New Releases by Helen Frost

"With lyrical language and ... photographs of praying mantises, Helen Frost and Rick Lieder ... invite young readers to observe the beauty of the natural world"--

A 2021 Scott O''Dell Award Winner A Society of Midland Authors Winner in Children''s Fiction A Bank Street Best Book of the Year 2021 A novel in verse about a young deaf boy during World War II, the sister who loves him, and the conscientious objector who helps him. Inspired by true events. Henry has been deaf from an early age—he is intelligent and aware of langauge, but by age six, he has decided it''s not safe to speak to strangers. When the time comes for him to start school, he is labeled "unteachable." Because his family has very little money, his parents and older sister, Molly, feel powerless to help him. Henry is sent to Riverview, a bleak institution where he is misunderstood, underestimated, and harshly treated. Victor, a conscientious objector to World War II, is part of a Civilian Public Service program offered as an alternative to the draft. In 1942, he arrives at Riverview to serve as an attendant and quickly sees that Henry is far from unteachable—he is brave, clever, and sometimes mischievous. In Victor''s care, Henry begins to see how things can change for the better. Heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful, Helen Frost''s All He Knew is inspired by true events and provides sharp insight into a little-known element of history.

Sam and Katie find a stray dog and make a big mistake, but it''s hard to make amends--how can you apologize to a dog? A dirty, skinny, dog shows up in Sam and Katie''s neighborhood. They start to follow it, and they don''t like what they see: The Wilson sisters yell at it because it goes in their garden and the Tracy twins chase it on their bikes and throw things at it. Sam and Katie want the dog to know they''ll be its friends. They think it should have a name. Most of all, they want it to like them. But then they do something thoughtless, and after that, it''s hard to make things right, especially because the dog now won''t come near them. How they earn the dog''s trust, help it find its place in their town and how it gets its name, makes for a heartwarming story told in two voices using prose and poetry. Blue Daisy is illustrated with 20 black-and-white illustrations and includes recipes for dog biscuits and snickerdoodles. A Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year!

A poetic text and wonderfully intimate photographs follow a newborn sandhill crane as it takes its first steps into the world. Will my legs hold me? What if I fall? Peek in as a sandhill crane hatchling makes its first wobbly stand and takes its first steps alongside its brother. With their parents close by, they flap their wings and dance before enjoying a buggy treat. Someday they will fly with the majestic cranes overhead, but for now, Mama’s soft feathers beckon. With a lyrical narrative and lovely photo illustrations, this latest venture from an acclaimed creative team makes a perfect new baby gift — and will appeal to bird lovers, too.

“A dazzlingly poetic photo album of the insect world for tots on up.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) What would happen if you walked very, very quietly and looked carefully at the natural world outside? You might see a cricket leap, a moth spread her wings, or a spider step across a silken web. In simple, evocative language, Helen Frost hints at the many tiny creatures around us, while in stunning close-up photographs, Rick Lieder captures a katydid's eye, a firefly, and many more living wonders awaiting discovery. Back matter amplifies the descriptions of the insects and spiders in the book.

“A picture-book poem calling for adventure. . . . All-around gorgeous.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Baby robins, open-beaked in their nest. Mallards winging to a new clime. Whether chickadees or cardinals, sparrows or starlings, here are commonly seen birds in their natural settings, captured in photographs of rare beauty and grace. In perfect synchrony, a lyrical narrative evokes images of play and flight, perseverance and trust. At the end, readers will find profiles of the featured species. This stunning book is an ideal gift for bird lovers of all ages, graduates, or anyone embarking on an adventure.

Simple poetic language and close-up photographs invite readers to explore all the baby animals who are born during spring.

Maybe you won''t rock a cradle, Muriel. Some women seem to prefer to rock the boat. Eighteen-year-old Muriel Jorgensen lives on one side of Crabapple Creek. Her family''s closest friends, the Normans, live on the other. For as long as Muriel can remember, the families'' lives have been intertwined, connected by the crossing stones that span the water. But now that Frank Norman—who Muriel is just beginning to think might be more than a friend—has enlisted to fight in World War I and her brother, Ollie, has lied about his age to join him, the future is uncertain. As Muriel tends to things at home with the help of Frank''s sister, Emma, she becomes more and more fascinated by the women''s suffrage movement, but she is surrounded by people who advise her to keep her opinions to herself. How can she find a way to care for those she loves while still remaining true to who she is? Written in beautifully structured verse, Crossing Stones captures nine months in the lives of two resilient families struggling to stay together and cross carefully, stone by stone, into a changing world.

There''s more to me than most people see. Twelve-year-old Willow would rather blend in than stick out. But she still wants to be seen for who she is. She wants her parents to notice that she is growing up. She wants her best friend to like her better than she likes a certain boy. She wants, more than anything, to mush the dogs out to her grandparents'' house, by herself, with Roxy in the lead. But sometimes when it''s just you, one mistake can have frightening consequences . . . And when Willow stumbles, it takes a surprising group of friends to help her make things right again. Using diamond-shaped poems inspired by forms found in polished diamond willow sticks, Helen Frost tells the moving story of Willow and her family. Hidden messages within each diamond carry the reader further, into feelings Willow doesn''t reveal even to herself. Diamond Willow is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

Engrossing tales from the fifth grade Every child is like A little world with ever-changing weather, Nights and mornings. And somehow, here we are, Spinning through the universe together. Unforgettable students in this fifth-grade classroom reveal their private feelings about birth and death, a missing bicycle and a first kiss, as well as their thoughts about recess, report cards, fitting in, and family. Using a rich array of traditional poetic forms, such as sonnets, sestinas, and acrostics, Helen Frost interweaves the stories of the kids in Room 214 and their teacher. A final section giving detailed analyses of the twenty-two forms will be of special interest.

Two sisters, Jeannie and Sarah, tell their separate yet tightly interwoven stories in alternating narrative poems. Each sister – Jeannie, who leaves Scotland during the Highland Clearances with her father, mother, and the younger children, and Sarah, who hides so she can stay behind with her grandmother – carries a length of the other's hair braided with her own. The braid binds them together when they are worlds apart and reminds them of who they used to be before they were evicted from the Western Isles, where their family had lived for many generations. The award-winning poet Helen Frost eloquently twists strand over strand of language, braiding the words at the edges of the poems to bring new poetic forms to life while intertwining the destinies of two young girls and the people who cross their paths in this unforgettable novel. An author's note describes the inventive poetic form in detail. The Braid is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

In a touching poetic novel, a fall apple ritual—along with some inventive storytelling—brings a family together as they grieve the loss of a beloved family member. When the first apple falls from the tree, Faith and Peter know that it’s applesauce weather, even though Peter is getting a little old for such things. It also means Uncle Arthur should be here to tell his stories, with a twinkle in his eye as he spins tales about how he came to have a missing finger. But this is the first year without Aunt Lucy, and when Uncle Arthur arrives, there’s no twinkle to be found and no stories waiting to be told. Faith is certain, though, that with a little love and patience, she and Peter might finally learn the truth about that missing finger. Paired with warm, expressive illustrations by Amy June Bates, this heartfelt tale by award-winning poet Helen Frost highlights the strength of family and the power of a good story.

Anikwa and James, twelve years old in 1812, spend their days fishing, trapping, and exploring together in the forests of the Indiana Territory. To Anikwa and his family, members of the Miami tribe, this land has been home for centuries. As traders, James''s family has ties to the Miami community as well as to the American soldiers in the fort. Now tensions are rising—the British and American armies prepare to meet at Fort Wayne for a crucial battle, and Native Americans from surrounding tribes gather in Kekionga to protect their homeland. After trading stops and precious commodities, like salt, are withheld, the fort comes under siege, and war ravages the land. James and Anikwa, like everyone around them, must decide where their deepest loyalties lie. Can their families—and their friendship—survive? In Salt, Printz Honor author Helen Frost offers a compelling look at a difficult time in history. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2013 A Frances Foster Book

How can a firefly find the one, among so many? Exquisite photographs and poetic text evoke a sense of mystery and magic. On a summer evening, just as the stars blink on, a firefly lands on a flower. Lights start to flash all around her — first one, then three, seven. Hundreds. Thousands. How will she find just one flash among them? And will he see her flash in return? In evocative photographs and lyrical language, Rick Lieder and Helen Frost, creators of the critically acclaimed Step Gently Out and Sweep Up the Sun, offer a true story of how two fireflies come together after finding each other’s light among thousands of others.

Text and photographs introduce the physical characteristics and behavior of tree frogs that live in tropical rain forests.

Text and photographs introduce the physical characteristics and behavior of chimpanzees that live in tropical rain forests.

Photographs and text introduce the characteristics and behavior of snow owls and their habitat in the tundra.

Simple text and illustrations persent triceratops, its body parts, and behavior-- in both English and Spanish.

Easy-to-read text and realistic illustrations introduce young readers to this fascinating prehistoric world.

Simple text and photographs present the features and behavior of chimpanzees.

Simple text and photographs from the rain forest present the characteristics and behavior of tree frogs.

Simple text and photographs present the lives of boa constrictors that live in rain forests of South America.

"Simple text and photographs present snowy owls, where they live, and what they do"--Provided by publisher.

"Simple text and photographs present puffins, where they live, and what they do"--Provided by publisher.

Provides information on the physical characteristics, behavior, and habits of the dinosaur known as stegosaurus. Written in English and Spanish.

Simple text and illustrations present tyrannosaurus rex, its body parts, and behavior in both English and Spanish.

A digital solution for your classroom with features created with teachers and students in mind: * Perpetual license * 24 hour, 7 days a week access * No limit to the number of students accessing one title at a time * Provides a School to Home connection wherever internet is available * Easy to use * Ability to turn audio on and off * Words highlighted to match audio Provides information on the physical characteristics, behavior, and habits of the dinosaur known as stegosaurus.

A digital solution for your classroom with features created with teachers and students in mind: * Perpetual license * 24 hour, 7 days a week access * No limit to the number of students accessing one title at a time * Provides a School to Home connection wherever internet is available * Easy to use * Ability to turn audio on and off * Words highlighted to match audio Provides information on the physical characteristics, behavior, and habits of the dinosaur known as triceratops.

Simple text and illustrations present tyrannosaurus rex, its body parts, and behavior.