Children’s / Teenage general interest: Communities, places and peoples

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis“Offbeat homage to the game and its players…win, win all the way.” –Kirkus Reviews Batter up! Featuring a dynamic, colorful parade of baseball legends including dozens of superstars and historical figures like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr., and David Ortiz, S is for Slugger is the ultimate ABC book for budding baseball fans. The perfect way to teach baseball to the little slugger in your life. More in the ABC to MVP series: B is for Baller G is for Golazo Trade Review"A quirky baseball-based ABC provides the format for this offbeat homage to the game and its players. Shoeless Joe Jackson, Babe Ruth, and Mamie "Peanut" Johnson are the only representatives of baseball's long-ago past, with admiring nods to many 20th-century players, such as Jackie Robinson, Henry Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and Cal Ripken Jr., but the book has a very contemporary feel, also shining the spotlight on players active in the 21st century. "C is for Captain Clutch," Derek Jeter; "Z is for ZZZZZZZ," closer Mariano "Sandman" Rivera; "D is for Dugout," where the bench players (a dream team of sorts including Roger Clemens, Bo Jackson, and Mike Piazza) wait to play while cheering for their teammates. The author seems to have applied some personal algorithm to his choice of players, who were or are respected in their positions and include several Hall of Famers. In single- and double-page spreads, the players are either directly named in a brief, pithy alphabetic blurb or identified in bright white uppercase letters within the illustration. Shipley's deeply hued depictions carefully and creatively enhance the text. Many of the players are nearly faceless, shown in nonproportional, exaggerated, elongated form with legs that stretch forever. A few others are quite accurate character studies. The most intense baseball fans among young readers and their grown-ups will, inevitably, have the great pleasure of arguing and discussing the pros and cons of the inclusion or omission of their favorite players. Win, win all the way." Kirkus Reviews"Serious baseball fans will love this comprehensive, vividly illustrated alphabet book." School Library Journal"The illustration of the players and people known through history are well drawn out clearly seeing each person. I appreciate "U is for Big Unit" being Randy Johnson featuring the scene where he threw the fast ball where a bird exploded but just shows the bird flying in front of him." Micah, Goodreads

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Book SynopsisKobe Bryant will forever be known as one of basketball’s greatest superstars. Nicknamed “The Black Mamba,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend left his mark on the game as a fierce competitor who lifted those around him and never settled for anything less than the best. The Legend of Kobe Bryant contains essential facts and stories all basketball fans should know, plus inspiring quotes and brilliant photos. Learn about Kobe’s early days bursting onto the NBA scene, his five NBA championships with the Lakers, his unforgettable 60-point final game, and his desire to share basketball with everyone.

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Book Synopsis“Not every flying hero has a cape.” —Michael Jordan Essential facts and stories all young basketball fans should know, plus inspiring quotes and brilliant photos Michael Jordan left his mark on the game as a larger-than-life competitor who dazzled the world, pushed the boundaries of his sport, and never settled for anything less than the best. The Chicago Bulls legend is known as the greatest basketball player of all time, but he is so much more than just an athlete. The man who made fans want to “Be Like Mike” revolutionized the world of sports, is an ambassador for the game around the world, and serves as a role model to millions.  In The Legend of Michael Jordan, readers will learn about MJ’s early days growing up in North Carolina, his six championships with the Chicago Bulls, the impact he had on fashion and pop culture, and his burning desire to win.  This must-own book is a great way to introduce young ballers to basketball’s Greatest of All Time. Other titles in this series: The Legend of Kobe Bryant

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Book SynopsisA must-have book for inquisitive young sports fans, this collection of sports trivia entertains as it informs, presenting insider knowledge from the world of sports in the distinct Sports Illustrated Kids style. More than simply a list of questions and answers, this full-color, interactive book details the answers to sports’ curious questions — Why is the NHL’s trophy called the Stanley Cup? Who was baseball’s first designated hitter? When were the first Olympics held? Why is San Francisco’s football team called the 49ers? — complete with photos and illustrations that entertain as they inform.Featuring hundreds of questions, young fans will be stumping the adult sports fans in their lives with their expert insider knowledge.

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Book SynopsisGeorge Gershwin heard music all the time--at home, at school, even on New York City's busy streets. Classical, ragtime, blues, and jazz--George's head was filled with a whole lot of razzmatazz! With rhythmic swirls of words and pictures, author Suzanne Slade and illustrator Stacy Innerst beautifully reveal just how brilliantly Gershwin combined various kinds of music to create his masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue, a surprising and whirlwind composition of notes, sounds, and one long wail of a clarinet. Includes author's note, timeline, and bibliography.Trade ReviewFOUR STARRED REVIEWS! * "Through evocative storytelling, expressive hand-lettered text, and dynamic paintings, Slade and Innerst explore the making of Gershwin's acclaimed "Rhapsody in Blue" in an account that's as 'lively, fun, and different' as the works the composer wrote... a rousing look at one of the defining contributions to the Great American Songbook." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review --Publishers Weekly, starred review * "One of American music's masterpieces, 'Rhapsody in Blue,' is introduced here along with its composer, George Gershwin... Slade and Innerst... work beautifully together to create a book that builds to a crescendo just as 'Rhapsody' does. The swirling text wraps around the inventive (and mostly blue) art, both literally and figuratively, capturing the time period as well as the dazzling musical piece... This is fitting celebration of a musical milestone--keep a copy of the song cued up for curious listeners." --Booklist, starred review * "Slade teams up with Innerst for this pleasant picture book biography of composer George Gershwin... Innerst's acrylic spreads are almost entirely done in blue and gray tones, with broad brushstrokes, scanned textiles, and paper adding texture; each scene is striking. Slade's narrative is highly readable and lightly peppered with musical onomatopoeia... A detailed author's note, time line, and bibliography add further depth to this well-researched work. Readers will get a glimpse into Gershwin's mind and find the music within. Highly recommended" --School Library Journal, starred review * "Slade illuminates George Gershwin's creative process, from inception to premiere of "Rhapsody in Blue."... Innerst's acrylic-on-paper compositions, in a striking palette of indigo, sepia, and white, whimsically evoke both the period and the composer's creativity... Bravo!" --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Slade traces Gershwin's early talents and rise to fame as a 'daring' composer who wove together myriad musical forms with city sounds, building toward the triumph of the composition and first performance of a 'musical kaleidoscope of America's melting pot-Rhapsody in Blue.' Swirly acrylic paintings and hand-lettering in a palette of almost all blues perfectly visualize the 'razzmatazz dazzling' music." --The Horn Book Magazine "The picture book...comes alive as the blue, sepia, muter colors, and words swirl across the pages...the title will be appreciated by music teachers as an introduction to the music Gershwin composed, as well as by language arts teachers focusing on biographies." --Library Media Connection, Highly Recommended A Parents' Choice Gold Award A Booklist Top 10 Arts Book for Youth

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Book SynopsisEven as American Patriots fought for independence from British rule during the Revolutionary War, oppressive conditions remained in place for the thousands of enslaved and free African Americans living in this country. But African Americans took up their own fight for freedom by joining the British and American armies; preaching, speaking out, and writing about the evils of slavery; and establishing settlements in Nova Scotia and Africa. The thirteen stories featured in this collection spotlight charismatic individuals who answered the cry for freedom, focusing on the choices they made and how they changed America both then and now. These individuals include: Boston King, Agrippa Hull, James Armistead Lafayette, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, Prince Hall, Mary Perth, Ona Judge, Sally Hemings, Paul Cuffe, John Kizell, Richard Allen, and Jarena Lee. Includes individual bibliographies and timelines, author note, and source notes.Trade Review"Biographical sketches tell of 13 remarkable black men and women... (t)he well-told stories, illustrated with striking silhouettes by Christie, can be read independently of one another... Accessible, inspiring accounts of courageous men and women." --Kirkus Reviews "There is a dearth of resources available to students interested in the history and inner lives of free and enslaved African Americans in early U.S. history. This informational text uncovers a bit of that lost history...Through the use of personal testimonies, Woelfle presents an approachable but detailed narrative. Researchers and history fans alike will surely appreciate this work that brings attention to a missing part of U.S. history. Recommended for libraries and classrooms that serve middle school students."--School Library Journal "This book features 13 inspirational biographies of African Americans who overcame tremendous obstacles in their quest for liberation during the American Revolution... students will easily identify with the challenges faced by these notables, especially since many were in their teens or younger at the time of the war. Teachers will love the extensively researched text, and librarians will love the in-text quotes, poems, journal excerpts, letters, epitaphs, testimonies, and other primary source content. Skillfully written by multiple award-winning author Woelfle, and illustrated with pen and ink drawings by award-winning illustrator Christie, this book supports fifth grade Common Core social studies standards and is ideally suited for all middle grades studying early American history, civil rights, and government." --Library Media Connection, Highly Recommended "Author Woelfle and illustrator Christie share the stories of African American patriots of the American Revolution, an important and interesting part of history that is not often covered in texts. The personal stories will inspire and guide many who are forging their own path for equal rights today...a well researched book that will make history relatable for students." -- VOYA

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Book SynopsisPerfect for Women''s History Month, here is the story of the extraordinary Alice Paul, a leader in the long struggle for votes for women.Alice Paul made a significant impact on both the woman''s suffrage movement—the long struggle for votes for women—to the "second wave," when women demanded full equality with men.  After women won the vote in 1920, Paul wrote the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would make all the laws that discriminated against women unconstitutional. Passage of the ERA became the rallying cry of a new movement of young women in the 1960s and ''70s. Paul saw another chance to advance women''s rights when the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 began moving through Congress. She set in motion the "sex amendment," which remains a crucial legal tool for helping women fight discrimination in the workplace. A true "girl power" book for today''s young women, the title includes archival images, an author''s note, a bibliography, and source notes.

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Book SynopsisKirkus Reviews Best Children's Book Here is the riveting dual biography of two little-known but extraordinary African-American Union soldiers in Civil War history—George E. Stephens and James Henry Gooding. Stephens and Gooding not only served in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry, the well-known black regiment, but were also war correspondents who published eyewitness reports of the battlefields. Their dispatches told the truth of their lives at camp, their intense training, and the dangers and tragedies on the battlefield. Like the other thousands of black soldiers in the regiment, they not only fought against the Confederacy and the inhumanity of slavery, but also against injustice in their own army. The regiment’s protest against unfair pay resulted in America’s first major civil rights victory—equal pay for African American soldiers. This fresh perspective on the Civil War includes an author’s note, timeline, bibliography, index and source notes.Trade Review★ "Two black Civil War soldiers and writers offer unique perspectives about how they fought on and off the battlefield... both showing a different side of the war to blacks and abolitionists. Author Shepard does a great job using the dispatches from these men to form the basis for this narrative. The most impressive contribution is how the individual voices of (the soldiers) are in the forefront with their similarities and distinctions. This is a powerful use of primary resources, one that illuminates the lives of its subjects but never gets in the way of their remarkable stories. Rich backmatter provides useful information. Absolutely stellar." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review★ "Written from the points of view of...the first African American war correspondents—fascinating, often brutal details from their experiences as soldiers in the 54th Infantry make up the backbone of this meticulously researched and highly readable history. This book will greatly enhance Civil War studies, leading to a deeper understanding of the African American plight throughout history and the racial prejudice that continues to this day. Teachers can also use this text to show how primary documents are critical to unbiased historical accounts. Documents and photographs add much interest and authenticity to the text." —School Library Connection, starred review"The author will captivate readers with masterfully built suspense...The context of the war and the political climate of the country are interjected along with the complexity of sentiments about African Americans...The inclusion of a time line, maps, drawings, and photographs...further enriches the narrative...this is an excellent addition to the history."—School Library Journal This well-researched volume is recommended for students who want to dig a little deeper into the history of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment." —Booklist“This timely and important book…gives readers a unique and honest look at the Civil War, different from what is traditionally taught in classrooms (and) packs an impressive amount of detailed information, as well as emotional punch….perfect for both junior high and senior high school research, as well as for any reader interested in African American history and Civil War history. This is a highly recommended purchase for libraries serving young adults.—VOYA

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Book SynopsisDemonstrating the power of protest and standing up for a just cause, here is an exciting tribute to the educators who participated in the 1965 Selma Teachers'' March.Reverend F.D. Reese was a leader of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. As a teacher and principal, he recognized that his colleagues were viewed with great respect in the city. Could he convince them to risk their jobs--and perhaps their lives--by organizing a teachers-only march to the county courthouse to demand their right to vote? On January 22, 1965, the Black teachers left their classrooms and did just that, with Reverend Reese leading the way. Noted nonfiction authors Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace conducted the last interviews with Reverend Reese before his death in 2018 and interviewed several teachers and their family members in order to tell this story, which is especially important today.

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Book SynopsisWritten in the same vein as the recent best-selling titles I DISSENT and SHE PERSISTED, here is a nonfiction picture book biography of trailblazer Belva Lockwood, the first woman lawyer to argue in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Belva was a lawyer, activist and presidential candidate who devoted her life to overcoming obstacles and demanding equality for women.Activist Belva Lockwood never stopped asking herself the question Are women not worth the same as men? She had big dreams and didn't let anyone stand in her way--not her father, her law school, or even the U.S. Supreme Court. She fought for equality for women in the classroom, in the courtroom, and in politics. In her quest for fairness and parity, Lockwood ran for President of the United States, becoming the first woman on the ballot. In this riveting nonfiction picture book biography, award-winning author Kate Hannigan and celebrated artist Alison Jay illuminate the life of Lockwood, a woman who was never afraid to take the floor and speak her mind.Trade Review★“(An) informative and delightful biography… Hannigan’s style is pithy, but packed with facts. Belva comes alive as a feisty activist…Jay’s signature crackled artwork has a historical look, but also a childlike appeal that will bring the audience close. An excellent example of picture-book biography.” — Booklist, starred review★“This is an engaging introduction to a woman unknown to many, young and old, giving some insight into her adventurous personality. Her quotes are integrated into the illustrations, executed in oils with a crackle varnish, with a look reminiscent of 19th-century folk art. Soft blues and browns predominate in the naïve paintings, lending to their antique appearance. An excellent, well-researched model of its genre, which will inspire children to do whatever they desire in life, no matter what immediate restrictions exist.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review★“Hannigan presents an invigorating account of the life of Belva Lockwood…Working in her distinctively crackled folk style, Jay depicts powerful moments of resistance and courage from Lockwood’s life. Endnotes provide a timeline…highlighting significant events in the ongoing fight for women’s rights.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review★"Young Belva Lockwood was afraid of nothing...and refused to be silenced. Students will...be amazed at the fearlessness of this unsung champion of equal pay, equal opportunities, and equal respect for all. Highly Recommended." — School Library Connection, starred review“Hannigan thoroughly details Lockwood’s many triumphs, beginning with her childhood and young adult years, and concluding with her unsuccessful, though impressive, run for president. Nearly each page offers a quote from Lockwood’s speeches and writings and most resonate with today’s political climate…A time line provides dates and pertinent facts about the subject and the accomplishments of other women in law and politics. Lockwood’s struggles against great odds in the name of freedom are well outlined in this work. A fine addition to nonfiction collections.” — School Library Journal“Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood managed to rack up a string of women’s ‘firsts’ by storming the gates during a period in which Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony could seem somewhat passive in comparison. Jay(‘s) folk-art style with elongated figures, (and) muted tones… convey a sense of antiquity.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Book SynopsisDo you get books from a public library in your town or even in your school library? In many remote areas of the world, there are no library buildings. In many countries, books are delivered in unusual way: by bus, boat, elephant, donkey, train, even by wheelbarrow. Why would librarians go to the trouble of packing books on the backs of elephants or driving miles to deliver books by bus? Because, as one librarian in Azerbaijan says, "Books are as important to us as air or water!" This is the intriguing photo essay, a celebration of books, readers, and libraries.Trade Review"With little information available about libraries of the world, this title offers a glimpse into the world of books, which several countries consider as important as air or water. This might be an interesting revelation to many students who consider reading a laborious task and to those who take an abundance of books very much for granted." —School Library Journal"One of the more unusual books about libraries, this may also get kids thinking about children in other countries in a way that the series books never do." —Kirkus Reviews"The easygoing and accessible narrative would work well as either a readaloud or as a text for independent readers. . . . Well organized and engaging." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Book SynopsisRobert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner“An engaging and accessible account” for young readers about the Freedom Riders who led the landmark 1961 protests against segregation on buses (School Library Journal) On May 4, 1961, a group of thirteen black and white civil rights activists launched the Freedom Ride, aiming to challenge the practice of segregation on buses and at bus terminal facilities in the South.The Ride would last twelve days. Despite the fact that segregation on buses crossing state lines was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1946, and segregation in interstate transportation facilities was ruled unconstitutional in 1960, these rulings were routinely ignored in the South. The thirteen Freedom Riders intended to test the laws and draw attention to the lack of enforcement with their peaceful protest. As the Riders traveled deeper into the South, they encountered increasing violence and opposition. Noted civil rights author Larry Dane Brimner relies on archival documents and rarely seen images to tell the riveting story of the little-known first days of the Freedom Ride. Trade Review★ “An engaging and accessible account . . . presents a straightforward narrative approach to the subject that will appeal to readers. The stark, black-and-white design of the text emphasizes the directness of the prose, while the riveting, full-page photos and descriptive captions enhance the reading experience . . . an essential part of civil rights collections and a worthy addition to all nonfiction shelves.” —School Library Journal, starred review ★ “Brimner, whose books on the civil rights era include Birmingham Sunday (2010) and Black and White (2011), presents a tightly focused, present-tense account of what happened during the May 1961 Freedom Rides. Presented on spacious pages with striking design, the many large, archival black-and-white photos transport readers back in time. While the introductory and concluding sections offer helpful summaries of four major Supreme Court rulings on segregation from 1896 to 1960 and short biographies of the 13 Freedom Riders, the heart of the book is its straightforward, concise, day-by-day reporting of the journey. A memorable presentation of inherently dramatic and historically significant events.” —Booklist, starred review “Sibert Honor-winning author Brimner (Black and White, 2011) explores the first Freedom Ride in May 1961 . . . Brimner does an excellent job giving the necessary context for the events, and the day-by-day focus provides dramatic tension for the narrative. Useful backmatter includes biographical sketches, bibliography, source notes, index, and picture credits. Richly illustrated with period photographs and strikingly designed, this is a clear, accessible depiction of a major story in the civil rights movement.” —Kirkus Reviews “A superb overview of Freedom Summer, Brimner’s merger of history with photographs imparts the drama and significance of the Freedom Ride of 1961. A powerful message about daring and persistence . . . Crucial to the even-handed writing of the text is a controlled tone, free of unnecessary accusations and sensationalism… Brimner’s organization of print, video, and website source material . . . stress to young readers the elements of bias-free research. An essential addition to public and middle school libraries, the gripping history of the Freedom Summer promotes understanding of a turning point in U.S. race relations.” —VOYA “Readers will get a true sense of the violence and fear that the riders were subject to the closer they got to their destination. Thanks to well-placed b&w historical photos, the discrimination, confrontations, and violence surrounding this Freedom ride are clearly depicted. Simply written, the text succinctly describes the events of the trip . . . This volume will serve as an excellent resource on this historic event and its participants.” —School Library Connection “Using a straightforward, present-tense narrative and a diary-style format . . . this [is a] well-researched and accessible account of a precedent-setting protest.” —Publishers Weekly “Brimner’s presentation—with its oversized trim and photographs, and its dramatic black and white layout—is well suited for readalouds and use by readers of diverse ages, reading levels, and backgrounds. This title should spring off the nonfiction shelves and into the attention of middle-school readers.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “Brimner’s narrative summarizes and recounts the highlights of those violent, turbulent days, but the main attraction of this book is its photographs. A striking and spacious book design with black-and-white images provides immediacy.” —The Horn Book Magazine

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Book SynopsisFamous car-maker and businessman Henry Ford loved beans. And he showed great innovation with his determination to build his most inventive car--one completely made of soybeans. With a mind for ingenuity, Henry Ford looked to improve life for others. After the Great Depression struck, Ford especially wanted to support ailing farmers. For two years, Ford and his team researched ways to use farmers' crops in his Ford Motor Company. They discovered that the soybean was the perfect answer. Soon, Ford's cars contained many soybean plastic parts, and Ford incorporated soybeans into every part of his life. He ate soybeans, he wore clothes made of soybean fabric, and he wanted to drive soybeans, too. Award-winning author Peggy Thomas and illustrator Edwin Fotheringham explore this American icon's little-known quest.Trade Review"While many know about Henry Ford's automobiles and assembly line refinements, Thomas's latest nonfiction work describes his fascination with the soybean. Vibrant shades of yellow, green, and blue dominate Fotheringham's digital illustrations, which feature farming and factory scenes and play with scale. A detailed, bean-filled look at an auto tycoon's lesser-known passion." -- Publishers Weekly "(F)ascinating... Fotheringham's illustrations are stunning digital art pieces that supplement the narrative with additional information. This engaging story is ideal for anyone looking to add to their collections on American history or STEAM." -- Booklist

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Book SynopsisThis exuberant picture book demonstrates key math concepts to children as ten math-loving chicks make a new friend. As the Arithmechicks slide down the slide, swing on the swings, and play hide-and-seek, they don't realize that a lonely mouse is copying them, longing to join in. However, when their basketball becomes stuck, the chicks discover that a two-inch-tall new friend is exactly what they need. In this heartwarming story, there are many ways to add up ten cheerful chicks--but a new friend is what makes them cheer. The book includes a helpful glossary that defines the eight arithmetic strategies the chicks use throughout the story, providing a playful introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers.Trade Review"Practical application mixes with play, adding up to enjoyable learning." - Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisRenowned author and poet Nikki Grimes succinctly captures a childhood filled with both tragedy and courage and invites readers to join her as she seeks the truth of her past in this powerful memoir. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by her mother's second husband. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic of writing. Through subsequent years, her notebooks were her most enduring companions. In this remarkable memoir told in both poetry and prose, Grimes explores her harrowing past, showing how the power of words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of life.Trade Review"With Ordinary Hazards, Grimes delivers a memoir in the form of a powerful and inspiring collection of poems. She details her early life through adulthood, and she unabashedly explores the highs as well as the lows. Young adults will identify with and connect to the many challenges explored in Grimes' work, which delves into issues of love, family, responsibility, belonging, finding your place in the world, and fighting the monsters you know--and the ones you don't. The memoir has heartbreaking moments--even soul-crushing ones--that will make readers ache for young Grimes and teens grappling with similar circumstances. But inspiring moments bolster her raw, resonant story, showing that there is always light at the end of the darkest of tunnels." -- Booklist, starred review "Grimes potently conveys the way reading and writing can become ways not just to express oneself but to construct oneself, to articulate one's identity, to map one's mental and emotional territory. Readerly readers will find young Nikki inspiring company..." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review "As poetically written as Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming with a story as hard-hitting as Sapphire's Push....the striking free-verse poems powerfully convey how a passion for writing fueled her will to survive and embrace her own resilience.... (a) must-read for aspiring writers." -- The Horn Book, starred review "Grimes presents a gripping memoir in verse constructed from imperfect recollections of the hardship and abuse she endured as a child. Underlining the idea that 'a memoir's focus is on truth, not fact, ' Grimes courageously invites readers to join her on a journey through the shadows of her past..." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "(W)ritten in highly readable verse and delivers a relatable message characterized by pathos and resilience... this book is an homage to the fortifying effect of written expression. School counselors can use this text as bibliotherapy for students in similar situations (and it) can also act as mentor text in classroom lessons on memoir writing or when teaching confessional poetry." -- School Library Connection, starred review "For award-winning children's and YA author Grimes, writing, faith, and determination were the keys to surviving her tumultuous childhood. Grimes recounts her story as a memoir in verse, writing with a poet's lyricism through the lens of memory fractured by trauma. Fans of her poetry and prose will appreciate this intimate look at the forces that shaped her as an artist and as a person determined to find the light in the darkest of circumstances. A raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of trauma, loss, and the healing power of words." -- Kirkus Reviews "Grimes offers young adult readers the special treat of literary ingenuity in her new memoir... that doesn't demand a time line. This nontraditional memoir from a long-working and highly acclaimed author will speak deeply to young readers harboring their own interest in writing or otherwise squeezing art out of life's spiky fruit." -- School Library Journal "This book is... a gut-wrenching testimony of pain, loss, resilience, and grace. Nikki is open about her truth and wrote it to make it accessible to readers of all ages. This book will heal hearts and open a lot of eyes. It will keep some kids alive and it will wake up some adults. This powerful story, told with the music of poetry and the blade of truth, will help your heart grow." --Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak and Shout "In Ordinary Hazards, Nikki Grimes has given us an intimate look into her life as a young person who found writing as a way to buoy herself in the choppy waters of her childhood. Giving us a glimpse into addiction, abandonment, foster care, and abuse, Grimes poetically guides us to her eventual acceptance and amazement. This is a testimony and a triumph." --Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down "Life, as Nikki Grimes so well puts it, is full of ordinary hazards, only she creates and accepts them in poems. Sometimes you want to cry... sometimes to laugh... but always at all times are you glad you are alive and lived with it and through it. Ms. Grimes writes, but some of us sing, bake, or build buildings or play sports. These, too, can be hazardous. But none of them is ordinary." --Nikki Giovanni, Poet "Each verse is a gift, showing us how to find beauty even in brokenness." --Renee Watson, author of the New York Times best seller Piecing Me Together "In Ordinary Hazards Nikki Grimes gives us her raw, desperate, joyful, lyrical truth, while celebrating the life-changing, and -life-saving, power of words. Whoever you are, there's something in Ordinary Hazards for you." --Chris Crutcher, author of Whale Talk and Losers Bracket "Ordinary Hazards is an extraordinary book, a stunning memoir in verse that celebrates the power of the written word and the human spirit. Nikki's story will be a life-saving read for teens who need to know that there is hope on the other side of the struggles they're facing today." --Kate Messner, author of Breakout and The Seventh Wish "Can I use just one word in a blurb? Then it's WOW! If two: Incredibly moving. If three: Poetry saved her. Four: That's too easy. Instead I'll tell you that if you read one book of poetry this year, or one memoir, make it this one. How the poet came out of her childhood with grace and good words is a miracle. How she wanted to share is a second one. That she did--a third. Just WOW." --Jane Yolen, sometime poet, author of over 375 published books "Memory is a capricious dance partner. Sometimes it overwhelms our brain, stomping with bold, defined images and thoughts, and sometimes it simply tiptoes around the edges of a whisper, a dream, a forgotten touch or glance. Nikki Grimes's powerful memoir does both as she uses words, her constant source of strength, to tell the story of her childhood, which at times was both traumatic as well as triumphant. The strength that carried the child who would become the writer, the poet, the visionary was built on the power of words. She constantly and faithfully wrote in journals and notebooks and on scraps of paper because the words were her wings. Poetry became a necessary tool of survival for her mind and body and soul. This memoir, which she calls Ordinary Hazards, far exceeds the title. It is extraordinary." --Sharon M. Draper, author of the New York Times best seller Out of My Mind

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling Larry Gets Lost series heads to Beantown in this board book featuring vibrant retro illustrations of this great American city and the perpetually lost pup, Larry. Just like the locals and visitors, Larry the pup loves the Freedom Trail, the Public Garden, Fenway Park, Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall, and many of the other sites and sounds of Boston. Based on the popular children''s picture book Larry Gets Lost in Boston, families who love Boston will want this charming board book for their little readers.

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling Larry Gets Lost series heads to the nation''s capital in this board book featuring vibrant retro illustrations of this great American city and the perpetually lost pup, Larry.   Just like the locals and visitors, Larry the pup loves the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and many of the other sites and sounds of Washington, DC. Based on the popular children''s picture book Larry Gets Lost in Washington, DC, families who love the city will want this charming board book for their little readers.

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Book SynopsisToddlers will enjoy this retelling of Stephen Cosgrove’s charming story of Wheedle on the Needle filled with playful rhymes and featuring Robin James’s colorful artwork.

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Book SynopsisFilled with fun facts and 100 full-color, beautiful, and scientifically accurate illustrations, this nature guide will inspire kids to go outdoors and discover the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest.   Did you know that baby raccoons are smaller than a bar of soap? Or that salmon smell using little pits in the front of their eyes? Curious Kids Nature Guide is filled with full-color illustrations and fun facts about the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest, encouraging kids to discover and explore nature in their own backyards and beyond. Organized by habitat--forest, beach, fresh water, and backyards and urban parks--this book will teach kids about some of the most intriguing flora, fauna, and natural phenomena of the region while also sharing ecological lessons.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing new artwork and a new trim size perfect for gift giving, this companion to the best-selling Larry Gets Lost in Seattle follows Larry and his owner, Pete, on an alphabetical journey throughout Seattle.   A playful, colorful alphabet book based on the popular Larry Gets Lost in Seattle children’s book. Larry the pup and his best friend, Pete, discover Seattle from A (Seattle Aquarium) to Z (Woodland Park Zoo), and everything in between. H is for houseboats and hydroplanes. O is for orcas. Kids will have fun discovering their city as they learn their ABCs.

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling Larry Gets Lost series heads to sunny San Diego in this board book featuring vibrant retro illustrations of this great American city and the perpetually lost pup, Larry.   Just like the locals and visitors, Larry the pup loves Hotel Coronado, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, the Embarcadero, and many of the other sites and sounds of San Diego. Based on the popular children''s picture book Larry Gets Lost in San Diego, families who love the city will want this charming board book for their little readers.

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Book SynopsisThe first-ever picture book biography of world-renowned glassmaker Dale Chihuly—with stunning watercolor illustrations that reveal the history of the art—for aspiring artists ages 5-9.Travel along with Dale Chihuly on his life’s journey full of curiosity, discovery, teamwork, and perseverance as he overcomes challenges to become a glass artist of international acclaim.Dale Chihuly’s early life presented many challenges, such as tragic losses in his family at a young age and an accident that left him blind in one eye, yet his resilience, hard work, and optimism taught him life-long skills that became inseparable from his body of work—incomparable glass creations that provide rich material for the book’s gorgeous illustrations.In addition to the narrative story, curious readers will enjoy additional reading material which includes:  Additional biographical information about Dale Chihuly Brief history of the evolution of glassmaking  A timeline of Dale Chihuly's life A glossary

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Book SynopsisIn Alaska, dogs really are a person’s best friend. These true canine stories from the last frontier describe remarkable acts of intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism by Balto, Togo, Tekla, Stickeen, and more of Alaska’s famous dogs. Follow these dogs as they traverse the mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to remote villages, fight off attacking bears, and find lost children. Alaskan canines perform amazing deeds that exhibit intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism—plus they offer friendly and furry companionship to their owners.Trade Review"James’s handsome artwork captures the individuality of each dog as Gill describes the animals and their contributions to Alaskan history in crisp, clean prose."—Publishers Weekly "Nineteen famous dogs from Alaska are introduced through short profiles in this illustrated look at some courageous canines....Attractive, full-page illustrations of the dogs are the book’s best feature, with several of the canines running or leaping through the air in rescue mode."—Kirkus Reviews"Gill, a past Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race participant and the author of best-selling children's books about Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, introduces young children to heroic tales of 19 courageous Alaska canines. Accompanied by James' captivating illustrations, the stories of how dogs in Alaska have accomplished feats such as warding off bears and finding lost children will thrill young readers."—Alaska Airlines Magazine"Dogs are an integral part of life in much of Alaska, and there are many stories about exceptional canines who merit a place in the state's history. This book introduces readers to 19 of these dogs, ...A beautiful color illustration faces a page of information, briefly introducing the dogs and the accomplishments for which they are known. The writing is crisp and interesting. This is sure to be a hit with dog lovers."—Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Media"Alaska's Dog Heroes: True Stories of Remarkable Canines by Shelley Gill is a children's book that dog lovers will absolutely adore. There are nineteen dogs depicted in this book complete with a short write-up and beautiful illustration for each dog. ...All of the stories that Gill shares are heroic in their own right and truly illustrate the loyalty and bravery of man's best friend."—Confessions of a Book Addict"Since dogs are such an important part of life in Alaska, a book about some famous dogs from that state is sure to be an interesting one. The stories of nineteen dogs that did amazing, extraordinary, or simply interesting things are included... Author Shelly Gill was one of the first women to complete the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, so she has the credentials to write this book. The icing on the cake, though, is the beautiful, life-like illustrations by Robin James."—San Francisco Book Review"[My son] loves this book so much he has even asked to sleep with it in his bed on a few occasions... The tales are the perfect length for when you need just a short story to keep your kids attention occupied for a few minutes."—Alaska Love 12"Dogs really are a person’s best friend in Alaska. ...From traversing mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to fighting off bears and finding lost children, each beautifully illustrated and exciting story comes from the pages of Alaska’s history. Dog lovers, Alaska tourists, fans of the Iditarod Dogsled Race, school teachers, and librarians will enjoy these true stories of Alaska’s canine heroes."—Creative Child

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Book SynopsisThough a forest may be blanketed in snow or a lake frozen over, families who enjoy the outdoors in winter, happily bundled up to play in the energising weather, know that wildlife is still teeming there. The fallen log that is used to hide behind in a snowball fight is a shelter for tree frogs, caterpillars, ladybugs, and slugs. The drifts of fallen snow that families snowshoe across have winding tunnels made by meadow mice in search of seeds and bark. The towering trees families ski among shield birds from winter winds. When Winter Comes celebrates the joy of families playing and exploring in the outdoors during the winter months.Trade Review"Through intriguing cutaway scenes, many illustrations also reveal the animals scurrying about or resting underground and beneath the snow and ice. This lively picture book offers a fresh perspective on the animals-in-winter theme."--Booklist★ "Bissonette’s prose sparkles even as she imparts factual information"--Publisher's Weekly, starred"Hourigan’s joyful illustrations will encourage children to take a closer look at the world around them."--School Library Journal "an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections." --Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisThis new addition to the best-selling Larry Gets Lost series, featuring the perpetually lost pup, Larry, celebrates libraries and librarians.Larry, a playful pup, loves to go on vacation with Pete. In this edition they visit Pete's grandparents on a farm. When a bookmobile arrives, Pete is excited to select a stack of books. As Pete reads, he doesn't notice that Larry, in search of a snack, wanders into the bookmobile. Larry's adventure begins when the librarian drives away, not realizing Larry is on board, to return the bookmobile to the city library. Larry, searching for Pete, soon finds himself lost inside the library, where he is surrounded by busy librarians and patrons enjoying books. But will he ever find his way back to his best friend Pete?Trade Review"Ode’s bouncing abcb rhyme scheme makes this title excellent to read aloud, in group settings or for one-on-one sharing"--Olivia the Librarian

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Book SynopsisPerfect for family car trips, this activity book includes more than 50 puzzles and activities covering every region of the country! Kids will enjoy exploring to 50 United States with Larry, Pete, and dozens of puzzles, games, and creative activities, including stickers!From the bestselling Larry Gets Lost series of children's books, Larry—everyone's favorite donut-loving pup—goes on a coast-to-coast summer road trip with Pete and the family to visit exciting cities and landmarks across the USA. During the trip Larry gets lost a few times in different locations while children have fun with a variety of original and classic activities—coloring, connect the dots, and stickers!—and learn about America's geography, history, and culture with the Larry, Pete, and the gang.Praise for the Larry Gets Lost series"The story's colorful, retro-inspired illustrations bring the beloved city highlights to life, and make them seem magical again even to a jaded city kid who walks past them every day."—Red TricycleTrade ReviewPraise for the Larry Gets Lost series"The story's colorful, retro-inspired illustrations bring the beloved city highlights to life, and make them seem magical again even to a jaded city kid who walks past them every day."—Red Tricycle"These wonderful, easy-reading books for children of all ages highlight many of the wonderful things to do and see while traveling to these cities. Both armchair and actual travelers will relish getting lost with Larry."—Cheryl Weems, Deschutes Public Library system, the Bulletin

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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