New experiences

Crossing To Paradise

Gatty is a field girl on a manor. She has never seen busy London or the bright Channel, the snowy Alps of France or the boats in the Venetian sea. She has not sung in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem or prayed at the manger in Bethlehem — or been kidnapped, or abandoned, or kissed, or heartbroken. But all these things will change. As Gatty journeys with Lady Gwyneth and a prickly new family of pilgrims across Europe to the Holy Land, Kevin Crossley-Holland reveals a medieval world as rich and compelling as the world of today it foresees and, in Gatty, a character readers will never forget.

The Other Side: How Kids Live In A California Latino Neighborhood (World Of My Own)

Provides a brief look at three Latino children who live in the border town of Chula Vista. The book covers the lives of three Latino children who have successfully adapted to a new culture and language while still maintaining close ties to family members in Mexico.

Devil’s Kiss

As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn’t normal.  Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order’s ancient battle against the Unholy.  Billi’s cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem,  gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He’s ready to reclaim his place in Billi’s life, but she’s met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order’s ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years — a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London’s firstborn.  To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.  

Into The Forest

One morning a young boy wakes up to find that Dad is gone. And in this affecting tale from acclaimed picture book artist Anthony Browne, nothing seems quite right after that. When Mom sends the boy to deliver a cake to Grandma, he decides to cut through the forest, a route he’s been warned not to take. Soon he’s off on a strange, dreamlike journey full of fairy-tale allusions – a personification of a child’s anxiety as reflected in the surreal illustrations of Anthony Browne. It’s a haunting place where nothing is quite what it seems, until the boy – and the reader – are deeply relieved to arrive at a warm, welcoming homecoming.

Little By Little

Otto is an otter who can do many things. But there’s one thing he can’t do: swim. Little by little, and with a some help from his big sister, Otto gets the courage–and the practice– to splash and tumble in the water with his friends.

The story and illustrations will encourage kids, showing them that if they take it step-by-step, any new skill is within their reach!

Out Of His League

When Ozzie, an Australian exchange student, arrives in the West Texas town of Hope, life in America seems completely foreign. But his skills on the rugby pitch translate onto the football field as he becomes the star of a team in desperate need of a miracle to save their losing season.  As Ozzie settles in, America really does feel like the land of opportunity, and he soon finds himself torn between the lure of this new country and the ties that bind him to his home in Australia. This co-mingling of cultures offers a fresh perspective of life in a Texas town where football is life, winning is everything, and the rest is just details. 

Hamlet And The Tales Of Sniggery Woods

Young Hamlet loves to cook, but so far he’s only dabbled with dishes like Invisible Worm Tart with dandelion cream. As luck would have it, Hamlet inherits a café from his uncle Alf. Heralding the advice of King Heron—To Bake the Best Biscuit, A Young Pig Should Risk It—Hamlet takes the plunge and becomes the new owner of Hamlet’s Pantry. Together, his friends help him prepare the menu and get ready for opening day. Set in the enchanting world of Sniggery Woods, these three winning tales bring to life the adventures of an imaginative pig destined to follow his dream.

The Lime Green Secret

Not every flower girl enjoys “her” wedding day quite the way Gloria does!Nothing has made Gloria happier than being chosen as flower girl for sister Fran’s wedding. Thrilled with her beautiful satin gown, long white gloves, shiny white shoes, lace socks, and sparkling tiara, Gloria dreams of donning her wedding finery and transforming herself. Hanging on a hook on her bedroom door, the dress glows “like a radiant angel.” When Gloria gives in to temptation and puts on the entire wedding outfit to entertain the dog, it leads to unpredictable and comical results. In this hilarious romp through the days leading up to the wedding, Gloria’s unstoppable desire to dress up in her flower-girl attire will appeal to any little girl whose fantasies pester her until she comes up with a creative way to fulfill them. Georgia Graham’s playful chalk pastel illustrations bring the antics in The Lime Green Secret magically to life.

Oddly

When a little boy bursts into their world, three unusual creatures find answers to their questions in this whimsical story from a stellar pair.The Lostlet twirls a golden leaf and asks, Where am I? What do I hope for? The Strangelet holds a smooth white pebble and wonders, What am I? What do I dream of? The Oddlet listens to a seashell and muses, Who am I? What do I wish for? Lost in their own worlds, the creatures are powerless to find answers, until a small boy appears who seems stranger, odder, and even more lost than they. As the three creatures comfort the child, they discover their hearts’ desires — while their new friend finds surprising ways to make all their dreams and wishes come true.