Best Selling Books by Veronika Martenova Charles

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

A picture book blending a sweet fairy tale with the realness of immigration, inspired by the author-illustrator’s own experiences moving to a new home. Emma lives on the grey, cold, lonely side of a wall, where people speak in whispers and no flowers grow. On the other side, there is happiness and color, but she can never go there. When Emma''s parents disappear, she is sent to live with her Aunt Lily, who, “just like the land withered from lack of sunshine, was broken by the life she led.” One day, Aunt Lily discovers Emma drawing and dashes her niece’s dream of becoming an artist. That is, until the day a strange boat captain, and an even stranger boat, arrive, and she leaves her world behind forever. Following Emma’s arrival in a strange land (Halifax''s Pier 21), her placement in a group home, and the discovery of her voice through art, The Land Beyond the Wall is a beautifully rendered allegory that uses magic realism to confront the harsh realities of immigration, and the universal struggle of finding one’s voice, and one’s place in the world. “These types of autobiographical stories for young readers serve a dual purpose: on the one hand they let children know that they are not alone, not the only ones who have come through hardship and awfulness. On the other, they offer inspiration, a message directly from the author that says, “I did it. You can, too.” That Charles relates her personal fairy tale with such delicacy and style is a bonus.” —Quill & Quire (Toronto, ON)

Ghostly tales of strange things lurking in forbidden places tie these three stories together. The boys have been warned not to go into a certain room while they are pet-sitting for the neighbor, but, of course, their bravado leads to a session of one-upmanship and the distinct possibility that the cats they are looking after may not be cats at all. Stories from Russia, the United States, and the West Indies are highlighted.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Three friends frighten each other with tales of haunted beach houses, sinister cats, and witches in this trio of cautionary stories from Japan and the United States. Beginning readers come away with a satisfying experience and the benefit of good advice!

Having been warned not to open the door for anyone while Mom goes to help a neighbor, the three boys try to outdo each other by telling scary stories about strangers at the door. By the time they have finished, they have scared themselves under the bed. Stories in this book come from Bohemia, the Guyanas, and Peru and are based on the universal theme of not opening the door to strangers.

Baba Yaga, The Golden Arm, and Monster Gogo all come out to play with the imaginations of the boys this time. Children around the world all know that they mustn’t forget important things and these generously illustrated tellings from Russia, England, and West Africa drive the point home in a memorable way.

In short lines, large type, and text broken into phrases, three more stories are told. Marcos, Leon, and “I” try to out-do each other with warnings against tasting things that may not be safe. Dire consequences and ridiculous outcomes take the boys to new heights of hilarity in these spooky tales from Australia, Italy, and Eastern Europe.

This time a lost dog sparks the theme of strangers and the wisdom in avoiding them. And what a collection of strangers they are! Headless trolls, people with pointy ears and huge eyes, and long-lost “aunties,” who enjoy eating their guests. Stories from Scandinavia, Sierra Leone, and Iraq are highlighted in this universal warning.

Cautionary tales from West Virginia, Africa, and Central Europe are related by each boy until they are certain Mothman, Monster, and Ghost are after them. Are they scared? Not enough to admit it, but they certainly are running for home a little faster than usual.

Having been warned to stay away from the high waters of the local creek, the boys’ imaginations run as swiftly as the stream. Before they know it, they have scared themselves silly with stories like The Children with Green Teeth, from Britain; The Deadly Beach, from Hawaii; and The Waterman, from Central Europe.

All that glitters may not be gold and certainly should not be touched, as the three boys find out when they see something strange at a construction site. While deciding their best course of action, they tell each other stories about strange toys, a mysterious glass bottle, and a dragon. By the time they are finished they are scared, but they know just what they should do. The Far North, Germany, and Italy are featured this time.

This time the boys find themselves in cottage country making up spooky tales about staying out of the forest. Tales from the Philippines and Native American legends are told until the boys can almost see strange characters at their dinner table that night.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

A young boy and three outcasts with unusual abilities band together to search for some missing children, including the boy''s little sister, and find themselves battling an evil wizard.

If it''s a ring, a ding, a splash or a crash, you can be sue it has something to do with Aunt Minnie. She is the funniest, happiest, noisiest aunt who ever came to visit, and now she''s inviting you to join in and make some noise of your own.

Noor Nobi is a broken man, wandering the streets of Calcutta with no reason to live. His three children, snatched from him in a cruel accident, were everything he worked for and loved. But one day, he enters a crowded market and sees a bird, caged and frightened and sick. With very little money in his pocket, he waits until the vendor is closing up. Quickly, Noor Nobi bargains and, happy to get anything for the sickly thing, the vendor accepts his offer. For some reason Noor Nobi cannot explain, it is important for him to nurse the bird back to health. When it is finally able to fly, Noor Nobi takes his bird to a big Banyan tree and releases it. Only then is he able to weep and fully grieve for his children. Before Noor Nobi knows it, he is back at work and taking his weekly earnings to the market where he continues to buy, heal, and free as many birds as he can. Crowds gather; some laugh and say he is crazy, some stand reverently, some don’t know what to think. But Noor Nobi’s kindness saves a growing number of birds, and the birds, in turn, give him new purpose. Author Veronika Martenova Charles read a short newspaper article about the “Birdman” of Calcutta and her imagination took flight. She traveled to India, found Noor Nobi, and witnessed the freeing of the birds for herself. The Birdman is a touching, true story, tenderly illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle. It is accompanied by an afterword, diary entries, and photographs of the author’s experience.

Miguel, a curious boy, finds himself choosing between this world and a city beyond the mountains.

Feeling that the arrival of a new baby has stopped her parents from loving her, Yoshiko goes to live among the cranes, whose magic transforms her into one of their young for a while.

Collection of poems about children around the world, focusing on the children''s perceptions of war and how the turmoil of war affects their lives. An author''s note provides additional context.

An inspiring picture book about a young girl helping her grandmother''s dream come true In the spring of 1939 a young girl named Frances is chosen from among her classmates to present a bouquet of roses to Queen Elizabeth. Excitement builds throughout the day as people gather at the station to witness the Royal visit Of King George, Queen Elizabeth and the young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, but the long-awaited train does not stop. It continues on through the station leaving behind a puzzled crowd and a disappointed Frances. Seventy years later, Frances watches William and Kate''s royal wedding with her granddaughter Kara and tells her about how a long time ago, she almost met the Queen. Kara shares her grandmother''s story, which leads to an amazing opportunity: Frances will present a bouquet to Kate and William when they visit! Based on real events and accompanied by a combination of elegant illustrations and original photographs, Frances'' story is unique and inspiring. Seventy years is a long time to hold onto a dream, and as she finally gives away her bouquet, Frances is once again that child from 1939, learning that dreams really can come true.

"Canadian Children''s Book Centre "Our Choice" Award 2002 Honour Title, Storytelling World Award 2002" Long ago, a Seneca tribe lived on the Niagara River, just upstream from a great waterfall. With plenty of fish and crops to feed them, life was good in their village. Then a sickness came to the people, and everything changed. As the situation worsened and people died, Lelawala, the chief_s daughter, came up with a plan to help. She would go to the thunder god, Hinu, and find out why he wouldn_t help her people. But to do that, Lelawala would have to go to his home under the great falls, and never return.

The project investigated how elementary students engaged in creating 21st-century narratives with multiple perspective storylines enriched with images, videos and sound. The project was implemented as three substudies - Study A, B & C, in specific instructional contexts. Study A & B employed the use of digital technology and Study C did not. All were conducted in two Toronto elementary schools over a period of six months with a total of forty-four students (comprised of 31 girls and 13 boys) aged 10 to 12, and with the collaboration of their teachers. The data collection took the form of participant observation (Spradley,1980) and detailed writing analysis. The initial procedure used a pictographic map of the structure of Snow White from which 4 class-created stories were generated, resulting in 55 students stories told from the various characters perspectives. The results showed the projects activities empowered the students and engaged them. Perspective taking in their stories allowed students to examine the lives of others, emotionally process the story, and empathize with their story characters predicaments. Findings from the project were 1) students who wrote on computers produced more text and were more reflective of their thoughts; 2) students did not collaborate in their writing when using computers while students writing in a traditional way with pencils and paper notebooks did; 3) boys and girls had distinctive narrative styles even when using the same storys content and structure; and 4) students did not use the technology as a tool to enhance personal creativity but rather as a substitute. Perspective writing may be easy to implement into practice and there is an indication that the method is widely applicable.

Cette collection regroupe une série de livrets de lecture destinés aux enfants de sept à neuf ans (pour ceux dont le français est la langue maternelle) ou de huit à dix ans (pour ceux qui sont en immersion française). Chaque titre met en scène trois garçonnets qui, à tour de rôle, racontent une histoire destinée à faire frémir ses compagnons. Ces trois récits, inspirés de légendes ou de contes d''apprentissage des quatre coins du monde, sont réunis sous une thématique qui se prête bien à une petite leçon de morale. De plus, le dernier d''entre eux se termine de manière abrupte et le lecteur est invité à lui inventer une fin, mettant de ce fait à l''épreuve sa compréhension du texte. -- Des dessins de type BD, finement esquissés à la plume, animent ces courtes histoires au vocabulaire et aux structures de phrases simples, qui jouissent d''une mise en pages aérée. [SDM].

Cette collection regroupe une série de livrets de lecture destinés aux enfants de sept à neuf ans (pour ceux dont le français est la langue maternelle) ou de huit à dix ans (pour ceux qui sont en immersion française). Chaque titre met en scène trois garçonnets qui, à tour de rôle, racontent une histoire destinée à faire frémir ses compagnons. Ces trois récits, inspirés de légendes ou de contes d''apprentissage des quatre coins du monde, sont réunis sous une thématique qui se prête bien à une petite leçon de morale. De plus, le dernier d''entre eux se termine de manière abrupte et le lecteur est invité à lui inventer une fin, mettant de ce fait à l''épreuve sa compréhension du texte. -- Des dessins de type BD, finement esquissés à la plume, animent ces courtes histoires au vocabulaire et aux structures de phrases simples, qui jouissent d''une mise en pages aérée. [SDM].

Cette collection regroupe une série de livrets de lecture destinés aux enfants de sept à neuf ans (pour ceux dont le français est la langue maternelle) ou de huit à dix ans (pour ceux qui sont en immersion française). Chaque titre met en scène trois garçonnets qui, à tour de rôle, racontent une histoire destinée à faire frémir ses compagnons. Ces trois récits, inspirés de légendes ou de contes d''apprentissage des quatre coins du monde, sont réunis sous une thématique qui se prête bien à une petite leçon de morale. De plus, le dernier d''entre eux se termine de manière abrupte et le lecteur est invité à lui inventer une fin, mettant de ce fait à l''épreuve sa compréhension du texte. -- Des dessins de type BD, finement esquissés à la plume, animent ces courtes histoires au vocabulaire et aux structures de phrases simples, qui jouissent d''une mise en pages aérée. [SDM].