New Releases by Anne F. Rockwell

A young girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a friendly toad to a prickly porcupine, tall leafy trees to tiny red berries.

A little boy visits the zoo with his family for the first time and marvels at all of the wonders it offers.

Told for the first time in picture book form is the true story of James Lafayette--a slave who spied for George Washington''s army during the American Revolution. But while America celebrated its newfound freedom, James returned to slavery. His service hadn''t qualified him for the release he''d been hoping for. For James the fight wasn''t over; he''d already helped his country gain its freedom, now it was time to win his own.

The kids from Mrs. Madoff''s classroom are preparing for a brand-new school year! New is exciting! But it can also be scary. What will school be like this year? Get ready to share in the excitement of the first day of school with friends old and new!

A boy and his parents prepare breakfast at their truck stop for drivers of 18-wheelers, tankers, moving vans, and other vehicles, while Uncle Marty checks tires and makes repairs. Full color.

Describes the passing of the seasons through the changes in plants and animals that occur on a farm.

Mrs. Madoff''s students celebrate Saint Patrick''s Day by making class presentations about the history of the holiday and Irish traditions and culture.

From drawing jack-o-lantern faces, to choosing a pumpkin at the farmer''s market, carving it, and finally setting it to glow in the crisp, starry night, here is a treasured childhood ritual joyfully captured in an accessible and lively book.

The kids in Mrs. Madoff''s class have a special celebration for the 100th day of school and so must prepare by saving pennies, collecting memorable trinkets, and counting down in multiples of ten, in a colorful tale enhanced with a calendar, arts-and-crafts, activities, and more. Reprint.

When a group of construction trucks comes rolling down the street and gets to work on an empty lot, a young boy is fascinated by all the excitement, noise, and movement taking place as the wonderful new structure slowly begins to take shape. Reprint.

In an early introduction to the stars, planets, and outer space, gentle text and luminous watercolor drawings bring the distant heavens a little closer. By the author of Our Earth. Children''s BOMC. Reprint. 15,000 first printing.

Describes different types of clouds and how to identify them.

Describes how an African slave, Toussaint L''Ouverture, lead his fellow slaves of the island of St. Domingue (now Haiti) to revolt against the white plantation owners to gain their freedom and influence the course of world history.

Portrays George Washington as a shy boy who wasn''t afraid of anything except talking to people, but who grew up to lead an army against the British and serve as president of the new nation.

Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series Stage 2.

While tucking a child into bed, a parent explains the colors and sounds that night brings.

Little Shark is on his own to find food and live to grow up into a big shark. Includes shark facts.

An introduction to the behavior and life cycle of honeybees, with particular emphasis on the production of honey.

Introduces common backyard insects and explains the basic characteristics of these creatures.

The children in Mrs. Madoff''s class make special Valentine''s cards to send to a friend in Japan and to share at their classroom celebration.

Big Books support the literacy lessons and offer read-to and shared-reading experiences for the classroom.

A biography of the woman who became a Revolutionary heroine when she carried water to the soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.

A class observes the various stages caterpillars go through to become butterflies.

Summary: Explains how plants and animals of the meadow, woods, and pond grow and evolve, such as caterpillars changing into butterflies, eggs hatching into robins, and acorns becoming oaks.

Each child in Mrs. Madoff''s class brings a visitor who tells the group about his or her job.

A boy visits the classroom where he will attend kindergarten the following fall and finds out what is in store for him.

On a night more than two thousand years ago, a prince was born in India. He could have been the most powerful rajah in all the world. But instead, the prince chose to become a common beggar, seeking a way to end the suffering he saw around him. He knew riches could not end suffering. He learned that deprivation could not end suffering. Then, under an enormous spreading fig tree, deep in concentration, he found Enlightenment. He understood Dharma, the law governing all things. He had achieved Nirvana, the peace that triumphs over suffering. And he found this knowledge and understanding inside his own mind, nowhere else. He became the Buddha, and taught his way of ending suffering to all who wished to learn.

What do hamsters eat? When do they sleep? How can an owner keep her pet healthy and happy? This introduction to pets and pet care is also a first step in understanding animal classification. Simple language and lively art make this a treat for every child who''s ever longed for a pet. Full-color illustrations.

Grade 5.2; Points 0.5.

Mrs. Madoff''s preschool class learns about Thanksgiving and puts on a play about the origins of the holiday.