Would You Invite a Skunk to Your Wedding?
by Ginger Pate
illustrated by Maribeth Blonski

Louie Phewie is a young skunk who has a problem controlling his spray. Sometimes, when he becomes nervous, his spraying becomes uncontrollable. Despite his problem, friends invite him to be the ring bearer at their wedding. Unfortunately when a number of things go wrong at the wedding, Louie makes it a wedding to be remembered, for all the wrong reasons.

Ages: 3 - 8

A Pumpkin Story
Mariko Shinju

Once upon a time there was a poor man who lived in a very poor mountain village. One day, while on a mountain path, he discovered some pumpkin seeds. Because pumpkins provide both nourishing food and materials to make tools, he planted the seeds. He was surprised to see how quickly and how very large the pumpkins grew. At first he used them to make soup and the soup bowls and cups he needed. But, as his pumpkins grew bigger and bigger, he was able to make bigger and bigger things — a pumpkin bed, a pumpkin bath tub, even a pumpkin house. After a while, he had so much that he shared his pumpkins and pumpkin seeds with all the people in the village.

This charming story tells us we can sometimes improve our lives simply by using our imaginations to take thoughtful advantage of what nature provides.

Ages: 3 - 8

All The Letters
Michele Pace Hofbauer

A vibrantly colorful and delightfully playful pre-school alphabet book. Specifically designed for early learners, this book serves as an introduction to letter, phonics, object and color recognition.

All of this is accomplished through the clever illustration of big bold letters in combination with associated objects and characters all finished in brilliant color.

Children will delight in the wonderful illustrations!

Ages: 3 - 7

Couldn't We Make A Difference
Michele Pace Hofbauer

Written by a parent and educator with the express purpose of teaching children the importance of accepting others, this lovely book begins with a world broken and literally deflated. Children of every race, religion, and ethnic background paint, clean, bandage, and work the pumps in an effort to re-inflate the world and restore it to health, harmony, and beauty. Colorfully illustrated and written in simple verse and rhyme, the narrative focuses on children discussing how they, working together, would fix the world's problems.

Ages: 3 - 8

Edith Ellen Eddy
Julee Ann Granger

This vividly painted story of a young girl experiencing the excitement of exploration of her world cautions us as parents about exerting our influences on our children's behavior with all good intentions but perhaps with results we did not intend. Edith Ellen Eddy gives us a mirror as child or parent for introspection, solicits a tear of personal recognition and individual understanding. It presents the joy of overcoming society's ready-made box for us and provides an opportunity for mutual understanding of ourselves and those we mentor.

Ages: 3 - 8

Fatuma's New Cloth
Leslie Bulion

Set in contemporary East Africa, a little girl helps her mother do the day's marketing, and looks forward to buying a piece of kanga cloth for a new dress. At the market, she meets many friendly vendors -- the tea-and-spice merchant, the dairy woman, and the pots-and-pans man. Each of them claims that his or her own product is the secret to a perfect cup of chai (tea). Whom should she believe? With her mother's calm guidance and some help from a Swahili proverb printed on her favorite kanga pattern, little Fatuma learns not to trust appearances, but to look deeper for true virtue.

Frankie Big Head Becomes an Artist
Frank Fiorello

Frankie Big Head was a curious child, filling his head with all things seen and heard.

This story reminds us to keep our eyes and ears open, LISTEN, SEARCH, and SEE...and you, too, can become an artist and author!

Ages: 5-9

Come, Walk With Me In The Woods
Kathlyn Grannum Hilton

A collection of 18 illustrated poems capturing the beauty of nature while creating moments of rest and contemplation. The author uses her words to paint unusually poignant pictures. Her words are spare but sensitive, and their impact is powerful.

Ages: 14 years and Older
Illustrated Poems of Nature

Petronella
Jay Williams

Princess Petronella defies longstanding royal tradition and goes to seek adventure. As she journeys, she finds the oddly somnolent Prince Ferdinand of Firebright, apparently enchanted by the mysterious magician Albion. Determined to rescue the prince, she plans a daring escape—but is she saving the right man? A modern fantasy classic, full of wit and surprise, with an admirable heroine and wondrous new illustrations.

Ages: 3 - 8

The Black Regiment of the American Revolution
Linda Crotta Brennan

During the Revolutionary War, an untested, predominatly African- American military unit valiantly faced off against professional Hessian soldiers in the fiercely-fought Battle of Rhode Island. The "Black Regiment" prevented the capture of a large Colonial force, influencing the very outcome of the war and establishing a proud tradition of African-American military service. Of national historical significance, this story has never before been detailed in a children's book. Illustrated with watercolors, maps, and historic images. Glossary, list of sources included.

All Ages

The Delmarva Conspiracy
Sharon Miner

A teenager and his family, owners of a horse farm in the Delmarva Peninsula, unwittingly become the center of a Neo-Nazi conspiracy secretly set in motion by a traitorous government agent.

Ages: Juvenile

The Invisible Seam
Andrew William Frew

M istress Shinyo, a renowned but aging kimono maker, values the talents of her new apprentice, Michi. The other apprentices resent Michi's skill, and they attempt to sabotage her work. But Michi has made a promise to always do her best, and she cannot allow peer pressure to break it. This historically accurate and culturally sensitive tale of jealousy, self-discipline, and forgiveness is based on a true incident in Japan around 1900.

Flip Along Fun
WJ Fantasy

A fun-filled flip book with whimsical rhymes and animals. Teaches colors, counting and concentration. Spiral binding.

Age: 3 - 8

Where Does My Food Go?
written by Ruth Sundback
illustrated by Frank Fiorello

This is an educational and colorfully illustrated book for children, ages 4-9, that shows food does more than taste good.

Parents are always looking for ways to improve their kids' eating habits. Kids eat better when they know where food goes in their body and how it helps their body work.

The soft cover book includes a separate sheet with activity ideas. The hard cover book is expanded with more pages including recipes, activities and teacher aids.

Ages: 4 - 9