New Releases by Leslie Helakoski

"Two ghost crabs on a beach learn to appreciate their differences"--

A stunning picture book by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Keisha Morris about resilience, survival, and hope found in community. When the rain came down and the water rose up . . . thousands fled but many couldn’t leave. When the rain came down and the water rose up . . . a community came together. When the rain came down and the water rose up . . . hope grew from heartache. With lyrical text and evocative illustrations, When the Rain Came Down spreads a powerful message of resilience through community building after the tides of a natural disaster and captures the incredible strength of shared humanity even on the darkest days.

"Helps children consider the colors of their everyday lives . . . and imagine how others around the world experience the very same things"--

The free-spirited, fluffy, one-of-a-kind sheep Woolbur is on his way to school, and he’s MORE than ready… But Maa and Paa aren’t so sure. What if Woolbur isn’t exactly ready for school? He’s different. He’s unusual. And his new hairdo is kooky! At school, Woolbur loves trying new things like drawing outside of the lines and eating grass. (No wonder his parents were worried!) The rest of his classmates are nervous about their first day and aren’t excited about trying anything new. Will Woolbur’s excitement help show his friends that doing something different, or unusual, or kooky is the best way to get ready for school? This charming yet spunky follow-up to the beloved Woolbur is the perfect gift for children who march to the beat of their own drum or anyone who needs a little encouragement on their first day of school.

Newly hatched Hoot, an owlet, and Honk, a fuzzy gosling, find themselves in the wrong nests after an egg mix-up places them with opposing families and compels them to find their way back home.

Effie learns what it takes to be a state-fair cow.

Nibbles, Sweet Pea, and Clean Bean each want the coveted title of Biggest Pig. An afternoon of contests will determine who will be the first to squeeze through the garden fence, gobble a row of veggies, and sink to the bottom of the mudhole. Each pig has his talent, and in the end it''s clear to their mama that they''re all big pigs. But they''ll also always be her little piglets. With a wonderful, wry sense of humor, a rhythmic text,and two fun twists in the ending, this is a tale of sibling rivalry that kids will want to read again and again.

As the household changes from a single man to a man with a wife and children, a dog learns to adjust to and enjoy each new member of the family.

Why did the chickens cross the road? To get to town, of course! When those four lily-livered chickens are accidentally dumped off the farmer?s truck, they have no choice but to follow the feed trail through a day of crazy hijinks. What ensues is a raucous adventure through town, including foreign food, weird noises, and strange birds. Sidesplitting silliness abounds in this third riotously funny read-aloud by Leslie Helakoski, once again illustrated with Henry Cole?s boisterous art.

The four big chickens who were afraid of everything in their wellreceived debut, Big Chickens, are now feeling all cooped up, so they set off to find the farmhouse. But where, the hapless hens wonder, is it? First they find a doghouse (loud barking!); then they run into a tractor (ewww, dirty!); and then they stomp into the barn (wild horses!). Who knew the farmhouse was right under their beaks the whole time? Sidesplitting silliness abounds in this second riotously funny read-aloud by Leslie Helakoski, once again illustrated with Henry Cole?s boisterous art.

Woolbur''s list of Do''s and Don''ts: DO express yourself creatively… DON''T worry if you weave your forelock into a pot holder! DO march to your own beat… DON''T worry when Maa and Paa tell you to stay with the herd! DO be bold and brave… DON''T be afraid to BE YOURSELF! Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs, cards his own wool to avoid the shearing barn, and even dyes his wool blue. "Don''t worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens—the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd. Spunky, funky, and refreshingly distinct, Woolbur will strike a chord with anyone who''s ever felt different. And that''s all of us!

When the regular schoolbus is in the shop, a clever driver must use all that he knows about addition and subtraction to ensure that seventy-six children get on--and off--of the four-seat substitute bus.