After harvesting an especially large “tear” of a resin known as myrrh, a young boy and his father visit a spice merchant whose three customers are seeking a special gift to bring to a baby. Includes biblical references and historical information about the Magi and myrrh.
Caldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shinpei, Japan’s premier cartoonist. Shunned by his father, who didn’t understand his son’s artistic leanings, Allen was embraced by Noro Shinpei, Japan’s leading cartoonist and the man he came to love as his “spiritual father.” As WWII raged, Allen was further inspired to consider questions of his own heritage and the motivations of those around him. He worked hard in rigorous drawing classes, studied, trained–and ultimately came to understand who he really is. Part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history, this book presents a complex look at the real-life relationship between a mentor and his student. With watercolor paintings, original cartoons, vintage photographs, and maps.
“WHO’S THAT TRIPPING OVER MY BRIDGE?” The three Billy Goats Gruff are hungry and want to go over the bridge and up the hillside to a fine meadow full of grass and daisies where they can eat and eat and eat, and get fat. But under the bridge lives a troll who’s as mean as he is ugly…With humorous, onomatopoeic language, call-and-answer structure, and colorful illustrations, Paul Galdone’s telling of this familiar tale is great for reading aloud with groups.
Emily and Harry love going on trips with Wee Granny. Surprising things always happen when she brings her tartan bag. One Christmas when they were carol singing Harry’s torch stopped working, so Granny reached into her bag and pulled out a lamppost to help them see! Last summer they were on the beach and Wee Granny rummaged around in her tartan bag and pulled out a deckchair each for them to sit on! Today they are going to the park, and when Mum calls to ask Granny if she’ll bake some cakes for the school fair, an incredible afternoon begins. A very funny picture book about two children and their amazing granny. With huge surprises on every page, you’ll never guess what will appear next from Wee Granny’s magic bag.
Introducing Bizzy Bear, the busiest bear on the block! With chunky sliders to push and pull, these robust little board books are perfect for active toddlers. Rich in visual detail and with touches of humor, they are set to become firm favorites in the family library. Bizzy Bear has a lot going on today! He calls his friend Rabbit and invites him to the park, where they play soccer, have fun on the slide and the seesaw, and even have time for a bike ride and an ice cream!
“I don’t like the dark,” said Little Bear. “What dark?” said Big Bear. “The dark all around us,” said Little Bear. In this tender account of a sleepless night in the bear cave, Big Bear sets out with all his patience and understanding to show Little Bear that the dark is nothing to be afraid of. When all the lanterns in the cave aren’t enough to quell Little Bear’s troubled emotions, Big Bear offers—in a final loving gesture—nothing less than the bright yellow moon and the twinkling stars!
Poor Lewis hates being a puffin. His brother Harris is great at catching fish, flying and doing puffin things, but Lewis just doesn’t fit in. He longs for a different life, far away from the crashing waves and tall cliffs of the Firth of Forth. Lewis finds the answer, and heads off to the circus to become a clown. He meets many incredible creatures: Carla Koala, Zorro the Highwire Cat, the Flying Blue Monkeys and Daredevil Pat. But when his act goes terribly wrong, can Lewis overcome his fears, find some confidence and save the day? A charming and hilarious rhyming picture book about a young misfit puffin who learns that it’s okay to be different.
Solomon Crocodile’s rough play prevents him from making friends down by the river until a stranger comes stomping through the reeds!
A folk tale classic by Paul Galdone, in a beautiful gift edition with gold foil accents. See if you can keep up with the Gingerbread Boy as he outruns a little old woman, a cow, and even a field full of mowers. With lively illustrations full of spunk and humor, this classic retelling takes readers on an adventure-packed ride with one of literature’s most beloved characters.
Irena Sendler, born to a Polish Catholic family, was raised to respect people of all backgrounds and to help those in need. She became a social worker; and after the German army occupied Poland during World War II, Irena knew she had to help the sick and the starving Jews who were imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto. She began by smuggling food, clothing and medicine into the ghetto, then turned to smuggling children out of the ghetto. Using false papers and creative means of escape, and at great personal risk, Irena helped rescue Jewish children and hides them in safe surroundings. Hoping to reunite families after the war, Irena kept lists of the Children’s identities.
Motivated by conscience and armed with compassion and a belief in human dignity, Irena Sendler confronted an enormous moral challenge and proved to the world that an ordinary person can accomplish deeds of extraordinary courage.