Most Popular Books by Margaret McNamara

In this charming and powerful picture book about voting and elections, the students of Stanton Elementary School learn how we can find--and use--our voices for change. Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, Stanton Elementary School closes for the day. For vacation? Nope! For repairs? No way! Stanton Elementary School closes so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. Sure, the Stanton Elementary School students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn''t mean they can''t encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change--and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow''s voters to change the future.

Mr. Tiffin and his students from the perennially popular How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? and The Dinosaur Expert make friends with, Librarian Beck a new character in the series who also happens to be non-binary. This thoughtful picture book is about a wood-working project that helps a young student become a book lover. Everyone in Mr. Tiffin''s class couldn''t be more excited that the new school library has finally opened. Everyone except Jake. Jake is a slow and careful reader. Sometimes he reads the same page more than once to figure everything out. And he often feels left behind on class Library Day. All that changes when Librarian Beck notices Jake running his fingers across the grooves of a brand-new bookshelf and offers him an old, worn book: Woodworking for Young Hands. Jake checks the book out, studies the pictures and instructions, and renews the book again and again. When the school year comes to an end, Jake has the perfect gift idea for the librarian who changed his life--and he makes it with his own two hands.

It''s Groundhog Day in Mrs. Connor''s class. But instead of watching a real groundhog, the first graders wait to see if Chester the hamster will see his shadow. Illustrations.

Hannah is disappointed when a cold keeps her from her class''s celebration of the one hundredth day of school, but she learns upon returning that the 101st day can be just as special.

Who are some of America''s greatest inventors? What did they do? Learn about three inventors and how they changed the world. -- Publisher''s note.

Join Mr. Tiffin and his students on a trip to a natural history museum and learn all about dinosaurs and the scientists who discovered them! Mr. Tiffin and his students are back in another picture book, and this time the focus is on dinosaur-loving Kimmy. During a field trip to the natural history museum, Kimmy is thrilled to share what she knows about the Stegosaurus and the Archaeopteryx and even the ginormous Titanosaurus. That changes when one of her classmates questions whether girls can be paleontologists. Kimmy starts to feel shy. What if they can''t? What if no one wants to hear what she has to say? It will take some help from Mr. Tiffin--and from a famous scientist--for Kimmy to find her voice again. Join Mr. Tiffin''s class as they learn about dinosaurs big and small, feathered and scaly, winged and ocean-dwelling. And root for Kimmy, the dinosaur expert . . . who might just learn something about herself.

When Neil tells his classmates that he does not want any more valentines, especially pink or frilly ones, the class comes up with a good idea.

It''s Becky''s first day at Robin Hill School--and election day in Mrs. Connor''s class. Becky thinks she''d make a great class president, but hasn''t yet made friends. When Becky takes a chance and makes a speech, the whole class is surprised by the winner. Full color.

In February, the first-graders in Mrs. Connor''s class present facts about the presidents.

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The first graders at Robin Hill School learn about and celebrate the Lunar New Year in this easy-to-follow Level 1 Ready-to-Read story! Eigen’s mom has come to talk to Mrs. Connor’s class about a special holiday called Lunar New Year. She tells them all the fun ways that the holiday is celebrated around the world. But can the students guess why it’s Eigen’s favorite holiday?

Text and photographs describe the activities in a pumpkin patch, as pink-colored seeds become fat pumpkins, ready to be carved into jack-o''-lanterns.

In this eBook with audio, Nia volunteers her mama to be in charge of planning a great party for Mrs. Connor’s class. Everyone is excited—but Nia’s mama doesn’t know she’s been volunteered! Nia knows her mother is shy about speaking English, and is much more comfortable with her native Spanish. With the party fast approaching, can Nia and her mama pull off a great party for the first-grade class?

Mrs. Connor announces that a bunny rabbit is coming to visit the class. Everyone is very excited to take care of Sparky, except for Reza. He doesn''t want to admit it, but he''s afraid of bunnies. Mrs. Connor then gives Reza a very special assignment. Full color.

The students of Robin Hill School plant, tend, and harvest a garden together.

A Robin Hill School first-grader gets a summertime surprise in this sunny Ready-to-Read! Since it’s summer, instead of attending Robin Hill School, Hannah gets to do other fun things, like go to the beach with her family. Imagine her surprise when she sees her teacher, Mrs. Connor! In a bathing suit! Turns out, teachers don’t live at school—and they are just as friendly outside of the classroom. Together, Mrs. Connor and Hannah look for treasure on the beach and share a beautiful summer day.

On Becky''s first day at a new school, she finds that she has a chance to run for class president.

It''s almost the first day of first grade, and Charles can''t wait. That is, until he discovers that his puppy, Cookie, can''t join him. But when he learns that bringing Cookie means she wouldn''t be just his anymore, he decides it''s better if she stays home.

The first graders in Mrs. Connor''s class prove that they can work together when Cookie the dog disrupts their graduation ceremony.

Read about the Lakota Indians who lived on the plains and hunted buffalo.

Usher in National Poetry Month with Mr. Tiffin and his students, stars of the hugely popular How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? and The Apple Orchard Riddle. Once again, Margaret McNamara sets her playful, child-friendly story in the classroom, and this time, poetry—from metaphors to acrostics to haiku—is the name of the game. The focus here is on Elinor, whose confidence falters as she tries to write something "perfect" for Poem in Your Pocket Day and impress a visiting poet. G. Brian Karas''s accessible, adorable illustrations add to the fun. Includes a list of Mr. Tiffin''s tips for celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day. "A nimble introduction to poetry as well as a sensitive look at the perils of perfectionism." —The New York Times "Pair this book with the works of Shel Silverstein, Paul B. Janeczko, Jack Prelutsky, Douglas Florian, or Robert Louis Stevenson." —School Library Journal, Starred

The Robin Hill School first-graders celebrate Pajama Day in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read, the thirtieth book in the Robin Hill School series! It’s Pajama Day! All of the students at Robin Hill School are wearing pajamas to show their school spirit. But Emma forgot! Who will come to her rescue?

A must-have for any young reader, this Ready-to-Read delivers on important lessons in school! There''s a problem on the playground! The boys won''t let the girls play soccer with them during recess. Emma is furious! So she figures out a plan to get them to change their minds. And in the end they all learn that the best teams are the ones that everyone gets to play on!

Introduce kids to the planets and solar system in this fractured fairy tale retelling of the classic The Three Little Pigs. Parents and children alike will adore this out-of-this-world story, which is set in outer space! GREEP BOINK MEEP! The three little aliens are happily settling into their new homes when the Big Bad Robot flies in to crack and smack and whack their houses down! A chase across the solar system follows in this humorous and visually stunning book from Margaret McNamara (How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?) and Mark Fearing (The Book that Eats People). The endpapers even include a labeled diagram of all the planets.

A young, curious, science-loving environmentalist named Daisy proves to her community the importance of conservation in this whimsical and hopeful story. Daisy was born with a green thumb. As an infant, she composted her own baby food. As a toddler, she slept on a bed of leaves. Now she’s embarking on her most important experiment: she’ll plant herself on her manicured front lawn, stay put, and let nature take over. What happens is a blooming miracle. With a little help from expert gardener Auntie Betsy, Daisy thrives. Sunflowers grow in her hair, moss grows between her toes, hummingbirds buzz in her bee balm. Soon Daisy’s front yard is a haven for native grasses and flowers, for pollinating insects, for birds, even for lowly worms. And that’s when her real work begins. In this funny and whimsical story about restoring natural habitats, one tenacious girl passionately leads her own conservation efforts, helping the land heal itself, and teaching her community about the importance of nurturing wild places.

Just as Mrs. Connor''s first grade class finishes dressing up in their Thanksgiving costumes, a fire drill is called.

Katie and her family make shamrocks for each of her classmates to celebrate St. Patrick''s Day, but when Mrs. Connor shows a shamrock that looks very different, Katie is sad until, together, they learn the distinction between a shamrock and a four-leaf clover.

The Robin Hill School first graders learn about being thankful in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read, the twenty-ninth book in the Robin Hill School series! It’s almost Thanksgiving, and Mrs. Connor asks the class to think about what they are thankful for. Reza and his mama make a list together. He can’t wait to talk to his class about his family, his dog, his bike, and so much more! But then at school, everyone takes turns saying what they’re thankful for, and the other kids say the same things Reza wanted to say! Can Reza think of something else he’s thankful for before it’s his turn to speak?

Students at Robin Hill School visit a memorial to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and learn the importance of having a special dream of their own. Full color.

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Nia is excited to be in the class play! Then, on the big day, she gets nervous and forgets her lines. Will taking deep breaths help her calm down?

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The kids are celebrating Halloween with a party, complete with a fun house. But it doesn''t look like much fun to Hannah--in fact it looks "too" scary. That is until Jamie offers to walk through with her. Full color.

A perfect picture book biography from award-winning author Margaret McNamara and New Yorker artist Barry Blitt comes this partly true and completely funny story of George Washington''s 7th birthday. In this clever approach to history, readers will discover the truths and myths about George Washington. Did George Washington wear a wig? No. Did George Washington cut down a cherry tree? Probably not. Readers young and old who are used to seeing George Washington as an old man, will get a new look at the first president—as a kid. Perfect for classrooms, Presidents'' Day, or as a birthday gift.

"First Aladdin paperbacks edition September 2010."--Colophon.

The Robin Hill School first-graders get ready to show off their best smiles on picture day!

It''s Parents Week for Mrs. Connor''s first graders. Each day another parent is visiting and showing what they do. But Ayanna''s dad isn''t like the other parents. Will her classmates like him anyway?

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