When a greedy oysterman captures a selkie–a seal that turns into a girl–a boy outwits him and returns her to the sea and wins her reward.
Selkie
Early Years (ages 2-6)
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.
Little Mouse’s Big Secret
Shh…! Little Mouse has a secret! He’s found a delicious-looking apple and doesn’t want to share a bite. So he buries it, and no matter how many of his friends ask what he hid, Little Mouse won’t tell. But when a tree sprouts from the seeds of the fruit, there are enough apples for everyone-and Little Mouse realizes some secrets are even better when they’re shared. Award-winning illustratorEric Battuthas created a charming picture book that will delight-and teach-children. Kids will delight in knowing more than Mouse as they watch the apple tree sprout behind him Simple text and illustrations encourage sharing, but avoid preachiness Subtle “green” subtext about the abundance and importance of nature ERIC BATTUTwas born in Chamalieres, France, where he still lives and works today. After studying economics and civil rights for six years, he went on to study illustration at L’Ecole Emile Cohl in Lyon. He has since created many successful and award-winning books for children.
Hunwick’s Egg
When a mysterious egg appears outside Hunwick’s burrow after a terrible storm, no one knows what to do with it. And when it doesn’t hatch right away, everyone is even more bewildered. Everyone, that is, but Hunwick. For Hunwick understands the egg. It is his friend. And he is the only one who knows its secret. From the author and illustrator of the modern classic Koala Lou, here is a moving tale of loneliness, friendship, and most of all, the power the imagination has to change the way we see the world.
Pippi Longstocking in the Park
The tiny town where Pippi Longstocking lives is really peaceful. But it’s different in the big city. The city park is teeming with bad guys, and the police seem powerless to stop them. So Pippi decides to move to the park with her friends, Tommy and Annika, her monkey, and her horse — and Villa Villekulla. Pippi simply brings the boards and rebuilds the house in an afternoon. The very first evening, as the three friends gaze happily out at the city’s twinkling lights, the bad guys show up to begin their usual fun. They pull men’s mustaches and grab women’s purses. But that’s only until they come face-to-face with Pippi, the world’s strongest girl!
Benny
When Benny the dog steals the show from Brillo the magician, he is forced to look for a new home where his rare talents such as juggling and tap dancing will be appreciated.
Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child
Annabelle finds a family of fairies in the cement and weeds, and they sing and dance for her when she gives them tea.
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
While Sophie and her mother are sitting down to tea one afternoon, the doorbell rings. A big, furry, stripy tiger has come for tea … and sandwiches, and buns, and biscuits … and eats all the food in the house until there’s nothing left to cook for Daddy’s supper. Judith Kerr’s reassuring and funny story — with just a hint of anarchy — has been delighting children since its first publication thirty-five years ago. This modern classic has gone on to sell over three million copies worldwide, making it one of the most popular picture books for children ever written.
Good Dog, Paw
With appealingly childlike artwork, Chinlun Lee shows a day in the life of an earnest little canine who will capture the hearts of the littlest dog lovers. I am Paw. I love April. April loves me. She’s my owner. She’s a vet. Paw is a busy dog. Every morning April gives him his ten-point checkup and then scoots him off to the office where she works as a vet. Paw has an important job there-singing reassuring songs to all the animals as they wait to be seen. But his best song he saves for April at the end of the day! A lighthearted tale that will inspire little readers to practice some loving ten-point care on their own lucky pets.
The Story of Noodles
Left alone to prepare their family’s prize-winning dumplings for the annual cooking contest, the young Kang boys accidentally invent a new dish, “mian tiao,” or noodles, in a tale that includes a cultural note and a recipe for long life noodles.