A young boy and an outrageous bear demonstrate how to ride a bicycle safely.

While Bella's story and its splashy, colorful illustrations evoke the 'crisp, crackly' feelings of fall, it also highlights the generosity of a skillful grandmother and the joy of a grateful grandchild. This one will be a frequent request by listeners as young as two years old, and an effective read to build vocabulary in readers up through Kindergarten.

With few or no words on these pages, the reader feels the hot, sticky night in the family's apartment, along with the boy's growing frustration. Everyone is TOO BUSY to play a game. And then the lights go out. As the family ventures outside its "normal" box for entertainment, they discover the pleasure of each other's company. Wonderfully told and illustrated.

One of the best stories ever written, loaded with memorable characters, crazy adventures, and a heartwarming ending.

With the same premise as Mother Goose's This is the House That Jack Built, The Cake That Mack Ate builds on relationships and explains what goes into baking a cake in a fun, humorous way. Booklist called it a perfect pre-school read-aloud, and School Library Journal said will delight audiences.

Poppy has not planned ahead, like Cornbread, and now Poppy has a problem that will require creative problem solving, courage, and friendship — the kind that sticks with you and sees a thing through with you, no matter what. Lively illustrations convey humor and warmth, complementing the text's charm and enduring lessons.

This delightful duo are best of friends, mostly. Sometimes they see things very differently, like ferris wheels (what fun!; too high!), cheese (so delicious!; a belly ache waiting to happen!), and an unexpected treasure (it belongs to the one who discovered it!; it belongs to the one who knows how to cook it!). Differences can cause problems, but they can also cause growth that look like patience, ...

Karen Harrington calls upon her experience with an agoraphobic mother to movingly convey her main character's angst in learning to live well through tragedy and extreme circumstances. Already facing difficult teenage years, Mysti suddenly becomes provider and voice of reason when her mother's agoraphobia strips away her ability to cope. While the text seems to go on without resolution for a good p ...

In words and pictures, this book captures all the excitement and adventure of the Wild West. Gibbons's colorful watercolors deftly recreate cowboys clothing, equipment, and lifestyle, and the lively text includes descriptions of famous cowboys and cowgirls, as well as historical facts. Full color.

Satisfying story of a boy and a garden who both blossom when curiosity takes them to unexpected places.

Illustrated in rich pastels, this child's-eye view of an important milestone in South African history allows young readers to experience every detail of this eventful day.

While the story is based on the Pinkerton National Detective Agency's beginnings and the notable detective work of its first female detective, Kate Warne, the pages dedicated to the restoration of family through testing fortifies this tale's telling. Hannigan weaves parallel stories -- of Underground Railroad workers and undercover detective agents whose survival depends on wits, disguise, truth-s ...

A story of growth toward selflessness disguised as a mystery/adventure. A worthy addition (a prequel!) to the rip-roaring Benedict Society series, but also a great read on its own.

This Caldecott winner employs curves and movement on each page that accommodate the story's gentle flow. Narrated by a mom speaking to her young child, the book's clean, soft, subtly-shaded illustrations provide a calm, pleasing visual experience. Notably, both the storyteller and artist incorporate a winding pattern that repeats throughout, creating a familiar reference point that completely sati ...

From the moment Jessica arrives, life is never quite the same for Tom and his seventh-grade classmates. They learn that Jessica was in a fire and was badly burned, and will be attending St. Catherines while getting medical treatments.

Compelling, life-sized, carefully-detailed illustrations, punctuate the depth of Frederick Douglass's devotion to justice and liberty for all. The dark pain of loss at a young age translated into grim determination to learn words because "...Frederick sensed that words had power. ...he traded food for words." In a world of fast food and e-books, Rappaport reminds us to value the influence of speak ...

When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the school's mock election. But soon, she realizes that she has entered a tough race. Full color.

Jerry Pinkney's detailed drawings incorporate many shades of color that flow seamlessly across lightly-drawn outlines, conveying mood and emotion even before the story begins. Pinkney chose to tell this fable—Don't put off for tomorrow what can be done today—by contrasting a come-what-may Grasshopper musician with industrious, prepared-for-whatever Ants. Vibrant colors echo the chang ...

Large watercolor illustrations warmly portray Helen Keller—overcomer, speaker, and briefly, actress. This reading experience highlights Annie Sullivan's belief in Helen's potential, and Helen's increasing connections that strengthened her mind and ambition. Readers sense the importance of pushing beyond difficult limits. Large-print quotes give voice to Helen's dogged determination that hig ...

Large watercolor illustrations warmly portray Helen Keller—overcomer, speaker, and briefly, actress. This reading experience highlights Annie Sullivan's belief in Helen's potential, and Helen's increasing connections that strengthened her mind and ambition. Readers sense the importance of pushing beyond difficult limits. Large-print quotes give voice to Helen's dogged determination that hig ...