Poisonous snakes, toxic herbicides, noxious fumes — poisons in one form or another are all around us. An innocent-looking flower may be lethal, and smog can make it impossible to breathe. Poisons can be the death of us, but they can also cure disease. The second book in Annick’s 50 Questions series provides answers to many intriguing questions, such as: Should you pee on a jellyfish sting? No, douse it with vinegar! Why was the Mad Hatter mad? From working with mercury nitrate. Can venomous lizards cure diabetes? Yes, a drug used to treat the disease comes from the Gila monster’s venom. Poison Puzzles at the end of each chapter then test the readers’ knowledge. Young readers who want to avoid paint that kills or leaves that give blisters can explore the fascinating and dangerous world of poisons. And don’t be afraid! The killer cartoons and dead-funny text are venom-free.
Picture Book
Gorillas
This introduction explores the fascinating lives of these primates, including what they eat, how they raise their young, and how they adapt to their environment.
The Magic Tree: A Folktale From Nigeria
Although Mbi, an orphan boy, is constantly asked to “do this” and “do that” by his many unkind relatives until a special tree grows, just for him.
Around the World on Eighty Legs
A fun, fresh animal journey! Amy Gibson and Daniel Salmieri take readers on an exciting animal adventure around the globe. As readers explore habitats ranging from the Arctic to the Savanna, they will learn fun and humorous information about the animals who live there. Ermine You’ll easily determine / though weasely, ermine / is clearly no vermin — that’s that. / But if not for the coat / on this elegant stoat, / you might think that this mink was a rat.
While You Are Sleeping
As one child goes to bed, another is waking up on the other side of the world. Readers can lift the flap to see the same moment of time in different countries: the United States, Nigeria, Japan, Mexico, India, Thailand, Haiti, England, and Brazil.
Seven Little Mice Go To School
It’s time for seven little mice to start school! And it’s up to Mother Mouse to get them there. When the little mice prove reluctant, Mother Mouse invents “the mouse train” — all aboard!
Thanking The Moon
This simple, young, and satisfying story follows a Chinese American family as they celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Each member of the family lends a hand as they prepare a moonlit picnic with mooncakes, pomelos, cups of tea, and colorful lanterns. And everyone sends thanks and a secret wish up to the moon. Grace Lin’s luminous and gloriously patterned artwork is perfect for this holiday tale. Her story is simple—tailor-made for reading aloud to young children. And she includes an informative author’s note with further details on the customs and traditions of the Moon Festival for parents and teachers. The Moon Festival is one of the most important holidays of the year along with the Lunar New Year, so this book makes an excellent companion to Grace Lin’s Bringing In the New Year, which features the same family.
Conejito: A Folktale From Panama
In a folktale from Panama, Conejito, a little rabbit, and his Ta Monica outwit Mr. Fox, Mr. Tiger, and Mr. Lion, all of whom want to eat him for lunch. By the author of Mabela the Clever.
Farmer Duck
Farmer Duck isn’t your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm—all because the owner of the farm is too lazy to do these things himself. But when Farmer Duck finally collapses from exhaustion, the farmyard animals come to the rescue with a simple but heroic plan.
The Crows of Pearblossom
Originally published: New York: Random House, 1967.