On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift -- that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight.
and the year died . . . As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper's poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before -- and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. Richly illustrated by Carson Ellis with a universality that spans the centuries, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in the ongoing mystery of life when we celebrate light, thankfulness, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule
Ozzy and Merlin, two penguins at the Minnesota Zoo, have been kidnapped All eyes are meant to be on the precious, pregnant Bengal tiger, but it's impossible to overshadow kidnapped penguins. Attendance is already low, and if the zoo is going to make it to the end of summer, the penguins must be found before the new investors arrive. To make matters worse, dolphin ethologist Dr. Loren has gotten himself roped into a bleak misunderstanding with some unsavory types. Now his career and the entire zoo's safety are at risk. All hopes rest with a sarcastic clinician, an over-eager zoologist, and a giant from the gift shop.
"A tender story about learning to cope when the world feels out of control." --People "A sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating, glimpse into how it feels to live with mental illness." - NPR John Green, the award-winning, international bestselling author of The Anthropocene Reviewed, returns with a story of shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there's a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Pickett's son Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
A new, hilarious picture book for kids from the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of P IS FOR PTERODACTYL!
What makes this picture book for kids be THE WORST read aloud book ever? Try reading these sentences aloud:
The mummy prepared farro for dinner.
The mummy prepared pharaoh for dinner.
Sounds the same, right? But they're totally different! Kids will laugh at the irreverent, super silly humor and witty illustrations that provide context clues and help explain the outrageous sentences. While kids are cracking up at you repeating yourself, they also will be learning about homonyms and homophones! There's also a glossary to help explain the sound-alike words.
This hysterical book for kids is sure to delight parents, teachers, and anyone who loves to laugh at the absurdity of the English language.
Those who love wordplay are the natural constituency for No Reading Allowed: The Worst Read-Aloud Book Ever, a picture book that's bright with comic scenes... [and] brilliant pairings of picture and word (and word with word).--The Wall Street Journal
If you're a logophile (=word nerd), grammar geek, or a bookworm, and especially, if you're a teacher or homeschooler, snag a copy of No Reading Allowed for yourself and a friend. This will be a hot holiday gift for us word nerd folks!--Imagination Soup
