Books with author James Simmons

The clashes between President Abraham Lincoln and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney over slavery, secession, and the president's constitutional war powers went to the heart of Lincoln's presidency. James Simon, author of the acclaimed What Kind of Nation, brings to vivid life the passionate struggle during the worst crisis in the nation's history, the Civil War. The issues that underlaid that crisis -- race, states' rights, and the president's wartime authority -- resonate today in the nation's political debate.

A new neighbor with huge plans turns life upside down for animals who live on the river in a charming ecological fable from Simon James.Frog and his friends live happily together on the river. At least they do until Beaver comes along. Beaver is determined to build the biggest and best dam anyone has ever seen, and he doesn’t stop to think about what that will mean for everyone else’s homes. Frog tries to tell Beaver that his dam is getting too big, but Beaver just won’t listen. Before long, Beaver’s dam is so huge that it stops all the water in the river, and Frog and his friends must move upstream. But diverted water also needs somewhere to go, and soon Beaver will learn that only one force is stronger than a mighty river — friendship.

Beryl longs for a family that will love her just the way she is, from her pig nose to her curly tail. So, it's with a heavy heart that she embarks on a journey that will put her preconceived notions of wild pigs-and everything else-to the test. With the help of the many unlikely friends she meets along the way, Beryl soon discovers that there just might be a place she could call home after all...if she could only get there. One thing's for sure: She's going to try.

Kids will giggle and parents will smile (a bit sheepishly) as the world’s smartest tyke invents a robot that does the chores, and then some.Everyone knows that Baby Brains is the smartest baby in the universe. He’s certainly clever enough to see how tired Mom and Dad seem to get keeping house and looking after him. Then Baby Brains has a big idea. He puts his genius to work building RoboMom, who can cook, clean, and do the laundry. The new invention is a smashing success . . . until RoboMom takes on a few too many duties, and the family gets more help than they bargained for!

A grandfather shares with his grandchild the quiet wonder of birdwatching - and a wry talent for telling a tall tale."When I go birdwatching, things happen," Granddad tells little Jess. Sometimes, he says, while he’s drawing pictures of the birds, they draw pictures of him. And sometimes they help him out by finding their own names in his bird book. "Birds are amazing," says Granddad, but Jess isn’t so sure. So one day she goes birdwatching with Granddad to see for herself. With expressive line-and-wash drawings, Simon James captures the leafy grandeur of the outdoors and the warm, special rapport between a child and a granddad, illustrating once again the huge happiness to be found in little things.

A little bird waiting in his nest for his mother to bring back food is blown into the sky, nest and all, by a great wind. Will he be able to fly?Autumn is coming, and George sits in his little nest, not quite ready to learn to fly even though his mom says it is time to head south for the winter. But when a gust of wind swoops George and his nest out of the tree and onto the roof of a car, George is off whether he likes it or not! With his mom following along chirping encouragement, George must gain the confidence to fly before his nest blows away entirely. This charming picture book gently nudges little fledglings everywhere to try out their wings.

A gentle and delightful tale charmingly told and illustrated by an award-winning picture book creator. For her birthday, Clementine Brown is given a nurse's outfit. All she needs now are some patients! When her dad stubs his toe and her mum has a headache, Clementine is on hand – she even bandages the dog! But when there's a real emergency and her little brother Tommy gets stuck up a tree, Nurse Clementine comes into her own.