Age: Fiction

Fiction genre

Penguin

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

When Ben rips open his present, he finds a penguin inside. “Hello, Penguin!” he says. “What shall we play?” But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, sings a funny song, does a dizzy dance, stands on his head, sticks out his tongue, and resorts to increasingly rude and drastic measures, Penguin makes [...]

Other Descriptors: England (UK), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Bye-Bye Binky

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Nora is a big girl now, but she still clings to her pacifier when she gets sleepy. One day it falls out of her pocket while she’s playing outside. Ella Elephant doesn’t know what it is, but she thinks it’ll make a beautiful ring for her trunk. When she too loses it, Lotti Lamb finds [...]

Other Descriptors: Austria, Early Years (ages 2-6), Picture Book » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Wanda And The Frogs

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

On the way to school one morning, Wanda scoops some tadpoles into her sand pail. When she presents them to her teacher, the teacher agrees to let the class take care of them until they become frogs. But what will happen to the tadpoles once they grow legs and their tails begin to shrink? Wanda [...]

Other Descriptors: Canada, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

My Mommy Is Magic

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

A child lists things a mommy does, such as chasing monsters away after a bad dream and making a delicious cake appear—right out of thin air!  This charming companion to MY DADDY IS A GIANT captures a toddler’s love and admiration for her mother with warmth and humor.

Other Descriptors: Belgium, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , » Leave a comment

Little Eagle

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Little Eagle tells the story of a young boy who is orphaned and taken in by a kind old man. The story centers on the boy’s discovery of his guardian’s gift as a master of Eagle boxing, a specialized form of Kung Fu. Combining classical Chinese elegance with elements of Japanese anime, Chen’s bold and [...]

Other Descriptors: China, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Day the Stones Walked

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Pico’s father isn’t like the other fathers on Easter Island. Instead of building boats or hunting octopus, he sculpts the giant stone figures that he believes, in times of trouble, will rise and walk. Impossible, thinks Pico, until the Great Wave crashes into the island and Pico experiences firsthand the wonder of the stones. In [...]

Other Descriptors: Oceania, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Matt and Bibi unravel a pattern to discover a lost city. The Zills are visiting Peru to study the mysterious lost city of Quwi when Matt and Bibi stumble into an adventure. With only each other, their faithful dog Riley, and an unusual ancient relic to guide them, the twins must use their understanding of [...]

Other Descriptors: Peru, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

006 and a Half

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

In this book, James Bond, Daisy decides she wants to play her favorite dress-up game: spies! But how can she accomplish her missions if no one understands her secret code language? Daisy is almost ready to call it quits when her mom gets into the action, and Daisy realizes that being a spy just might [...]

Other Descriptors: England (UK), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Tyger! Tyger!

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Tyger! Tyger! is a moving fable that expresses hope for harmony between the human and the animal worlds. It draws its inspiration from real life–a Buddhist monastery in Thailand that has for years provided sanctuary for one of the world’s most endangered animals, the beautiful Indo-Chinese tiger.

Other Descriptors: Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Thailand » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Knife Edge

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Persephone Hadley is six months pregnant with a mixed-race baby.In their society this fact alone will threaten the child’s life every day. To make matters worse, the baby’s father, Callum, is dead. He was hanged for terrorism months ago, but his presence still torments Sephy. And she’s not alone. Callum’s brother, Jude, blames Sephy for [...]

Other Descriptors: England (UK), Realistic Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment