ever, and Dude, That’s Rude! makes it fun and easy to get some. Full-color cartoons and kid-friendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations—at home, at school, in the bathroom, on the phone, at the mall, and more. Kids learn Power Words to use and P.U. Words to avoid, why their family deserves their best manners, and the essentials of e-tiquette (politeness online). It seems like light reading, but it’s serious stuff: Manners are major social skills, and this book gives kids a great start.

Each kindness makes the world a little better

This unforgettable book is written and illustrated by the award-winning team that created The Other Sideand the Caldecott Honor winner Coming On Home Soon. With its powerful anti-bullying message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they've put it down.

Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she'd shown a little kindness toward Maya.

The spirited and scholarly #1 New York Times bestseller combines boisterous history with grammar how-to’s to show how important punctuation is in our world—period.

In Eats, Shoots & Leaves, former editor Lynne Truss, gravely concerned about our current grammatical state, boldly defends proper punctuation. She proclaims, in her delightfully urbane, witty, and very English way, that it is time to look at our commas and semicolons and see them as the wonderful and necessary things they are. Using examples from literature, history, neighborhood signage, and her own imagination, Truss shows how meaning is shaped by commas and apostrophes, and the hilarious consequences of punctuation gone awry.

Featuring a foreword by Frank McCourt, and interspersed with a lively history of punctuation from the invention of the question mark in the time of Charlemagne to George Orwell shunning the semicolon,Eats, Shoots & Leaves makes a powerful case for the preservation of proper punctuation.

In this humorous outing, Gerald the elephant and Piggie debate whether or not “elephants can dance.” Gerald, who is convinced that he cannot (he tells Piggie to look it up in the “What Elephants Can Do” book) decides to give it a go nonetheless. Results are mixed, with Gerald basically doing the opposite of each instruction. Willems’s characteristically sparse cartoon images and the use of speech balloons portray the comical dilemma with clarity, making it an ideal pick for early readers. Ages 4–8.

With the help of his imaginary friend, Weasel, Ellison finds his very own voice - a jazzy sound that charms all the other animals!

It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy! In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipes for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.

This award-winning prequel to Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is the perfect gift for anyone with little ones they love. When children have their buckets filled and learn how they can fill other people's buckets too, they understand how special, valuable, and capable they are.

The story of the Titanic right up to its rediscovery is told for more advanced, independent young readers by the man who discovered the great sunken ship.

Burning toast, a sizzling sidewalk, volcanoes erupting at a science fair.... Danger lurks everywhere, and not a firefighter to be found.... Ted knows it is time to become Firefighter Ted. It's the least a helpful bear can do.

Illustrations in full color. A modern fable of a minnow who wants to follow his tadpole friend--who becomes a frog--onto land.

Fred Stays with Me! is an award-winning story that follows a young girl who turns to the one constant in her life, her dog Fred, in the face of her parents' divorce. In this poignant but not overly sentimental story, Coffelt's accessible and kid-friendly language alongside Tusa's charming artwork create a light, cheerful, and reassuring mood that will comfort any child who has two homes.

Charlie Rooster, Johnny Mouse, and Percy the pig are the best of friends. They do everything together. They ride their bike together, play games together, and even do their chores together. Because that's what good friends do. When night falls, though, and it's time to go to bed, they learn that sometimes friends have to be apart. But that's okay, because true friends always find each other, even if it's just in their dreams.

Froggy's mother knows that everyone's nervous on the first day of school. "Not me!" says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop -- flop flop flop. Froggy's exuberant antics, complete with sound effects, will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun."This is a great read-aloud with sounds and words that encourage active participation....A charming story to calm those pre-school jitters." -- School Library JournalJonathan London is the author of many books for children, including I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me, Like Butter on Pancakes and four other books about Froggy.

Written for children who may not survive their illness or for the children who know them, this tale helps address feelings of disbelief, anger, and sadness, along with love and compassion. Amanda and Little Tree discover that their friend Gentle Willow isn't feeling very well.

Giraffes Can't Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it's harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend. With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.

Glad, sad, silly, mad - monsters have all kinds of different feelings! In this innovative die-cut book, featuring a snazzy foil cover, you'll try on funny masks as you walk through the wide range of moods all little monsters (and kids!) experience. Here's a fun, interactive way to explore the many different ways we feel!

A go-cart contest inspires imagination to take flight in this picture book for creators of all ages, with art from New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.

It’s time for this year’s Going Places contest! Finally. Time to build a go-cart, race it—and win. Each kid grabs an identical kit, and scrambles to build.

Everyone but Maya. She sure doesn’t seem to be in a hurry...and that sure doesn’t look like anybody else’s go-cart!

But who said it had to be a go-cart? And who said there’s only one way to cross the finish line?

Kids learn what bullying is, why it hurts, and what they can do to end it with this fresh, compelling book. With its contemporary collage art, lively layout, and straightforward text, Good-Bye Bully Machine engages kids and keeps them turning pages. The unique format of Good-Bye Bully Machine helps kids understand the definition and impact of bullying by comparing it to a mean machine—the Bully Machine. Kids can see how bullying makes the machine grow more imposing, while kind behaviors dismantle it. Through the machine, kids gain awareness of their role in bullying, whether they are targets, bullies, bystanders—or all three. The role of the bystander is especially important. Good-Bye Bully Machine helps kids see the power of the bystander to become an ally, which means learning to show empathy, engage in kind acts, and take a stand against bullying. It's a perfect way to engage reluctant readers and hard-to-reach kids.

Poor Cat! The other kitties never ask him to play. He just seems so… grumpy. Then, one night, in a terrible rainstorm, everything changes: Cat hears a plaintive “meow” and finds a drenched little kitten taking shelter between his paws. And no matter what Grumpy Cat does, she's determined to stick by him. Endearing art, expressive characters, and gentle storytelling from Britta Teckentrup (Big Smelly Bear) send children the comforting message that there's a special friend for everyone.

Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.

For more information on bucket filling and free downloadables and resources, visit bucketfillers101.com

A boy is about to step on an ant when the ant asks him to show mercy and let him live. A conversation between the boy and the ant in which they each share their perspective ensues. At the end, the narrator leaves the reader with a question rather than an ending, what would you do?

Rich in imagery and detail, this exquisitely rendered picture book introduces readers to one of America's favorite classic poems, "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Illustrated by Susan Jeffers, the Caldecott-Honor winning author of Three Jovial Huntsmen, A Mother Goose Rhyme, this book beautifully weaves together oral traditions of American Indian culture and presents a charming and hypnotic account of Hiawatha’s boyhood.

Mo Willems' work NEVER disappoints. Meet two entirely new characters, Amanda and her Alligator, best friends who love to surprise each other. Alligator and Amanda have a lovely friendship. The story follows a typical day in the life of these two friends. Alligator puts on his thinking cap to think of new surprises for Amanda and Amanda rushes home to surprise Alligator with new books. But Alligator does a lot of waiting for Amanda while she is out, and he isn't very good at waiting. One day Amanda returns from the zoo with a present from her Grandpa, a stuffed panda! He was way too cute and fluffy and Alligator was not happy with this surprise. But then something surprising happened. The two stuffed friends realized that neither was very good at waiting alone, but together they could have loads of fun. This story is deceptively simple, providing young children with a really nice model of friendship. My favorite scene is when Alligator realizes he has a price tag on his tail and is thrilled to find out how much he is worth. Imagine his disappointment when he finds out he was in the sale bin and only worth 7 cents; nobody wanted him. Amanda saves the day by explaining to Alligator, "No one wanted to buy you because they knew you were meant to be my best friend." Willems books are always so original and full of great energy, and he certainly has done it again with Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator! Even the format of this picture book is unique. It is split into 6 1/2 short stories, helping get little ones ready for chapters. Every age will find something of value in this lovely story. As always, Willems' drawings are particularly appealing. What Willems can do with one line on the eyebrow is nothing short of amazing. Just adding the one line to the eyes, makes his little character show so much emotion. Brilliant!

It's the hottest, stickiest day of the summer. A fat-sun-in-the-sky day. An eating-ice-pops-on-the-porch day. And for Kishi and Renée, it's a best-friends-breakup day. Each girl sits on her own front porch, waiting for the other to apologize, even though they know they'll never speak to each other again, no matter how bored they get. But then the sounds of feet slapping the pavement and voices chanting double-dutch rhymes drift up the avenue, and neither one can resist going out in the street to play. This lyrical friendship story, the first collaboration of two outstanding artists, pairs a rhythmic text with distinctive collage illustrations. Its subtle message about sharing and forgiveness will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the ups and downs of being, and having, a best friend.

Let Scholastic Bookshelf be your guide through the whole range of your child's experiences-laugh with them, learn with them, read with them! Eight classic, best-selling titles are available now! Category: Feelings "Amused? Confused? Frustrated? Surprised? Try these feelings on for size." This is a book that asks all the right questions. And leaves you feeling great no matter what the answers are! "Who'd have dreamed that produce could be so expressive, so charming, so lively and so funny?...Freymann and...Elffers have created sweet and feisty little beings with feelings, passions, fears and an emotional range that is, well, organic."-The New York Times Book Review

An illustrated adaptation of the long-running bestseller How Full Is Your Bucket? (more than 400,000 copies sold) for kids — told through the story of a boy who learns a valuable “bucket filling” metaphor and watches it come to life as the day unfolds.

Every moment matters.

Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it’s empty, we feel awful. Yet most children (and many adults) don’t realize the importance of having a full bucket throughout the day.

18 children from age 7 - 17, speak openly of their experiences and feelings. As they speak we see them in photos with their surviving parent and with other family members, in the midst of their everyday lives.

In this immensely moving book, nineteen boys and girls, from seven to sixteen years old and from highly diverse backgrounds, share with us their deepest feelings about their parents' divorce. By listening to them, all children of divorced parents can find constructive ways to help themselves through this difficult time. And they will learn that their own shock and anger, confusion and pain, have been experienced by others and are normal and appropriate. These boys and girls speak with extraordinary honesty and tolerance, and with a remarkable absence of rationalization, illusion, or attempt to justify their own often-trying behavior in response to their situations. Their stories are immediate and convincing, and their generosity in confiding their feelings should provide comfort to children and parents alike.

Find out: * who can be your friend * how to show someone you would like to be friends * how to handle bosses and bullies * the best ways to be a friend and ways not to be a friend * ways to settle an argument with a friend.

Children age 4 and up, parents and teachers love Howard B. Wigglebottom. In this story, Howard gets into a lot of trouble for not listening. When he becomes a better listener, his life improves dramatically. Tips and lessons and a poster are included. The first book in the award winning series. Teacher and counselor endorsed.

When Betsy learns about the death of a friend, her parents and kindergarten teacher answer questions about dying, funerals, and the burial process.

High on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves—inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here's a little girl who knows what really matters. 

Eventually, every little boy and girl learns about death, and it is normal for children to be troubled by thoughts about death. Here is the story of a little boy and his dog, Jake. The child recalls how he and his dog first became friends when Jake was still a puppy. But as time passed, Jake grew from a puppy to a dog—and still later, the dog grew old and tired. Now, the little boy remembers how sad he felt on the day Jake died, then later, how he learned to cope with his loss and recall the good times that he and Jake had together. Titles in the sensitively written Let's Talk About It! series are available in both English and Spanish language editions. They speak to the concerns and anxieties of preschool-age and early-grades children, encouraging kids to explore their feelings and then to speak openly about things that trouble them. Speaking openly and sharing troubling feelings with parents or with some other trusted adult is an important first step in a child's ability to overcome problems and achieve emotional growth. All books in this series have appealing color illustrations on every page.

All new, easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with fun photographs culled from previously published I Spy books to create an I Spy easy reader. With rhythm, rhyme, and picture clues, this book is written to support the newest reader.

Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won't have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn't want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home. Alex's reassurances: It takes fifteen years for an iguana to get that big. I'll be married by then and probably living in my own house. and his mom's replies: How are you going to get a girl to marry you when you own a giant reptile? will have kids in hysterics as the negotiations go back and forth through notes. And the lively, imaginative illustrations show their polar opposite dreams of life with an iguana.

Mercer Mayer's very popular Little Critter stars in a picture book about feeling angry. With minimal text and funny illustrations to spell out every new situation, the book shows the Critter family saying no to everything Little Critter wants to do. He can't keep frogs in the tub. He can't help paint the house. Finally, mad at the world, Little Critter announces he will run away. When pals come by and ask him to come and play baseball, our young hero's mood quickly changes. He grabs his bat and heads off for the game, telling himself he can run away another day if he is still so mad.

Children are shown that although being honest can be hard sometimes, it is worth it. Everyone likes people who speak the truth and keep their word. Kids learn that when we all practice being honest, the world becomes a fairer and happier place to live in. Titles in the popular "A First Look At" series for pre-school and early-grades kids explore emotional issues, encouraging children to discuss things that bother them with trusted adults. The series also helps them begin to develop basic social skills. Written by a psychotherapist and child counselor, these books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. They are written in easy-to-comprehend language, and have child-friendly illustrations on every page.

Is it wrong to sneak into the movies if your big brother says it's okay? If "everybody" is cheating on the math test, shouldn't you, too? What if telling the truth gets your best friend in trouble? It's never too early for us to begin talking to our children about values and helping them define and clarify their code of moral conduct. This is a great way for them to build self-confidence in their ability to work through everyday problems! The 25 situations presented here and the thought-provoking questions at the end of each scenario have been developed to help you talk to your child about social and moral issues in a natural and non-threatening way. What an entertaining way to learn vital life skills!

Children will stomp their paws, twitch their tails, snort and growl, and wiggle and wriggle along with this bright and bold picture book twist on "If You're Happy and You Know It." Rebecca Emberley has written a rollicking text, which she has illustrated in collaboration with her father, Caldecott Medalist Ed Emberley.

If you're mad and you know it . . . bang a drum, stomp your feet, take deep breaths. Cecily Kaiser takes a favorite tune and turns it into a lesson on all the different and acceptable ways of blowing off steam. Your child will have fun acting out her suggestions, while learning that it's okay to be angry. A Level 2 Scholastic Reader.

A hilarious, irreverent book about doing your own thing Meet Iggy Peck—creative, independent, and not afraid to express himself! In the spirit of David Shannon’s No, David and Rosemary Wells’s Noisy Nora, Iggy Peck will delight readers looking for irreverent, inspired fun. Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his second-grade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up! With Andrea Beaty’s irresistible rhyming text and David Roberts’s puckish illustrations, this book will charm creative kids everywhere, and amuse their sometimes bewildered parents.

Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Three selfish frogs live together on an island in the middle of Rainbow Pond. All day long they bicker: It’s mine! It’s mine! It’s mine! But a bad storm and a big brown toad help them realize that sharing is much more fun. With characteristic clarity, simplicity and exuberance, Leo Lionni makes it possible for kids to see themselves through the antics of others who share our world.

Putting up with a new baby brother is not fair! Mom and Dad do everything for him, while older sister has to manage by herself! But could it be that sometimes being older isn't so bad? A big sister begins to see the ups as well as the downs of being a new sibling.

It's Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence in an accessible, child-friendly format featuring Todd Parr's trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes. Targeted to young children first beginning to read, this book will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and self-confidence. Along with the four other bestselling Todd Parr picture books debuting in paperback this season, It's Okay to be Different is designed to encourage early literacy, enhance emotional development, celebrate multiculturalism, and promote character growth.

Classic, simple stories for adults and young children to share together. Bestselling titles from Kate Toms are now available in a great paperback format. The sturdy, paper pages are easy for little hands to turn and large enough to read out in a group. Lively hand-stitched illustrations, together with gentle humor and charming rhymes will engage and amuse little ones and adults alike.

"They say I'm wired bad, or wired sad, but there's no doubt about it -- I'm wired." Joey Pigza's got heart, he's got a mom who loves him, and he's got "dud meds," which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Sometimes Joey makes bad choices. He learns the hard way that he shouldn't stick his finger in the pencil sharpener, or swallow his house key, or run with scissors. Joey ends up bouncing around a lot - and eventually he bounces himself all the way downtown, into the district special-ed program, which could be the end of the line. As Joey knows, if he keeps making bad choices, he could just fall between the cracks for good. But he is determined not to let that happen. In this antic yet poignant new novel, Jack Gantos has perfect pitch in capturing the humor, the off-the-wall intensity, and the serious challenges that life presents to a kid dealing with hyper-activity and related disorders.

The riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester's Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting -- if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly admiring Julius as the baby of the world.Lilly knows her baby brother is nothing but dreadful -- until she claims him for her own. "Henkes displays a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child's fragile self-esteem....Lilly is a superb and timely heroine." -- Publishers Weekly. "

When young Trisha finds out her class at the new school is known as "The Junkyard," she is devastated. She moved from her old town so she wouldn't be in a special class anymore! But then she meets her teacher, the quirky and invincible Mrs. Peterson, and her classmates, an oddly brilliant group of students each with his or her own unique talent. And it is here in The Junkyard that Trisha learns the true meaning of genius, and that this group of misfits are, in fact, wonders, all of them.

What is the value of sharing, taking action, and seeing another person's point of view? Meet two families who feel it's their responsibility to give back to others. Through delightful and whimsical illustrations, Just Because shows us how easy it is to give back to our community and to see things from a different perspective.

The very popular Little Critter has a friend over to play and tries his best to be a good host. It's a long afternoon. After his friend damages Little Critter's bike by accident, leaves him in the tree house without a ladder, and doesn't help clean up his room, Little Critter decides that playing alone isn't always bad. Mercer Mayer's dry and gentle humor provides another funny-but-true picture-book treat.

Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes somebunny was left behind Using a combination of muted black-and-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.

Leo wins our hearts and gains self-confidence in his struggle to make his very own light.

The true story of a baby snow leopard's amazing rescue. When Leo was less than seven weeks old, he became orphaned in the snowy Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. Snow leopards need their mothers during the first two years of their lives, but Leo was all alone. Luckily, the cub was rescued by a kind shepherd and his family, who hand-fed Leo and kept him safe. But Leo quickly grew too large and was given to Pakistani authorities, who also found themselves without the resources to help him. When the Wildlife Conservation Society learned of Leo's plight, they knew they had to do something. There was a special place that could save Leo.

Leonardo is truly a terrible monster-terrible at being a monster that is. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to frighten anyone. Determined to succeed, Leonardo sets himself to training and research. Finally, he finds a nervous little boy, and scares the tuna salad out of him! But scaring people isn't quite as satisfying as he thought it would be. Leonardo realizes that he might be a terrible, awful monster-but he could be a really good friend.

Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can't wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly's fury leads to revenge and then to remorse and she sets out to make amends.

Knowing how to listen is essential to learning, growing, and getting along with others. Simple words and inviting illustrations help children develop skills for listening, understand why it’s important to listen, and recognize the positive results of listening. Includes a note to teachers and parents, additional information for adults, and activities.

Does any child like to go shopping? Not Llama Llama! But Mama can?t leave Llama at home, so off they go to Shop-O-Rama. Lots of aisles. Long lines. Mama is too busy to notice that Llama Llama is getting m-a-d! And before he knows it, he?s having a full-out tantrum! Mama quickly calms him down, but she also realizes that they need to make shopping more fun for both of them. Parents and children are sure to recognize themselves in this fun-to-read follow-up to the popular Llama Llama Red Pajama.

It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back? Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!

A bedtime story. A good-night kiss. And Mama Llama turns off the light. But is everything all right? No! At least, Baby Llama doesn't think so...and soon his whimpers turn to hollers. It's an all-out llama drama! Until Mama returns to set things right. Warm, fuzzy, and very funny, Llama Llama Red Pajama is sure to bring smiles of recognition to children and parents alike!

She can save the world - but she can't roast a marshmallow! An hilarious story about a heroic young Scout who is plagued by her desire for perfection. Loretta is perfect. From knowing the scout manual by heart, to pressing 375 pounds -- to saving the world every Tuesday -- there is nothing Loretta doesn't excel in. She has earned every known merit badge in the universe - except for one -- The Golden Marshmallow Badge. She can't roast a marshmallow to save her life. Overcome by her failure to achieve, Loretta is reminded by her grandmother that even the most perfect people are flawed. With this new-found knowledge, Loretta gains the courage to accept her imperfect self -- and go on saving the world.

Mad About Spiders, Bugs, and Insects is part of a fantastic new series of books designed to satisfy inquisitive minds and fuel children's curiosity about the world. With fast facts and stunning photography, this book is sure to entertain and fascinate young readers. Inside the book, children will also find a fun sticker activity spread, with two sheets of bright stickers.

Why do you have to wait in line? What should you say when the waiter brings your food? Find out how you can use good manners in public.

Why do you have to take turns on the swings? Find out how good manners make the playground safe and fun for everyone.

What should you say when you answer the phone? Find out how good manners make the telephone a useful tool for everyone.

Being first isn't always best, as Pinkerton Pig finds out after an encounter with a mean Sand Witch. As always, Helen Lester's wonderfully offbeat humor and Lynn Munsinger's whimsical illustrations result in a hilarious lesson about piggishness. The picture book duo of Lester and Munsinger has created six previous books, including the award-winning TACKY THE PENGUIN.

Mia is little and feeling utterly powerless. She has promised to keep a secret, but now this secret feels wrong. And now that she has played the secret game, she is frightened — frightened that “he” will be angry if she tells, frightened that no one will understand. Only her stuffed bear, Tikki, has seen everything and knows how much this secret hurts.

How could someone like Phoebe’s brother die? Mick Harte was one of the coolest kids you’d ever want to meet. Mick was also the kid who would still be alive now—if he’d only worn his bicycle helmet. . . .

Stop! Drop! Roll! Learning the rules of fire safety is a lot more fun (and less scary) when demonstrated by a charming and diverse group of animals. Alligator, Panda, Octopus, and the others work hard to master the rules of fire safety and perform the perfect fire drill, but thinking about fire is a bit nerve-wracking, and each of them reacts differently — often with hilarious results. Sprinkled with fascinating facts about animal behavior, this second story about the characters in Miss Mingo’s one-of-a-kind class is sure to appeal to readers of all stripes.

Murphy, a Tibetan Terrier puppy, is told he is a 'good luck dog' - he is cheerful, happy, and loves to play and wag his tail. However, after going through two different homes and an animal shelter, Murphy starts to feel like a 'bad luck dog' who nobody wants. "Murphy's Three Homes" follows this adorable pup through his placement in three new homes, as well as through his anxiety, self-doubt, and hope for a new, loving family. Finally, Murphy is placed in a caring foster home where he feels comfortable and valued. He learns that he is not a bad dog after all and can go back to being a playful puppy and a 'good luck dog!'

All of Louis thoughts are very important to him. In fact, his thoughts are so important to him that when he has something to say, his words begin to wiggle, and then they do the jiggle, then his tongue pushes all of his important words up against his teeth and he erupts, or interrupts others. His mouth is a volcano! My Mouth Is A Volcano takes an empathetic approach to the habit of interrupting and teaches children a witty technique to capture their rambunctious thoughts and words for expression at an appropriate time. Told from Louis’ perspective, this story provides parents, teachers, and counselors with an entertaining way to teach children the value of respecting others by listening and waiting for their turn to speak.

Can Gerald and Piggie’s friendship withstand the friendly overtures of Brian Bat? When Snake informs Gerald that Piggie is playing with Brian Bat, he is at first complacent. Brian is “nice,” he observes; Snake concurs—after all, he says, “Brian is my Best Friend!” Their mutual reflection that Piggie and Brian “must be having a super-duper fun time!” turns, however, to paranoia when they realize that if their best pals “are having that much fun together, then… / …maybe they do not need us” (that last is printed in teeny-tiny, utterly demoralized type). Gerald and Snake dash/slither to put an end to the fun. Their fears are confirmed when the two new buddies tell them they have “been playing BEST FRIEND GAMES!”—which, it turns out, means making drawings of their respective best friends, Gerald and Snake. Awww. While the buildup to the friends’ confrontation is characteristically funny, there’s a certain feeling of anticlimax to the story’s resolution. How many young children, when playing with a new friend, are likely to spend their time thinking of the friends that they are not playing with? This is unfortunate, as the emotions that Gerald and Snake experience are realistic and profound, deserving of more than a platitudinous, unrealistic response.

'My Parents are Getting Divorced' has practical and calming advice for any preteen or teen whose family is splitting up. The book includes sections on tension at home, being in the middle, visitation, what to expect at court, learning not to blame yourself, and much more.

Here is the all-too-familiar story of Monica.  She and Katie have been friends since kindergarten.  Monica loves being around her when she's nice.  But there are times when Katie can be just plain mean.  And Monica doesn't understand why.

Monica is a target of relational aggression, emotional bullying among friends who will use name-calling and manipulation to humiliate and exclude.  But with a little help from a supportive adult—her mother—Monica learns to cope and thrive by facing her fears and reclaiming power from her bully.

Parent Recommended!!

What if? What if? What if? Nellie worries about everything- getting on a train, a plane, making friends in school, and more. With the help of Dr. Nofear, Nellie embarks on a journey to overcome her anxiety.

Little Jamie is a young bear who is proud to be a 'Super Safety Expert'. In this story he learns how to handle encounters with strangers.

Set in the South during the time of segregation, this lushly illustrated picture book brings the civil rights era to life for contemporary readers as two young girls find an inventive way to foil Jim Crow laws.

Uses an advice-column format to define fairness and demonstrate how it can effect daily situations.

The Caldecott Honor-winning classic by bestselling picture-book creator David Shannon! When David Shannon was five years old, he wrote and illustrated his first book. On every page were these words: NO, DAVID! . . . and a picture of David doing things he was not supposed to do. Now David is all grown up. But some things never change. . . . Over fifteen years after its initial publication, NO, DAVID! remains a perennial household favorite, delighting children, parents, and teachers alike. David is a beloved character, whose unabashed good humor, mischievous smile, and laughter-inducing antics underline the love parents have for their children--even when they misbehave.

Bunnies try to do the right thing, but sometimes it's not that easy. Sometimes they need a little reminding? how to share, and how to care. With lots of humor and charm, these young bunnies demonstrate good rabbit habits to help your little bunny be the best he or she can be!

Velvet is odd. Instead of dolls that talk and cry, Velvet brings a milkweed pod for show and tell. She wins the class art contest using only an eight-pack of crayons. She likes to collect rocks. Even her name is strange-Velvet! But as the school year unfolds, the things Velvet does and the things that Velvet says slowly begin to make sense. And, in the end, Velvet's classmates discover that being different is what makes Velvet so much fun

A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. In a starred review, Booklist notes: “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’”

Some patients with cancer face the difficult task of telling their children about their illness. This book helps patients talk to children about their disease and explain what is happening in a caring, sensitive manner that children can understand.

In a counting book by the creators of How Are You Peeling? where everything is sculpted from food, one lonely sea horse learns that she has a lot of friends--friends she can really "count" on.

Owen's parents try to get him to give up his favorite blanket before he starts school, but when their efforts fail, they come up with a solution that makes everyone happy.

Follow a day in the life of the panda cubs at China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the Wolong Nature Preserve, the largest research facility for giant pandas in China. Cubs are raised together in a protected setting—dubbed panda kindergarten—where they grow strong and learn skills that will help prepare them to be released into the wild when they are older. With spare text by veteran nonfiction writer Joanne Ryder and irresistible full-color photographs by Katherine Feng, whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Panda Kindergarten will delight young readers as they learn more about these amazing creatures.

What’s a little piece of bread to do when he’s feeling lonely? Find a friend, of course!

And that’s exactly what Peanut Butter tries to do. But sometimes friends are hard to come by, especially when Hamburger has to walk his (hot) dogs, Cupcake is too busy building castles in her sprinkle box, and Egg laughs so hard he starts to crack up! Does Peanut Butter have a soulmate? Young readers will know the answer long before Peanut Butter does and laugh along with each mismatched pairing.

In a story that pairs silliness with poignancy, and friendship with anthropomorphic food, Terry Border, the photography mastermind behind the Bent Objects project, makes a triumphant entrance into the children's book world. Complete with a rhyming refrain, this is sure to be a favorite family read-aloud--and laugh-aloud.

Louis is back! And this time, he's learning all about personal space. Louis, a self-taught space expert is delighted to learn that his teacher has sent him to the principal's office to attend personal space camp. Eager to learn more about lunar landings, space suits, and other cosmic concepts, Louis soon discovers that he has much to learn about personal space right here on earth. Written with style, wit, and rhythm, personal space camp addresses the complex issue of respect for another person s physical boundaries. Told from Louis perspective, this story is a must-have resource for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to communicate the idea of personal space in a manner that connects with kids.

Little Pig is bored. He decides that pigs never have any fun. It seems to him that a Giraffe has much more fun-so he climbs up on stilts in an effort to be as tall as Giraffe. But down he comes with a huge CRASH! "You're not a giraffe. You're a wobbly pig on stilts," Zebra tells Pig. But now, Pig sees Zebra's stripes, and this gives him another clever idea, which leads to a brand-new disaster. Every time Pig sees a different animal, he's inspired to concoct a new catastrophe! Will Pig ever get it right? Will he ever start having fun? Very young boys and girls will laugh with delight as they reach the story's end and discover the answer to this question. The author's funny, full-color illustrations brighten every page.

While other children were daydreaming about dances, first kisses, and college, Jodee Blanco was trying to figure out how to go from homeroom to study hall without being taunted or spit upon as she walked through the halls. This powerful, unforgettable memoir chronicles how one child was shunned—and even physically abused—by her classmates from elementary school through high school. It is an unflinching look at what it means to be the outcast, how even the most loving parents can get it all wrong, why schools are often unable to prevent disaster, and how bullying has been misunderstood and mishandled by the mental health community. You will be shocked, moved, and ultimately inspired by this harrowing tale of survival against insurmountable odds. This vivid story will open your eyes to the harsh realities and long-term consequences of bullying—and how all of us can make a difference in the lives of teens today.

In page after page of tail-wagging fun, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Beacon Award-winning producer Tonya Lewis Lee, take a close-up look at what happens when a couple of high-energy toddlers meet their match in an adventurous pup who has no plans of letting up.

Pug is a very happy pup. He has his own yard, his own bowl, and even his own cozy bed! That is, until Pig moves in and starts eating from Pug’s bowl, interrupting Pug’s routine, and, worst of all, sleeping in Pug’s bed. Will Pug and Pig ever learn to live together as friends?

Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend. Rendered in pictures richly evoking autumn, Helen Cooper's delightful story will resonate for an child who has known the difficulties that come with friendship. Included at the end is a recipe for delicious pumpkin soup.

Rabbit loves her garden. Squirrel loves his. But then their delicious vegetables begin disappearing. And they have only each other to blame . . . or do they? Well, Rabbit and Squirrel don't pause to consider any other possibilities. And so, for them, there's only one option: WAR! From the team that hatched the award-winning Ugly Fish, here is a hilarious cautionary tale about how jumping to conclusions can turn minor misunderstandings into major meltdowns.

Rory is scared of being away from home for the first time, especially when his sleeping bag is so comfortable...but he doesn't want his parents treating him like a baby kit anymore. He'll get to stay up until morning if he sleeps over at his cousins' house. It could even help Rory conquer his biggest fear: starting Remarkable Raccoon Suburban School, which means nights away from his folks. Is Rory ready to show everyone — including his parents — that he's ready to go anywhere?

Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen's #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means bullying others.

Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group—or out?

Young rabbits, Freedle B. and Ezzie McLumen come tumbling and squabbling into their father Franklin's tranquil study. Once Franklin regains his equilibrium, he asks his children what they think forgiveness feels like and then guides them, using symbolism, through the many values and benefits of forgiveness. By the time he has finished, the children are on cosy terms, a little wise, and eager to return to play. Ages 4-8.

Mother Duck and Father Duck are worried about Ruby. As the littlest duckling of the family, she learns to eat and swim long after her four sisters and brothers. Father Duck frets that Ruby will never catch up, but Mother Duck calmly reassures him that Ruby will flourish -- "in her own time." Readers of all ages who have ever felt like the biggest or the littlest, the slowest or the fastest, or somewhere in between, will root for Ruby as she takes wing toward independence, at last. Once you've met Ruby, you'll never forget her!

When Sarah breaks her mother's favorite necklace, she lies to cover it up. But the lie isn't the only thing that comes out of her mouth. A little ghost pops out, too! And for every new lie Sarah tells, another ghost appears. There seems to be only one way to get rid of them, but which is scarier: living in your own haunted house, or telling the truth? Brightly colored, funny illustrations bring this unique tale about an all-too-common problem to life in a way that young children can understand and relate to.

Mibs Beaumont is about to become a teenager. As if that weren’t scary enough, thirteen is when a Beaumont’s savvy strikes--and with one brother who causes hurricanes and another who creates electricity, it promises to be outrageous... and positively thrilling. But just before her big day, Poppa is in a terrible accident. Suddenly, Mibs’s dreams of X-ray vision disappear like a flash of her brother’s lightning: All she wants now is a savvy that will save Poppa. In fact, Mibs is so sure she’ll get that powerful savvy that she sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety bus, with her siblings and the preacher’s kids in tow. But when the bus starts heading in the wrong direction only one thing is certain: After this extraordinary adventure, not a soul on board will ever be the same.

At this school, there are some children who push and tease and bully. Sometimes they hurt other kids by just ignoring them.

The girl in this story sees it happening, but she would never do these mean things herself. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a silent bystander isn’t enough. Will she take some steps on her own to help another kid? Could it be as simple as sitting on the bus with the girl no one has befriended (and discovering that she has a great sense of humor)? Resources at the end of the book will help parents and children talk about teasing and bullying and find ways to stop it at school.One child at a time can help change a school.

Capricorn Cap Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured in a fall, Cap is forced to attend the local middle school. Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared him for the politics of public school.

If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?

Without a doubt sharks excite a definite fascination in many of us. We’ve seen them in movies and on the television; they even make an appearance as headline news every so often. And yet what do we really know about these interesting animals? Did you know for example that the great white shark can have as many as 3,000 teeth in its mouth at one time and if one breaks off another grows in its place? In this superbly produced and highly entertaining book children will learn not only about sharks but they will also explore the basic biology and habits of such creatures as the manta ray, the moray eel, jellyfish, and porcupine fish. Heavy duty paper, plenty of color, and superb full-page annotated photographs will encourage even very young children to look at this book again and again. It is the kind of book which will grow with a child, the pictures appealing to younger children and the large main text sections appealing to readers who are learning how to read on their own. Each animal is given a danger rating - which will appeal to young readers enormously – and an outline of the animal is shown in relation to a human outline so that the reader can see how large it is. The author has included a useful and informative glossary at the back of the book.

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Shelia Rae, the Brave is a warm, humorous, and loving story of sibling sympathy and support. Just because Sheila Rae is older, she doesn't always know better! "I am very brave," Sheila Rae said, patting herself on the back. She wasn't afraid of anything—not thunder, not lightning, not the big black dog at the end of the block. And when she wanted to walk home a new way and Louise wouldn't, she called her sister a scaredy-cat and set out alone. But all the bravado in the world failed to help when Sheila Rae found herself lost. Luckily, her sister was not far behind.

In Should I Share My Ice Cream?, Piggie and Gerald take on their usual (hilarious) roles. Gerald is about to tuck into a delicious ice cream cone when we realizes that perhaps Piggie would like some ice cream. Gerald proceeds to deliberate about this notion, comically, until the ice cream actually melts and suddenly there is no ice cream to share. Gerald is distraught. What about PIGGIE!!?!! But then, in walks Piggie with an ice cream cone and Gerald and Piggie are able to share after all.

Skippyjon Jones is no ordinary kitten. Oh, no. . . .He's actually El Skippito, a great sword-fighter ready to battle banditos the world over! With a little imagination and a whole lot of fun, this frisky cat dons a mask and cape and takes on a bad bumble-beeto to save the day. And along the way, he'll be sure to steal young reader's hearts, yes indeed-o!

How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

“Share a joke or a dream. Make someone feel good. We need laughter, hugs, and to be understood. . . . Though we seem different, inside we’re the same. Our hearts are for caring, no matter our name.” Arlene Maguire’s delightful rhymes combine with Sheila Bailey’s rich watercolor illustrations to take the reader on a journey of discovery. Each page portrays positive images of children with various disabilities. Winner of an iParenting Media Award, this book illustrates that beyond our physical limitations is a world of unique gifts for each of us to share. Teachers and parents love to read this book aloud to promote understanding and tolerance at school and at home. The detailed artwork attracts children of all ages.

It's Splat's first day of school and he's worried. What if he doesn't make any new friends? Just in case, Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse, Seymour, and hides him in his lunchbox. The teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, introduces Splat to the class and he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes and the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!), Splat's worried again. Maybe now he'll lose all his friends, old and new! Just in time, wise Mrs. Wimpydimple takes charge and teaches everyone an important new lesson. Maybe Cat School is going to be okay after all!

When Emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, Emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. But does it really matter to others if Emily notices how they're feeling? Stand in My Shoes shows kids how easy it is to develop empathy toward those around them. Empathy is the ability to notice what other people feel. Empathy leads to the social skills and personal relationships which make our lives rich and beautiful, and it is something we can help our children learn. This book teaches young children the value of noticing how other people feel. We're hoping that many parents read it along with their children.

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.

But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that. 

Tyler isn't nice to the other kids at school. He doesn't care about anyone…until he gets to know the class pet, a white rat named Snowball. Then Tyler tells everyone his new name is Rat Boy! Now all the kids are afraid of him. His teacher tries to talk to him about how he can be a better friend. But Bully Rat Boy doesn't need any friend but Snowball. Then one day Snowball chews the string on his cage door and escapes. The children can't find Snowball anywhere. Rat Boy feels awful. He even hangs reward posters around the school. When the cook finds Snowball in the storage closet, she tells Rat Boy to grab a friend and catch the rat. But who will help Rat Boy? He has no friends.

Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. Two pages of notes at the end of the story provide factual information about bats. “Delightful and informative but never didactic; a splendid debut.”--Kirkus Reviews

Award-winning artist Jon J Muth retells the favorite tale of a selfish community who is tricked into creating a delicious soup from stones. Set in China in Muth's hauntingly beautiful watercolors. Three strangers, hungry and tired, pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist.

When the local Pet Club won’t admit a boy’s tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution—one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book.

The first day of school can be lonely and scary, especially when you don't speak the same language as everyone else. Sumi only knows one phrase in English, "Hello, my name is Sumi." This doesn't seem nearly enough to prepare her for a big school with wide stairs, noisy children, and a mean classmate.

Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger. With its graceful text and stunning artwork, this Caldecott Honor Book deserves a place on every child’s shelf.

After retiring from the circus, Tarra became the first resident of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. When other elephants moved in and developed close friendships, only Tarra remained alone—until the day she met a stray mixed-breed dog named Bella. From then on, the two were inseparable. Color photographs of Tarra and Bella at home in the Elephant Sanctuary deftly illustrate this inspiring story of inter-species companionship.

If you are going to buy only one book on grief, this is the one to get! It will validate your grief experience, and you can share it with your children. You can leave it on the coffee table so others will pick it up, read it, and then better appreciate your grieving time. Grand's Cooking Tips section at the back of the book is rich with wisdom and concrete recommendations. Better than a casserole! Hardbound; 56 full-color pages. Affirms the bereaved. Educates the un-bereaved. A building-block for children..... WINNER! of the 2001 Theologos Book Award, presented by the Association of Theological Booksellers.

Twelve-year-old Ada is a Chimera, born with human and animal DNA thanks to a genetic experiment gone wrong. Because being a “kime” is believed to be contagious, she has kept her condition—complete with infrared vision—hidden. But a surprise test outs her, and Ada is shipped off to a quarantined school for kimes.

Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but soon something inside him started to bother him. He felt nervous for no reason. Sometimes his stomach hurt. He had bad dreams. And he started to feel angry and do mean things, which got him in trouble. Then he met Ms. Maple, who helped him talk about the terrible thing that he had tried to forget. Now Sherman is feeling much better. This gently told and tenderly illustrated story is for children who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic episode, including physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, and natural disasters such as floods or fire. An afterword by Sash a J. Mudlaff written for parents and other caregivers offers extensive suggestions for helping traumatized children, including a list of other sources that focus on specific events.

Kids will love this comically illustrated story! Everyone knows the fable called The Tortoise and the Hare, but this version of that old tale has surprises and laughs that aren't in the original. Greedy Hare challenges Muggs the turtle to a race—and the prize is Muggs's favorite food: cabbages. Muggs gives the race her best effort, but turtles can't go very fast under the best circumstances, and the crafty hare has a couple of sly tricks up his sleeve. It looks as though Greedy Hare is going to win, until Muggs shows that she's a clever turtle with a few tricks of her own.

When Papa Bear tells the cubs why they should never talk to strangers, Sister begins to view all strangers as evil until Mama brings some common sense to the problem. "The Bears' rules for safe conduct among strangers are listed on the last pages, including a rule about the privacy of a bear's body. A good book to start awareness in young children."--School Library Journal.

Sister Bear can run faster, climb higher, and hit a ball farther than the boys, and she gloats over it. So Brother Bear and his friends build a clubhouse for boys only, and Sister is hopping mad! She plans a honey of a revenge in this funny and thoughtful book.  

Little Critter has the best teacher around. Miss Kitty even makes math class fun! Join Little Critter as he searches for the perfect gift to show Miss Kitty just how special she is to him!

Fearful of taking the Big Test that he is certain is as bad as everyone says, Sam's nerves begin to get the best of him as he worries about what he will soon be forced to face, in an amusing tale about test-taking hype gone awry with full-color illustrations.

Edward has oodles of toys but doesn't share any of them with his little sister, Claire. She cannot ride his rocking horse, hug his teddy bear, or even think about touching his Slinky.

"They're mine!"

he says. That is, until one day when Edward finds himself stuck under his enormous pile of toys and can't move! With a little help from an unlikely ally, he learns that if he can share with others, they'll share right back with him.

A classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale of good and evil, this story follows Little Red Riding Hood into the forest and along the wooded path to deliver a basket of food to her sick grandmother. But she encounters a Big Bad Wolf with an empty stomach and a cunning mind, who has other plans for Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. The accompanying artwork brilliantly expresses the wit and charm of this story that encourages young readers to stay on a safe path.

Duncan’s crayons are on strike. One morning he opens his desk looking for them and, in their place, finds a pack of letters detailing their grievances, one crayon at a time. Red is tired. Beige is bored. Black is misunderstood. Peach is naked! The conceit is an enticing one, and although the crayons’ complaints are not entirely unique (a preponderance centers around some variation of overuse), the artist’s indelible characterization contributes significant charm. Indeed, Jeffers’ ability to communicate emotion in simple gestures, even on a skinny cylinder of wax, elevates crayon drawing to remarkable heights. First-class bookmaking, with clean design, ample trim size, and substantial paper stock, adds to the quality feel. A final spread sees all things right, as Duncan fills a page with bright, delightful imagery, addressing each of the crayons’ issues and forcing them into colorful cooperation. Kids who already attribute feelings to their playthings will never look at crayons the same way again.

Guided Reading 3.8

The Dirtiest Hair in the World is a Mom s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient! Claire has long, beautiful hair. She also has a mind of her own. And one day she decides she will not wash her hair. At first, her hair is not so bad. But as the weeks go by, tangles grow to brambles. Luckily, even a very stubborn girl can change her mind. When Claire announces, 'All right, I'll wash my hair!'; that's when the fun begins. You won't believe what crawls, walks, falls, and flies out of Claire's hair. Children of all ages will enjoy this vividly illustrated rhyming tale of a girl who learns her lesson...or does she?

Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."

Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can't draw - she's no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says. 

That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti's journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds's delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.

The Duckling asks for and receives a cookie with nuts. Incensed, The Pigeon proceeds to rant about the various items and impossibilities he has asked for over the years, ignoring point blank the fact that The Duckling got her cookie by asking politely. At the end of the expected meltdown, the smaller bird reveals that she only got the cookie in the first place so that she could give it to The Pigeon. Flabbergasted, our hero leaves with cookie in hand, and The Duckling reveals that her seeming sainthood—she shares slyness as well as color with Tweety Bird—may be a bit of an act. Even those who think they may have tired of The Pigeon’s antics will find much to enjoy in this familiar but different outing. The importance of politeness is evident, but its delivery is not didactic in the least.

Madonna's The English Roses is a story of rivalry and friendship among schoolgirls in contemporary London. Four girls--Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, and Grace--are eleven years old and the very best of friends. They have sleepovers, picnics and ice-skating parties that exclude Binah, a beautiful girl whose seemingly perfect life makes them "green with envy." However, when a feisty, pumpernickel-loving fairy godmother takes them on a magical journey, they learn to their great surprise that Binah's life is not nearly as enviable as it had seemed.

Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable–she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!

'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.' So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Saying goodbye to someone you love is always hard. Saying goodbye when someone you love dies is perhaps the hardest thing of all. Joslin's simple, thoughtful text and Little's evocative illustrations explore the pain and grief of saying goodbye and open the door to discussion for readers of any age. The Goodbye Boat provides a message of hope that sadness will ease and comforts with the reassurance that death is not the end.

This is the story of a grouchy ladybug who does not like to share. He asks other insects if they want to fight, but then tells them they are too small. Each time the animals get bigger and bigger until he gets to a whale. The whale hit him with his tail sending the ladybug where he started from. A nice ladybug offered him food and he accepted because he was so hungry. He then decided to be nice to everyone.

Eleanor Estes’s The Hundred Dresses won a Newbery Honor in 1945 and has never been out of print since. At the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn’t and bullies her mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time it’s too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda’s classmates, ultimately decides that she is "never going to stand by and say nothing again." This powerful, timeless story has been reissued with a new letter from the author’s daughter Helena Estes, and with the Caldecott artist Louis Slobodkin’s original artwork in beautifully restored color.

Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.

When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.

Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete's new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about "The Promise". Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make "The Promise"?

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.

Once there was a little white owl who lived by himself in the snow. He didn't have a mommy. He didn't have a daddy. He didn't even have a name. But he didn't really mind too much. His head was full of happy stories... From bestselling illustrator, Jane Chapman, comes a touching story that celebrates the differences and the beauty inside each of us.

Moose has no family, no friends, and rarely entertains visitors. That is, until the day he rescues a bird that cannot fly. Bird turns Moose's solitary life upside down. He sings in the mornings, talks all day long, and he likes to eat worms! As the days become weeks, Moose and Bird form a special friendship. They eat pond weeds for breakfast, swim every afternoon, and sometimes climb to the very top of the mountain just to enjoy the view. So when a forest fire separates the two friends, Moose is distraught. Bird still hasn’t learned to fly, how could he have survived? Fortunately, before Moose is able to return to his old ways, Bird finds him once again...and this time brings along a few new friends!

"Unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not." Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty. "The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis."—School Library Journal.

A group of dinosaurs is happily playing in the school yard when . . . oh no! Here comes the Mine-o-saur! He snatches all the toys. He grabs all the snacks at snack time. He hoards the blocks during recess. And all the while he yells, ?MINE, MINE, MINE!? But soon enough, no one wants to play with him. What will it take for the Mine-o-saur to realize that what he really wants are friends? And then, will the other dinosaurs ever welcome him back?

The chameleon's life was not very exciting until the day it discovered it could change not only its color but its shape and size,too. When it saw the wonderful animals in the zoo, it immediately wanted to be like them -- and ended up like all of them at once -- with hilarious results.

Everyone knows that the M in "monster" stands for MEAN. But what happens when a monster can't be mean any more? Is he still a monster at all?

One young monster's attempts to live up to his name go hilariously awry as he discovers―with a little help from new friends―that it's not what you're called but who you are that counts.

In this clever and visual play on words, OK is turned sideways, upside down, and right side up to show that being OK can really be quite great.

With spare yet comforting illustrations and text, bestselling duo Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld celebrate the real skills and talents children possess, encouraging and empowering them to discover their own individual strengths and personalities.

Whether OK personifies an OK skipper, an OK climber, an OK lightning bug catcher, or an OK whatever there is to experience, OK is an OK place to be. And being OK just may lead to the discovery of what makes one great.

When Pigeon finds a delicious hot dog, he can hardly wait to shove the entire thing in his beak. But . . . then a very sly and hungry duckling enters the scene and wants a bite. Who will be the more clever bird? In this hilarious follow-up to the acclaimed Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Mo Willems has created another avian adventure that encourages children to share even their most prized processed foods. Mo Willems is a six-time Emmy Award-winning writer and animator for Sesame Street and the head writer of Cartoon Network's Code Name: Kids Next Door. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! is the companion to Mo's first children's book, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! He is also the author of Time to Pee!

Champ and Walter Norbert Whipplemoore are about as different as two kids can be, well, except for their love of baseball and potato chips. Champ had everything, but always wanted more. Walter had very little, but was never seen without a smile on his face. In the end, it is Walter and some crunchy potato chips that teach Champ a lesson about character that can't be taught in school.

Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading "dreary wearies" isn't really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in Deborah Diesen's fun fish story that's sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

A stunning collection of Aesop's fables from bestselling author and illustrator Eric Carle! Eric Carle brings to life Aesop's fables with his gorgeous illustrations and charming retelling of the classic stories. Designed to engage and delight readers of all ages, this collection contains some of Aesop's most timeless tales. Beautifully reissued, this new book has all the enchantment of Eric Carle's art plus traditional morals of the fables.

A fresh & original twist on the common issue of bullying. Kids will relate, & parents & teachers will appreciate the story's deft handling of conflict resolution (which happens w/o adult intervention) Mean Jean was Recess Queen and nobody said any different. Nobody swung until Mean Jean swung. Nobody kicked until Mean Jean kicked. Nobody bounced until Mean Jean bounced. If kids ever crossed her, she'd push 'em and smoosh 'em lollapaloosh 'em, hammer 'em, slammer 'em kitz and kajammer 'em. Until a new kid came to school! With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp.

For too long, too many people have been looking in the wrong places for a solution to the drug problem. The problems with drugs is not too many kids on drugs: it's too many kids without hope. Short of giving life, giving hope is the greatest gift a persona can give. It's simple to do. We've just forgotten how. This is what this story is all about. Excerpt from the book: A tiny girl stepped forward from the crowd , and reaching out her little hands, lifted the sagging red ribbon high above her head. Without a word she and the young boy turned and carried the ribbon forward. Now everyone understood. One by one, the people of the kingdom stepped forward to take their share of the ribbon. The banker followed the carpenter, who followed the schoolteacher, who follow the blacksmith. On and on the came, to carry the bright red ribbon throughout the kingdom.

Lily and Salma are best friends. They like doing all the same things, and they always eat lunch together. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus-but what's that between friends? It turns out, a lot. Before they know it, a food fight breaks out. Can Lily and Salma put aside their differences? Or will a sandwich come between them?

In this classic tale, two dueling factions — sneetches with starbellies and sneetches without — go through a series of transformations and eventually become friends when they can no longer see the difference between each other. But what's clear to readers is that discrimination is just plain silly.

Nick Bland's expressive, adorable illustrations complement delightful, rhyming, read-aloud text in this lesson about the importance of sharing with others. Moose, Lion, Zebra, and Sheep take shelter in a cave on a cold and rainy day, only to realize that a bear is there. The bear roars loudly and says that he is trying to sleep. Not understanding why the bear is so cranky, the other animals come up with ways to cheer up the bear. Moose finds antlers for him, Lion gives him a mane, and Zebra paints on stripes. Is there anything the four well-meaning friends can do to help the bear sleep?

MINE! That's what the very greedy bee says to anyone who asks him to share. While all the other bees work hard to clean the hive and make honey, the very greedy bee spends all of his time gobbling pollen and guzzling nectar. One day the very greedy bee finds a meadow full of flowers and decides not to tell anyone. He spends the entire day buzzing from flower to flower until...THUMP. The very greedy bee is so full that he cannot fly! It's getting dark and he doesn't know how to get home unless he flies. With the help of some new found friends the very greedy bee is able to return to his hive and has learned that it's best to work with others and share what you have.

Emily Murphy is about to enter middle school. She’s sort of excited… though not nearly as much as her best friend Hazel, who is ready for everything to be new. Emily wishes she and Hazel could just continue on as they always have, being the biggest fans ever of the Unicorn Chronicles, making up dance moves, and getting their regular order at The Slice. 

But all the kids are wearing them! Any child who has ever craved something out of reach will relate to this warm, refreshingly realistic story.

Written by leading authorities on child psychology and divorce, this book is a valuable and much needed tool for parents and professionals who work with children struggling with family breakup. Relying on imagination and metaphor, the fifteen stories in this unique anthology provide a safe and effective way to help children understand and cope with their parents' separation and living apart. For generations, stories have been a foundation for teaching children. Through the Eyes of Children continues that tradition and allows children the chance to recover and heal from divorce.

A small boy, not allowed to have a dog because times are tight, finds a starving kitten in a trash can on the same day his father loses his job.

The main characters are a little, optimistic pig and a rather seasoned, droll elephant named Gerald. In Today I Will Fly!, Piggie comes along and announces she will fly today. Gerald immediately tells her that impossible, and perhaps she ought to have her head examined. The story moves along with Piggie trying to fly and Gerald wondering when his little friend will smarten up. The story wraps up with a sweet, surprising resolution that includes compromise on behalf of both of these appealing characters.

Caldecott Honor winner and bestselling author-illustrator David Shannon makes readers laugh aloud when young Spencer's mountain of toys becomes overwhelming. A book that will be read again and again. Spencer has too many toys! His father trips over them, his mother falls over them, and the house is overflowing with junk. Now its time to give some of the mountain of goodies away, but Spencer finds it hard. In the end, he fills a box, but decides the one toy he can't part with is the box!

What does it mean to be ""too nice""? Amy's not sure, but she is sure how it feels: rotten. She feels sad and angry, she's tired of giving her things away, and she's tired of being taken advantage of. But with a little help from Grandpa and a bunny bandit, she learns how to be friendly while taking care of herself at the same time. And with a surprise, she finds out that everyone is happier when she is no longer ""Too Nice Amy."" For Amy, fourth grade did not get off to a good start. Her best friend is mad at her because she gave away the ball they were supposed to play with. She has to sit alone in the back of the bus because she gave up her seat for someone else. Her friends ate all of her cookies at lunch and left none for her. And she got stuck cleaning the tables by herself when she only offered to help the other kids on duty. She is sad, angry, and tired, and it's only the first week! Her best friend said Amy is ""too nice."" What does it mean to be ""too nice"" Amy asks her grandfather? Grandpa helps Amy learn how to stand up for herself and be friendly at the same time. What's Inside: Fiction with colorful, upbeat illustrations; Gentle assertiveness training for kids who are ""too nice""; Makes clear the distinction between setting healthy boundaries and being unfriendly; Assures children that people will still like you when you say no; Addresses fears that people will get angry if you say no; Demonstrates friendly, assertive responses with warmth and humor

Owl and Rabbit are good friends and live in two small houses next to each other. They are perfectly happy . . . until Rabbit's garden gets in the way of Owl's view. So Owl builds his house a little taller. Only that blocks the sun from Rabbit's vegetables. So Rabbit builds his house taller. And soon it's a house-building frenzy and the two now not-so-good friends have the two tallest houses in the world!

All it takes is a gust of wind to remind them that maybe living smaller and together is a much better way to remain friends

Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship.

A boldly illustrated picture book read-aloud about how everyone gets sad—ninjas, wrestlers, knights, superheroes, everyone . . . even daddies have emotions!

Did you know wrestlers have feelings? And knights. Even superheroes and ninjas feel sad sometimes. In fact everyone has feelings—especially dads who love their children!

The creators of the Toy Story films reopen the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of our favorite gang of toy characters in Toy Story 3. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of Andy’s toys are as fun and adventurous as always, but none of them can deny that things in Andy’s room have changed. Andy is seventeen now and just three days away from heading off to college. Find out what happens to the beloved toys when they’re compelled to leave Andy’s room behind and embark on an all-new comedic adventure in Toy Story 3. This full-color storybook retells a key sequence from the new Disney/Pixar film.

Tyrone and Boland are back, and this time, while on a Swamp Island camping trip, Tyrone cheats at meteor bowling and trips little Boland in the dinosaur egg races. But with the help of his dinosaur friends, Boland decides to fight back with a clever plan.

Ugly Fish is ugly and big and mean, and he won't share his driftwood tunnel or his special briny flakes with anyone. And that means the wimpy little fish who keep showing up in his tank have got to go. But then one day someone bigger and uglier and maybe even meaner arrives . . . and suddenly Ugly Fish isn't feeling quite so confident anymore. From Kara LaReau, author of the Rocko and Spanky series, here is an irreverent and terrifically funny book about a bully who at last gets his comeuppance.

Monique hates her school uniform. Brown and blue? Who wants to wear brown and blue? Monique wants to be different. One day she finds a trunk filled with her mother's old clothes, and the next day , and the day after that, and the day after that Monique transforms her boring old brown and blue, (and herself), until she finally learns that no matter what you wear, individuality always shines.

In the fall, with the sunflowers in bloom across the Midwest, Deborah Brown carried armloads of various varieties of sunflowers into the classroom for students to see, touch and sketch. The students continued to explore sunflowers by their introduction to Van Gogh in art class. There they depicted imaginary cats against a background of starry nights. Back in class they discussed where Van Gogh actually had a cat; investigation was inconclusive. Students uses their literary and artistic licenses to develop a story about Van Gogh's cat, who began an adventure in his field of sunflowers, continuing his journey by leaping, exploring, stretching, and reclining while visiting other famous artists' paintings and ultimately walking into Van Gogh's Starry Night. Join the cat as he travels from one famous painting to another. Look closely, however! This clever feline uses the art of camouflage as he creatively assumes ownership within each artist's canvas.

"Was It the Chocolate Pudding?" tells the story of divorce in a typical family from the point of view of an engaging young narrator. Readers learn about divorce, and receive age-appropriate explanations of what is happening regarding such issues as single-parent homes and joint custody. But most importantly, the narrator explains that divorce is not the child's fault - it is a grown-up problem. The story emphasizes the need for communication between parent and child and includes a "Note to Parents" by psychologist and author Jane Annunziata, PsyD.

 This is a song book that connects kids around the world. The verses highlight differences between kids, illustrated on the pages of the book. The chorus brings all of these kids with many differences together, singing "We all sing with the same voice. The same song. The same voice. We all sing with the same voice and we sing in harmony."

Over 6 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy.
 
Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way.
 
We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

This companion to Speaking of Divorce is for kids ages 7–12. In a simple question-and-answer format, the book gently explains what divorce is, why parents decide to divorce, new living arrangements, how to handle feelings, and other basics to help children understand what's happening in their lives. With honesty and simplicity, the authors help children realize that divorce isn't their fault, strong emotions are okay, and families can survive difficult changes. Written to and for kids, this book is also recommended for parents, educators, counselors, and youth workers.

Have you ever noticed how pirates use a spyglass to focus in on other ships or land in the distance? While they focus in on small things in the distance, they miss seeing other things around them. Sometimes they miss having fun. Sometimes they miss the beautiful treasure they already have! Just like a pirate using a spyglass, kids may focus in on one thing that they want, and not notice all the good things they already have. If you're a kid who thinks "it's not fair," this book is for you! What to Do When It's Not Fair guides children and their parents through the difficult emotions of envy and jealousy using strategies and techniques based on cognitive behavioral principles.

This story guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Revealing OCD in a whole new light, this interactive self-help book turns kids into super-sleuths who can recognize OCD's tricks. Engaging examples, activities, and step-by-step instructions help children master the skills needed to break free from the sticky thoughts and urges of OCD, and live happier lives. This is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change.

From the same author and illustrator as the #1 nationally best-selling What Do You Do With an Idea?comes a new book to encourage you to look closely at problems and discover the possibilities they can hold.

This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared.

This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started.

Have you ever been so angry that you felt like you could explode? Does being teased or wrongly blamed for something make you want to stomp and run and kick and scream? The little rabbit knows how it feels to be angry and just what to do to feel better. Read along, and you too might find that a big, deep breath is all you need to make the anger go away.

Have you ever been so happy that you wanted to jump for joy? Does spending time with your friends or watching the starry night sky make you smile from ear to ear? The little rabbit loves how it feels to be happy and to be patient and kind to others as well. Read along, and you too might find that happiness is contagious!

Have you ever been so sad that the world seems gray and droopy? Does being sick or hearing a family argument make you want to cry and cry until it floods? The little rabbit knows how it feels to be sad and just what to do to feel better. Read along, and you too might find that a great big hug is all you need to make the sadness go away.

Have you ever been so scared that your heart races? Do creepy, crawly spiders and being alone in the dark make you tremble? The little rabbit knows how it feels to be scared and just what to do to feel better. Read along, and you too might find that what scares you isn’t so scary after all.

Lizzy is shy and afraid of failing or making mistakes, so she refuses to try new things. Fuzzy the Little Sheep helps his anxious sister by devising a plan whereby she gets to add a stone to a rock pile every time she tries something new. Lizzy begins hesitantly, with small challenges, but eventually tries more and more things as she gets excited by the growing rock pile and realizes how much fun she is having.

The thought of losing control can cause major problems for children who live with anxiety. Now, parents, teachers and children have a helpful tool that gives young children an opportunity to explore their own feelings with parents or teachers as they react to events in their daily lives. Engaging and easy to read, this illustrated children s book is filled with opportunities for children to participate in developing their own self-calming strategies. Children who use the simple strategies in this charming book, illustrated by the author, will find themselves relaxed and ready to focus on work or play!

For children, anger can be very upsetting. Parents, teachers, and children can talk about it. People do lots of different things when they get angry. In this Caldecott-honor book, kids will see what Sophie does when she gets angry

Where the Wild Things Are is fifty years old! Let the wild rumpus with Max and all the wild things continue as this classic comes to life as never before with new reproductions of Maurice Sendak's artwork. Astonishing state-of-the-art technology faithfully captures the color and detail of the original illustrations. Sendak himself enthusiastically endorsed this impressive new interpretation of his art before his death in May 2012. Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Medal for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year, Where the Wild Things Are became an iconic book that has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. It continues to be one of the best loved books of all time the world over, by the one and only Maurice Sendak.

Tim is in trouble with his mum because he won't share with his little brother Jack. He goes next door to visit the twins. Kay and Kathy grew up sharing things. He plays with them all afternoon and begins to see that sharing makes things more fun. A football or a pet, for example, is so much more enjoyable if you share it with others. Tim lets Jack share his walkman. Later, Jack offers him a piece of his cake. Tim sees that once you learn to share with others, they may well learn to share with you!

Anxiety is a subjective sense of worry, apprehension, and/or fear. It is considered to be the number one health problem in America. Although quite common, anxiety disorders in children are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. Everyone feels fear, worry and apprehension from time to time, but when these feelings prevent a person from doing what he/she wants and/or needs to do, anxiety becomes a disability. This fun and humorous book addresses the problem of anxiety in a way that relates to children of all ages. It offers creative strategies for parents and teachers to use that can lessen the severity of anxiety. The goal of the book is to give children the tools needed to feel more in control of their anxiety. For those worries that are not in anyones control (i.e. the weather,) a worry hat is introduced. A fun read for Wilmas of all ages! 

The older children get, the more words they know and can use—including hurtful words. This book teaches children that their words belong to them: They can think before they speak, then choose what to say and how to say it. It also explores positive ways to respond when others use unkind words and reinforces the importance of saying “I’m sorry.” Includes tips for parents and caregivers.

Two strangers on a street meet. One boy starts with Yo!

Every child is brave in his or her own way. With simple words and vivid illustrations that relate to children's everyday lives, You Are Brave lets very young children know that bravery is about all kinds of things: walking and running, meeting new people, letting friends play with your toys, trying new foods, and more. The superhero cover reinforces the message. A warm, affirming, important book that helps children know they are precious and valuable.

Help young children build social skills with this warm, affirming book. You Are Friendly lets little ones know there are many ways to get along with others. They can invite someone to play, share a snack, be polite, treat animals gently and kindly, offer to help, show compassion, and more. The simple words and colorful illustrations relate to children s everyday lives. An excellent introduction to making and keeping friends.

Children want to be helpful and are eager to become more independent. We see this whenever children insist "I can do it myself!" or "Let me!" This warm, inviting book introduces young children to safe, age-appropriate ways to help out: by staying close at the grocery store, putting their toys away, getting dressed by themselves, waiting their turn, sitting still at the doctor's office, putting trash in the right place, and more. Children will be drawn into the colorful pictures that show kids their age at home, at school, and with family members. Like our world, the illustrations are multiethnic. You Are Helpful invites children to see themselves and say "I can do that!" and lets them know they are competent and capable.

Two friends—one short and one tall—must come up with a plan to overcome a serious height restriction so they can ride a roller coaster together in this delightfully cheeky and bright picture book from the author of Rex Finds an Egg! Egg! Egg!

Best friends Frank and Harold do everything as a pair. And at the fair, they want to ride the roller coaster together, too! But one of them isn’t tall enough.

Can this energetic duo think outside the box and figure out a way to overcome the height restriction and ride the roller coaster? 

Zero is a big round number. When she looks at herself, she just sees a hole right in her center. Every day she watches the other numbers line up to count: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 . . . !" "Those numbers have value. That's why they count," she thinks. But how could a number worth nothing become something? Zero feels empty inside. She watches One having fun with the other numbers. One has bold strokes and squared corners. Zero is big and round with no corners at all. "If I were like One, then I can count too," she thinks. So she pushes and pulls, stretches and straightens, forces and flattens herself, but in the end she realizes that she can only be Zero. As budding young readers learn about numbers and counting, they are also introduced to accepting different body types, developing social skills and character, and learning what it means to find value in yourself and in others.

Zoe feels out of place, she's a green triangle in a world of red circles. The circles won't play with her because she is different and can't fit in with their rules. She's not round, she can't roll like they can and she s not red. Zoe tries to fit in, but try as she may she can't seem to roll, turn herself red or change her shape. Feeling left out and alone she is sitting on a park bench when she realizes that she has points and these allow her to do something that the circles can't, she can spin... While she is experimenting with her new found talent she discovers that there are lots of other shapes in the world and they all can do their own unique things... In the end she learns the most important rule is to be your self. This fun story for kids helps them develop an appreciation for people s differences and helps children with self-esteem, confidence, overcoming fears, and learning to find value in themselves and their own abilities. Includes an afterward by Sasha J. Mudlaff M.A. for parents and caregivers which provides talking points and more information.

Hooper and Cooper are ready, but where's Zoomer? Zoomer is waaaaay too busy for school today. Although his dad begs him to get ready, how can Zoomer make time for school with such a full schedule? He has to blow the world's biggest bubble, build a brontosaurus out of sand, launch a rocket ship—and that's just the beginning! Ned Young paints Zoomer's world with fun, detailed illustrations that showcase the silly side of everyday life. Kids and their parents will laugh out loud at the surprise ending that proves Zoomer knows best after all.