Age

Catalog sorted by age group

Saving the Baghdad Zoo

The Baghdad zoo was once home to more than six hundred magnificent animals. But after the war in Iraq began in 2003, the city faced widespread destruction. When U. S. Army Captain William Sumner was asked to check out the state of the zoo, he found that it, too, was devastated. Hundreds of animals were missing, and the few remaining were in desperate need of care. And so Captain Sumner accepted a new mission. Together with an international team of zoologists, veterinarians, conservationists, and dedicated animal lovers, Captain Sumner worked tirelessly to save the neglected—but tenacious—animals of Baghdad. Saving the Baghdad Zoo tells the poignant stories of these remarkable animals. Meet the abandoned lions who roamed an empty palace with no food or drink; the camel, Lumpy, who survived transport through sniper fire; the tigers, Riley and Hope, who traveled 7,000 miles from home; and many more. The Baghdad Zoo, open once again to the people of Iraq, has become an oasis of hope and safety in a city where both are precious gifts.

Click here to read the Worlds of Words review.

Goal!

A lyrical, strikingly illustrated story celebrates the unifying power of soccer. In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball. They kick. They dribble. They run. They score. These clever boys are football champions! But when a crew of bullies tries to steal their ball, will Ajani and his friends be able to beat them at their own game?

Clemente!

A little boy named Clemente learns about his namesake, the great baseball player Roberto Clemente, in this joyful picture book biography. Born in Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente was the first Latin American player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the only player for whom the five-year initiation period was waived. Known not only for his exceptional baseball skills but also for his extensive charity work in Latin America, Clemente was well-loved during his eighteen years playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He died in a plane crash while bringing aid supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Willie Perdomo’s rhythmic text and Bryan Collier’s energetic art combine to tell the amazing story of one of baseball’s greats.

Chicken, Pig, Cow, And The Purple Problem

Who ever heard of a purple cow?How come Cow’s spots are purple when every other cow’s are gray or brown? Fed up with being different, Cow sets out on a quest to change her spots.Thanks to a gravelly walkway, she soon finds lots of gray to cover the purple, and a squirrel in a tree provides plenty of brown by showering Cow with seeds. But when she arrives back home all big and bunchy and lumpy, Chicken and Pig hardly recognize her. When they finally realize it is Cow, they reassure her that she is their friend — purple spots and all.The adorable Chicken, Pig, Cow and Dog are back, and they continue to capture the hearts of young readers. The winning combination of simple text, expressive illustrations and lots of humor makes this a perfect choice for toddlers and beginning readers.

Life In The Boreal Forest

The great northern forest—the boreal forest—is home to a unique ecosystem of animals and plants. It covers one-third of the earth’s total forest area and is home to so many birds that it is known as “North America’s bird nursery.” The forest is a treasure trove of riches, but it’s threatened by increased human development and climate changes. This gorgeous book teaches readers about the boreal forest and reminds them that it’s up to us to make sure the beauty and bounty survive.

Coyote Winter

In the worst winter in living memory. The people in the tiny northern Alberta Hutterite colony are confined by the relentless snow. Finally the thaw comes and the colony’s school children and their teacher are able to take their first walk of spring.To their dismay, the children discover a coyote caught in a trap. When they release it they are amazed to find that the animal makes no attempt to bite or to run away. Instead, it scampers like a dog, delighting in a freedom that every living creature can understand.The recording of this extraordinary event was the teacher’s dying wish. Her sister, Jacquelinne White, has told the story in evocative words and paintings.

Willow’s Whispers

Willow’s voice, soft and shy as a secret, goes unheard by everyone at school and causes her to no end of troubles. (Having to drink orange juice at snack time when she has asked to nicely for apple is just one disappointment.) After a night of wishing, thinking and planning for a way to make louder words, Willow wakes the next morning with the perfect idea: a magic microphone! But although she fashions if from the sturdiest recyclables, her beglittered invention doesn’t last the school day. Will Willow find another way to make herself heard?

Priscilla and Rosy

A tempting boat trip tests an alley-rats loyalty to her best friend Priscilla, who lives in an alley behind a restaurant. Her best friend, Rosy, lives across the gutter near an ice cream store. After a busy week of stealing food scraps and scaring people, the two rodent pals decide to take Monday off together, so they can relax over Rosy’s new puzzle. hen Priscilla is invited out on a boat trip on Monday. What else can a rat do but accept? She can call up Rosy and tell a little fib. Maybe Priscilla could say she just remembered that she had already agreed to the trip. Maybe she could say she’s sick. After all, she can do a puzzle with Rosy any old time; a boat trip is really special. So why does Priscilla feel so ratty? A not-too-sweet tale about honoring your friends, Priscilla and Rosy introduces young readers to a refreshing new heroine who, despite her all-too human flaws, manages to do the right thing in the end. Linda Hendry’s inspired illustrations add the perfect touch of droll humor to Sharon Jennings witty and endearing story.