Animals

Darkwing

As the sun sets on the time of the dinosaurs, a new world is left in its wake. Dusk alone can fly and see in the dark, in a colony where being different means being shunned—or worse. As the leader’s son, he is protected, but does his future lie among his kin? Carnassial has the true instincts of a predator, and he is determined that his kind will not only survive but will dominate the world of beasts. An extraordinary adventure set 65 million years ago in a breathtaking animal tale that reaches out to the human in all of us.

Cyberia

The premise: It’s the future. Zane lives in a completely wired world, with completely wired parents. Technology has progressed so that every pet has a microchip in it that allows the pet to talk. Zane’s happy about that. Until one day a strictly contraband wild animal — a mole — comes into his life. He smuggles it into his apartment — and learns that the pets aren’t actually saying what the chip is translating. In fact, they aren’t happy that all animals have been domesticated. So they enlist Zane to help them fight back and ensure their freedom.

Nikolai, The Only Bear

There are one hundred orphans at the Russian orphanage, but Nikolai is the only bear. He growls when he speaks and claws the air when he plays. “Play nice, Nikolai,” the keepers say. No one wants to take Nikolai home. Until one day, when a fur-faced man and a smooth-faced woman come to visit from America. They growl with him and play with him, and sing songs that make him feel soft-bearish. And when it’s time for them to go home, Nikolai knows that he has found the right family at last.

Wildlife (China: Land, Life, And Culture)

Young readers will learn all about China in this fascinating series. Each book covers one aspect of this nation that is as large as a continent and ever growing in influence and importance. Readers of this series will learn about the history of China; its government, wildlife, arts, and culture; and all the things that grow in the countryside and are produced in the cities. Easy-to-understand text and lots of photos and special features bring this nation alive. with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the eyes of the world are now on China. This series will help students better understand that part of the globe.

I Love Animals

“A charming picture book filled with a small child’s joyous love for all the animals on her farm. Large, bold illustrations and a clear text fairly explode with exuberance.” —School Library JournalI love Jock, my dog… I love the donkey braying “Hee-haw”Do you love animals, too? Flora McDonnell’s exuberant salute to our favorite beasts—a gallant dog, two genial ducks, an adoring ewe and her rowdy lamb, among many others—captures their characters in large, brilliant portraits. Perfect for sharing with several children or just one, I LOVE ANIMALS is as much fun as a visit to a real farm.

A Promise Is a Promise

Bruno the marmot hibernates all winter, and upon waking in the spring, he discovers the most beautiful dandelion outside his burrow. The two quickly become friends, playing together every day. But when summer comes, the dandelion asks Bruno to trust her, so he obliges her request to blow her seeds away into the wind. Devastated that his friend is no longer with him, Bruno is lonely until next winter’s hibernation. When he wakes again, he discovers that an amazing surprise sprouted while he slept.

Mangoes & Bananas

Mangoes and Bananas tells the tale of Kanchil the mouse deer and Monyet the monkey — two friends who plant a garden together. But when the trees bear fruit, Monyet begins to eat everything himself. Kanchil has to act fast if he is to get anything at all. Combining folk art with folk tale, this book reflects the warmth and richness of both traditions.

 

Duck In The Truck

Duck’s truck is stuck in the muck.Who will help him out?First, frog lends a hand. Then sheep helps push, too. But duck’s truck won’t come unstuck! Can anyone help him get out of the muck? Or is duck out of luck?Find out in this rollicking read-aloud by the inimitable Jez Alborough.