Early Literacy
Learning to read begins at birth! The Rock Island Public Library offers parents and caregivers the tools to help their child get ready to read. Working with parents and children, we help promote kindergarten readiness. It’s our goal to help every Rock Island/Milan child start school ready to learn!
Hug-A-Book Early Learning
Hug-a-Book learning events create young readers with early learning activities and materials for ages birth to five. This series is offered throughout the year with sponsorship from the Merrill Harris fund of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.
Storytimes
The Rock Island Public Library offers ongoing storytimes to help build skills that help your child be ready to read and learn. You’ll also learn about important resources to use at home. Storytimes are for sharing stories, rhymes, music and fun, and are for ages birth to 5.
Upcoming Events
Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits
Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.
After school activities every week on Tuesday (Watts-Midtown) and Thursday (Southwest) for school age kids (K-6).
This week we will be creating pumpkin slime!!
Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.
For ages 0 - 5 years old.
We welcome the LEAD Friday groups from Eugene Field Elementary to the library to learn about library cards, our collection, programs and be reading leaders!
Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.
For ages 0 - 5 years old.
After school activities every week on Tuesday (Watts-Midtown) and Thursday (Southwest) for school age kids (K-6).
This week will be our book club week!! We will be reading Snapdragon by Kay Leyh. Order it from our catalog:
Early Learner Recommendations
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Listen to My Trumpet!
When Piggie plays her new trumpet for Gerald, the elephant decides he must be honest in his response.
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Millie Fierce
If Fancy Nancy got angry. Really, really angry.
Millie is quiet. Millie is sweet. Millie is mild. But the kids at school don't listen to her. And she never gets a piece of birthday cake with a flower on it. And some girls from her class walk right on top of her chalk drawing and smudge it. And they don't even say they're sorry!
So that's when Millie decides she wants to be fierce! She frizzes out her hair, sharpens her nails and runs around like a wild thing. But she soon realizes that being fierce isn't the best way to get noticed either, especially when it makes you turn mean. So Millie decides to be nice--but to keep a little of that fierce backbone hidden inside her. In case she ever needs it again.
With bright art and an adorable character, it's easy to empathize with Millie. Because everyone has a bad day, once in a while.
Praise for MILLIE FIERCE
“Millie Fierce is a delightfully naughty mix between Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and Molly Bang’s When Sophie Gets Angry.”--School Library Journal -
The Peace Book
Peace is making new friends.Peace is helping your neighbor.
Peace is a growing a garden.
Peace is being who you are.
The Peace Book delivers positive and hopeful messages of peace in an accessible, child-friendly format featuring Todd Parr's trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes. Perfect for the youngest readers, this book delivers a timely and timeless message about the importance of friendship, caring, and acceptance. -
Crunch the Shy Dinosaur
From Cirocco Dunlap (This Book Will Not Be Fun) and Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Greg Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed) comes a charming, giggly read-aloud that illustrates the particular art of making a friend!
Crunch is a lovely and quiet brontosaurus who has hidden himself in some shubbery and is rather shy. He would like to play, but it will require some gentle coaxing from you! If you are patient and encouraging, you will find yourself with a new friend!
This picture book is a warm, funny example of how to engage with someone new, who is perhaps a bit different from you. Lessons in friend-making (such as minding personal space and demonstrating interest in another's hobbies) are delivered so subtly that children will absorb them unconsciously as they delight in Crunch's silly hat and dance moves!
Cirocco Dunlap (This Book Will Not Be Fun) and Greg Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed) enchant and surprise us with their first collaboration.
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2018! -
The Rabbit Listened
A moving and universal picture book about empathy and kindness, sure to soothe heartaches big and small—now a New York Times bestseller and a perfect gift for any special occasion
When something sad happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs.
With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen. -
Click, Clack, Moo 20th Anniversary Edition
Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin’s Caldecott Honor–winning book is celebrating its twenty-year anniversary with a brand-new edition featuring bonus content!
Click, clack, MOO.
Click, clack, MOO.
Clickety, clack, MOO.
It was the typewriter heard ‘round the world. When Farmer Brown’s cows began leaving him notes, that’s when his troubles started—and the animals’ fun commenced! Celebrate twenty years of barnyard shenanigans with this special anniversary edition of the story that started it all, Click, Clack, Moo—now with a bonus poster in the inside cover! -
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones—from graduations to birthdays and beyond!
From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations.
The inspiring and timeless message encourages readers to find the success that lies within, no matter what challenges they face. A perennial favorite and a perfect gift for anyone starting a new phase in their life!
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Dear Girl,
The #1 New York Times bestseller that Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb calls “a beautiful, beautiful book.”
The New York Times bestselling author of I Wish You More, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and her daughter Paris Rosenthal collaborate to bring you the heartwarming and inspiring Dear Girl,
Dear Girl, is a remarkable love letter written for the special girl in your life; a gentle reminder that she’s powerful, strong, and holds a valuable place in the world.
Through Amy and Paris’s charming text and Holly Hatam’s stunning illustrations, any girl reading this book will feel that she's great just the way she is—whether she enjoys jumping in a muddy puddle, has a face full of freckles, or dances on table tops.
Dear Girl, encourages girls to always be themselves and to love who they are—inside and out.
Dear Girl,
This book is for you.
Wonderful, smart, beautiful you.
If you ever need a reminder, just turn to any page in this book and know that you are special and you are loved.
—Amy and ParisA perfect gift for all occasions.
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I Like Myself!
Exuberant rhymes and wild illustrations celebrate self-acceptance and self-love, from the New York Times bestselling creators of I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!
High on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves--inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what!
Here's a little girl who knows what really matters. At once silly and serious, Karen Beaumont's joyous rhyming text and David Catrow's vibrant illustrations unite in a book that is sassy, soulful . . . and straight from the heart.
I Like Myself belongs on the shelf alongside such favorites as The World Needs More Purple People and I Am Enough.
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A Normal Pig
This charming picture book celebrates all our differences while questioning the idea that there is only one way to be “normal.”
Pip is a normal pig who does normal stuff: cooking, painting, and dreaming of what she’ll be when she grows up.
But one day a new pig comes to school and starts pointing out all the ways in which Pip is different. Suddenly she doesn’t like any of the same things she used to...the things that made her Pip.
A wonderful springboard for conversations with children, at home and in the classroom, about diversity and difference.
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Square Cat
Eula is the only square cat in town—and she doesn’t think there’s anything hip about it. Everything that normal cats do is hard for her: She can’t get her square paw into mouse holes, she can’t wear her favorite circle skirt, and all of her friends are round! Eula is sad until her two best friends show her just how well a square cat can fit into a round world. Debut author/illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker applies her dry wit to the topic of fitting in, and the spare text and appealing trim size of Square Cat make it ideal for repeated readings.
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The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
A brilliant new Eric Carle picture book for the artist in us all
Every child has an artist inside them, and this vibrant picture book from Eric Carle will help let it out. The artist in this book paints the world as he sees it, just like a child. There's a red crocodile, an orange elephant, a purple fox and a polka-dotted donkey. More than anything, there's imagination. Filled with some of the most magnificently colorful animals of Eric Carle's career, this tribute to the creative life celebrates the power of art. -
Be You!
A New York Times Bestseller!Creative visionary of The Word Collector, Happy Dreamer, and The Dot, #1 New York Times bestseller Peter H. Reynolds creates a joyful celebration of individuality--and staying true to Y-O-U!
Be curious...Be adventurous...Be brave...BE YOU!
Discover a joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, from the beloved creator of The Dot, Happy Dreamer, and New York Times bestseller, The Word Collector. Here, Reynolds reminds readers to "be your own work of art." To be patient, persistent, and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU.
In the tradition of books like Oh, the Places You'll Go! and I Wish You More comes a wholly original, inspirational celebration of individuality as only Peter H. Reynolds can create!
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I Love All of Me (Wonderful Me)
What do you love about you? Find out in this sweet padded storybook full of wonder and love
I love my wiggle toes. I love my smelly noseFrom head to toe, there's so much to love about wild, wonderful you With charming illustrations and a sweet, bouncy text that begs to be read aloud, this padded board book is a joyous reminder to little ones to love their whole selves -- just as they are.
A glorious celebration of self-esteem that's full of humor, love, and heart.
Wonderful Me: Books that celebrate the milestone emotional and social moments of little ones of today
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My Brave Year of Firsts
The first time I rode a two-wheeler alone, I crashed and my mom filmed it on her iPhone. . . .
The tenth children's book by the #1 New York Times bestselling team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell celebrates the extraordinary, everyday bravery of trying new things for the very first time. Whether Frankie's learning to ride a bike, love her first dog, make new friends (her very first twins), or help out her dad, she discovers that trying new things is how she grows—and that being brave enough to do so is what growing up is all about.
School-Age Literacy
Your library is a great partner for encouraging reading and exploration for school-aged children. Bring your six-to-12 year old into our children’s area to explore:
- Leveled readers
- Chapter books, from beginners to advanced readers
- Graphic novels and audiobooks, and
- Non-fiction books for kids who want to explore facts and new subjects
Rocket into Reading
Rocket into Reading is our literacy program for incoming Kindergarten-2nd graders. We partner space, reading and rockets to promote literacy for early elementary-grade students.
SORA
We’ve partnered with the Rock Island-Milan School District #41 to widen student access to our Libby eBook and audiobook collection. Students can browse, search, and borrow books from the public and school library collections, with no returns or overdues. Use your school ID to get started!
Education & Enrichment
Whether it's to keep your brain young or to get young brains imagining, we have a great selection for that.
School Age Recommendations
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Batcat
First in a full-color graphic novel series for emerging readers about accepting yourself and others from up-and-coming author-illustrator Meggie Ramm, creator of the comic strip The Littlest Dungeon Guard and cohost of the Pop! Whiz! Bang! comics podcast.
Batcat loves being all alone in their home on Spooky Island. Up in their tree house, they pass the time playing video games and watching TV. But when Batcat suddenly finds themself haunted by an annoying, ice cream–stealing ghost, they visit the local Island Witch for a spell to remove their ghastly guest permanently!
With their Ghost-B-Gone spell in hand, Batcat travels across Spooky Island to gather ingredients—to the Cavernous Caves where the bats tell them they’re too round to be a bat, and to the Whispering Cemetery where the cats will help only if they commit to being a true cat. But Batcat is neither and that’s what makes them special, right?
From up-and-coming author Meggie Ramm comes a sweet and fun story about accepting yourself when you’re perfectly in between here and there. -
The Used-to-be Best Friend
"Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn--about how good Jo Jo is at cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly. Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she's worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore"--
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Juniper Mae: Secrets of the Guardian Knights
Juniper Mae returns! The energy crisis continues in Tykotech City and a new president threatens the existence of the forest and the Tama-Tama community.
Juniper Mae now visits the forest every weekend to spend time with her new friend Albie and his fellow Tama-Tamas. But when Juniper Mae takes her inventions to another level, the friends suffer a clash of ideas. While a new president takes charge in Tykotech City, drastically changing the cities energy policies, Albie and Juniper Mae are confronted with their intertwined history. And upon discovering more details about how humans and Tama-Tamas once lived side by side the two friends must reconcile their differences and work together to outsmart a new terrifying threat to both the forest, and the city.
The next installment in a fast-paced adventure story packed with science, friendship and lessons on community. -
Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City
An action-packed sci-fi story for middle grade readers aging out of Hilda.
Tykotech City is a marvellous and peaceful place, filled with technology beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. But as power cuts begin to plague the residents, and a sinister force infiltrates the city, the lives of the cityfolk are in terrible danger…
It falls to Juniper Mae, a tiny, brave inventor, obsessed with the legends of the Guardian Knights, to overcome her fears and save her city. Can she embody the bravery of the Guardian Knights and invent some cool gadgets to save Tykotech City in time? -
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
"Ridiculously fun and brilliantly illustrated." --Dav Pilkey, creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants
As seen on The TODAY Show! New York Times bestselling Mac Barnett and Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator Shawn Harris turn their massively popular The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza live cartoon into an action-packed and hysterical graphic novel series--perfect for fans of Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier, and Jeff Kinney. A Kids' Indie Next List Pick, an Indie Bestseller, and a Junior Library Guild Selection!
Something terrible is happening in the skies! Rats are eating the MOON!
There's only ONE hero for the job, a bold and fearsome beast bioengineered in a secret lab to be the moon's savior and Earth's last hope! And that hero is . . . a cat. A cat who will be blasted into space!
Accompanied by the imperious Moon Queen and LOZ 4000, a toenail clipping robot, the First Cat in Space journeys across a fantastic lunar landscape in a quest to save the world. Will these unlikely heroes save the moon in time? Can a toenail-clipping robot find its purpose in the vast universe? And will the First Cat in Space ever eat some pizza?
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Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #2)
A New York Times Bestselling series
“Hilarious and charming. The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad.” —NYT-bestselling creator of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, Dav Pilkey
Narwhal and Jelly are back in action for a SUPER adventure! Join Super Narwhal and sidekick Jelly Jolt as they take on three SUPER new stories in this early graphic novel series.
Happy-go-lucky Narwhal and no-nonsense Jelly find their inner superheroes in three new under-the-sea adventures. In the first story, Narwhal’s superhero alter-ego is revealed, and Narwhal enlists Jelly to help figure out what their superpower is. Next, Narwhal helps a friend find his way back home. In the third story, Jelly is feeling blue and Narwhal comes to the rescue. Ben Clanton showcases the joys of friendship and the power of believing in yourself and others through this irresistible duo. -
The Abominable Snow Kid
Winter has pounced on Transylmania in full force. While the kids are thrilled to have a snow day, their good times are cut short when they realize the cause: An Abominable Snow Kid has moved to Transylmania, and she has brought the cold weather along with her. Will the Mighty, Mighty Monsters be able to fend off this frozen fiend?
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Sled Dog School
Eleven-year-old Matt is struggling in school and he has to set up his own business to save his failing math grade. But what is he even good at? The only thing he truly loves is his team of dogs, and so Matt's Sled Dog School is born. Teaching dogsledding should be easy, right?
But people, just like dogs, can be unpredictable. And sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is admit they need help. Like Terry Lynn Johnson's popular Ice Dogs, Sled Dog School is about overcoming adversity, finding your strengths, and your friends, and following your passions. -
Sam Sees Snow
It's snowing! What will Sam do outside? This simple story incorporates words from the Kindergarten-level Dolch Sight Word List to build literacy skills.
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The Long Winter
The sixth book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s treasured Little House series, and the recipient of a Newbery Honor—now available as an ebook! This digital version features Garth Williams’s classic illustrations, which appear in vibrant full color on a full-color device and in rich black-and-white on all other devices.
The town of De Smet in the Dakota Territory is hit with terrible blizzards in the hard winter of 1880-81, and the Ingalls family must ration their food and coal. When the supply train doesn’t arrive, all supplies are cut off from the outside. Soon there is almost no food left, so young Almanzo Wilder and a friend must make a dangerous trip in search of provisions.
The nine Little House books are inspired by Laura’s own childhood and have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories.
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Snow Place Like Home
There’s snow place like home in this seventeenth Galaxy Zack adventure!
The Nelsons are ready for a galactic winter vacation on a great new planet! And Zack’s best friend, Drake, is coming too! From solar-snowboarding, hydro-freeze fishing, supreme snowball fights, and epic ice forts, the boys can’t wait to dive into the winter games. But at the resort, Zack realizes there are a bunch of hurdles he wasn’t prepared for. Will Zack find a way to beat out the winter blues before it’s time to snow home?
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Galaxy Zack chapter books are perfect for beginning readers. -
Ant and Honey Bee
The funny, endearing insect pals find a way to be more than fair-weather friends in a second early chapter book from Megan McDonald and G. Brian Karas.
Brrrr! The leaves are off the trees, and frost is on the ground. It’s time for bugs to hunker down and hide out for the winter. But Ant isn’t ready to hunker down. Ant isn’t ready to be all by herself for months on end. The thought of a long chilly season without her best friend, Honey Bee, is enough to make Ant shiver with dread. Can Ant brave the cold for one last surprise visit before the snow flies? And will Honey Bee welcome an interruption of her peace and quiet? The author of the Judy Moody series teams up again with award-winning illustrator G. Brian Karas to show that true friends can weather whatever comes their way — even if one is feeling antsy and the other has blissful hibernation in mind. -
Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman
There's a snowman-building contest in town and the grand prize is a year's supply of free ice cream Horrid Henry just has to beat Moody Margaret and her dumb old ballerina snowman. So Henry makes the biggest monster snowman ever. But Henry might have to use a few last-minute tricks to win this one. Plus three other stories that won't melt.
Galaxy Book Award's Best Children's Book of the Year!
Francesca Simon is one of the world's best-loved children's authors. She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UK-with a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won't be able to resist Henry's amazing talent for trouble!
"A loveable bad boy."
-PeopleLook inside to see what kids and adults have to say about the master of mischief!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HORRID HENRY AT JABBERWOCKYKIDS.COM!
PRAISE FOR HORRID HENRY
Why Horrid Henry?Kids love it!
"I love the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon. They have lots of funny bits in. And Henry always gets into trouble!"
Mia, age 6, BBC Learning is Fun"It's easy to see why Horrid Henry is the bestselling character for 5-8 year olds."
Liverpool EchoBecause it's funny
"My two boys love this book and I have actually had tears running down my face and had to stop reading because of laughing so hard. My oldest son is rereading all the books in this series on his own now and he still loves them. Happy reading!"
T. Franklin, Parent"A modern comic classic."
SF Said, Guardian Children's Books SupplementKids get to be harmlessly rebellious
"Henry is a beguiling hero who has entranced millions of reluctant readers... little rebels will love this collection and even little angels will be secretly thrilled by Henry's anti-heroic behaviour."
HeraldHenry's naughtiness is a yardstick against which children can get a sense of their own moral goodness and social justice
"What is brilliant about the books is that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world."
Emily Turner, Angels And Urchins MagazineReaches the most important age group - children who are learning to read
"I have tried out the Horrid Henry books with groups of children as a parent, as a babysitter, and as a teacher. Children love to either hear them read aloud or to read them themselves. The books are spot on for the 5-8 age range and are fun for the adults who share them too."
Danielle Hall, TeacherThe structure provides new readers with a real sense of accomplishment
"My son is 7 years old and a big Horrid Henry fan. This book lived up to his expectations! Horrid Henry is like most boys: he always has a plan and is always getting into mischief! It was amusing, and he could not put it down. Can't wait for the next. He read it cover to cover by himself in 2 days! That for me sells a book! He can't wait for the next one to be published. He has recommended it to all his friends."
Mrs. Tami Gold, ParentReaches both boys and girls equally
"Wonderfully appealing to girls and boys alike, a precious rarity at this age."
Judith Woods, Times BooksA global publishing phenomenon with 12 million copies sold!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HORRID HENRY:
"Parents reading them aloud may be consoled to discover that Henry can always be relied upon to behave worse than any of their own offspring." Independent
"An absolutely fantastic series and surely a winner with all children. My son took this book as his favourite during book week at his school and converted a few children to the cause. Long live Francesca Simon and her brilliant books! More, more please!"
"My 5-year-old adores them so much he couldn't wait to start reading because of them."
"I really like Horrid Henry and like reading it to my dad. It's funny!"
Matthew, 9, St. Albans"Horrid Henry is a fabulous anti-hero: monstrously selfish and greedy, he does things most children only dream about... a modern comic classic."
The Guardian"My 6-year-old son has now read the whole series unaided and is quite content to re-read the stories again and again. My 5-year-old is dying to be able to read well enough so she can read them independently too!"
"Henry is really naughty and makes me laugh. He's very funny and he has lots of adventures."
Martha, age 5, Bella"A flicker of recognition must pass through most teachers and parents when they read Horrid Henry. There's a tiny bit of him in all of us."
Child Education"It didn't even make it to the library shelves and there's a long waiting list for it! Enough said."
Nancy Astee, Child Education"A definite must for every teacher - reading about Henry makes your naughtiest child seem like a saint!"
"As a teacher of 8-year-olds, it's great to get a series of books my class love... They torment me to lend them the books so they can read them on their own. Need I say more?"
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The Dogs of Winter
A small boy, a cruel city, and the incredible dogs who save him.
Based on a true story!
When Ivan's mother disappears, he's abandoned on the streets of Moscow, with little chance to make it through the harsh winter. But help comes in an unexpected form: Ivan is adopted by a pack of dogs, and the dogs quickly become more than just his street companions: They become his family. Soon Ivan, who used to love reading fairytales, is practically living in one, as he and his pack roam the city and countryside, using their wits to find food and shelter, dodging danger, begging for coins. But Ivan can’t stay hidden from the world of people forever. When help is finally offered to him, will he be able to accept it? Will he even want to?
A heart-pounding tale of survival and a moving look at what makes us human. -
Ready, Set, Snow!
Everybody knows shark expert Freddy Thresher is also a snowshoe whiz--or is he? When Mrs. Wushy announces that the class will be competing in the mini-Winter Olympics, everyone is excited for the competition. But, after betting Max the bully that he will win the Snowshoe Race, Freddy heads straight for snowshoe boot camp, and fast! Will Freddy be able to win gold amid sled pulls and the infamous Snowball Toss? (copy continues)
First grade and kindergarten teacher Abby Klein has been teaching for almost twenty years, and she brings her firsthand knowledge of children to this popular series. As well, she tailors each story and the language in it for new readers--using just the right words, as well as the issues that are most important to children this age.
For extra fun, the word "fin" is hidden in every illustration, and children will have a good time playing the games in "Freddy's Fun Pages" at the end of the book. Attention shark lovers! Freddy Thresher is a first grade expert on sharks, and each book features cool facts about sharks as an added bonus.