Christian Morgenstern wrote this collection of lyric verses and nonsense poetry, and Lisbeth Zwerger’s work is a perfect counterpoint to Morgenstern’s unusual imagery.
Lullabies, Lyrics and Gallows Songs
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
22 Orphans
In this tale, a mischievous group of orphans attempts to show their new headmistress how to have a good time. They build forts under tables, hang from the orphanage balconies and ride a cart down the stairwell. Each time, the fretful headmistress’s curious refrain is “Elephants are strong and sturdy but children, remember, are not elephants,” as she puts them all to bed under orange-and-white checkered coverlets. The children soon tire of bedrest, and one morning, the woman discovers they have fled, and only an orange-and-white checked elephant remains.
One Earth, One Spirit: A Child’s Book of Prayers from Many Faiths and Cultures
All over the world, in every country and culture, people express their innermost thoughts, feelings, and hopes through prayer. When we pray, the mystery and beauty of the universe and of our own earth can comfort and uplift us, for our prayers give us a way of connecting with something greater than ourselves.This collection of prayers, compiled especially for children, brings together offerings from many cultures and religions. The prayers themselves, which read like poetry, are enhanced by beautiful photographic images of children from around the world. Together, words and pictures express a deep reverence for the earth and a spirit of oneness among all living things. A special section at the end of the book offers information on the origins and significance of each selection so that adults can help young readers toward a greater understanding of the prayers.
Paddington Here and Now
With trouble apparently following him everywhere he roams, lovable Paddington Bear must use his charm and wit to straighten out dilemmas involving a grouchy neighbor and a strange mishap that lands him center stage at a concert.
The Iroko-Man: A Yoruba Folktale
When the terrifying Iroko-man tries to take a woodcarver’s first-born child as partial payment for bringing fertility to his village, the father must find a clever solution.
To Capture The Wind
In a risky plan to free her kidnapped lover, Oonagh cleverly solves the evil pirate king’s riddles, unites the princess Ethne with her lover, and invents sails.
The Rich Man and the Parrot
Grannie Jus’ Come
Grannie Jus’ Come! joins a host of Caribbean children’s books, but unlike the rest–which are mostly song books, poetry books, and counting books–this book offers a rich narrative about a young girl and her loving relationship with her grandmother.
Babies Can’t Eat Kimchee!
When a baby sister comes along, it seems she is just too little for anything! Will she ever be big enough to play? To whisper secrets? To eat kimchee? Will she always lie there? Scream for no reason? Be so helpless and little? When a baby sister is just too little to do anything, what’s her big sister to do but wait and wait and WAIT . . . and dream about what’s to come.
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries
Flicka, Ricka and Dicka are going wild-strawberry picking, and Mother has promised to pay for every basket they gather. When they stop at a cottage to ask for directions, the girls meet Mary, her baby brother, and their mother. They are very kind, but have patches on their clothes and no milk to drink. After the girls help Mother make strawberry jam, they think of a special way to spend the money they have earned.