Southbury Public Library is closed until further notice.

Thank you for your continued support and patience during this difficult time as we recover from extreme damage caused by the flooding on August 18th & 19th. Information on the library’s reopening will be provided when it is available.

The library’s book drop is closed. For now, hold all returns or return them to any other Connecticut library. Please do not leave returns in front of the library. All Southbury fines will be waived.

If you need assistance with anything related to your library card account, please call 203-262-0626 or email asksbylib@biblio.org.

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Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn

James Dean

New York Times bestselling creators James and Kimberly Dean show us all the wonderful things about autumn. A great book to share with the family at Thanksgiving or anytime--complete with 12 cards, a poster, and stickers!

Pete the Cat isn't sure about the changing of the seasons from summer to autumn. But when he discovers corn mazes, hay rides, and apple picking, Pete realizes there's so much to enjoy and be thankful for about autumn.

Pete the Cat: Falling for Autumn includes 12 Thanksgiving cards, a fold-out poster, and fun stickers! Share this book with your family--a fun way to connect family members near and far while entertaining kids.

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Autumn Babies

Kathryn O. Galbraith

An endearing board book with adorable babies on the go during the fall season
Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful fall day.
Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, books in the Babies in the Park series encourage an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

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Bella's Fall Coat

Todd Parr

This loving and whimsical intergenerational picture book captures the wonders of fall as it reflects the common childhood desire that everything stay exactly as it is forever.

Bella loves the sights and sounds of fall--the crinkle-crackle of fallen leaves, the crunch of crisp, red apples, the honking and flapping of migrating geese. She wants the season to last forever. She also wants her fall coat--the one her Grams made especially for her--to last forever. But the coat is worn-out and too small. . . . With a snip and a whir, Grams makes sure Bella will be warm when the first snowflakes fall. And Bella finds a perfect use for her old favorite coat -- on the first snowman of the season. Adorned with beautiful fall oranges, reds, and yellows, and sprinkled with fun sound words, this read-aloud will help families celebrate both fall and winter.

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Autumn

Stephanie Hedlund

Teach young readers all about autumn in this informative, easy-to-read, illustrated book. Learn about the position of the sun, the autumnal equinox, the activities of plants and animals, and all of the fun things humans can do during the season of autumn! A season calandar, autumn activity ideas, glossary, and index provide more learning opportunities! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Looking Glass Library is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades PreK-4.

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My Leaf Book

Monica Wellington

The brilliant colors of fall foliage take center stage in this picture book perfect for fans of the classic Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf.

With her trademark bold, graphic style Monica Wellington has created a picture book about autumn, trees, and leaves.  When the seasons change, a young girl visits the arboretum to collect fallen leaves and make a book with them. Brilliant illustrations show each variety of tree the girl encounters, from the common oak to the lesser known gingko.  Spreads silhouetting leaves up-close help young children learn to identify them. Like the girl in the book, young readers will be eager to make their very own leaf books.  

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Pick a Circle, Gather Squares

Felicia Sanzari Chernesky

Fall is here, with all its wonderful visual delights—not just colors, but shapes! This clever concept book follows a family on a trip to a pumpkin patch and invites children to pick out shapes from the seasonal scenery—apple bushel circles, square hay bales, diamond kites in the autumn sky! Felicia Sanzari Chernesky’s sweet verses are perfectly complemented by Susan Swan’s gorgeous collage-inspired art.

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The Autumn Leaf

Carl Emerson

Emma and Owen visit Old Oak at the park. It is autumn, and the leaves are falling from the trees. Only one leaf is left. Will it fall, too?

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Awesome Autumn

Bruce Goldstone

Autumn is awesome! Leaves change color. Animals fly south or get ready to hibernate. People harvest crops and dress up as scary creatures for Halloween. And then there are pickup football games to play, Thanksgiving foods to eat, leaf piles to jump in—all the amazing things that happen as the air turns crisp and cool.

With colorful photographs, lively explanations, and classic craft ideas, Bruce Goldstone has created a festive and fascinating exploration of autumn's awesomeness.

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Counting on Fall

Lizann Flatt

In Counting on Fall, the first title in the best-selling Math in Nature series, nature comes to life to help children in Grades K to 2 learn concepts of number sense and numeration.

As young readers journey into the natural world, they will discover that numbers, patterns, shapes -- and much more! -- can be found by observing everyday plants and animals. What if animals and plants knew math, just like you? Would leaves fall in patterns? Would whales enter a race? In Counting on Fall, the first title in the four-book Math in Nature series by award-winning author Lizann Flatt, nature comes to life to help children grasp concepts of number sense and numeration. The engaging "What if?" format of this informational picture book is sure to delight children in Grades K to 2.

Each of the four books in the Math in Nature series covers one season of the year and one area of math curriculum. Colorful, cut-paper collage art evokes the natural world, while two levels of text -- one a lyrical story, the other asking children to problem-solve -- bring the reader to a full understanding of the math concept being covered.

Free downloadable teacher's guide, lesson plan, and activities available at www.OwlkidsBooks.com

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Busy Animals

Lisa Bullard

Autumn is a busy time for animals. Follow along on a walk through the nature reserve. Read about birds and butterflies that migrate. Find out which animals hibernate. But don't get too close to those bees!

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Let's Look at Fall

Sarah L. Schuette

"How do we know it's fall? The weather is cooler, and the leaves change color. Crops are ready for harvest, and animals get ready for winter. This book shows young readers how to recognize the changes that happen in fall. Includes a video, which launches via a 4D app."--

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Leaves Fall Down

Lisa Bullard

A book about the autumn teaches young readers why leaves change color and looks at some of the fun things that can be done with the leaves after they fall from the trees, such as raking then taking a running leap into the huge pile!

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Leaf by Leaf

Barbara Rogasky

A timeless collection of poetry celebrates the joy and brilliance of fall, where the leaves turn vivid colors and the air becomes cool and crisp, and includes poems by such literary masters as William Butler Yeats, Walt Whitman, Mary Oliver, Robert Browning, and Edgar Allan Poe.

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Scarecrow

Cynthia Rylant

From a Newbery Medal-winning author, a look at life from a scarecrow’s point of view, accompanied by “magnificent” illustrations (School Library Journal).
 
Scarecrows. They perch high above gardens and fields, with borrowed coats and button eyes and pie-pan hands that glint in the sun. What else is there to know about them? Perhaps more than we realize. Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant’s rich and poignant story, powerfully illustrated by Lauren Stringer, will resonate deeply in the hearts of readers, who just might find themselves seeing the world in a whole new way.
 
“Rylant lyrically imagines the scarecrow as a grateful ‘witness to life,’ while the acrylic paintings evoke a warm, even nostalgic sense of plenty.”—Publishers Weekly 
 
"Rylant uses casual, conversational language with simple elegance and pleasing rhythms.”—School Library Journal
 
“Rylant is in fine form.”—Kirkus Reviews

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Indiana Bones

Harry Heape

Indiana Bones and his young friend Aisha are off to solve the greatest mysteries the world has ever known in this hilarious new series!
Indiana Bones is a shaggy dog with a difference. He's got superpowers and can sniff out criminals and - with his young friend and owner, 12-year-old Aisha - solve mysteries that would flummox the world's more expert detectives!

In their first case, they are on the trail of treasure hidden centuries ago by a legendary knight known as The Lonely Assassin, an adventure which takes them all the way to Egypt and the Pyramids.

A hugely inventive new Middle Grade series from one of the funniest authors in the business.

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Kristy and the Snobs: a Graphic Novel (Baby-Sitters Club #10)

Ann M. Martin

A brand-new Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by Eisner-nominated artist Chan Chau!

 

Kristy's mom got remarried and their family moved to the ritzy neighborhood across town. The other members of The Baby-sitters Club think it's a good opportunity to get some new business, but the kids who live nearby aren't very friendly. They criticize Kristy's clothes and make fun of the BSC. And, worst of all, they laugh at Louie, Kristy's pet collie, who's getting old and not feeling well. These kids are total snobs! But if anyone can put them in their place, it's The Baby-sitters Club!

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Branches of Hope

Ann Magee

 

“This true-life fable about a tree that survived 9/11 commemorates the attack while evoking a resilient spirit and the healing power of nature."
—Carole Boston Weatherford, author of Newbery Honor book BOX

Branches of Hope is a tribute to resilience and hope, a gentle way to talk with our youngest readers about the memory of 9/11.”

—Kate Messner, author of The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs

The branches of the 9/11 Survivor Tree poked through the rubble at Ground Zero. They were glimpses of hope in the weeks after September 11, 2001.

Remember and honor the events of 9/11 and celebrate how hope appears in the midst of hardship. The Survivor Tree found at Ground Zero was rescued, rehabilitated, and then replanted at the 9/11 Memorial site in 2011. This is its story.

In this moving tribute to a city and its people, a wordless story of a young child accompanies the tree's history. As the tree heals, the girl grows into an adult, and by the 20th anniversary of 9/11, she has become a firefighter like her first-responder uncle. A life-affirming introduction to how 9/11 affected the United States and how we recovered together.

 

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I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 (graphic novel)

Lauren Tarshis

A gripping graphic novel adaptation of Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001, in time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

 

The only thing Lucas loves more than football is his Uncle Benny, his dad's best friend at the firehouse where they both work. Benny taught Lucas everything about football. So when Lucas's parents decide the sport is too dangerous and he needs to quit, Lucas has to talk to his biggest fan.

 

The next morning, Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York as he heads to the firehouse. But just as he arrives, everything changes -- and nothing will ever be the same again.

 

Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series comes to vivid life in bold graphic novels. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that's sure to keep any reader turning the pages. Includes a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real-life event.

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Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero

Saadia Faruqi

Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey, Texas—and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win.

Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.

With “Never Forget” banners everywhere and a hostile group of townspeople protesting the new mosque, Yusuf realizes that the country’s anger from two decades ago hasn’t gone away. Can he hold onto his joy—and his friendships—in the face of heartache and prejudice?

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Survivor Tree

Marcie Colleen

This hopeful story of a resilient tree that grew (and still grows) at the base of the twin towers is a simple introduction for young readers to gain an understanding of September 11th and the impact it had on America.

One September day, the perfect blue sky exploded. Dust billowed. Buildings crumbled. And underneath it all, a tree sprouted green leaves in its distress. Pulled from the wreckage, the tree saw many seasons pass as it slowly recovered far away from home. Until one day, forever scarred and forever stronger, it was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial.

This story of the real Survivor Tree uses nature's cycle of colors to reflect on the hope and healing that come after a tragedy--and assures readers of their own remarkable resilience.

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30,000 Stitches

Amanda Davis

Discover the inspiring story of the American flag that flew over Ground Zero, traveled across all fifty states as it was repaired, and returned to New York as a restored symbol of unity.

In the days following September 11th, a 30-foot American flag hung torn and tattered at 90 West Street, across from Ground Zero. A few weeks later, the flag was taken down by a construction crew and tucked away in storage, where it stayed for nearly seven years.

The flag was brought out of storage in 2008 when the New York Says Thank You Foundation headed to Greensburg, Kansas, a town nearly destroyed by a tornado. NYSTY brought the flag with them, sparking a grassroots restoration effort that traveled over 120,000 miles across all fifty states, bringing together thousands of people, and helping America heal and rebuild . . . hand by hand, thread by thread, one stitch at a time.

This book is the story of that journey, a journey that ended at the opening of the National September 11 Museum, where the flag remains today. Along the way, the flag was restored using pieces of retired flags from every state--including a piece of the flag that Abraham Lincoln was laid on after he was shot at Ford's Theater and threads from the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, which flew at Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. The pieces and threads were stitched in by military veterans, first responders, educators, students, community-service heroes, and family members of 9/11 victims, among others. At each stop, communities came together to remember, to heal, and to unite.

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This Very Tree

Sean Rubin

A deeply moving story about community and resilience, from the point-of-view of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11, from Eisner Award-nominated author-illustrator Sean Rubin.

* "A resonant, beautifully rendered testament to life and renewal." —Kirkus, starred review

In the 1970s, nestled between the newly completed Twin Towers in New York City, a Callery pear tree was planted. Over the years, the tree provided shade for people looking for a place to rest and a home for birds, along with the first blooms of spring.

On September 11, 2001, everything changed. The tree’s home was destroyed, and it was buried under the rubble. But a month after tragedy struck, a shocking discovery was made at Ground Zero: the tree had survived.

Dubbed the “Survivor Tree,” it was moved to the Bronx to recover. And in the thoughtful care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Callery pear was nursed back to health. Almost a decade later, the Survivor Tree returned home and was planted in the 9/11 Memorial to provide beauty and comfort...and also hope.

This is the story of that tree—and of a nation in recovery. Told from the tree’s perspective, This Very Tree is a touching tribute to first responders, the resilience of America, and the restorative power of community.

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FIREBOAT

Maira Kalman

* “A hundred years from now, when people want to know what we told our children about 9/11, Kalman's book should be among the first answers.”—Booklist, starred review
 
* “Intelligently conveys those unfathomable events in a way that a picture book audience can comprehend. . . . With this inspiring book, Kalman sensitively handles a difficult subject in an age-appropriate manner.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “Fireboat does many things. It sets forth an adventure, helps commemorate an anniversary, offers an interesting bit of history, celebrates the underdog, and honors the fire-fighting profession. Children and adults will respond to it in as many ways.”—School Library Journal, starred review
 
* “Exciting, uplifting, and child-sensitive. . . . Revisits the tragedy without the terror and conveys pride without preachiness."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
 
* “Quintessential New York artist Kalman gives us an idiosyncratic but informative look at a Big Apple institution. . . . Kalman’s use of the events of September 11 is honest and honorable, and rarely is she as straightforward as she is here.”—The Horn Book, starred review

This is the inspiring true story of the John J. Harvey—a retired New York City fireboat reinstated on September 11, 2001. Originally launched in 1931, the Harvey was the most powerful fireboat of her time. After the September 11 attacks, with fire hydrants at Ground Zero inoperable and the Hudson River's water supply critical to fighting the blaze, the fire department called on the Harvey for help. There were adjustments—forcing water into hoses by jamming soda bottles and wood into nozzles with a sledgehammer—and then the fireboat's volunteer crew pumped much-needed water to the disaster site. The John J. Harvey proved she was still one of New York's Bravest!

 


Maira Kalman brings a New York City icon to life, celebrating the energy, vitality and hope of a place and its people.

 

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Kindergarten is Cool!

Linda Elovitz Marshall

When you wake up for school you'll get dressed, really cool with your sneakers and socks and your lunch in a box . . . Kindergarten's begun. Big kids say that it's fun. But is that really true? Will it be fun . . . for you? Celebrate all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every kid entering kindergarten in this charming second-person narrative. Whether it's early-morning jitters or becoming familiar with new classroom routines, this sweet and bouncy story will have expectant kindergarteners saying, "Kindergarten is cool!"

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The King of Kindergarten

Derrick Barnes

A New York Times bestseller!

A confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Crown.


The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head--like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten!

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements--and then wake up to start another day.
Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes's empowering story will give new kindergarteners a reassuring confidence boost, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton's illustrations exude joy.

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Welcome to Third Grade, Gus!

Jacklyn Williams

On the first day of third grade, Gus worries that his teacher will be a monster, his classmates will call him names, and it will be the worst day of his life, but when it is over he discovers that most of his fears were unfounded.

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Planet Kindergarten

Sue Ganz-Schmitt

★"A genius way to ease kids into the new adventure that is kindergarten." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

This clever picture book will prepare young explorers to boldly go where they have never gone before: Planet Kindergarten. Suit up for a daring adventure as our hero navigates the unknown reaches and alien inhabitants of this strange new world. Hilarious and confidence-boosting, this exciting story will have new kindergarteners ready for liftoff! Plus, this is a fixed-format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.

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Max and Mo's First Day at School

Patricia Lakin

In a series of adorable Level 1 Ready-to-Reads, award-winning author Patricia Lakin and the ever-talented Brian Floca tell the story of two hamsters who live in a classroom as pets. Mo, a hamster who likes to know things, and Max, a hamster who likes to make things, team up to bust out of their cage and explore their art class/home during holiday time. In each story, these furry friends learn about a holiday and make a tie-in craft that readers learn to make too, thanks to Patty's simple instructions in the back of each book. Max and Mo's First Day at School It's back-to-school time for Max and Mo.This year they are living in the art room.Now they have to make new friends, but howwill these big ones learn their names?

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Otto Goes to School

Todd Parr

The first day of school is both scary and exciting for Otto. At first, he is very nervous, but then he realizes how much fun school can be. Otto learns all kinds of things - how to share his toys, how to play games, and even how to remember that shoes are for wearing, not for eating. (Silly Otto!)

Todd Parr's bold illustrations and simple text are the perfect fit for children just starting their reading journey. At the end of the story, Todd offers a reassuring message to cure those back-to-school jitters: "The first day of school is fun and exciting. You will meet new friends, learn new things, and then you will be really, really smart! Love, Otto and Todd."

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Noni Is Nervous

Heather Hartt-Sussman

A unique hardcover picture book for two to five year olds, this is the story of a lovely little girl who is nervous about many things. Noni finds a way to control her nerves and work through her anxiety, making life much more bearable for everyone!

Noni is nervous about playdates, and global warming, and most of all, about the first day of school. Her parents are worried too, and even her brother is a little wary. But Noni finds a friend, someone a little more outgoing than herself, and discovers that through friendship, she can belong and succeed in a world that once filled her with dread. The story is a universal one about the power of friendship and belonging, delightfully illlustrated by award-winning illustrator Genevieve Cote.

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Ruby Rose: Off to School She Goes

Rob Sanders

Ruby Rose loves to dance . . .

. . . while she’s brushing her teeth,

. . . while she’s eating her breakfast,

. . . and even on her way to class.

But there’s NO DANCING at school! Or is there? With a little luck and a lot of rhythm, Ruby Rose finds a way to get everyone up on their dancing feet. A perfect back-to-school book for budding dancers.

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Puddle's New School

Amber Stewart

Puddle is a little duckling who just can't wait to start school. Every day, as he watches the older ducklings make their way to school, he wishes he could be like them. But one day, when mother duck tells Puddle that he is now old enough to start school, he realizes that going to school will mean separation from his mom. Suddenly, he is frightened. Does he have the courage to take that first big step and go to school all by himself? This book's warmhearted story and charming color illustrations on every page will serve as friendly encouragement to little boys and girls who are about to start their own first day at school.

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It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus!

Jody Jensen Shaffer

It’s the first day of school! But is Busy Bus ready? Find out in this darling picture book that showcases the excitement and worries little ones experience as they prepare for their first day.

Today is the very first day of school! Busy Bus is excited, but he also has some first-day jitters. Will the children like him? Will he be homesick? What if he gets lost?! Luckily, bus driver Ben knows just what to do to make sure that the school year gets off to a great start.

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Kindergarten Rocks!

Katie I. Davis

Dexter is ready for kindergarten. Sort of. Well, actually, he's maybe kind of a little bit scared, perhaps even terrified, one might say. Because what if he gets lost? Or, what if the teacher is mean? Or, he misses his mom or dad? Or, worst of all, he loses his most important ally, Rufus?

With the same warmth, exuberance, and sly wit that have made her a favorite of booksellers and children, Katie Davis tackles a problem every kid--and parent--has to face sooner or later: first-day fears. And she shows that it's okay to be scared, but that, as Dexter's older sister Jessie says, "Kindergarten rocks!"

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First Day of School

Anne Rockwell

The kids from Mrs. Madoff's classroom—"a charmed place" (Kirkus Reviews)—are preparing for a brand-new school year!

The first day of school is full of new things. New is exciting! But it can also be scary. What will school be like this year?

Get ready to share in the excitement of the first day of school with friends old and new!

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Birdie's First Day of School

Sujean Rim


Tomorrow is Birdie's first day of school and she is just SO nervous. What will her teacher be like? What should she bring? What should she WEAR? When Birdie walks into her brand-new classroom . . . oh my! A whole new world opens up as she discovers all the fun and adventure that school has to offer.
Sujean Rim has crafted another gorgeously illustrated Birdie adventure, featuring a brand-new "big girl" moment as Birdie conquers her back-to-school jitters and discovers that learning new things is always in fashion!

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Peter's School Day

Beatrix Potter

Get ready for the first day of school with Peter Rabbit!

Peter is starting forest school with Benjamin Bunny, and he couldn't be more thrilled--he wants to learn about all the things the woods have to offer. But when Peter realizes that his sisters won't be there, he gets nervous. What will he do without them? Luckily, Mrs. Rabbit reassures him and shows him that school's not so scary, after all!

With Eleanor Taylor's humorous illustrations of Beatrix Potter's beloved characters, this charming tale mirrors young children's experiences of trying new things and getting over first-day jitters.

 

 

 

 

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Go! Go! Cory Carson: Cory's First Day of School

Netflix

Based on the Netflix original series, this early reader is perfect for any Go! Go! Cory Carson fan!

Cory is excited to meet new friends at his first day of school. But when mom drops him off, Cory feels nervous.

Go! Go! Cory Carson features Cory, a little kid car with an engine that runs on fun! Cory and his family live in the town of Bumperton Hills, a charming neighborhood filled with characters of all different makes and models. While navigating the winding roads of childhood, Cory’s eager and playful spirit sometimes veers him off course. Luckily his friends and family are always there to get Cory back on track!

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Countdown to Kindergarten

Alison McGhee

It's just ten days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know--from a first grader--about what it's going to be like. You can't bring your cat, you can't bring a stuffed animal, and the number one rule? You can't ask anyone for help. Ever. So what do you do when your shoes come untied, if you're the only one in the class who doesn't know how to tie them up again?
Told with gentle humor by Alison McGhee and brought to exuberant life by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, this lighthearted take on pre-kindergarten anxiety will bring a smile to the face of every child--and parent--having first-day jitters.

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I Love School!

Hans Wilhelm

An easy-to-read story featuring Noodles the little white dog!

Noodles thinks that going to school sounds like a lot of fun. But when he get's there, school turns out to be a big, scary place. Noodles feels all alone...until he makes some friends! There are great books to read, friendly classmates, and a nice teacher. Noodles thinks he might just come back tomorrow!

This funny Level 1 story is perfect for beginning readers.

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Lola Goes to School

Anna McQuinn

Spunky Lola embarks on a new adventure--the first day of school! Lola and her family prepare for the first day of school the night before, then get up early, take pictures, and head to class. Lola puts her things in her cubby, chooses her activities, reads, plays, and has a snack. Before she knows it, it's time to sing the good-bye song and rush into Mommy's arms for a warm reunion. A comforting, cheerful read that demystifies the school day for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

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Mae's First Day of School

Kate Berube

As Mae's first day of school approaches she decides she IS. NOT. GOING. School is scary! What if the other kids don't like her? Or what if she's the only one who doesn't know how to write? Or what if she misses her mom? Mae's anxiety only builds as she walks to school. But then she meets Rosie and Ms. Pearl. Will making new friends show her that they can conquer their fears together?

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Play Day School Day

Toni Yuly

A younger sibling's curiosity about school opens up a world of possibilities in this ode to the great outdoors.

Tomorrow is the first day of the new school year, and big sister Mona can't wait to go back. "What do you do at school?" asks little brother Milo. As he listens to Mona recount the many things she does during the school week -- riding the bus, practicing spelling and reading, learning about science, playing with friends -- Milo's activities illustrate that with a little imagination, nature itself can be a classroom. With delightfully naive artwork and a spare text, Toni Yuly shows that learning is play and vice versa, offering a gentle introduction to school for children who are just starting and a warm celebration for those who are going back.

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Danbi Leads the School Parade

Anna Kim

An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book

Meet Danbi, the new girl at school!


Danbi is thrilled to start her new school in America. But a bit nervous too, for when she walks into the classroom, everything goes quiet. Everyone stares. Danbi wants to join in the dances and the games, but she doesn't know the rules and just can't get anything right. Luckily, she isn't one to give up. With a spark of imagination, she makes up a new game and leads her classmates on a parade to remember! Danbi Leads the School Parade introduces readers to an irresistible new character. In this first story, she learns to navigate her two cultures and realizes that when you open your world to others, their world opens up to you.

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Lucky Goes to School!

Gail Herman

Gameboard. It's the first day of school! But Lucky the puppy is worried-what will he do all day while his boy is in school? Emergent readers will be eager to find out how Lucky spends his day in this perfect for back-to-school level 1 book.

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Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool

James Dean

Pete the Kitty is almost ready for his first day of preschool!

It's a big day for Pete the Kitty: his first day of preschool! He meets his cool teacher, sings a few fun songs, and even gets to paint. Who knew preschool could be so much fun?

Just don't forget your groovy backpack and your yummy snack, Pete the Kitty!

Preschoolers and little ones getting ready to go to preschool for the first time will enjoy cheering Pete the Kitty's fun entry to preschool.

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A New School Year

Sally Derby

Six children aged from kindergarten to the fifth grade share their excitement for the new school year, from meeting new teachers and friends to preparing to leave in the morning. Ethan is nervous about starting Kindergarten. First grader Zach is worried about having to learn everything all over again. Katie finds out that their second-grade teacher's name starts with "Mr." It turns out that Jackie isn't the only third grader who gets dropped off early each morning. Carlos notices only a few other fourth graders who look like him. Fifth grader Mia takes time to adjust her hearing aids and is almost late.

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Be Strong

Pat Zietlow Miller

A picture book about finding strength in unlikely places from the team behind the hugely popular New York Times bestseller Be Kind.

When her gym class must face the school rock-climbing wall, Tanisha is discouraged. Her muscles are weak, and she knows she'll never reach the top like Cayla.

But maybe strength is about more than just muscles.

With help from her family, Tanisha learns that by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up, she can be strong, too. And that people are the strongest when they work together and trust each other.

Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller has reunited with illustrator Jen Hill for Be Strong, another unforgettable story sure to inspire kids and adults alike.

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Sarah and the Big Wave

Bonnie Tsui

This stunning nonfiction picture book tells the inspiring story of Sarah Gerhardt, one of the first female big-wave surfers.

Have you ever seen a big wave? One that’s twenty, thirty, forty, even fifty feet tall? Here’s a better question: Would you ever surf a big wave? Sarah Gerhardt did—and this is her story.

Sarah and the Big Wave, a tale of perseverance and indomitable spirit, is about the first woman to ride the waves at Mavericks, one of the biggest and most dangerous surf breaks in the world.

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That's No Dino!

Helaine Becker

A fun introduction to prehistoric creatures that are not dinosaurs, and why! Everyone knows what a dinosaur is, right? Well, maybe not. Dinosaurs are actually just one type of extinct animal from prehistoric times. So, what sets them apart? Here, readers are introduced to ten prehistoric animals. Each one looks like a dinosaur. But it’s missing at least one key characteristic of all true dinosaurs. Animal by animal, each of those characteristics is added to a growing list, until, by the end of the book, readers know just what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur! A dinosaur by any other name is . . . not a dinosaur, of course!

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Summer Camp Critter Jitters

Jory John

The beloved critters are nervous about going off to camp in this hilarious and reassuring companion book to New York Times bestselling author Jory John and critically acclaimed illustrator Liz Climo's First Day Critter Jitters.

Some familiar faces and some new ones meet up at summer camp . . . and they all feel nervous! There's a duck afraid everyone will find out he can't swim, a bear afraid of noises in the woods, and a sloth who worries he'll have to catch his own lunch. But can they get over their nerves to have some fun and make new friends?

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Sisters of the Neversea

Cynthia L. Smith

In this beautifully reimagined story by NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), Native American Lily and English Wendy embark on a high-flying journey of magic, adventure, and courage to a fairy-tale island known as Neverland...

Lily and Wendy have been best friends since they became stepsisters. But with their feuding parents planning to spend the summer apart, what will become of their family--and their friendship?

Little do they know that a mysterious boy has been watching them from the oak tree outside their window. A boy who intends to take them away from home for good, to an island of wild animals, Merfolk, Fairies, and kidnapped children, to a sea of merfolk, pirates, and a giant crocodile.

A boy who calls himself Peter Pan.

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books

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Pickle Party! (Waffles + Mochi)

Frank Berrios

 

Netflix's Waffles + Mochi is an all-new children's show from President Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground Productions!

Waffles and Mochi's friend Kennedy loves all kinds of pickled food. But when they try to get pickles for her birthday party, Waffles and Mochi learn that pickles aren't made quickly. Boys and girls ages 4 to 6 will love all the delicious details in this Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader, which includes over 30 stickers.

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. Step 2 is for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Join Waffles and Mochi for global adventures that reveal the stories behind our food. Produced by President Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions and streaming on Netflix, Waffles + Mochi is an entertaining mix of puppetry, animation, celebrity chefs, and famous guest stars. This delightful new show introduces young children and their families to a world of cooking and fearless eating.

 

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The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe

Tricia Springstubb

For fans of Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly and The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss, a novel about one unadventurous girl who discovers she is anything but.

Eleven-year-old Loah Londonderry is definitely a homebody. While her mother, a noted ornithologist, works to save the endangered birds of the shrinking Arctic tundra, Loah anxiously counts the days till her return home. But then, to Loah's surprise and dismay, Dr. Londonderry decides to set off on a perilous solo quest to find the Loah bird, long believed extinct. Does her mother care more deeply about Loah the bird than Loah her daughter?

Things get worse yet when Loah's elderly caretakers fall ill and she finds herself all alone except for her friend Ellis. Ellis has big problems of her own, but she believes in Loah. She's certain Loah has strengths that are hidden yet wonderful, like the golden feather tucked away on her namesake bird's wing. When Dr. Londonderry's expedition goes terribly wrong, Loah needs to discover for herself whether she has the courage and heart to find help for her mother, lost at the top of the world.

Beautifully written, The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe is about expeditions big and small, about creatures who defy gravity and those of us who are bound by it.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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The Slug

Elise Gravel

One in a series of humorous books about disgusting creatures, The Slug is a look at the land slug. It covers such topics as the slug's two pairs of tentacles, one pair for seeing, one pair for smelling (it can see you're a kid and smell like broccoli), its breathing hole (on the side of its head!), and its pretty gross mucous covering (in order to find a partner, the slug can follow another slug's mucous trail. True love!). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Slug contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.

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Nita's First Signs

Kathy MacMillan

Baby sign language makes it easy to communicate with your child, and Nita makes it fun! Nita's First Signs teaches ten essential signs for every parent and child to know, including eat, more, hungry, milk, all done, ball, play, love, please, and thank you. A simple story about Nita and her parents teaches each sign in context, and repetition throughout each story makes them easy to practice. Even better, each page slides open to reveal accurate instructions on how to make each sign, plus tabs on the side of each page make it simple to locate every sign for later reference. Baby sign language collections aren't complete without Nita!

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Mine, Mine, Mine, Yours!

Kimberly Gee

The best playdates include sharing! Clever opposites narrate a busy toddler playdate full of playing, taking turns, sharing and more, in this charming companion to Up, Up, Up, Down!

From the moment his friends arrive, this energetic boy and his dad are ready for a day full of adventure and opposites. They giggle through a game of hide, hide, hide--find! Taking turns on the slide means stop, stop, stop--go! And of course there's sharing with mine, mine, mine--yours and then more generous yours, yours, yours--mine! Dad is close by supervising all the fun, until it's time to say bye, bye, bye--come again!

Kimberly Gee's expressive illustrations emphasize the playful fun between a boy, his friends, and his father in this clever concept book about playdate dynamics that are sure to entertain little (and big!) members of the family.

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Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures

Tricia Springstubb

A sweet friendship spanning age and culture blooms in a shared backyard.

Khalil lives in the upstairs apartment with his family, which is big and busy and noisy. Downstairs lives Mr. Hagerty, who is quiet. Khalil and Mr. Hagerty don't appear to have a lot in common, but hot summer days have a way of bringing people together. As Khalil looks for buried treasure in the yard, Mr. Hagerty tends to his garden. Both help each other navigate language -- whether it be learning new words or remembering those seemingly forgotten. Before long, an unlikely friendship is born, full of treasure, thoughtfulness, and chocolate cake. Through well-cultivated details and vibrant cut-paper collage, author Tricia Springstubb and illustrator Elaheh Taherian nurture a heart-tugging tribute to the love of good neighbors and to the strength of intergenerational and intercultural bonds.

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I Wish You Knew

Jackie Azúa Kramer

When Estrella’s father has to leave because

he wasn’t born here, like her,

She misses him.

And she wishes people knew the way it affects her.

At home. At school.

Always.

But a school wrapped around a hundred-year-old oak tree is the perfect place to share and listen.

Some kids miss family,
Some kids are hungry,
Some kids live in shelters.

But nobody is alone.

A story about deportation, divided families, and the importance of community in the midst of uncertainty.

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Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue

Paula Harrison

Girl by day. Cat by night. Ready for an adventure. Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue is the first book in a chapter book series about Kitty and her superhero adventures. 

 

Meet Kitty, a charming chapter book character with catlike superpowers. With dramatic two-color art on every page and an emphasis on friendship, family, bravery, and building self-confidence, Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue is a perfect choice for independent readers and fans of Rebecca Elliott’s Owl Diaries.

Kitty is special. Her mother is a superhero with catlike powers that Kitty and her little brother Max will someday inherit. But being a superhero involves going on daring adventures at night, and Kitty doesn’t know if she’ll ever be brave enough for that!

One night though, Kitty finds a sleek black cat with white paws waiting at her window. When he introduces himself, Kitty is shocked to realize she can understand him—her powers have arrived! The cat, Figaro, has a problem. There’s a terrible meowing sound coming from the clock tower, and the other cats don’t know what to do. The night outside looks cold and uninviting, and Kitty is afraid of the dark. But she musters up her courage and sets out to find the source of the mysterious sound. Along the way, she makes new friends, uncovers her confidence, and learns what it means to be brave.

 With an aspirational main character, a kindle of cats, striking two-color art on every page, and fun facts included at the end of each story, these chapter books are just right for newly independent readers.

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Dragon Girl: The Secret Valley

Jeff Weigel

"Weigel has created a compulsively likable heroine who seamlessly blends her strength and compassion, reminiscent of Ben Hatke's Zita the Spacegirl. With lovable dragons, flying ships and danger around every corner, this delightful fantasy doesn't disappoint." --Kirkus Reviews

"A lively yarn whose only fault is that it's over too soon." --Publishers Weekly

Eleven-year-old Alanna and her older brother Hamel are orphans and doing their best to take care of each other until one day Alanna stumbles upon a cave full of dragon eggs. When the eggs hatch with no mother dragon in sight, Alanna decides to take care of the babies herself, even creating a clever costume so that the babies think she, too, is a dragon. With their large appetites and accidental fire burps, Alanna learns that dragon babies are hard work! And when a mama dragon finally comes to claim the babies, Alanna’s costume is so convincing that she is swept along for the ride as they journey to Dragon Rock, a mysterious magnetic force that draws dragons of all shapes and sizes to a magical, untouched valley.

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Fox & Rabbit (Fox & Rabbit Book #1)

Beth Ferry

A new graphic novel series for emerging readers about the simple magic of true friendship
 
Easygoing Fox and anxious Rabbit seem like total opposites. But, somehow, they make the perfect pair! Whether searching for hidden treasure or planting a garden in their own backyard, Fox and Rabbit find everyday magic at every turn. On this first adventure, the pair will discover some new favorite things like sunsets, dandelions, and cotton candy. And they’ll face new fears like heights, swimming, and (poisonous!) frogs. Thankfully, there’s nothing Fox and Rabbit can’t do together!
 

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Kitty Quest

Phil Corbett

Dog Man meets the Lord of the Rings in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel debut about two aspiring adventurers who face off against startling ghosts, rampaging monsters, and bumbling wizards.

Matt Braly, creator of Disney's Amphibia, proclaims Kitty Quest is "an absolutely charming story that had me chuckling the whole way through. I couldn't put it down!"


Woolfrik and Perigold are two down-on-their-luck kittens in need of some extra cash, so they've decided to become professional monster slayers. Except they don't know the first thing about it! So when a huge beast starts rampaging through town, they are put to the ultimate test. Fortunately, the duo accidentally awakens a ghost named Earl Mortimore, who is the last not-so-living member of an ancient guild of warriors, and he's going to teach them everything he knows.

But the monster is just the beginning of their worries, because someone even more troublesome is pulling its strings. So even though they've never been in a battle--or even gone on a real quest before--it's up to these kittens to save the day and prove they've got what it takes to be heroes.

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Mellybean and the Wicked Wizard

Mike White

"Mellybean will bounce off the page and into your heart." —Mo O'Hara, New York Times bestselling author of the My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series and Agent Moose

The second book in this charming graphic novel series finds Melly and her feline friends returning to the magical world hidden in their backyard, only to discover that a wicked wizard has taken over and these pets may be the only ones who can stop her!


Melly's learned a new trick, and she can't wait to show the cats. But when they all head outside to play, Melly accidentally loses her ball down the magical hole in their backyard. So she decides this is the perfect excuse to visit her friends in the fantastical world on the other side. And this time around, the cats want to come too. (After all, they need to find someone to open their cans of food!)

But instead of a warm welcome, the group discovers the whole kingdom has fallen into a mysterious deep sleep. And it is all thanks to Wilma, the wizard who long ago took Narra's powers. She's back to finish what she started by stealing the magic of other mythical creatures so she can become the greatest wizard ever. Now Melly and the cats are all that stand in her way. But how will these four ordinary pets stop an extraordinary villain? Well, they may just have a few tricks up their sleeves!

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Truth or Lie: Sharks!

Erica S. Perl

Shark lovers will enjoy hunting down the TRUTH about their favorite ocean predators in this innovative new Science Reader series.

Baby sharks are toothless at first, right? That's a LIE! The TRUTH is, sharks are born with a mouthful of teeth to protect themselves and hunt right away. Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique question-and-answer format, proficient readers are quizzed about their favorite ocean predators to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book's mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed Step 3 Reader, filled with photos of sharks in action, as well as kid-appealing art and humor.

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

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World's Weirdest Sharks

Paul Mason

Chances are, when you think of sharks, it's the great white or hammerhead that swim into view! But the world's oceans hold around 500 different species of sharks, and some are extremely bizarre. Check out sharks with strong fins used to crawl on land, a whip-like tail to stun fish, a saw-like snout, and cunning seaweed camouflage. Meet the owners of these cool features and find out how they use them. Superb photographs and action-packed text take you down to the depths to view an array of fascinating but rarely seen creatures.

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If Sharks Disappeared

Lily Williams

A healthy ocean is home to many different kinds of animals. They can be
big, like a whale,
tiny, like a shrimp,
and even scary, like a shark.

Even though sharks can be scary, we need them to keep the oceans healthy. Unfortunately, due to overfishing, many shark species are in danger of extinction, and that can cause big problems in the oceans and even on land.

What would happen if this continued and sharks disappeared completely?

Artist Lily Williams explores how the disappearance would affect other animals across the whole planet in this clever book about the importance of keeping sharks, and our oceans, healthy.

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Clark the Shark Dares to Share

Bruce Hale

Join Clark the Shark as he discovers the true meaning of sharing and caring in this colorful read-aloud picture book written by Bruce Hale and illustrated by Guy Francis. In Clark the Shark Dares to Share, our favorite boisterous shark learns that sharing is caring—but sometimes the lesson is a little confusing. Clark shares his funky shark dance with the class, but Mrs. Inkydink tells him he has to wait his turn. Clark shares his reef-hockey skills, but his teammates would rather Clark share the puck. With help from his friends and with his trademark lively rhythms and rhymes, Clark learns how to share in this follow-up to Clark the Shark.

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Baby Shark

Read, dance, and sing along to this favorite classic song featuring a baby shark, mama shark, daddy shark, grandma shark, and more underwater pals!

 

Baby Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo! Baby Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo! Baby Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo! Baby Shark! Baby Shark has become well-known and well-loved by teachers, parents, and children everywhere. And with hilarious and adorable under-the-sea art of Baby Shark, Mama Shark, Daddy Shark, Grandma Shark, and more ocean creatures, kids won't be able to get enough of this silly illlustrated story of a shark family!Children will delight in this silly sing-along story with funny, eye-popping illustrations and informative picture guides to help readers to mimic and act out the hand/foot movements and develop their fine motor skills. By the end of the singalong story, little ones will be laughing, singing, and dancing their way to fun and reading success!Are you up for the Baby Shark reading challenge?

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Shark and Bot

Brian Yanish

A shark and a robot are unlikely friends. But in this hilarious young graphic novel series, what makes you different makes for an EPIC friendship.

Can a shark and a robot really be friends? What makes us different also makes for EPIC friendship in this hilarious new graphic series, perfect for reluctant readers, and fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Bad Guys.

Shark loves water. Bot short circuits if he goes near water! Shark recites poetry. Bot recites facts. Can these two really be friends? They're both a little awkward... They both love comics... And just wait til you see their dance moves when they confront a playground bully. Readers won't just laugh along, they'll identify with real-life issues of making friends, accepting differences, and dealing with bullies in the best way possible.

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Neighborhood Sharks

Katherine Roy

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Winner of the John Burroughs Riverby Award for Young Readers

Up close with the ocean's most fearsome and famous predator and the scientists who study them-just twenty-six miles from the Golden Gate Bridge!

A few miles from San Francisco lives a population of the ocean's largest and most famous predators. Each fall, while the city's inhabitants dine on steaks, salads, and sandwiches, the great white sharks return to California's Farallon Islands to dine on their favorite meal: the seals that live on the island's rocky coasts. Massive, fast, and perfectly adapted to hunting after 11 million years of evolution, the great whites are among the planet's most fearsome, fascinating, and least understood animals.

In the fall of 2012, Katherine Roy visited the Farallons with the scientists who study the islands' shark population. She witnessed seal attacks, observed sharks being tagged in the wild, and got an up close look at the dramatic Farallons-a wildlife refuge that is strictly off-limits to all but the scientists who work there. Neighborhood Sharks is an intimate portrait of the life cycle, biology, and habitat of the great white shark, based on the latest research and an up-close visit with these amazing animals.

This title has Common Core connections.

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Good Night Sharks

Adam Gamble

Good Night Sharks features great white sharks, whale sharks, spinner sharks, blue sharks, hammerhead sharks, leopard sharks, mako sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, thresher sharks, angel sharks, blacktip sharks, cookiecutter sharks, and more.

This book is part of the bestselling Good Night Our World series, which includes hundreds of titles exploring iconic locations and exciting themes.

Young divers will explore the fascinating world of sharks while learning about different species and their watery environments.

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Everything Awesome about Sharks and Other Underwater Creatures!

Mike Lowery

Discover the ULTIMATE, 128-paged book about all things sharks and underwater creatures, from the creative brain of Mike Lowery Featuring fun facts, jokes, comics, maps, and more.

Did you know that sharks can be as small as a banana, or bigger than a bus? Or that whale sharks have more than 3,000 teeth? Did you know that giant squids have eyes the size of dinner plates? Or that clownfish are protected by snot armor Find out all this and more, in this comprehensive, hilarious underwater deep dive from Mike Lowery

For fans of Dog Man> who love nonfiction, discover this definitive, go-to book about everything AWESOME you EVER wanted to know about all things under the sea. Uncover a wealth of weird, wacky, and wild facts about sharks and underwater creatures, told in Mike Lowery's signature, acclaimed comic style with bright and energetic artwork, fresh framing devices, and hilarious jokes. This is the go-to book for shark enthusiasts that kids will put in their backpacks and obsess over, bridging the gap between encyclopedic nonfiction content and lighter picture book fare, filling the need with a one-stop shop for the legions of 7-10 year olds who want to know absolutely everything there is to know about underwater creatures.

Discover the must-have book for shark fanatics, a madcap field guide full of facts and humor, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about underwater creatures

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The Great Shark Rescue

Sandra Markle

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting to engage reluctant readers!

Top-selling science author Sandra Markle presents the story of whale sharks—the largest fish on the planet. Facing threats from commercial fishing as well as climate change, they were categorized as endangered in 2016. Find out how scientists are working to study and protect these gentle giants of the ocean.

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Sharks Can't Smile!

Elizabeth Dennis

Super Facts for Super Kids is a fun and fresh take on nonfiction for beginning readers. Filled with engaging photographs, comic-style illustrations, and cool infographics, this Level 2 Ready-to-Read series about animals is sure to flip, float, and fly off the shelves.

What are the most amazing facts about sharks? Whale Sharks can grow to be longer than a school bus, Greenland Sharks can live for up to 600 years, and some kinds of sharks can actually glow in the dark! Find out more super facts—like how sharks can’t smile and don’t have bones—in this book that presents information in a highly visual way for young readers. A backmatter section touches on ocean conservation and why sharks need to be protected.

This paperback edition comes with two sheets of fin-tastic shark stickers!

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Shark Detective!

Jessica Olien

Perfect for fans of Love Monster and Dragons Love Tacos, this sweet and funny story about an unexpected friendship will delight creatures of all ages.

During the day, Shark lived a lonely life in the big city . . . but at night, he dreamed of being a detective. When a kitty goes missing, could it be time for Shark's dreams to finally come true?

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Sharko and Hippo

Elliott Kalan

With tongue-twisty wordplay and escalating absurdity, this is a fall-down-funny farce that will surprise and delight readers--from television comedy writer Elliott Kalan and acclaimed illustrator Andrea Tsurumi.

When Sharko calls for a boat, Hippo pulls out a goat.

He wants a pole, but Hippo gives him a pail.

And instead of bait, a beet and a boot!

Hippo's coat pockets seem to have everything except what Sharko asks for!

Will their fishing trip ever get off the ground?

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The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark

Ken Geist

A hilarious retelling of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, with foil on the cover!

"Little fish, little fish, let me come in."
"Not by the skin of my finny fin fin!"
"Then I'll munch, and I'll crunch, and I'll smash your house in!"

Mama tells her three little fish that it's time to make their own homes. Jim builds his house of seaweed, but the big bad shark munches it up. Tim builds his house of sand, but the shark crunches it up. It's smart Kim who sets up house in an old sunken ship!

Children will delight in this silly story with funny, eye-popping illustrations. And there's foil on the cover!

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Shark Lady

Jess Keating

One of New York Times' Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls!

This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike!

An Amazon Best Book of the Month
Named a Best Children's Book of 2017 by Parents magazine

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary—and they didn't think women should be scientists.

Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to.

An inspiring story by critically acclaimed zoologist Jess Keating about finding the strength to discover truths that others aren't daring enough to see. Includes a timeline of Eugenie's life and many fin-tastic shark facts!

The perfect choice for parents looking for:

  • Books about sharks
  • Inspiring nonfiction narrative books
  • Role model books for girls and boys
  • Kids STEM books
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Nature Attacks! (I Survived True Stories #2)

Lauren Tarshis

REAL KIDS. REAL DISASTERS. The author of the New York Times-bestselling I Survived series brings us more harrowing true stories of real kids up against terrible forces of nature. From fourteen-year-old lone survivor of the shark attacks of 1916, to nine-year-old who survived the Peshtigo fire of 1871 (which took place on the very same day in history as the Great Chicago Fire!), here are four unforgettable survivors who managed to beat the odds. Read their incredible stories: The Deadly Shark Attacks of 1916 The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 A Venomous Box Jellyfish Attack The Eruption of Mount Tambora

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Dude!

Aaron Reynolds

Aaron Reynolds, the author of Nerdy Berdy and Creepy Carrots! teams up with Dan Santat, the Caldecott–winning illustrator behind The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend to create the hilarious, gnarly summer adventure picture book, Dude!

Dude! You have to read this book.

It's totally about this platypus and this beaver who are friends. They want to go surfing but dude, there's this shark who's in the ocean, too.

But don't worry. This shark approaches and you'll never guess what happens.

Kirkus Reviews named this one of their "BEST PICTURE BOOKS OF 2018" for a good laugh!

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Never Take a Shark to the Dentist

Judi Barrett

There are many things you should never, ever, ever do.

Like sit next to a porcupine on the subway (ouch!). Or hold hands with a lobster (double ouch!). Or take a shark to the dentist (triple ouch!).

Bestselling author JUDI BARRETT and imaginative illustrator JOHN NICKLE give us a raucous look at the perils of taking giraffes to the movies, goats to the library, and pigs out to lunch...and other such silly stuff.

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Gilbert the Great

Jane Clarke

From the time Gilbert the Great White Shark was a tiny pup, Raymond the Remora stuck to him like glue. But then one day, Gilbert wakes up to find that Raymond has gone . . .

This touching tale about love and loss will warm the hearts of adults and children alike.

"Tenderly told . . . A cosy and witty picture of shark life." Guardian

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Princeton Review PSAT/NMSQT Prep 2021

The Princeton Review

THE PRINCETON REVIEW GETS RESULTS. Get all the prep you need to ace the PSAT/NMSQT with 3 full-length practice tests, thorough PSAT topic reviews, and everything you need to know about National Merit Scholarships.

Techniques That Actually Work.
• Time-saving tips to help you effectively tackle the exam
• Problem-solving tactics demonstrated on the trickiest test questions
• Point-earning strategies for multiple-choice questions

Everything You Need to Know to Help Achieve a High Score.
• Up-to-date information on the PSAT/NMSQT
• Comprehensive review for every section of the test
• Key information and advice about National Merit Scholarships and the College Board's Opportunity Scholarships
• Special section on additional math topics to ensure you have all the practice and review you need

Practice Your Way to Perfection.
• 3 full-length practice tests (2 in the book and 1 online) with detailed answer explanations
• 220+ drill questions throughout the book
• Targeted math drills for geometry, quadratic equations, functions, and more

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Premed Prep

Sunny Nakae

If you’re a student hoping to apply to medical school, you might be anxious or stressed about how best to prepare. What classes should you take? What kinds of research, clinical, and volunteer opportunities should you be pursuing? What grades and MCAT scores do you need? How can you stand out among thousands of applicants?

Premed Prep answers all these questions and more, with detailed case studies and insider tips that can help premed students authentically prepare and enjoy the journey from the very beginning. Sunny Nakae draws from her many years of experience as a medical school admissions dean to offer wise and compassionate advice that can help premed students of all backgrounds. She also has specific tips for students who are first-generation, minority, non-traditional, and undocumented.

Both forthright and supportive, Nakae’s advice is offered in a keep-it-real style that gives premed students a unique window into how admissions committees view and assess them. Premed Prep covers how to approach preparation with a focus on exploration and growth, and how to stop obsessing over med school application checklists. This book will do more than help you get a seat in medical school; it will start you on the process of becoming a successful future physician.

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Colleges Worth Your Money: A Guide to What America's Top Schools Can Do For You

Andrew Belasco

Colleges Worth Your Money: A Guide to What America's Top Schools Can Do for You is an invaluable guide for students making the crucial decision of where to attend college when our thinking about higher education is radically changing. At a time when costs are soaring and competition for admission is higher than ever, the college-bound need to know how prospective schools will benefit them both as students and after graduation.

Colleges Worth Your Money provides the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive information for gauging the ROI of America's top schools, including:

  • In-depth profiles of 175 of the top colleges and universities across the U.S.
  • Over 75 key statistics about each school that cover unique admissions-related data points such as gender-specific acceptance rates, early decision acceptance rates, and five-year admissions trends at each college.
  • The solid facts on career outcomes, including the school's connections with recruiters, the rate of employment post-graduation, where students land internships, the companies most likely to hire students from a particular school, and much more.
  • Data and commentary on each college's merit and need-based aid awards, average student debt, and starting salary outcomes.
  • Top Colleges for America's Top Majors lists highlighting schools that have the best programs in 40+ disciplines.
  • Lists of the "Top Feeder" undergraduate colleges into medical school, law school, tech, journalism, Wall Street, engineering, and more.
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The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2022

Edward B. Fiske

"The best college guide you can buy."―USA Today

Every college and university has a story, and no one tells those stories like former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske. That's why, for nearly 40 years, the Fiske Guide to Colleges has been the leading guide to 320+ four-year schools, including quotes from real students and information you won't find on college websites.

Fully updated and expanded every year, Fiske is the most authoritative source of information for college-bound students and their parents. Helpful, honest, and straightforward, the Fiske Guide to Colleges delivers an insider's look at what it's really like to be a student at the "best and most interesting" schools in the United States, plus Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland―so you can find the best fits for you.

In addition to detailed and candid stories on each school, you will find:
  • A self-quiz to help you understand what you are really looking for in a college
  • Lists of strong programs and popular majors at each college
  • "Overlap" listings to help you expand your options
  • Indexes that break down schools by state, price, and average debt
  • Exclusive academic, social, and quality-of-life ratings
  • All the basics, including financial aid stats, and acceptance rates

Plus a special section highlighting the 20 public and private Best Buy schools―colleges that provide the best educational value

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The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022

ACT

THE OFFICIAL ACT® PREP GUIDE 2021-2022

The comprehensive guide to the 2021-2022 ACT® test, with 6 genuine, full-length practice tests in print and online.

This 2021-2022 guide includes six actual ACT® tests – all of which contain the optional writing test – that you can use to practice at your own pace. To help you review test subjects and improve your understanding, this guide provides clear explanations for every answer. You’ll also get practical tips for boosting your score on the English, math, reading, and science tests, as well as the optional writing test. Additionally, you can access the six tests online through the access code provided in the guide. The code also provides access to 400 online flashcards to help you prepare for all sections in the ACT® examination.

The test’s creators filled this guide with expert advice on how to both mentally and physically prepare for the exam. It will also help you:

  • Review the entire ACT® test content so you’ll know what to expect on test day
  • Understand the procedures you’ll follow when you’re taking the ACT®
  • Prepare for the types of questions you can expect to find on the test
  • Adopt test-taking strategies that are right for you

The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2021-2022 is the best resource to prepare you for test day. By using this guide you can feel comfortable that you’re prepared to do your best!

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ACT Total Prep 2022

Kaplan Test Prep

ACT Total Prep 2022, Kaplan’s biggest ACT prep book, has the most content review, efficient strategies, and realistic practice to help you score higher. We have everything you need in one big book, plus a full year of access to online resources—including more practice tests, a bigger Qbank than ever (500 questions), and video lessons—to help you master each section of the ACT.

Kaplan is an Official Teaching Partner of the ACT. 

We're so certain that ACT Total Prep 2022 offers all the guidance you need to excel on the ACT that we guarantee it: after studying with our online resources and book, you'll score higher on the ACT—or you'll get your money back.

Essential Review

  • 6 full-length Kaplan practice tests with detailed answer explanations (2 printed in the book and 4 tests online)
  • More than 2,000 practice questions with detailed explanations, including an expanded online Qbank
  • 4 Test Yourself sections — test-like practice on mixed topics to ensure you learn the material, unit by unit
  • One-year access to our online center with additional quizzes and videos to help guide your study
  • Pre-quizzes to help you figure out what you already know and what you can skip
  • Expert scoring, analysis, and explanations online for one official ACT Practice Test
  • Mixed practice quizzes after every chapter to assess how much you’ve learned
  • A practice question at the beginning of each lesson to help you quickly identify its focus and dedicated practice questions after every lesson to test your comprehension


Efficient Strategy

  • “On Test Day” strategy notes in every math chapter to help you remember that the ACT math test is primarily a strategy test
  • “Reflect” pages that help you evaluate your comfort level with the topics and make a plan for improving before the test after completing each chapter
  • Online study-planning tool helps you target your prep no matter how much time you have before the test.


Expert Guidance

  • We know the test: Our learning engineers have put tens of thousands of hours into studying the ACT, and we use real data to design the most effective strategies and study plans.
  • Kaplan's books and practice questions are written by veteran teachers who know students—every explanation is written to help you learn.
  • We invented test prep—Kaplan (kaptest.com) has been helping students for over 80 years.
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Princeton Review SAT Prep 2022

The Princeton Review

SUCCEED ON THE SAT WITH THE PRINCETON REVIEW! With 6 full-length practice tests (4 in the book and 2 online), in-depth reviews for all exam content, and strategies for scoring success, SAT Prep, 2022 covers every facet of this challenging and important test.

Techniques That Actually Work.
- Powerful tactics to help you avoid traps and beat the SAT
- Pacing tips to help you maximize your time
- Detailed examples showing how to employ each strategy to your advantage

Everything You Need to Know to Help Achieve a High Score.
- Comprehensive subject review for every section of the exam
- Valuable practice with complex reading comprehension passages and higher-level math problems
- Hands-on experience with all question types, including multi-step problems, passage-based grammar questions, and more

Practice Your Way to Excellence.
- 6 full-length practice tests (4 in the book & 2 online) with detailed answer explanations
- Drills for each test section (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math)
- In-depth online score reports for all practice tests

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One Year at Ellsmere

Faith Erin Hicks

With revamped art and now in full color, One Year at Ellsmere is an endearing—and surprising—middle-grade friendship story from beloved author Faith Erin Hicks!

Was boarding school supposed to be this hard?

When studious thirteen-year-old Juniper wins a scholarship to the prestigious Ellsmere Academy, she expects to find a scholastic utopia. But living at Ellsmere is far from ideal: She is labeled a “special project,” Ellsmere's queen bee is out to destroy her, and it’s rumored that a mythical beast roams the forest next to the school.

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The Resilient Teen

Sheela Raja

“Well researched and up to date, including the acknowledgement of teens’ struggles with the Covid-19 pandemic.... Belongs on every young adult’s bookshelf.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred)

10 powerful skills to help you manage stress, bounce back from difficult situations, and rewire your brain for happiness and success!

Being a teen today is stressful. That’s why you need real tools to help you cope with all of life’s challenges—from small stressors like homework, social media, and dating to serious trauma resulting from bullying, school shootings, violence, and now—pandemics. The key to dealing with all of these difficult events is resilience—the ability to recover from setbacks or trauma, and forge ahead with emotional strength. The best thing about resilience is that it can be learned. This book will help you learn how to be resilient, so you can weather life’s storms and reach your goals.

In The Resilient Teen, psychologist, teen expert, and trauma specialist Sheela Raja offers ten skills grounded in key principles from psychology and neuroscience to help you manage difficult emotions, recover from difficult situations, and cultivate a sense of joy—even in the face of setbacks and modern-day stressors. You’ll learn essential strategies for self-care, how to establish a healthy lifestyle, and how to set limits on technology. You’ll also discover how mindfulness can help you deal with stress and challenging emotions in the moment, tips for building better relationships with family and friends, and tools for dealing with disappointment.

Most importantly, this book will show you how to increase your own sense of joy, purpose, and meaning—even when things seem less than awesome.

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Gearbreakers

Zoe Hana Mikuta

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they're fighting for a common purpose—and falling for each other—in Zoe Hana Mikuta's high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu's Legend series.

We went past praying to deities and started to build them instead...

The shadow of Godolia's tyrannical rule is spreading, aided by their giant mechanized weapons known as Windups. War and oppression are everyday constants for the people of the Badlands, who live under the thumb of their cruel Godolia overlords.

Eris Shindanai is a Gearbreaker, a brash young rebel who specializes in taking down Windups from the inside. When one of her missions goes awry and she finds herself in a Godolia prison, Eris meets Sona Steelcrest, a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot. At first Eris sees Sona as her mortal enemy, but Sona has a secret: She has intentionally infiltrated the Windup program to destroy Godolia from within.

As the clock ticks down to their deadliest mission yet, a direct attack to end Godolia's reign once and for all, Eris and Sona grow closer—as comrades, friends, and perhaps something more...

Praise for Gearbreakers:

"An absolute joyride ... Zoe Hana Mikuta is a talent to be in awe of." —Chloe Gong, New York Times-bestselling author of These Violent Delights

"Dark, fierce, thrilling, and tender, Gearbreakers will make your blood sing." —Nina Varela, author of Crier's War

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Pistouvi

Merwan

Childhood should last forever...

Jeanne is a little girl who lies with a mischievous young fox named Pistouvi. They share a charming little treehouse surrounded by a magical prairie tended by a giant 'tractor-man' and the wind-spirit he loves. Together, Jeanne and Pistouvi spend frolicking days without a care, but soon, the birds arrive and everything changes...

A beautiful, lyrical fable about the inevitable transition from childhood freedom to adult responsibility, replete with laughs, nostalgia and heartache.


 

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Slaughterhouse-Five: The Graphic Novel

Kurt Vonnegut

The first-ever graphic novel adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great anti-war books.

An American classic and one of the world’s seminal antiwar books, Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five is faithfully presented in graphic novel form for the first time from Eisner Award-winning writer Ryan North (How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler) and Eisner Award-nominated artist Albert Monteys (Universe!).

Listen: Billy Pilgrim has...

  • read Kilgore Trout
  • opened a successful optometry business
  • built a loving family
  • witnessed the firebombing of Dresden
  • traveled to the planet Tralfamadore
  • met Kurt Vonnegut
  • come unstuck in time


Billy Pilgrim’s journey is at once a farcical look at the horror and tragedy of war where children are placed on the frontlines and die (so it goes), and a moving examination of what it means to be fallibly human.

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Sapiens: A Graphic History: The Birth of Humankind, vol. 1

New York Times Bestseller

The first volume of the graphic adaptation of Yuval Noah Harari's smash #1 New York Times and international bestseller recommended by President Barack Obama and Bill Gates, with gorgeous full-color illustrations and concise, easy to comprehend text for adult and young adult readers alike.

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

In this first volume of the full-color illustrated adaptation of his groundbreaking book, renowned historian Yuval Harari tells the story of humankind’s creation and evolution, exploring the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens challenges us to reconsider accepted beliefs, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and view specific events within the context of larger ideas. 

Featuring 256 pages of full-color illustrations and easy-to-understand text covering the first part of the full-length original edition, this adaptation of the mind-expanding book furthers the ongoing conversation as it introduces Harari’s ideas to a wide new readership.

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Constitution Illustrated

R. Sikoryak

R. Sikoryak is the master of the pop culture pastiche. In Masterpiece Comics, he interpreted classic literature with defining twentieth-century comics. With Terms and Conditions, he made the unreadable contract that everyone signs, and no one reads, readable.

He employs his magic yet again to investigate the very framework of the country with Constitution Illustrated. By visually interpreting the complete text of the supreme law of the land with more than a century of American pop culture icons, Sikoryak distills the very essence of the government legalese from the abstract to the tangible, the historical to the contemporary. Among Sikoryak’s spot-on unions of government articles and amendments with famous comic-book characters: the Eighteenth Amendment that instituted prohibition is articulated with Homer Simpson running from Chief Wiggum; the Fourteenth Amendment that solidifies citizenship to all people born and naturalized in the United States is personified by Ms. Marvel; and, of course, the Nineteenth Amendment offering women the right to vote is a glorious depiction of Wonder Woman breaking free from her chains. American artists from George Herriman (Krazy Kat) and Charles Schulz (Peanuts) to Raina Telgemeier (Sisters) and Alison Bechdel (Dykes to Watch Out For) are homaged, with their characters reimagined in historical costumes and situations. We the People has never been more apt.

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Banned Book Club

Hyun Sook Kim

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Highly recommended for readers passionate about activism. -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, Starred Review

Sure to inspire today's youthful generation of tenacious changemakers. -- BOOKLIST, Starred Review

The messages of hope are universal. -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, Starred Review

A timely read about friendship amid chaos. -- NPR

It's hard to imagine a world where Banned Book Club could be more relevant than it is right now. -- A.V. CLUB

When Kim Hyun Sook started college in 1983 she was ready for her world to open up. After acing her exams and sort-of convincing her traditional mother that it was a good idea for a woman to go to college, she looked forward to soaking up the ideas of Western Literature far from the drudgery she was promised at her family's restaurant. But literature class would prove to be just the start of a massive turning point, still focused on reading but with life-or-death stakes she never could have imagined.

This was during South Korea's Fifth Republic, a military regime that entrenched its power through censorship, torture, and the murder of protestors. In this charged political climate, with Molotov cocktails flying and fellow students disappearing for hours and returning with bruises, Hyun Sook sought refuge in the comfort of books. When the handsome young editor of the school newspaper invited her to his reading group, she expected to pop into the cafeteria to talk about Moby Dick, Hamlet, and The Scarlet Letter. Instead she found herself hiding in a basement as the youngest member of an underground banned book club. And as Hyun Sook soon discovered, in a totalitarian regime, the delights of discovering great works of illicit literature are quickly overshadowed by fear and violence as the walls close in.

In BANNED BOOK CLUB, Hyun Sook shares a dramatic true story of political division, fear-mongering, anti-intellectualism, the death of democratic institutions, and the relentless rebellion of reading.

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