Best Selling Books by Carl Sommer

Join Joy and the alphabet letters in this delightful story as they teach children how to read by blending letter sounds. After successfully helping kids learn individual letter sounds, the letters decide to create words and sentences to make reading more accessible. Through engaging examples and interactive lessons, Joy and the letters introduce word families like "at" and "an," demonstrating how adding different consonants can form new words such as "bat," "cat," "rat," "ran," "Dan," and "van." As the children practice blending sounds and reading simple sentences, they become excited and confident readers. The story emphasizes perseverance and encourages young learners to keep trying, making reading a fun and rewarding experience.

Did you know orangutans are seven times stronger than humans or that a sloth can stick out its tongue up to 12 inches? Learn these and other fun jungle animal facts from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced, a nonfiction book dedicated to children. The powerful photos in this captivating book feature animals in their natural habitats. Basic words known by advanced early readers make for a comfortable reading experience and entice curious readers to master new words toward independent reading.

From the Wright brothers' first historic flight to the thrilling heights of space exploration, Airplanes to Rockets brings the story of human flight to life for readers of all ages. Discover how Wilbur and Orville Wright's determination paved the way for the first airplanes, how jet engines transformed air travel, and how rockets propelled humanity beyond Earth's atmosphere. Learn about the innovation behind helicopters, spacesuits, and space stations, and explore the science that made these breakthroughs possible. This engaging and informative book inspires curiosity and celebrates the creativity that has taken us from the skies to the stars.

Tombo the tadpole declares himself King of the Pond. He brags that he’s the biggest, the fastest, and the strongest tadpole, and he teases and chases all the other tadpoles. But one day while showing off doing a triple flip, Tombo’s life takes a major turn. He’s captured by a boy and taken from his lush pond to a fish tank. There Tombo is fed dry fish flakes, a food he despises.When Tombo turns into a frog, the boy releases him back into his pond. Tombo discovers that he’s no longer the biggest and fastest. It’s then he discovers something much more important than being King of the Pond. Explore the themes of bullying, friendship, and forgiveness in this beautifully illustrated story. Grades K-4.Virtues: Respect for Others / Forgiveness / Sportsmanship Tombo, el renacuajo, se declara Rey del Estanque. Se jacta de ser el renacuajo más grande, el más rápido y el más fuerte, y molesta y persigue a todos los otros renacuajos. Tombo finalmente descubre que tener amigos es mejor que ser el Rey del Estanque.

To grow up to be big, little lions have to learn survival skills, but the cub Sangu doesn’t want to listen to Papa and Mama’s lessons—he just wants to play. Getting lost while escaping a charging rhino, Sangu learned how unprepared he really was to be out on his own. Befriended by some kind gazelles, Sangu didn’t have the slightest idea as to what a lion should be. After being taunted by his friends, Sangu finally learned to be assertive, to value learning, to listen to his parents, and to respect himself. Virtues: Self-Esteem / Respect for Parents / Assertiveness Para crecer y ser grandes, los leones pequeños tienen que aprender habilidades de supervivencia, pero Sangu no quiere escuchar. Después de perderse, algunas gacelas se hacen amigas de él y le enseñan su forma de vida. Después de muchas decepciones, Sangu finalmente aprende a aceptarse a sí mismo.

Teased by their friends that no one will ever know, Johnny and Janie ignore their parents' warnings about the big, bad wolf. Wanting big, delicious acorns at Mr. Smith’s farm, they and their friends hatch a plan to sneak out of their homes during the night. They can’t wait to feast on the delicious acorns from Mr. Smith’s farm.The young squirrels’ moon-lit adventure and delightful meal suddenly ends when a very hungry wolf chases them. Barely escaping with their lives, the young squirrels learn to disobey is wrong even when you think no one will ever know. Virtues: Honesty / Respect for Parents / Trust Ignorando las reglas, cuatro jóvenes ardillas escuchan a sus amigos y se escabullen para comer bellotas grandes y deliciosas. Pero surgen problemas cuando se encuentran con un lobo hambriento. Apenas escapando con sus vidas, las ardillas aprenden que desobedecer está mal incluso cuando crees que nadie lo sabrá nunca.

The national educational crisis can be solved by practical yet inexpensive methods, according to Carl Sommer. Shortly after becoming a high school teacher, he found serious limitations with the education his students received. He probed into the reasons why some schools were successful, even among traditionally low-achieving children, while so many others failed to provide students with a proper education. He interviewed parents, students, teachers, assistant principals, and principals. For 10 years he researched to find solutions for the problems facing American education. One basic reason for the massive educational decline, Sommer believes, is that many administrators have embraced progressive policies, such as: not encouraging reasonable educational standards for both students and teachers, lack of concern over students' deficiency in the basics, and permitting unqualified children to advance automatically from grade to grade.

In this story, Super Math arrives in Mr. Johnson's classroom to teach the children subtraction. He explains subtraction as "taking apart" and leads the class through several subtraction problems using animals, dice, and cards. Super Math emphasizes the importance of practicing subtraction to become successful in math and life. The students also play "Math War: Subtraction," a game to make learning fun. Alongside math, Super Math shares a motivational story from Carl Sommer's book Dare to Dream, encouraging the children to make wise choices and dream big for their futures. The class ends with everyone shouting, "DARE TO DREAM!"

Explore the exciting and practical world of math in What Good Is Math? Fractions and Percents. Follow twin brothers Benny and Larry as they learn firsthand how math plays a crucial role in everything from building doghouses to saving money and even landing a great career. Benny thinks math is useless—until his hastily constructed, ruler-free doghouse pales in comparison to Larry’s carefully measured masterpiece. The lesson doesn’t stop there: when the twins receive birthday money, Larry uses his knowledge of fractions and percents to snag a bike on sale, plus a soccer ball and skateboard, while Benny spends all his money on a single bike. Guided by their dad on a tour of his workplace, the boys see how math is essential in fields like sales, engineering, and manufacturing. From calculating discounts to operating advanced machines, math proves to be the key to success and opportunity. Perfect for parents and kids looking to connect math to real-world applications, What Good Is Math? Fractions and Percents makes abstract concepts relatable and exciting. This engaging story will inspire children to see math not just as a subject but as a life-changing skill!

Young children are introduced to the captivating world of nonfiction through authentic photos accompanied by fun facts about unusual animals in their natural jungle habitats. From a tapir to a lemur, an anteater to a gorilla, Our Amazing World opens the door to lively discussions about these exciting jungle animals that astonish youngsters. Look at the big teeth! Why is his nose so long? Look at his long fingernails!

Join Joy the bluebird in this enchanting story where she helps the sad alphabet letters find happiness by uniting to form words. Realizing that they need to make friends and work together, the letters team up to create words and sentences, bringing joy to children learning to read. As they form words like "cat," "hen," and "fish," and even craft short stories, the letters discover that helping others learn makes them happy too. This delightful tale celebrates friendship, cooperation, and the magic of learning, showing young readers how working together can bring joy to everyone involved.

Embark on an extraordinary journey across the globe in Migrating Animals! This book introduces readers to some of nature’s most fascinating travelers, showcasing their incredible migrations and the challenges they face along the way. Follow humpback whales as they navigate oceans from icy waters to the warm equator, using baleen to filter-feed on krill and fish. Marvel at Arctic terns, the champions of migration, flying over 50,000 miles annually between the Arctic and Antarctic summers. Witness salmon leaping waterfalls and swimming 1,000 miles back to their birthplace to lay eggs, completing an astonishing life cycle. Discover how loggerhead sea turtles cross vast oceans, returning to the beaches where they were born to lay eggs, while hatchlings race to the sea under the cover of night. Finally, traverse the Serengeti Plains with wildebeests, as over a million complete a perilous 300-mile migration, dodging crocodiles and predators like lions. Packed with vivid details, amazing facts, and inspiring stories of survival, Migrating Animals reveals the wonders of migration and the resilience of these remarkable creatures.

In this story, Super Math visits Mr. Lee's classroom to teach the students about graphs, perimeters, and areas. The class works on bar graph questions, calculates perimeters of triangles, squares, rectangles, and other polygons, and learns how to find the area of shapes by multiplying length and width. Super Math emphasizes the importance of math in everyday life and encourages the students with tips for success, such as being eager to learn and never giving up. He also shares the story I Am a Lion!, teaching the value of self-discovery and listening to guidance.

Leap into the fascinating world of kangaroos with Kangaroos—Jumping Champs! This book explores the unique lives of these extraordinary marsupials, from their incredible strength and agility to their close-knit family groups, known as mobs. Learn about gray and red kangaroos, the largest marsupials in the world, and discover their remarkable pouches where baby kangaroos, called joeys, grow and stay safe. Follow the life of a joey as it ventures out to graze and returns to the pouch for comfort. Meet tree kangaroos, skilled climbers found in New Guinea, and see how kangaroos use their muscular tails to swim, jump, and even box. With over 50 million kangaroos in Australia, these animals are not just a symbol of the land but a vital part of its ecosystem. Whether it’s their record-breaking jumps, their playful boxing matches, or their life in a mob led by a dominant male, kangaroos never fail to amaze. Perfect for readers who love animals and the wonders of nature, Kangaroos—Jumping Champs brings the wild adventures of these Australian icons to life.

Combining heartwarming storytelling with practical lessons, How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur is a perfect read for kids and adults alike. Follow Hanna and Olivia as they turn compassion into action, launching a lemonade stand to help a classmate whose home was destroyed by fire. Along the way, they learn valuable principles like the Golden Rule, the importance of quality, honesty, and customer service, and how to inspire generosity in others. Packed with entrepreneurial tips and an uplifting message about making a difference, How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur is an inspiring guide for anyone dreaming of starting a business while helping their community.

Spike the rebel is a mean-spirited bully in his neighborhood and school. All the kids are afraid of him, except Mary. She warns him that one day his meanness will come back to haunt him. Spike on a family camping trip, steals a canoe, rows past a caution sign, and ends up being thrown over the waterfalls. He survives, but the incident only makes him meaner. Next, he steals a kid’s BB gun and shoots a protected eagle. Even worse, when the park ranger comes, he plants the evidence so the other kid gets blamed. While riding his bike one day, Spike hits one of his self-made bike traps. He breaks his leg and bleeds badly. Debbie, a girl he laughed at for falling off her bike in one of his traps, comes with her mother and rescues him. This incident transforms Spike. He finally discovers he’s much happier having friends and helping others. Virtues: Tolerance / Friendship / Cooperation Spike el Rebelde es un matón mezquino en su vecindario y escuela. Donde quiera que vaya, causa problemas. Después de que Spike golpea una de sus trampas para bicicletas, su vida se transforma radicalmente y descubre que es mucho más feliz de tener amigos y ayudar a otros.

As a historical work, this book will be of interest to the large market of those who love history. Sommer examines the lives and beliefs of the early Church. He also includes practical examples of authentic, even heroic holiness in the lives of ordinary early Christians provide inspirational reading and powerful lessons.

In Oh No! The Doorbell, Introduction to Multiplication and Division, math meets real-life fun in a deliciously engaging way! When Dan and Ann eagerly anticipate enjoying Mama’s freshly baked cookies, an unexpected doorbell brings friends—and a delightful math lesson—into the mix. Guided by Mama’s clever teaching, the children explore multiplication and division through cookies and bingo chips, discovering how math can solve everyday problems. Perfect for young learners, this story simplifies complex concepts like skip counting, repeated addition, and equal group division. Mama’s hands-on approach demonstrates that math is not only logical but also exciting and practical. Readers will see multiplication and division come to life as they follow the step-by-step explanations, paired with fun activities. Parents will love this story for its blend of kindness, teamwork, and learning. Children will come away with newfound confidence in math—and a craving for cookies! Oh No! The Doorbell, Introduction to Multiplication and Division, is the perfect recipe for making math enjoyable and relatable for kids.

Engines power the world, and their fascinating mechanics come to life in Internal and External Combustion Engines. From the intermittent combustion of gasoline and diesel engines to the continuous combustion in jets and rockets, this book explains how heated gases create motion for vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft. Readers will learn how jet engines generate thrust, why diesel engines are ideal for heavy-duty trucks, and how rockets carry their own oxidizers to reach space. It also delves into external combustion engines, such as steam locomotives and power plants, inspiring readers to imagine their contributions to science and engineering.

Mama and Papa have always warned their chicks never to have anything to do with strangers. But the sly fox disguises himself as a little lamb, and uses different tactics to try to trick the chicks into going with him. The cunning fox finally succeeds luring some of the chicks by promising delicious corn to them. Clucky, being the one who always listened to Papa and Mama, doesn’t go along. After a horrifying experience, Clucky’s sister escapes and realizes the importance of listening to parents and never talking to strangers. This cautionary tale stresses the importance of obeying parents and “stranger danger.” Virtues: Trust / Safety / Obedience to Parents

Cuando Leo, el león, le perdona la vida al ratón Bitsie, Bitsie promete devolverle el favor algún día. El león ruge de risa de ella. Pero todo cambia cuando es atrapado en la trampa de un cazador y la valentía de Bitsie lo rescata.

Si bien la mayoría de los padres intentan dar un ejemplo saludable a sus hijos, algunos simplemente no quieren escuchar. Freddy hace una mala elección después de la otra. Cuando el líder de la pandilla lo usa como señuelo, el joven zorro finalmente entiende lo que le dijo su padre.

El esclavo Androcles arriesga su vida por la libertad. Mientras se oculta, desarrolla una amistad inusual con un león herido. Tanto Androcles como el león son capturados, y el castigo de Androcles lo lleva a la libertad.

La liebre Harry quiere correr, pero solo la tortuga Teddy aceptará su desafío. Para sorpresa de todos los animales, la tortuga Teddy gana, demostrando que la preparación y la perseverancia pueden traer éxito.

Los tres toros son invencibles como equipo, pero un zorro inteligente los divide con rumores y mentiras. Los toros furiosos se separan y se convierten en una presa fácil para el león hambriento. Después de un escape estrecho, los toros se dan cuenta de que su fuerza proviene de mantenerse unidos.

The human eye is one of the most complex organs in the body, and Our Amazing Eyes reveals its remarkable capabilities. Readers will discover how eyes adjust to focus on near and distant objects, how muscles and pupils work to control light and movement, and how the optic nerve connects vision to memory. With fun experiments and real-world connections, this book inspires readers to appreciate their vision and explore the beauty of the world around them, making it an engaging read for kids and adults alike.

Nicholas, a bored teenager, had to spend long hours watching his family’s sheep. To break the boredom he dreamed of ways to have fun. His practical jokes caused him to suffer loss, but it also opened his eyes. Nicolás sabe que vigilar a las ovejas de la familia es importante, pero considera que es uno de los trabajos más aburridos del mundo. Para romper con el aburrimiento, simula ser atacado y se ríe hasta el cansancio viendo cómo las personas del pueblo suben la colina, apuradas por ayudarlo. Desde su punto de vista, sus bromas prácticas son un gran éxito, pero las personas del pueblo están furiosas. ¿Se dará cuenta Nicolás de su tontería, a tiempo para que las personas del pueblo escuchen su verdadero pedido de auxilio?

Explore the wonders of our amazing planet in Our World! This book takes readers on a journey through the seven continents, explaining their unique features, climates, and the diverse landscapes that make Earth so special. From towering mountains and vast deserts to lush rainforests and frozen polar regions, you'll discover the beauty and complexity of our planet. Learn how ancient beliefs about the sun and Earth evolved into our modern understanding of the solar system. Understand the Earth’s rotation, the creation of seasons, and why different parts of the world experience time differently. Dive into the practicalities of navigating our world with tools like maps, globes, and compasses, and see how these help us find our way. Packed with facts about natural features, animals, and the importance of directions, Our World inspires readers to appreciate the interconnectedness of life and the incredible planet we call home. Perfect for curious minds, this book encourages kids and adults alike to explore, learn, and care for the world around us.

Christopher has great dreams of becoming an inventor, but he dislikes anything requiring work. When Christopher’s friend and mentor, Dr. Finkle, invents a time remote, he thinks his dreams have come true. He gets the time remote and zips past all the things he doesn’t like. Who needs to eat right and do homework? Let’s just eat dessert and play! The time remote sends him quickly through a life of avoiding problems, right into old age. Christopher finally realizes the misery of an easy life. It is only when he, as an old man, discovers a secret button on the remote that he gets a second chance to live his life smarter and wiser with an appreciation for all there is, including the tough stuff! Virtues: Diligence / Self-Discipline / Responsibility

La bella princesa es mayor de edad y debe elegir a un esposo que se convertirá en el nuevo rey. Tiene tres pretendientes. Simón es guapo y encantador; pero sólo ve a la princesa como su oportunidad de convertirse en un gobernante rico. Tomás es el poderoso capitán de la guardia real; pero quiere que la princesa lo elija sólo para poder ganar la admiración del pueblo. Juan es guapo, aunque un simple plebeyo con corazón compasivo; pero el único que realmente ama a la princesa bondadosa. Los tres hombres se han comportado perfectamente en presencia de la princesa. ¿Logrará la inusual prueba ideada por su padre, revelar la verdadera personalidad de estos hombres?

Para crecer y saber cómo vivir, los jóvenes leoncitos deben desarrollar habilidades de supervivencia. Pero Sangu está más interesado en jugar que en aprender; de modo que cuando el ataque de un rinoceronte lo separa de su familia, no está preparado para sobrevivir por sí mismo. Sangu se pierde y un grupo de amigables gacelas lo adoptan. Las gacelas le enseñan cómo sobrevivir en la selva, pero cuando Sangu intenta vivir la vida como una gacela, resulta un inadaptado total. En esta historia de un león perdido y encontrado, ¿descubrirá Sangu su verdadera identidad?

Milie está convencida que el mundo es injusto y que sus padres se dedican a hacerle la vida desdichada. No tiene permitido hacer cualquier cosa que quiera; como mirar TV sin límites, chatear en Internet sin supervisión o ir al parque sola. Encuentra que todos son injustos, aún sus maestros. Finalmente, Mili idea un plan: ¡se escapará de casa! Con dinero robado del bolso de su mamá, compra un boleto de autobús a la gran ciudad, donde podrá vivir como ella quiera. La ciudad brilla mientras Mili comienza su aventura con helado y una visita al parque de diversiones, pero ¿qué hará cuando se le acabe el dinero robado?

Para elegir a un sucesor, el emperador le ha dado a Ming una semilla para cultivar, pero no crecerá. Para empeorar las cosas, los seis otros candidatos cultivan plantas vibrantes. ¿Hay esperanza para Ming? Esta historia inteligente resalta la importancia de la honestidad, incluso cuando es difícil.

Mientras la Pequeña Gallina Roja trabajaba en su campo de trigo, el perro, el gato y el pato siempre tenían una excusa para no ayudar. Al final del verano, la Pequeña Gallina Roja se negó a compartir su pan con sus amigos perezosos porque se negaron a compartir el trabajo.

En un reino lejano vive un orgulloso emperador que gasta la riqueza de su reino en bellos palacios y exquisitas vestimentas. Él tiene todo lo que podría desear: riqueza, admiración y una corte donde nadie se atreve a contradecirlo. Eso es hasta que un par de estafadores llegan a la ciudad prometiendo confeccionarle una vestimenta mágica, que es invisible para cualquiera que sea inepto para el cargo que ocupa o sea muy tonto. ¿Arriesgará alguien su reputación y expondrá a los estafadores? ¿O el emperador desfilará por la ciudad con un traje que en realidad no existe?