Europe

Materials from Europe

The Pig In The Pond

Pigs don’t swim, or so it’s said. But on one of the hottest days of the summer, the pig on Neligan’s farm sits by the pond feeling envious of the ducks and the geese floating in the cool water. Finally, when she can endure the heat no longer—splash!—this sweltering pig takes a dive, throwing the entire farm into an uproar. It isn’t long, however, before the refreshing idea catches on, and the pig finds that she’s got company! This spirited tale with its exuberant illustrations is sure to be a hit with all those young and old who ever wanted to take the plunge.

The Young Person’s Guide To Shakespeare: [Book-and-Cd Set]

Who was Shakespeare, and why has his work remained so compelling to us for so many centuries? With conversational text, informative sidebars, and full-color photographs, The Young Person’s Guide to Shakespeare makes Shakespeare’s life and work accessible to young readers. Topics addressed include Shakespeare’s youth, marriage, and family life; the fascinating story of the Globe Theatre and Shakespeare’s life as a playwright and actor in London; an introduction to Shakespeare’s plays and the challenges of performing them; and Shakespeare’s enduring legacy–the enormous influence he still holds over the arts, culture, language, and society hundreds of years later.

The First Christmas

Experience the wonder of the very first Christmas with this magical changing-picture book. The classic Christmas nativity story is stunningly illustrated by evocative pastel artwork depicting angels, shepherds, and wise men arriving in Bethlehem to share the magic of the birth of Jesus. Lift the gatefold flaps to change the pictures and watch the story unfold along the way.

Merlin and the Dragons

When young Arthur is troubled by dreams, Merlin tells him a story about a fatherless boy who himself dreamed about dragons and the defeat of the evil king Vortigern.

Brown Paper Teddy Bear

Jess is sick in bed, and to make her feel better, Granddad promises her a brand-new teddy bear. But before she drifts off to sleep, Jess notices a small door that magically opens. Jess unties the ribbon around a brown paper bag and finds a careworn old teddy bear inside. He takes Jess on a wonderful adventure through the night sky to a place where toys come to life. Jess marches with toy soldiers, rides a toy train, and dances with a porcelain doll before she returns home to her loving grandfather.

Little Moon Dog

The Man in the Moon and his Little Moon Dog live peacefully on the moon. Until a busload of rowdy tourists fairies!arrives. Moon Dog ventures out to meet them and has marvelous fun. But one day, he wakes to find the fickle fairies have led him astray, far from his cozy home and dearest friend. Will he ever find his way back to the moon? Under the luminous beauty of a fantastic moon, a little dogs quest for adventure sparks a quirky, heartwarming tale of friendship and the true meaning of home . . . wherever it may be.

Howler

A extraordinary follow-up to the popular Rover, this hilarious adventure features one puzzled dog trying to make sense of the strange human world that he lives in-especially when a small human arrives on the scene! The new baby, dubbed “Howler” by the dog, diverts everyone’s attention-so no one notices the poor pooch. Only by fathering puppies of his own is he able to bring the family together again. A fantastic story about sibling rivalry and the arrival of a new baby-from the dog’s point of view.