The Young Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Anderson was born in the slums of Odense, Denmark. His parents were hardworking, and Hans received little formal education, but his childhood was his opening to the world of folklore and fairy tales. Much of his work depicts characters who gain happiness in life after suffering and conflicts and many of his childhood experiences inspired his most famous tales, such as The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid. In this intimate and gripping biography of one of the world’s greatest storytellers, Karen Hesse and acclaimed artist Erik Blegvad connect Hans’s own experiences

Stand Up, Mr Dickens

Portrays the life of the famed English novelist and describes how he entertained audiences by reading his stories aloud. Includes excerpts from “The Pickwick Papers,” “Oliver Twist,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Dombey and Son,” “David Copperfield,” and “Great Expectations.”

Snake Charmer

A little boy in India longs to become a snake charmer. Vishnu dreams of being a snake charmer like his father. He already knows how to handle cobras and he is learning to play the special flute. He longs to go to the city to charm snakes while the tourists watch. But his father thinks that education is more important, so Vishnu must stay home. Life in the village is never dull, though. There are plenty of games and chores to keep everyone busy, and then there’s school, which is taught outdoors. And every few weeks Vishnu’s father-and the snakes-return home to visit. A striking introduction to life in India as seen through the eyes of one little boy.

Monumental Verses

Through his poetry, Lewis pays homage to 13 monuments around the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and Mount Rushmore. Includes a spread in the back of the book with a map showing the locations of the monuments along with brief historical information on each site. Full color.

Most Beloved Sister

Barbara has a secret friend who lives in the garden. It’s her twin sister, Lalla-Lee, and Barbara doesn’t have to share her with her papa or mama or brother. What’s even better is that Lalla-Lee calls Barbara her “Most Beloved Sister.” Together, the girls bravely ride their horses through the Great Horrible Forest, where the nasty Frights live, to visit the Kind Ones in the meadow. The Kind Ones always give them cookies and caramels. And best of all, Barbara and Lalla-Lee go to the Most Beautiful Valley in the World, where the trees and the flowers sing. At the end of this particular adventure, Barbara knows that she must say goodbye to Lalla-Lee for the final time. But when she arrives home, there is a wonderful surprise waiting for her.

My Secret Camera: Life In The Lodz Ghetto

Photographs taken secretly by a young Jewish boy document the fear, hardship, generosity, and humanity woven through the daily lives of the Jews forced to live in the Lodz ghetto during the Holocaust.