Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

Stanley’s Beauty Contest

Stanley’s people are so preoccupied with primping him for the dog show in the park that they forgot his breakfast. This makes Stanley “very” grumpy. At the park, Stanley meets up with his old friends Nutsy, Alice and Gassy Jack. Together the friends look longingly at the grand prize: the biggest, most scrumptious-smelling dog cookie ever. Once Stanley gets a whiff of its bubbling cheese, sizzling bacon and apple pie aromas, he’s determined to win. So what if he’s not the fastest, most talented or most beautiful dog in the show? We know that Stanley’s rumbling tummy always leads him into adventure — or a big pile of trouble — and this time is no exception. Join Stanley and his friends in the best dogpile ever as they show us humans that dogs know best, and that what really counts is having fun!

A Seaside Alphabet

Whether it’s a treasure hunt on Jewell Island, Maine, a sunny afternoon on the rocks at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, or a dip in the ocean on Prince Edward Island, life by the sea is fun. This gloriously illustrated picture book is a celebration of all things coastal: humpback whales, teeming wildlife, and most of all, people who make their homes by the ocean. Seaside life is shown in twenty-six magnificent illustrations. The alliterative text and the detailed notes at the back make the book as informative as it is beautiful. For those lucky enough to have visited the coast, as well as those who only dream of the sea, this book is a feast for the eyes and for the spirit. From the Hardcover edition.

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.

Have I Got A Book For You!

Mr. Al Foxword is a salesman. Al can sell anything. You can’t help but be impressed by his lineup of satisfied customers: he’s sold an icebox to a penguin, an umbrella to a fish and a dirt vacuum to a mole. Al knows you’re looking for a great book, and this is your lucky day. Say goodbye to books that leave you bored and uninspired. Research shows that 100 percent of Al’s customers notice a dramatic increase in happiness after buying his book. Not totally convinced yet? Just when you think you’re ready to close the book on this relentless salesman, he comes up with a clever tactic that you simply can’t refuse. The retro design and the sheer absurdity of Foxword’s powers of persuasion make for an off-the-wall picture book with major crossover appeal that pokes fun at our hard-sell society.

The Chicken Thief

In this wordless story that is both funny and sweet, a fox steals a hen away from her home. Bear, rabbit, and rooster give chase, but in a twist on the usual children’s story, this fox is not a villain. Rather, he tenderly holds hen as he runs into the night. A funny and life-affirming story, “The Chicken Thief” defies expectations, enlivening the mind with its cleverness while going straight for the heart. This intelligent and charming book is great for all ages. A love story, a road movie, and a playful speculation on stereotypes and misconceptions, “The Chicken Thief” makes for an unforgettable reading experience! Beatrice Rodriguez was born in 1969. She received her degree from the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France, and works today as an illustrator, creating children’s books as well as pictures for the press. She lives in France.

Kou-Skelowh

This is a Collection of original legends–How Food Was Given, How Names Were Given and How Turtle Set the Animals Free–with time-honored lessons for children about the values of sharing and respect presented in a beautiful full-color format. Told in a strong, rhythmic language, the stories read aloud well and can be used to help children think about the values of sharing, self-sacrifice and reverence for life in all forms. One of the most valuable aspects of the “Kou-Skelowh series is that it was developed with Aboriginal cultural protocol. In 1981 the Okanagan Elders Council was approached and asked if some traditional legends could be used in the project. When the Elders gave permission for three legends to be used they were translated into English. The English versions were then taken back to the Elders Council for examination and edited until they were approved for educational use by Okanagan Children. Theytus was granted permission to publish the stories on the condition that no individual claim ownership of the legends.

Shinchi’s Canoe

Forced to use only people’s English names and not speak to his siblings at school, Shin-chi holds fast to the canoe given to him by his father, hopeful that things will then improve for his family and the tribe he loves.