The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness

George lived alone with his grandmother and an empty place where his mother and father should be. One Friday on his way home from school, George visited the animal shelter. There, in the very last cage, was Jeremy, a dog who looked as lost and as lonely as George. When Jeremy goes home to live with George and his grandmother, their whole lives change, and they learn that when it comes to love, it’s quality not quantity that counts.

To Market! To Market!

Madeline Travis, Booktrust In To Market, To Market, a little girl sets off to the market with some money in her pocket-and no idea what to buy . . . Featuring vibrant paintings by award-winning Italian artist Emanuele Scanziani, this exuberant pictorial tribute to the wonders of the Indian market by well-known children’s poet Anushka Ravishankar suggests that the real fun may not be in the buying, after all. Longtime collaborator Rathna Ramanathan’s innovative typography creates a unique cohesion between the verse and artwork of each scene-every ele-ment on the page adds to the world of the story.

Baya, Baya, Lulla-by-a

The baya bird of India weaves its nest of grasses and flowers. In this dramatic yet lulling lullaby of a book, such a bird also saves a baby girl’s life.

Will Goes to the Post Office

Will’s uncle has sent him a mysterious and gigantic package! All Will’s friends help him to carry it home, and stay to find out what’s inside.

Believing Is Seeing: Seven Stories

Here are seven tales — seven doorways to bizarre, yet strangely familiar worlds — to transport one and all. In these worlds are a child born to an ordered society but preordained to spread Dissolution; a girl who so loves the sun that she renounces her humanity for eternity; a cat and a boy, held captive by an evil magician until they can find a bigger magic of their own; a woman imprisoned in a strange country dominated by three ravenous wolves; and many other characters and stories just as exceptional.

South and North, East and West: The Oxfam Book of Children’s Stories

A collection of 25 children’s stories from around the world. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the international charity, Oxfam, the stories have been collected either in their countries of origin or from London schoolchildren. There are animal tales, ghost stories and family stories.

Magical Kids: The Invisible Boy and the Strongest Girl in the World

Josie Jenkins can lift a table, a car, and even a bus with no effort at all. The fame and fortune such incredible powers promise, however, is not what Josie was hoping for from life, and she is happy when the powers suddenly leave her and she can go back to being a carefree schoolgirl.

When his parents disappear on the way back from a Moon vacation, Sam is abducted by evil neighbor Hilda Hardbottom, but manages to hold his own thanks to Splodge, a small alien wayfarer who gives him a shot of invisibility.

My Mama’s Little Ranch on the Pampas

This story about ranch life on the Argentinean pampas is told in the voice of young Maria Cristina, who describes the activities as the seasons change. Mama buys the ranch during a hot and steamy January. The children go back to school in March, and during the cold and rainy July winter vacations, most of the calves are born. Finally, on a very hot Christmas Eve, a special gift arrives. The story, based on the author’s childhood, challenges stereotypes of this culture by depicting a woman as the buyer and owner of the ranch.