The jasmine plant was Duke Cosimo de Medici’s most treasured possession and he went to great pains to keep it all for himself. When the gardener Antonio clips a sprig of the forbidden jasmine for his love, he is sent to prison. Now brave Donatella, Antonio’s beloved, is his only hope for freedom. Antonio and Donatella flee the wrath of Duke Cosimo de Medici, and they use that rare plant to make a fresh start.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude
This picture book is about two huge supporters of modern art and literature, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude. And Alice is Alice. And Gertrude and Alice are Gertrude and Alice. And you are welcome to join them for tea. But beware, for there you will find a bear in a chair, just barely scary. And here is a beard with a man attached to it. And then, of course, some words might appear, uninvited , but delighted in spite of their lightbulbs. But that doesn’t make any sense.
Pegasus, the Flying Horse
It is ancient Corinth. Young Ios and his father are off to buy the boy his first horse. Along the way they meet a beggar who tells them the story of a magical flying horse.
That horse, winged Pegasus, belonged to the goddess Athena. No mortal man had ever ridden him. But one man–the beggar said-desired to ride Pegasus more than anything else in the world. He was Bellerophon, a handsome young Corinthian who felt he was equal to any god.
With the story of Bellerophon’s ride goes the warning: “To fly too high is to fall too far.” And who knows this better than the beggar himself?
Paris in the Spring with Picasso
This book describes how some of Paris’s famous artists and writers, such as Pablo Picasso, Max Jacob, and Guillaume Appollinaire, spend their day before preparing to attend a party at Gertrude Stein’s apartment.
This Little Bunny Can Bake
In this picture book, there are eight students in Chef George’s School of Dessertology. And only one—a studious little bunny—has any interest in following the rules. While bunny is busy baking a masterpiece, everyone else is busy making a mess. And even though only bunny actually learns to bake, all the students—from Dog with his shoe-fly pie to Mouse with her Swiss cheese surprise—are happy with how their desserts turn out in the end.
Brave Charlotte and the Wolves
Charlotte the sheep proves her courage once again when the rest of her flock, including Wolfi and his gang of pretend wolves, trembles in fear at the sound of howling in the forest.
Unwitting Wisdom: An Anthology of Aesop’s Fables
For over 2,500 years the simple stories and wry humor of Aesop’s fables have entertained children and adults alike. Their lessons have seeped into the very fabric of our language, as evidenced by expressions such as ‘sour grapes’ and ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ Through the centuries many artists have risen to the challenge of interpreting their favorite tales. In this magnificent edition, award-winning illustrator Helen Ward has chosen a dozen of her favorite fables, creating with words and watercolors.
Noah Barleywater Runs Away
Eight-year-old Noah’s problems seem easier to deal with if he doesn’t think about them. So he runs away, taking an untrodden path through the forest. Before long, he comes across a shop. But this is no ordinary shop: it’s a toyshop, full of the most amazing toys, and brimming with the most wonderful magic. And here Noah meets a very unusual toymaker. The toymaker has a story to tell, and it’s a story of adventure and wonder and broken promises. He takes Noah on a journey. A journey that will change his life.
Seven Fathers
In the midst of a fearsome blizzard, a weary traveler seeks refuge from the cold “Good evening, Father, I’m so glad I found you. Would you, by any chance, have a room where I could spend the night?” “Oh,” said the old man. “I’m not the father of the house, You’ll have to ask my father. He’s around back, in the kitchen.” And so the travler is sent on a journey within his journey, arriving at a surprising destination.
Meat Eating Vegetarian
Tasneem is so happy at her new school and with her new friends, Lisa and Yvonne. Suddenly her friends start avoiding her and calling her names. What could possibly have happened and what has it to do with vegetarian dinners and wearing a scarf?