The Problem with Chickens

The ladies of Iceland have a problem: the birds lay their eggs in nooks on the sides of steep cliffs, so the ladies have a very difficult time getting any of the eggs for baking. They go to town to buy chickens to lay eggs for them instead. For a while, everyone is happy, and there are plenty of eggs to bake plenty of yummy things. But the ladies’ problems are far from solved, for the more time the chickens spend with the ladies, the more they begin to act like them too, until eventually they stop laying eggs all together. Now this is a problem indeed, but the clever ladies will find a solution.

Tuko and the Birds: A Tale from the Philippines

Life was peaceful on the small Philippine island of Luzon. The men fished, the women cooked, the children played games, and the birds sang. Everyone knew it was time for bed when they heard the birds’ good-night song. Then Tuko arrived. Tuko, the gecko, bellowed his name five times every time he ate—day or night. Everyone was miserable from lack of sleep. That is, until Haribon the eagle devised a plan to trick Tuko into leaving for good.

I Completely Know about Guinea Pigs

Lola gets to bring the class guinea pig, Bert, home over school vacation! She takes good care of Bert, but when she and Charlie build him a guinea pig run, he escapes. They hunt all over, and when they find him, they also discover a big surprise—lots of absolutely very adorable baby Berts! This new Charlie and Lola adventure will have readers giggling and wishing for a pet guinea pig of their very own.

What’s Going on?

A young boy details everything that has been happening in his world, and it’s all very strange! A mom who sprays bug spray in her hair? A dad who wears two different shoes? Just what is going on? Could it have something to do with a recent arrival?

Celebrate! In Central America

Describes the background and customs associated with some of the festivals of Central America.

Tales of the Monkey King

The first night I went to work at the shelter, the attendant said, “You know they will not rest.” I stood in the doorway of the dormitory crowded with children. In the dark, the nightmares would come, but rest would not. Empowering Mexico’s vulnerable street children is no easy task when the dangers they face are real and many. But there is incredible strength in an unfinished story, especially if that story has a small hero who can overcome great odds. Night after night, Tales of the Monkey King, begun at dark and never finished until the next day, were precisely what the children needed. The brave little monkey, who fought against unspeakable odds but was never conquered, had come from far away to become their hero. Through him, many found the strength and courage they needed to face their living nightmares and cheat the King of Death. Stunning paintings by Brian Deines underscore the message and speak to the hero in everyone.

Sambalena Show-Off

A lazy boy gets his head stuck in a pot, and only with the wise advice of his grandmother does he get it out.

A Day with Dad

Tim lives with his mom. His dad lives in another town. But today, Tim’s dad is coming on the train so the two can spend the whole day together — just Tim and Dad. Everywhere the pair goes — the movie theater, the pizzeria, the library — Tim proudly tells the people they meet, “This is my dad!” At the end of the day, Tim is sad to see his dad go but knows that they’ll be together again soon.

Author Bo R. Holmberg and illustrator Eva Eriksson offer a sensitive and honest portrait of a special day between father and son.