Whales-those oceanic marvels-are endlessly interesting to kids, and this Level 2 book presents a simple and accessible overview for kids just starting to read on their own. Readers will learn that whales are mammals like dogs and horses (and us!), but mammals uniquely adapted to sea life. The beautiful watercolor artwork captures all the strength and unique grace of these creatures.

Benny thinks hes the best——，best at everything.He is such a big shot!But when Benny gets to camp, hes not very good at anything.When some capers get into trouble,can Benny be the best at saving the day?

Did you know... That sharks have been around since the time of the dinosaurs? That the smallest shark could fit into the palm of your hand, and the largest is longer than a moving van? You'll find out lots more about sharks in this exciting book!

From "Who sits where in an orchestra?" to "Why do flutes have holes?" I Wonder Why Mice Are Musical and Other Questions About Music answers all sorts of questions that children love to ask about composers, instruments, singing, and dancing.

Here in lyrical prose is the story of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the national anthem of the United States. This flag, which came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner, also inspired author Susan Campbell Bartoletti, who, upon seeing it at the Smithsonian Institution, became curious about the hands that had sewn it. Here is her story of the early days of this flag as seen through the eyes of young Caroline Pickersgill, the daughter of an important flag maker, Mary Pickersgill, and the granddaughter of a flag maker for General George Washington’s Continental Army. It is also a story about how a symbol motivates action and emotion, brings people together, and inspires courage and hope.

In simple, straightforward text and marvelously expressive pictures, the author and photographer have captured the thoughts and feelings of one small boy. Whether he is proud or scared, lonely or excited, his face mirrors his emotion with the wonderful directness of childhood.

Tells the story of how women throughout the ages have responded to situations confronting them in daily life by inventing such items as correction fluid, space helmets, and disposable diapers.

Poor Otis can't get any of his duck lessons down. During swimming classes, he spends more time below the water than above it. And though he learned to fly, he somehow forgot how to land. When a particularly messy landing embarrasses him in front of Violet, the most lovely duck on the lake, Otis runs away and reinvents himself as Jack Quack, Renegade Drake, Prince of the Forest, King of the Lake. But will it be enough to win Violet's love?

The little piggies in Geisert's (Oink Oink) latest porcine paean try to go to market, but are temporarily derailed in this clever caper of a picture book. French emigrants Jambo and Marva Jambonneau and their 12 piglets run a successful tree nursery in Ames, Iowa (an area famous for its nurseries), where they show off their talents as gifted topiarists and raise giant pumpkins. Each autumn, the pigs and their neighbors work overtime to meet local demand for trees trimmed into the shape of turkeys. But after the Jambonneaus put the finishing touches on their first batch of turkey trees, their masterpieces mysteriously disappear during the night. Family teamwork, Marva's quick thinking and the oversize squashes all play a part in discovering the thief just in time for a fine fall harvest sale. Geisert combines history, unique Midwestern color and fun in his simple yet snappy text. His intricate, evocative hand-colored etchings incorporate bits of bright and clunky salvage strewn about the nursery, adding charac

Kindergarten-Grade 3. It would be difficult to imagine a less poetic theme than that of a bat accidentally trapped in the posh dining room of a summer resort. However, Dragonwagon has woven an evocative, lyrical prose poem in this tale of one frantic flying mammal and one quiet young girl who really cares what happens to it. While the excited, well-heeled patrons escape to the lobby, and the tuxedo-garbed staff run for brooms and other weapons, Melissa remains alone in the dining room. Unhurriedly, and with calm resolve, she lures the bat to an emergency door, where it flies into the starry night to freedom. The spare text combines internal rhyme and interesting word juxtapositions to create the appropriate mood. The contrast of uproar and quiet, agitation and calm combine to build a story from one brief incident. Schindler's beautiful illustrations, a combination of colored pencil and watercolor on pastel paper, become a harmonious complement to the text. The artist has juxtaposed the luminous views of a sum

Ages 4-8. In this world record book of natural history, Jenkins identifies and describes places such as the planet's deepest lake, highest mountain, most active volcano, the most extreme tides, and the places designated the hottest, the coldest, the wettest, the driest, and the windiest on Earth. Each spread features a distinctive collage of cut-and-torn papers, which vary in texture and hue. Silhouetted forms provide dramatic focal points in the compositions. Each spread includes a couple of lines of text, supplemented with more information in smaller type and inset maps and diagrams that help the reader visualize just how high, deep, or wet the subject is in comparison with others of its kind. Highly effective visual education for the classroom or for young browsers intrigued by superlatives. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I've Got the Back-to-School Blues Annie is about to start second grade. But her best friends aren't in her class. Plus, Annie has a new teacher--Ms. Toady! What if Annie's friends forget about her? And what if Ms. Toady is as mean as everyone says? How will Annie ever survive second grade?

When Baby Bird says good-bye to his mama at school each morning, he feels sad. Mama Bird feels sad, too. Sometimes it's hard to be apart. But as Mama Bird says, the love they share is with them always, keeping them close until the best part of the day--when they are together again.

Kindergarten-Grade 3. It would be difficult to imagine a less poetic theme than that of a bat accidentally trapped in the posh dining room of a summer resort. However, Dragonwagon has woven an evocative, lyrical prose poem in this tale of one frantic flying mammal and one quiet young girl who really cares what happens to it. While the excited, well-heeled patrons escape to the lobby, and the tuxedo-garbed staff run for brooms and other weapons, Melissa remains alone in the dining room. Unhurriedly, and with calm resolve, she lures the bat to an emergency door, where it flies into the starry night to freedom. The spare text combines internal rhyme and interesting word juxtapositions to create the appropriate mood. The contrast of uproar and quiet, agitation and calm combine to build a story from one brief incident. Schindler's beautiful illustrations, a combination of colored pencil and watercolor on pastel paper, become a harmonious complement to the text. The artist has juxtaposed the luminous views of

Gr. 1^-2. Lulu is a princess who's a royal pain. Since she has no friends, her parents decide to send her to camp. Lulu is not a happy camper: no servants, no phone, and no fun. But when her crown falls in the lake, and she makes another camper giggle, Lulu gets the first inkling of what it's like to have a friend. A happy summer ensues in this story, which has a fresh premise and is funny enough to keep new readers going. The watercolor-and-pen illustrations are well executed, capturing the humor of Lulu's transformation. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Grade 1-3?Pete is a young pirate who attends school on a pirate ship where the rules are geared toward the unkindly:"Finders keepers,losers weepers."Captain Bones encourages fighting to solve disputes,and Pete is happy to wrestle with classmate Grimy after a name-calling match.On Treasure Hunt Day,Pete and Grimy find themselves forced to cooperate in order to escape certain death and decide to share the treasure "Even Steven"down to the last gold coin.Children will enjoy this beginning reader with all of the bickering and rule reversals.The cartoon illustrations are well done,with interesting backgrounds and each character's feelings clear from his facial expressions.The combination of full-page and smaller pictures on white pages works well.?Sharon R.

The simple and clear step-by-step instructions will make it easy for children to build a kinara and mishuma saba, paint a family tree, construct unity dolls, weave a mkeka, and make a unity cup. They"ll also learn the history and the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Turtle and Snake are going to the beach. They're going to enter the big sand castle contes. But every time they turn around, their sand castle gets wiped out by the waves. Will they be able to build a new one in time for the contest?

Now in print for more than sixty years, this classic story of "the cutest, silliest tugboat you ever saw" continues to delight children around the world. This 8 x 8 edition features watercolor illustrations done in the style of the late Hardie Gramatky. Card catalog de*ion Little Toot the tugboat conquers his fear of rough seas when he single-handedly rescues an ocean liner during a storm.

This entry in the popular Let's learn series includes an activity to help little ones learn the entire alphabet. Using fun animal illustrations, the book teaches how to count and read.

A-huff-and-a-puff-and-a-huff-and-a-puff-and-a-huff-and-a-puff" "WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Tacky the penguin wants to know. The Winter Games, that's what's happening. And Tacky and his fellow penguins Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect have to work hard to get in shape so they can represent Team Nice Icy Land in the athletic competitions. After rigorous training, they're ready - but are the games ready for Tacky? Will his antics keep Team Nice Icy Land from winning a medal? From bobsledless racing and ski jumping to speed skating, Tacky lends his unique, exuberant style to each competition. In laugh-out-loud scenes of Tacky and his fellow penguins' athletic debacles, Tacky reminds readers of the underlying joy and enthusiasm that propells athletes to greatness. So get ready to cheer for Team Nice Icy Land and let the games begin!

E.T.TM has arrived--and is ready to discover the world of communication. Information hungry young readers will explore language and alphabets, find out how to cell phones work, unravel the mysteries of the Internet and even understand ways of communicating without words.

The author of Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed shows two illustrators and their pets going through the steps involved in creating new picture books of ’Jack and the Beanstalk,’ and introduces the concepts of layout, scale, and point-of-view. An ALA Notable Children’s Book. Reprint.

Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and all your favorite fairy-tale characters are back in Shrek the Third. This time, Shrek’s going on a quest to find the next ______ to the throne. Bring the hilarity home with this Mad Libs.

Three friends relax after their picnic lunch by each telling his or her best story.——This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.