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Learning becomes fun with this book about the animals that are unique to Australia. Amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us! Most of the animals in Australia are unique-they live ONLY in Australia. From kangaroos to koalas, they are a fascinating bunch. Once again, Marianne Berkes makes learning fun. Kids will hop, slurp, and munch as they imitate and count the animals. Like Over in the Arctic, the cut-paper illustrations will inspire many an art project. Plus Marianne provides tons of ideas for activities and curriculum extensions about Australia, literature, writing, and animals. Teachers and parents, as well as kids, are the winners.

Learning about the ecosystem of a pond becomes fun when it is to the tune of an old favorite sing along! Old MacDonald had a … pond? Yes! Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures at the farm pond. You’ll find fish, frogs and ducks – and a few surprises. This delightful riff on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” playfully introduces youngsters to the concept of ecosystems. Quattlebaum engages little ones with rhythm, repetition, wordplay, and onomatopoeia, while Bryant charms them with lively watercolors of a pond community. A resource section in the back features both outdoor and indoor activities sure to encourage young naturalists at home and school.

The fun and inspiring New York Times bestseller about a pig who pursues her figure skating dreams, from Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Now in paperback for the first time. Poppy has big dreams—lots of them! But following her dreams isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s a good thing Poppy’s friends and family—who love her no matter what—encourage her to keep believing in herself and making her dreams come true. Kristi Yamaguchui is an ice skating Olympic gold medalist and world champion who knows about dreaming big. The motto Always Dream serves as Kristi’s personal inspiration as well as the name of her charitable foundation for children. This philosophy has contributed to Kristi’s success on and off the ice, and one that she aspires to instill in the hearts of children.

Blast off to Bob Logan’s world of rockets! The story follows an astronaut and his canine companion as they drive an old pickup through Rocket Town, passing all manner of space craft like a taxi rocket, a police rocket, a school bus rocket, and even a rocket that looks like a shark. Each colorful spread is bursting with an eye-dazzling array of rockets from big to small, fast to slow, practical to extremely silly. Our intrepid astronaut and his dog then get into their favorite rocket (a pickup truck-shaped rocket of course!), and it ends with a count down and blast off sure to thrill young readers.

Through bright illustrations, young readers learn about our solar system to the tune of an old familiar song, “Over in the Meadow”. Readers also learn of our place in a very big universe and an appreciation for the world we live in. Mother sun and her “family” of planets “spin,” “roll,” “tilt,” “blow” and “whirl” around the Sun to the tune of “Over in the Meadow.” Each of those actions is astronomically correct-for example, Earth is the one that “tilts,” and that’s what creates the seasons. It is also astronomically up-to-date, with Pluto being a “dwarf planet.” Bright illustrations create an exciting mood, and there’s plenty of interesting supplementary information in the back along with tips on related ways to integrate science, art, and literature in the classroom.

Learning about the key elements of organic farming through the true story of a cat named Molly makes learning fun for readers. Whoosh . . . the wind blows open a creaky gate. Inquisitive and mischievous, a homeless little cat scampers through—and suddenly finds herself in the wondrous world of an organic farm! Affectionately named “Molly” by the farmers who discover her, she romps, naps, and hunts among the vegetables. Seen through Molly’s eyes, the reader discovers the interplay of nature that grows wholesome food. But what will happen to Molly when winter comes? Based on a true story, Molly will touch children’s hearts while introducing them to plants and the key elements of growing food organically. Standards-based science concepts and activities at the end of the book expand the message of the story.

Learning becomes fun with this book about the ecosystem of the ocean. Amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us! Follow the tracks of ten woodland animals but . . . uh-oh . . . watch out for the skunk! Children learn the ways of forest animals to the rhythm of “Over in the Meadow” as they leap like a squirrel, dunk like a raccoon, and pounce like a fox. They will also count the babies and search for ten hidden forest animals. Cut paper illustrations add to the fun in this delightful introduction to a woodland habitat. Once again, Marianne Berkes makes learning fun. Kids will hide, graze, and pounce as they imitate and count the animals. Like Over in Australia, the cut-paper illustrations will inspire many an art project. Plus Marianne provides tons of ideas for activities and curriculum extensions about forest animals, literature, and writing. Teachers and parents, as well as kids, are the winners here.

Learning becomes fun with this book about the life cycle of a dragonfly. Most children have a natural curiosity for insects. This beautiful story of Eliza and her Aunt Doris, the entomologist, will encourage many children to appreciate the natural world around us. This story begins as Eliza finds a dragonfly on her toothbrush in the house. When Eliza and her aunt ride go to set it free, they discover a nymph. Aunt Doris teaches Eliza all about the life cycle of the dragonfly. Eliza observes the nymph, waiting for it to hatch into a full grown dragonfly. While she waits, Eliza learns lessons about patience and being happy in the present moment.

Just imagine all of nature—mountains, prairies, oceans, and all—lying on your bed as a patchwork quilt! Take flora and fauna in their unique habitats, fold them up and you have a book, this book. Earth’s major habitats are spread before you, ready to be examined. Here in this beautiful package are revealed the key concepts of natural science. This patchwork quilt of nature covers the whole Earth, your home—yours to learn about, to enjoy, to care for, and to love. Just imagine all of nature—mountains, prairies, oceans, and all—lying on your bed as a patchwork quilt! Take flora and fauna in their unique habitats, fold them up and you have a book, this book. Earth’s major habitats are spread before you, ready to be examined. Here in this beautiful package are revealed the key concepts of natural science. This patchwork quilt of nature covers the whole Earth, your home—yours to learn about, to enjoy, to care for, and to love.

The fun and inspiring New York Times bestseller from Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Now in paperback! Poppy, the adorable, persistent, dreaming-big pig, has a new adventure in store for her: the World Games ice-skating championship in Paris! Poppy is nervous about meeting so many new people in a new place. But, ever courageous and supported by her family (Emma, too!), Poppy embarks upon this exciting adventure head-on. She meets a snowboarding Panda, a Maltese who skies, and two fellow skaters, a Crane and a Kangaroo. Poppy begins to realize that although these animals look different, act different, and are from different places, they are all the same at heart. They all smile in the same language!

With poetic prose and soothing rhythm, Blackmore has created the perfect sleepy-time tale. In her picture book debut, Jeanne Blackmore continues her grandfather Roger Duvoisin’s tradition of creating beautiful books for children. Through her poetic and deceptively simple text, Blackmore has created an ideal sleepy time tale: “How does sleep come?” Jacob asked his Mama as he climbed into bed. Jacob’s Mama tucked the covers all around Jacob just so, and then she told him. “Sleep comes quietly. Like a snowfall that blankets a meadow on a dark starry night, and lays down a soft white canvas for rabbits to leave footprints.” Jacob closed his eyes. And the snow fell. And the fog rolled in. And the clouds drifted. And the cat purred. And quietly, silently, softly, peacefully, gently, Jacob fell asleep.

Follow a little girl named Jenny through a year of observing the wild turkeys that live near her home. Arrow-shaped footprints lead a young backyard naturalist to a flock of funny-looking birds with big strong feet: Wild Turkeys! Follow Jenny through a year of enchantment as she shares her discovery of these wonderful birds. Although it once numbered in the millions, wild turkeys nearly disappeared with over-hunting and habitat destruction, but are now making a comeback. The unique illustrations are block prints over collages. The collages are made from cut and torn paper plus all sorts of things from nature – bark, leaves, feathers, even wasp nests! Falwell also offers tips for children to make their own cut-paper pictures and how to keep a nature journal.

Just imagine—you are a young orca whale. Your special friends are two cousins and your 100 year-old great grandmother, the clan leader. You learn to play with them, face danger with them, hunt with them—and even go people-watching with them! Based on actual orca, or killer whale, research, this book combines science with the real story of how family, friendship, and a grandmother’s love are helping this magnificent but endangered orca clan to survive. Just imagine—you are a young orca whale. Your special friends are two cousins and your 100 year-old great grandmother, the clan leader. You learn to play with them, face danger with them, hunt with them—and even go people-watching with them! Based on actual orca, or killer whale, research, this book combines science with the real story of how family, friendship, and a grandmother’s love are helping this magnificent but endangered orca clan to survive.

Kids love bugs, and this book takes readers outside both day and night to see and hear all the sights and sounds. In this colorful picture book, Himmelman introduces the sounds of “noisy bugs” and invites children to sing along with them. The big, bold images make the illustrations inviting to children, while the accurate depictions of individual insects reward closer study. Among those featured are the tiger moth (SQUEAKA-SQUEAKA-SQUEAK), the mosquito (mmmmmm), and the bush katydid (tick-tick-tick zeezeezeezee). An appended section provides the sound waves (on paper and, through a link, in audio files) recorded for each example; a paragraph of information about each bug and its sound; and good children’s activities for related of insect sounds.

Learning becomes fun with this books about some of the foods we eat and how they grow in the garden. Children in classrooms and at home will be inspired to appreciate the world around us! Good food doesn’t begin on a store shelf with a box. It comes from a garden bursting with life, color, sounds, smells, sunshine, moisture, birds, and bees! Kids will find a variety of fruits and vegetables, and a tasty, kid-friendly recipe for each one to start a lifetime of good eating. A “food for thought” section presents interesting facts about each fruit and vegetable, and a “how does your garden grow?” section explains facts about gardening and the parts of plants. Author Marianne Berkes consulted with nutritionists and personally made every recipe in the book, to be sure they are both tasty and kid-friendly.

Old MacDonald had a . . . woods? Yes! Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures in the woods at her grandfather’s farm. Noisy ones, quiet ones, and a few surprises. This delightful variation on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” playfully introduces youngsters to the woodland habitat while engaging little ones with rhythm and wordplay. Old MacDonald had a . . . woods? Yes! Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures in the woods at her grandfather’s farm. Noisy ones, quiet ones, and a few surprises. This delightful variation on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” playfully introduces youngsters to the woodland habitat while engaging little ones with rhythm and wordplay.

When frogs get together, they love to sing! They fill their big, bulgy throat pouch with air and sing out loud. Some peep, some trill, some growl, some creek, and some go WAAH, WAAH, WAAH! It’s a chorus that happens near almost every pond and stream. Learn more about these delightful creatures-and sing along with them! When frogs get together, they love to sing! They fill their big, bulgy throat pouch with air and sing out loud. Some peep, some trill, some growl, some creek, and some go WAAH, WAAH, WAAH! It’s a chorus that happens near almost every pond and stream. Learn more about these delightful creatures-and sing along with them!

Learning becomes fun with this book about the geography of north American rivers and about the animals that live there. Amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us! The great rivers of North America are teeming with life and on the pages of Over in a River—from blue herons in the Hudson to salmon in the Columbia, and from dragonflies in the Rio Grande to mallards in the St. Lawrence. Children will “slither” like water snakes and “slide” like otters while singing to the tune of “Over in a Meadow.” And they’ll count baby animals in watersheds all over North America! What a delightful way to learn about riparian habitats and geography at the same time!

A heartwarming tale about an invisible bird who learns the key to happiness and friendship A lonely, invisible bird mistakenly believes that adorning himself with flashy feathers and flowers will make him beautiful and win him new friends. Except his plan quickly backfires when his magnificent plumage attracts the attention of everyone, even the fox! In his rush to safety, the little bird loses every last bit of his new decorations, making him invisible once again. But now in place of his loneliness is the knowledge that putting others first is the key to friendship and high self-esteem.

Science and story blend seamlessly in this book about the lives of meadow mice. A curious young mouse boldly ventures into the meadow for the first time. There he is given a crash course on life—from creatures both friendly and not so friendly. He witnesses a caterpillar becoming a chrysalis. He marvels that fireflies can glow. Thoughtful encounters with a turtle and a rabbit help prepare him for danger. Science and story blend seamlessly in this entertaining coming of age tale. But do animals talk and help each other? Thoughtful back matter explores the phenomenon of animal altruism and what we are learning of animal communication.