most recommended (4-8)

This simple rhyming story by bestselling author/illustrator and reading advocate Rosemary Wells has become a rallying cry for reading aloud to young children. It has been used by many libraries, states, and organizations for literary outreach. "A celebration of the pleasures of reading.... Each framed scene is a loving tribute both precise and precious and wholly satisfying in artistic presentation and integrity." - School Library Journal

Driven by her lifelong interest in the practice of mindfulness and her commitment to the welfare of children everywhere, Goldie Hawn established the Hawn Foundation to support research into developing ways of helping children become healthy and eager learners who can reach their full potential. The program developed by her foundation, MindUP, now used by educators around the world, teaches children how their minds work and how their thoughts and feelings affect their behavior. It gives them the social and emotional tools to help them deal with stress and negative feelings, calm their minds, remain focused, develop compassion and empathy for others―and, ultimately, be happy. As practical as it is inspiring, 10 Mindful Minutes embodies the essence of the incredible success of the MindUP program with its simple techniques like mindful breathing, sensing, and thinking. In easy-to-follow steps, it shows parents and children alike how to focus on feelings of gratitude, kindness, and optimism that will improve interpersonal relationships, increase performance through better concentration, and lead to emotionally healthy and happy lives. Teaching Our Children to Help Themselves Be Happy Across the country, the revolutionary MindUP program, which was developed under the auspices of the Hawn Foundation, is teaching children vital social and emotional skills, empowering them to manage and reduce their own stress―and helping them be happy. Now, for the first time, its secrets are being shared with all parents and children in 10 Mindful Minutes.

Describes an incident in the life of John Parker, an ex-slave who became a successful businessman in Ripley, Ohio, and who repeatedly risked his life to help other slaves escape to freedom.

Covering all aspects of planning a Valentine s Day party, this book contains games, crafts, party favors, sweets, drinks, and Valentine boxes. All of the activities have easy-to-follow directions and require only readily available materials. There are six party themes to choose from: hearts, cupids, love and friendship, animals, post office, and February and presidents. For parents who want to help out at school, there is information on what they can do as a classroom parent. Valentine School Parties . . . What Do I Do? can also be used at home to make private parties a smashing success.

Simon is having a bad day; a bad hair day. First his sister gives him a strange hair cut, then his friends tease him. Simon doesn't know what to do. Lucky for him he runs into Grandma Rose. After listening to his sorrowful story she helps him learn an important life lesson; how to handle teases and put-downs. By comparing teases to fishing hooks she tells him a tale of how fish learned not to bite. With fanciful characters such as Harmony Hippy Fish, Freddie Fang, Max the Mouse Fish and more, Simon learns that he, too, can swim free from the teasing hooks that people toss his way.

Miss Suzy is a little gray squirrel who lives happily in her oak-tree home until she is chased away by some mean red squirrels. Poor Miss Suzy is very sad. But soon she finds a beautiful dollhouse and meets a band of brave toy soldiers.

How Miss Suzy and the soldiers help each other makes a gentle, old-fashioned tale that has captured the imaginations of girls and boys alike for forty years. Arnold Lobel's enchanting pictures are sure to make the kind squirrel and the gallant soldiers the everlasting friends of all who turn these pages.

Read by the author
2 cassettes, approx. 2 hours

#1: Dinosaurs Before Dark
Jack and Annie discover a Magic Tree House and travel back to the time of the dinosaurs.

#2: The Knight at Dawn
Jack and Annie travel back in time to medieval England for an adventure inside a storybook castle, from feasting hall to dreadful dungeon.

#3: Mummies in the Morning
Jack and Annie find themselves whisked away to ancient Egypt, where they come face to face with a dead queen—and her 1,000-year-old mummy!

#4: Pirates Past Noon
Jack and Annie are in deep trouble when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the days of desert islands, secret maps, hidden gold—and ruthless pirates!

Mary's first original children's book since The Snow Queen has sold 100,000 copies since its debut. She puts her lavish touch to a reverent and radiant poem by nineteenth-century clergyman William Henry Channing. My Symphony, this brief yet powerful verse, lists 18 inspirational ways to live a virtuous life; Mary Engelbreit's 18 original illustrations accompany them and help children visualize how they can grow up strong and pure, too.

This book shows girls how to turn everyday items into dozens of amazing miniatures. Make pies from bottle caps, plates from buttons, a table from balsa wood and golf tees! Includes a special feature--a "little room" in the back of the book folds out to give girls a place to display and play with their tiny treasures. Full-color illustrations.

At night, ten different species of frogs convene in a marsh. Fireflies light up the scene and Maestro bullfrog raises his baton. The music begins, softly at first, but builds to a crescendo as the night goes on. Just before dawn, the frogs depart--but the serenade is not over... Although the story is a fantasy, each of the different species of frogs has been carefully portrayed, and described by the author in an Afterword. The musical terms are defined in a glossary. Young naturalists who are fond of frogs as well as youngsters who enjoy music will have a wonderful time as part of the marsh's nocturnal audience.

Welcome to Laura Seeley's enchanting world of shadowboxes, where the ABC's spring magically to life. Each shadowbox is filled with richly colorful creatures, objects, and people drawn in Seeley's intricately engaging style. The vibrant illustrations and bouncing verses delight and instruct.

A young father tells his five-year-old son humorous variations on the theme of a hen escaping the clutches of a wily wolf.

In this uproariously funny counting book, illustrated by popular artist Kevin Hawkes, a ravenous little sister eats everything from one hare to ten peas. Now in Dragonfly, this is the perfect book for any kid who loves to giggle (and who doesn't?) and parents who love to hear them.  

In 1926, the world was introduced to a portly little bear named Winnie-the-Pooh. Along with his young friend, Christopher Robin, Pooh delighted readers from the very beginning. His often befuddled perceptions and adorable insights won the hearts of everyone around him, including his close group of friends. From the energetic Tigger to the dismal Eeyore, A. A. Milne created a charming bunch, both entertaining and inspirational. These simple creatures often reflected a small piece of all of us: humble, silly, wise, cautious, creative, and full of life. Remember when Piglet did a very grand thing, or Eeyore's almost-forgotten birthday?

Gorgeous watercolor illustrations from Ernest H. Shepard appear in all their glory. With beautiful colors and simple lines, these images hold their own as classics. The tales, filled with superb story lines and lessons, will continue to capture the hearts of new generations.

Ivy, Holly, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones all have one Christmas wish. Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a real home and sets out in search of the grandmother she's sure she can find. Holly, a doll, wishes for a child to bring her to life. And the Joneses wish more than anything for a son or daughter to share their holiday. Can all three wishes come true? This festive tale is perfectly complemented by beloved Barbara Cooney's luminous illustrations, filled with the warm glow of the Christmas spirit.

A funny, western version of "Cinderella" - with an unexpected twist. "Upended fairy tales are pretty familiar now, but this one has sass and pizzazz." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. An introduction to the American flag relates its history and explains the ideals it represents.