Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

Torina’s World: A Child’s Life in Madagascar

The children in Madagascar rejoice in life’s natural gifts–singing, working in the fields, helping their parents, and playing with lizards. Divided into three sections: “We Live!”, “We Grow!” and “We Feel!”,Torina’s World: A Child’s Life in Madagascar offers a glimpse into daily life in a Malagasy village and encourages children in Western culturesw to examine and reflect on life in a developing country.Ten years ago, author and photographer Joni Kabana spent a month in Madagascar. Her intention was to bring back images for her children showing how other children live. Torina, an eight-year-old Malagasy girl, acted as Joni’s guide into this world. Back home, Joni’s nine-year-old son, Benjamin Opsahl, helped edit the images and added simple, yet profound text that will engage readers across the world.Torina is now eighteen. She still lives in a small hut with her mother, father and six brothers. Her desire to further her education has been hindered by a lack of financial resources, thus a portion ofthe proceeds from book sales will provide funding for her education as well as othr educational activiities in Madagascar. Celebrate diversity with Torina’s World, and join with readers young and old in embracing a multi-cultural perspective.To learn more about Torina, her life in Madagascar, and fundraising efforts visit www.torinasworld.com

Henry’s First-Moon Birthday

A young girl helps her grandmother with preparations for the traditional Chinese celebration to welcome her new baby brother.

Mr. Stink

Mr. Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well. . . .Ó Chloe sees Mr. Stink every day, but sheÕs never spoken to him. Which isnÕt surprising, because heÕs a tramp, and he stinks. But there’s more to Mr. Stink than meets the eye (or nose) and before she knows it, Chloe has an unusual new friend hiding in her garden shed. As Chloe struggles to keep Mr. Stink a secret, and her dad tries to hide a secret of his own, the stage is set for an epic family confrontation. But there’s one other person with an extraordinary secret Mr. Stink himself.

Rain School

It is the first day of school in Chad, Africa. Children are filling the road. “Will they give us a notebook?” Thomas asks. “Will they give us a pencil?” “Will I learn to read?” But when he and the other children arrive at the schoolyard, they find no classroom, no desks. Just a teacher. “We will build our school,” she says. “This is our first lesson.”

Mad at Mommy

Little Bunny is VERY MAD at his mommy. She sleeps too late. She talks too much. She watches her silly shows instead of cartoons. And she gets mad for no reason — just a few little bubbles on the floor. The only thing left to do is run away. But does he really want to leave Mommy behind forever? With the charming illustrations and spot-on understanding of young children’s thinking that distinguished THE SNOW DAY and EMILY’S BALLOON, Komako Sakai brings us a REALLY ANGRY — and ultimately sweet — new story.

A Hero’s Quest

Meet Decimus Rex, who has been kidnapped by slave-takers and taken to an arena in Rome. Decimus is intent on escaping from captivity, and knows he must outshine his fellow slaves and endure the trials set before him: crossing burning coals, hammers, spikes, and hand-to-hand combat. He never gives up his hope of escape . . . if he only knew that this is just the beginning of his troubles.

Escape From Evil

Captured by slave-takers, Decimus Rex is forced to endure a series of trials in the dreaded Arena of Doom. With his five cellmates, Decimus faces a race over burning hot coals. He is then forced into violent hand-to-hand combat with a fellow slave. Escaping this dreaded fate is the only thing keeping Decimus going.

The Wyverns’ Treasure (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 3)

After tangling with the deadly basilisk, Nathaniel Fludd is glad to return to England with his Aunt Phil. But someone has ransacked their home, and their best suspect is the sinister man who’s been trying to steal The Book of Beasts. Before Nate and Aunt Phil can find the culprit, they are called to Welsh countryside. The wyverns, or “giant dragons,” are in an uproar. Could the same man who ransacked the Fludd house be behind the rift with the wyverns? And just what does he want with The Book of Beasts ? But before Nate can solve the mystery, he must calm the dragons before it’s too late. It’s just another day at work for the world’s youngest beastologist!