Most Popular Books by Carl Sommer

In a lovely introduction to nonfiction, children learn the life cycle of mallard ducks. The story of the mallard duck is brought to life through aquatic photos rich in detail from Our Amazing World Series, Advanced. The book takes young readers inside the mallard’s habitat. Advanced early readers build fluency in literacy skills as they explore this enchanting book about ducks.

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.

Journey into the remarkable lives of some of the most fascinating creatures in Animals on Land and In Water. This book explores the unique abilities and lifestyles of five animals that thrive on land while some also master the water. Discover how alligators patrol their environments with speed and strength, protecting their young with fierce devotion. Meet the mighty hippo, a heavyweight swimmer with a surprising knack for running fast. Learn how beavers build extraordinary dams and underwater homes to stay safe. Explore the Arctic with walruses, equipped with tusks for survival and the strength to weigh as much as two tons. Finally, leap into the story of frogs, masters of transformation, as they grow from tiny tadpoles into agile jumpers that can catch a fly faster than you can blink. Filled with fun facts and incredible details, Animals on Land and In Water will amaze and entertain readers of all ages while teaching about the incredible diversity of the animal kingdom.

Zig, Ken, Jill, and Zig their pet monkey, are off for a fabulous family mountain hike. As usual, Zig, creates mayhem trying to make friends with a group of skunks and tries to jump on the back of a large deer for a ride, but he redeems himself when he saves Jill from a big bug. The exceptionally well-illustrated facial expressions of these fanciful characters and other wildlife in this adventurous tale provides an excellent opportunity for parents to discuss the joy of family time as their early readers master more advanced reading skills.

Step into the wild with Big Cats, a fascinating journey into the lives of nature’s most powerful and graceful hunters. From tigers prowling for prey to lions bonding with their pride, this book explores the behaviors, habitats, and survival skills of these majestic creatures. Discover how jaguars climb trees to rest or avoid danger, leopards stealthily track their prey, and snow leopards thrive in the rugged high mountains. Learn how all big cats share a carnivorous diet, often hunting weak or sick animals, which helps maintain balance in their ecosystems. Through vivid descriptions and engaging facts, Big Cats showcases the strength, intelligence, and beauty of these incredible predators. Perfect for animal lovers of all ages, this book reveals the fascinating world of big cats and their vital role in nature.

To Millie, the whole world is unfair. Even though Millie has a loving family and a nice home, she’s always miserable. She hates to be told what to do, and when things don’t go her way, she complains. Millie finally has enough! She runs away so that she can do whatever she wants to do. What starts out as a fun adventure turns out to become one disaster after another. Millie ends up on the streets, scared, without money, food, and a place to sleep. Desperate, she steals candy and gets caught by a police officer. When her parents are contacted, they are overjoyed and welcome her back home. Armed with a new appreciation for her former life, Millie becomes the happiest girl in the whole world. Virtues: Respect / Trustworthiness / Fairness

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.

Taking readers on an engaging journey, How We Get Oil uncovers the fascinating process behind one of the world’s most essential resources. From Edwin L. Drake’s historic discovery in 1859 to advanced techniques like offshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing, it explains how crude oil is located, extracted, and transformed into over 6,000 products we rely on daily, including fuel, clothing, and plastics. Readers will explore oil rigs, pipelines, and refineries while gaining a deeper appreciation for the science and engineering that power modern life. With vivid explanations and real-world connections, How We Get Oil inspires curiosity and gratitude for the marvels of our world.

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.

Nell makes and flies a paper airplane, setting off a series of unexpected events in a hilarious story that reminds children of their experiences with accidents. In this advanced easy reader, the well-illustrated expressions on the red hen’s face leave no doubt she is upset. The events open opportunities to teach children to build a paper airplane and discussion points about accidents and ways to make pets feel better when scared.

Discover the incredible world of honey bees in Honey Bees, a fascinating book that explores these hardworking insects and their essential role in nature. Learn how honey bees pollinate 80% of the world’s crops, helping plants like apples, sunflowers, and almonds grow and thrive. Dive into the structure of a hive, where bees build hexagonal honeycombs to store honey and beeswax. Meet the queen bee, who lays up to 3,000 eggs a day, the male drones whose sole job is to mate, and the female worker bees that collect nectar and pollen while maintaining the hive. Explore how beekeepers care for these tiny creatures, harvesting their honey while leaving enough for the bees to survive the winter. Packed with detailed descriptions and beautiful imagery, Honey Bees reveals how important these small creatures are to our world. From their role in pollination to the teamwork inside their colonies, this book will leave readers buzzing with newfound appreciation for honey bees.

Stephanie witnesses the deterioration of her inner-city neighborhood and school. There are gangs and violence on the street, and chaos in the school. Stephanie decides to “light her candle” against the darkness. After convincing her two friends, they begin with one simple act of kindness. Next, they recruit their parents and neighbors to join them in the difficult task of cleaning up their street and bringing order to their school. Follow this heartwarming story of how one girl’s determination and passion to do good, sparks a “Light Your Candle” crusade that transforms an entire community. Virtues: Citizenship / Caring / Community Service

When Ted and Jan take a trip to the farm, their pet dog, Jed, goes with them. Havoc ensues, as Jed tosses his food around in the car and chases the chickens at the farm. Detailed, brightly colored illustrations lead new readers through the lively story with context clues. Similar beginning and ending word sounds that teach word recognition, and a few longer sentences begin to build children’s reading skills. Target Reader 7 is part of Phonics Adventure''s systematic, leveled reading program.

Dive deep into the ocean and discover the incredible lives of some of the largest and most fascinating creatures on Earth with Whales. This captivating book introduces readers to the humpback whale, known for its long life and remarkable swimming abilities, as well as its nurturing relationship with its calves. Learn how these whales work together to catch food like small fish and krill. Explore the friendly gray whale, famous for its interactions with humans, and the immense blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, whose size rivals 33 elephants. Discover the unique narwhal, with its iconic tusk, and the social beluga whale, often found swimming in large groups. Finally, meet the powerful orca, a skilled hunter with sharp teeth. Through fascinating facts about their diets, habitats, and behaviors, Whales reveals the beauty, intelligence, and diversity of these ocean giants, inspiring awe for the natural world.

When a tiny, yellow egg appears on the scene, three friends, Speckles the spider, Crumbs the cricket, and Annie the ant, aren’t sure what to think. But when Katy the caterpillar appears, Speckles and Crumbs think the caterpillar is much too ugly to be their friend. Only Annie the ant looks past the caterpillar’s funny shape and makes friends with Katy. As Katy the caterpillar begins her strange transformation into a beautiful butterfly, Annie is shocked and amazed. This educational and beautifully illustrated story shows the true meaning of beauty and friendship and the pitfalls of judging others by their appearances. Virtues: Respect for Others / Kindness / Friendship

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.

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.

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.

Pets appeal to young readers and entice them to turn the pages to see what Ted and Jan’s dog, Jed, will do on the farm. Giggles will bubble out as Jed tosses his food around in the car and then chases the chickens at the farm. Detailed, brightly colored illustrations lead new readers through this lively story with amusing context clues. Word building skills include beginning and ending word sounds that are similar, slightly longer sentences, and energetic dialogue to strengthen a child’s reading skills

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.

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!

Embark on an incredible journey with Traveling Animals, a captivating book that follows the awe-inspiring migrations of some of the world’s most remarkable creatures. From whales leaping out of the water and catching food to Arctic terns flying the longest migration route of any animal, this book reveals the wonders of animal travel. Learn how salmon swim back to their birthplace to lay eggs, sea turtles cross vast oceans to nest on sandy beaches, and over a million wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti, facing dangerous river crossings. Each migration tells a unique story of survival, determination, and the incredible instinct that drives animals to travel great distances.

Si bien muchas personas saben que la belleza real proviene de adentro, puede ser una lección difícil de aprender. Los comentarios de otros hacen que Isabella se sienta fea y triste hasta que una anciana sabia ayuda a cambiar su enfoque. Esta inspiradora historia destaca las cualidades de la compasión, la belleza interior y la autoestima saludable.

Tres soldados hambrientos enseñan a los aldeanos egoístas que compartir les trae felicidad al convencerlos de que aporten ingredientes a su sopa de piedras. La preparación de la sopa se convierte en una celebración en toda la aldea y cambia a los aldeanos para siempre.

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.

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.

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.

El molinero Elmo quiere complacer a todos, por lo que sigue los consejos de todos; su hijo Mort hace lo mismo. Su problema empeora cuando tratan de vender su burro. Al tratar de complacer a todos, terminan complaciendo a nadie.

El Ratón de Ciudad menosprecia el simple hogar del Ratón de Campo y la comida normal, pero el Ratón de Campo descubre que los lujos de su primo tienen un precio peligroso. El Ratón de Campo regresa a su casa donde disfruta de su paz y seguridad.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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