New Releases by Laura Purdie Salas

Explore the science of snow in this informative picture book with a lyrical read-aloud from award-winning author and poet Laura Purdie Salas. Stars and columns fill the sky with dreams to flurry, float, and fly. When the first flakes of snow swirl toward the ground, it almost feels like magic. But in fact, it''s science: a delicate process where cold air and moisture high in the sky work together to create tiny crystals that grow into sparkling snowflakes. Laura Purdie Salas''s accessible, poetic text and Chiara Fedele''s breathtaking art present the science behind snow and revel in the wonder of winter weather. Follow as the weather sets the stage for a glowing, snowy morning full of flakes that flurry, float, and fly! An author''s note delves deeper into the science of snow, making the book an excellent choice for classroom lessons on weather and seasons. There''s more to explore! Also read Zap! Clap! Boom! The Story of a Thunderstorm.

"This poetic board book surveys various types of homes in nature, spotlighting their differences but concluding with the elements common to all: love and family"--

"This poetic board book relates a school day from the perspective of a migrating butterfly whose own routine mirrors that of a child''s"--

"Soar into the hawk''s world with our new book for mid-level readers. An engaging narrative of a hawk family, captivating images, infographics, milestones, and resources make it perfect for young nature enthusiasts"--

A tiny chipmunk named Oskar accidentally stows away on an enormous Great Lakes freighter. Can he survive an epic trip--and find his way back home? Near a bustling harbor, a plucky chipmunk''s love of tomatoes earns him a heart-pounding ride "up up up" onto a huge ship. After iron ore pellets thunder into the cargo holds, the boat sets sail across Lake Superior--with Oskar still aboard! Lost and desperate to return to land, Oskar explores the enormous boat for a way out. The metal, the machines, the noise--it''s all so different from his small home in the oak tree. Tasty treats in the galley calm his nerves, but when he ventures up to the pilothouse, where sailors steer the ship, he''s shocked to see his bridge and his oak tree fading into the distance. Soon, the lake stretches endlessly in all directions. As he searches for a way home, Oskar discovers excitement--and danger--instead. He''s never before seen a dizzying drop to icy water; an avalanche of mail; a roaring, rumbling engine room; or a steel boom swinging through the sky to deliver a ship''s cargo. Though he encounters amazing wonders on board, he can''t find the one thing he needs most--his oak tree back at the harbor. Will Oskar ever make it home? In 2019 author Laura Purdie Salas took a voyage on the Paul R. Tregurtha, the largest freighter on the Great Lakes. That trip inspired her poetic narrative highlighting the features of a working ship through a chipmunk''s eyes. Artist Kayla Harren''s vibrant illustrations offer glimpses into life aboard a laker--with dazzling scenes of both inland sea and shore. A diagram of a freighter offers perspective, and a map displays Oskar''s route. A glossary and further reading list round out this tale of an unlikely adventure--and may just inspire readers to imagine their own Great Lakes excursion.

Various shapes vie for an important job at the library, but imperfect Line ultimately proves that being perfectly imperfect is the ideal qualification.

Discover the true story of an orphaned mallard duckling being raised by a pair of loons. On a lake in northern Wisconsin in 2019, loon researchers were surprised to discover a mother and father loon caring for a mallard duckling. Normally loons and mallards live very different lives and do not get along. Follow along as the duckling grows and displays a mix of both loon behaviors and mallard behaviors. Intriguing verse and striking illustrations combine in this heartwarming tale of unexpected animal cooperation.

A Blueberry Honor Book A Bank Street College School of Education Best of the Best Book 2024 * “An informative read-aloud choice for home or classroom.” -Booklist, starred review Explore the life cycle of a thunderstorm in this informative and engaging picture book. Morning''s calm. Outside is still. A blue-forever day until . . . The real beginning of a thunderstorm happens long before the first raindrop falls. No rain yet. It''s just a threat- a rising cloud, a towering plume, then . . . Follow along as the weather changes, from a blue-sky day to a brewing storm, from a brewing storm to a dazzling downpour, and from a dazzling downpour to the breathtaking moment when the sky emits a- ZAP! CLAP! BOOM! Laura Purdie Salas''s dynamic text and Elly MacKay''s vibrant art offer the perfect introduction to the science of weather and the forces that work together to create a storm. The next time nature puts on a dramatic thunder and lightning show, readers will be ready to find a cozy spot near a window and watch the storm unfold. An author''s note delves deeper into the science of thunderstorms.

"This poetic board book takes a puddle''s point of view, calling children to delight in their senses"--

We all belong! You and I, we''re alike, / but we''re different too. / That''s not good. / That''s not bad. / It''s just what is true. Explore and celebrate who you are and who others are too! Rhyming verse by Laura Purdie Salas invites others to notice the diversity of our world and affirm that we all belong, just as we are. Bright illustrations by Carlos Vélez Aquilera feature a diverse group of children, playing and learning in an urban setting.

In this humorous picture book, a girl''s desire to knit mittens leads to something even better: the warmth of friendship. How do you knit a pair of mittens? The first step is to get a sheep of course! In this playful story, a girl follows 18 steps to knit mittens--from bringing home a sheep to carding, spinning, and dyeing the wool to knitting the mittens. But along the way, her mischievous sheep creates chaos and wins her heart. By wintertime, the girl has sunny-yellow mittens, the sheep has a sunny-yellow hat, and together they''re ready for adventure. This tale of patience, creativity, and friendship is knitted from skeins of humor and love.

What would you do if you were the moon? Do you think you would rest quietly in the night sky? Oh, no. The moon does so much more than you might imagine! It spins like a twilight ballerina, plays tug-of-war with the ocean, and lights a pathway for baby sea turtles. Discover the many other roles the moon plays in this whimsical and lyrical picture book.

Illustrations and rhyming text follow a loon chick as she learns how to survive--and thrive--in her first year. Includes facts about loons.

There is more than one way for animals to prepare for winter. Some, such as mice, foxes, and moose, simply tolerate the cold. Of course black bears hibernate, but chipmunks, wood frogs, and garter snakes do too. And then there are the creatures that migrate, including hummingbirds, blue whales, and even earthworms! This rhyming nonfiction picture book by Laura Purdie Salas tells you all about how animals survive chilly weather.

You know the song ÒWhere Is Thumbkin?Ó Sing along with new words that explain the eight planets of our solar system.

Sing a song of science! You know the song Home on the Range. Sing along with new words that explain the basic materials that make up our planet.

you gasp as I roar, my mane exploding, sizzling— lion of the sky! Haiku meet riddles in this wonderful collection from Laura Purdie Salas. The poems celebrate the seasons and describe everything from an earthworm to a baseball to an apple to snow angels, alongside full-color illustrations.

Toys, food, and other everyday household objects have wild adventures at night, while the humans in the house sleep, in this imaginative collection of 26 poems. What do the things in your home do when you''re asleep? They play, of course! In this compendium of poems by Laura Purdie Salas, everything from stuffed animals to clothing to writing utensils comes to life under the cover of night. An overdue library book searches for the perfect place to hide. A paper clip skydives with a tissue parachute. A fruit snack unrolls to create a tricky racetrack for toy cars. A hose unwinds and rolls around the yard before curling back up just before dawn. Accompanied by Angela Matteson''s beautiful acrylic-on-wood illustrations, this book will spark young readers'' imaginations and is a perfect choice for bedtime reading.

Poetry + Math + Science = A new way of looking at spring Math meets metaphor in this eye-opening exploration of spring. Each clever equation is a tiny, perfect poem that prompts readers to look at the ordinary and see the miraculous. Can you look at an egg in a nest and see a jewelry box? How are sunlight and heat like an alarm clock? Engaging sidebars reveal the science behind the signs of spring.

What colors do animals use to give a warning? To hide themselves? To attract another animal? Explore the wide ranging use of color in the animal world. Vibrant photos pair with easy-reading text to support young readers. A back matter feature showcases the Crayola® colors that can be found in the animal imagery throughout the book.

What kind of families do animal babies have? All different kinds! Charming text and sweet illustrations introduce a wolf pup cared for by the pack, a young orangutan snuggling with its mother high in a tree, a poison dart frog tadpole riding piggyback on its dad, and more. Featuring rhyming verse and informational text, this book lets you discover just how diverse the animal kingdom really is!

The world is your laboratoryit''s time to make a rainbow! Bursting with color, this book takes a delightful approach to learning the colors of the rainbow and how they progress along a spectrum. Vibrant photos, charming illustrations, and lyrical text introduce readers to all the colors of the rainbow. A back matter feature shows the Crayola colors in the photos and illustrations throughout the book.

"If you were the moon, what would you do? You''d spin like a twilight ballerina and play dodgeball with space rocks. Find out more in this lyrical list poem accompanied by ... illustrations"--

A collection of original, outer space-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Offers guidance on writing stories, poems, drama, and nonfiction and includes profiles of famous writers, writing exercises, and tips from experts.

"Introduces and defines essential elements of writing poetry accompanied by compelling writing prompts for practicing new skills. Real-life author bios and excerpts enhance skills and understanding"--

Rocks may seem like boring objects--until you discover that rocks can spark a fire and glow in the dark. Through rhyming text and glowing illustrations discover how rocks decorate and strengthen the world around them.

“What does this poem mean?” “How should I read it?” “How do we talk about it?” “What do I DO with it?” “What''s the best way to assess it?” “How do I meet standards?” “When can I possibly fit it into my already over-packed day?” Have you ever asked these questions about poetry? The 30 Painless Classroom Poems series makes it easy for you, the elementary school teacher, media specialist, or reading specialist, to share poetry with your students. Whether you already love poetry or you fear or even actively dislike it, these books are for you. The poems, Notes from the Poet, extension activities written by experienced classroom teachers, and tips for using poetry in your classroom will have you sharing poems in no time. In Wacky, Wild, and Wonderful: 50 State Poems, award-winning poet Laura Purdie Salas (author ofBookSpeak!, Water Can Be…, and more) offers up a poem for every state, covering a wide variety of poetic forms, moods, and topics. Extension activities by teacher Catherine Flynn share ideas for spring-boarding from these poems into deeper learning across many content areas. Sample: Pennsylvania: Celebrity Weatherman Phil has no thermometers And no advanced degrees He only knows a cold front By its snapping, chapping breeze He can''t interpret radar He''s surprised by winter snows But Phil foretells the birth of spring Because his shadow knows ? Note: Every year since 1877, on February 2, a groundhog--who is always named Punxsutawney Phil--comes out of his hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow, tradition says, that means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, that means winter is over. Thousands of people go to Gobbler''s Knob, a hill outside the town center, each year to see Phil''s Prognostication, and reporters around the country spread word of the results. A Note from the Poet: As high-tech as we are, we still love our traditions and superstitions. I love that every February 2nd, on Groundhog''s Day, newspapers and news shows still report on whether Phil sees his shadow or not. Up here in Minnesota, we ignore Phil''s prediction because there''s no chance winter is going to end before mid-March! See all of the 30 Painless Classroom Poems at www.30PainlessClassroomPoems.com. Disclaimer: For those of you collecting all my 30 Painless Classroom Poems books, please note that some information, such as Why Poetry Matters and Classroom Poetry Tips, is repeated from book to book. The introduction to the book, the poems, the Notes from the Poet, and the classroom activities are unique to each book.

“What does this poem mean?” “How should I read it?” “How do we talk about it?” “What do I DO with it?” “What''s the best way to assess it?” “How do I meet standards?” “When can I possibly fit it into my already over-packed day?” Have you ever asked these questions about poetry? The 30 Painless Classroom Poems series makes it easy for you, the elementary school teacher, media specialist, or reading specialist, to share poetry with your students. Whether you already love poetry or you fear or even actively dislike it, these books are for you. The poems, Notes from the Poet, extension activities written by experienced classroom teachers, and tips for using poetry in your classroom will have you sharing poems in no time. In What''s Inside? Poems to Explore the Park, award-winning poet Laura Purdie Salas (author of BookSpeak!, Water Can Be…, and more) offers up fifteen couplets asking students “what''s inside” some common objects at the park. Fifteen answering quatrains reveal the details of each item''s interior or potential. Vivid language and rich nonfiction content—along with a sense of wonder and a dash of humor—make these poems engaging and accessible. Extension activities by teacher Ed Spicer share ideas for spring-boarding from these poems into deeper learning across many content areas. Sample: Ninth-Inning Win (answering poem to the what''s inside a baseball couplet) A bull''s-eye of cork helps you punish fast pitches— and rubber and yarn add some bounce from within all tucked below zippers of tight ruby stitches This ball holds a breathtaking ninth-inning win! A Note from the Poet: Did you know that every Major League Baseball has 108 stitches? I love those little lines of red. They remind me of zippers, so I called them that, even though you can''t unzip them. And I used ruby instead of red for two reasons: 1) the line sounded better with two syllables there instead of one; and 2) since a ruby is a jewel, it makes me think of something valuable and important, not just everyday stuff like red. See all of the 30 Painless Classroom Poems at www.30PainlessClassroomPoems.com. Disclaimer: For those of you collecting all my 30 Painless Classroom Poems books, please note that some information, such as Why Poetry Matters and Classroom Poetry Tips, is repeated from book to book. The introduction to the book, the poems, the Notes from the Poet, and the classroom activities are unique to each book.

A step-by-step guide to planning a career in writing for the educational market for children. Includes an introduction to understanding publisher catalogers and writing for series, sample query letters to publishers and many hints from the author''s extensive career in educational writing.