Books with author Kathy-Jo Wargin

Most days, Mary loves her new home in America. But now it's Thanksgiving time, and her family has little food. Mary begins to wish she could go back to Ireland. Life isn't fair. Even the gift of a pumpkin pie from a kind neighbor doesn't cheer her. So, Father tells Mary a story of how the Pilgrims struggled when they first came to America. The seeds they brought with them wouldn't grow. Native Americans showed the new settlers how to make the soil grow crops. That instruction helped, but the Pilgrims still faced hardships. There were times when they had barely enough food. But five kernels of corn helped the Pilgrims survive and made their faith stronger. Will the legend of the five kernels help grow a new faith in Mary too?

Harking back to the turn of the last century, this early reader is sure to charm students, teachers, and parents alike. In a compact format, The Michigan Reader features poems, short stories, and word games to involve students while educating and encouraging them about their state. Delicate, full-color pencil illustrations by K.L. (Kate) Darnell highlight author Kathy-jo Wargin's enchanting tales of Michigan's heroes (from the fur traders to Sojourner Truth), familiar sights (lighthouses and ships on the great waters), animals and products, with plenty of fun and nonsense in-between to engage young readers!

We often sing the "Star Spangled Banner," but what do the words mean? Why did Franklin Delano Roosevelt stay in office longer than any other U.S. president? Following the style of an old-fashioned primer, The American Reader answers such questions as it gives children a modern, well-rounded view of what it means to be a good citizen. Captivating prose, poems, short stories, and games entertain as they teach about the diverse regions of our country, the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, the story of Clara Barton, and the official nicknames for each of our states. A story about Smokey Bear promotes an appreciation of nature and the need to protect it, and another explains how to be helpful and respectful to people with disabilities. The American Reader's lively variety and broad scope will give children of all ages much to learn, think about and enjoy for hours on end.

Following on the heels of V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet, Kathy-jo Wargin uses simple number concepts to continue her celebration of the great state of Minnesota. In North Star Numbers: A Minnesota Number Book young readers can step back in time and experience nineteenth century army life at Fort Snelling, travel over 3,000 miles of canoe routes, see where thousands of bright yellow Tonka Trucks were made, and view the world's largest hockey stick. From the ancient carvings at Jeffers Petroglyphs to the herds of American Buffalo living in Blue Mounds State Park, North Star Numbers shows that Minnesota has 'countless' treasures for all to enjoy.Born and raised in Tower, Minnesota, Kathy-jo Wargin is known for her many award-winning stories including V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet, a Northeastern Minnesota Book Award winner and a Minnesota Book Award finalist, and The Legend of Minnesota. She lives in the Great Lakes region with her family. Laurie Caple has illustrated more than a dozen books and numerous publications including American Girl magazine. Her first book with Sleeping Bear Press was The Legend of Old Abe: A Civil War Eagle. A frequent presenter at elementary schools, Laurie lives in Faribault, Minnesota.

I make this wish on wings of love And send into the sky above That Mother holds me every day And never, ever goes away. Young Ella never forgets the wish she made upon the wings of a butterfly, even as the years pass by. Ella's mother also makes a butterfly wish, full of strength and love. With Irena Roman's timeless watercolor illustrations, Kathy-jo Wargin's touching story shows that the bond between mother and daughter is as unbreakable as it is tender.