From an Astronaut who’s afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and longing for freedom, this series of interconnected stories and characters explores the alphabet.
Once Upon an Alphabet
Picture Book
Hatch, Little Egg
The little bird is hatching! Everyone is rushing to see the main event. This is not to be missed — everyone’s buzzing about it! With cameras in tow, various animals hop into cars, motorcycles, wagon trailers — anything that will get them there in time to see the event unfold. Finally, with the crowd gathered ‘round, a crack appears in the eggshell and out comes . . . well, it’s not quite what they expected.
The Extraordinary Mr. Qwerty
Norman Qwerty is a man of many ideas, and none of them are the least bit ordinary. He’s quite certain that no one else thinks the way he does, and this makes him keep to himself. But when his ideas get too big to hold in, he builds the most extraordinary thing! Soon the beloved Mr. Qwerty is never alone (unless he wants to be), and the world will never be the same. In a simple story whose intricate, quirky illustrations are teeming with fanciful inventions, Karla Strambini encourages creative kids to let their ideas out from under their hats and show the world what amazing things they have to share.
Love Monster and the Perfect Present
Love Monster is determined to give his best friend, a lovely girl monster, the perfect present on Gift Day, so when he discovers he cannot afford to buy anything special enough, he has an idea to make something, instead.
This Book Just Ate My Dog!
When her dog disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella calls for help. But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume VII, Issue 2
The Hockey Sweater
With every boy in a small Quebec town wearing the sweater of the Montreal Canadiens to play hockey, one child is horrified when, because of a mail order mix-up, he is forced to wear a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater.
And Away We Go!
Mr. Fox is going to the moon. Away he goes in his hot air balloon. But wait. Can Elephant come too? Sure! Let’s bring along some pizza. What about Giraffe? And Squirrel? Everyone is welcome in Mr. Fox’s balloon, but look out- a surprise is in store for everyone, too.
The World According to Musk Ox
A cantankerous zebra takes a wise-cracking musk ox on a tour of the seven continents. From Africa to North America, Asia to the Arctic. Our dynamic, hilarious duo are back and ready to travel around the world.
’twas Nochebuena
It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition. Make tasty tamales and hang colorful adornos (decorations) on the walls. Gather to sing festive canciones (songs) while sipping champurrado (hot chocolate). After the midnight feast has been served and the last gifts have been unwrapped, it’s time to cheer, “Feliz Navidad and to all a good night!” Latin American traditions for celebrating Christmas Eve in a text that combines English and Spanish words and follows the rhythm of Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas”.
Malala, A Brave Girl From Pakistan/Iqbal, A Brave Boy From Pakistan
One country: Pakistan. Two children: Iqbal Masih and Malala Yousafzai. Each was unafraid to speak out. He, against inhumane child slavery in the carpet trade. She, for the right of girls to attend school. Both were shot by those who disagreed with them—he in 1995, she in 2012. Iqbal was killed instantly; Malala miraculously survived and continues to speak out around the world. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her work.