Books in Zoo Life series series

These fascinating creatures live everywhere, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, from the hot desert to the icy tundra and they’re the world’s deadliest killers. Thanks to the fantastic visual display that unfolds on these pages, children can get up-close and personal with the fiercest animals on Earth and find out just why they’re so lethal. And what amazing images! There are four three-page gatefolds that open wide, three even bigger four-page gatefolds, and a poster on the reverse of the jacket. The wide variety of predators includes reptiles, insects, mammals, and birds, and they range from massive sperm whales, hippos, and buffalo to the tiny fleas and mosquitoes that actually cause the most destruction of all. Intrigued youngsters will find out why animals kill other animals, what they do to locate their prey, and how they slay—including claws, tusks, powerful jaws and teeth, and venom. (Or, in the case of the mantis shrimp, by punching its victim to death!) And kids will especially enjoy looking at such details as a polar bear’s dangerous paw and the glow-in-the-dark eyes of a leopard readying for a nighttime attack. Throughout, a “life-size stamp” points out all pictures that capture a creature’s true size.

The pictures are life-size, and the sales are larger than life:Life-Size Dinosaurs has already sold almost 400,000 copies! And now, the bestselling series features its first fantastic creatures and a children’s favorite. Continuing the success of this humongous, eye-popping series, Life-Size Dragons ventures into the realm of the imagination. We know that dragons are popular—both Dragonhenge and The Book of the Dragon became big hits with a devoted fan base. And here they are breathing fire in ten pullout flaps by digital art pioneer Fred Gambino and bigger than ever before. There’s even a close-up look into the dragon’s deathly jaws and its red-hot flaming mouth. But that’s not all: the text—written by Hugo Award-winner John Grant—delves into mythology to reveal the natural history, evolution, anatomy, behavior, and every other aspect of a variety of dragon species. How clever are they, really? Do any still live in the modern world? Dragon-obsessed youngsters (and which one isn’t?) will want to look and learn. John Grant is the pseudonym of Paul Barnett, a former editor and editorial consultant. He has written both fiction and nonfiction, specializing in sci-fi and fantasy. Among his many honors are: two Hugo Awards, the World Fantasy Award, and the rare British Science Fiction Association Special Award. Fred Gambino has done groundbreaking work in the world of digital art, and is a prolific illustrator of book covers—especially for science fiction and fantasy stories. He produced backgrounds and concept drawings for the film Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius.

Young Elva loves her summer days―once her daily milking, household, and gardening chores are done. In book two of the Farm Life Series, author Elva Hurst spins a simple tale of a summer spent splashing in the creek on hot afternoons and singing hymns with the other youth at the hymn sing. When news of a wedding surfaces, the neighboring Amish and Mennonite families all pitch in to make the day special for the young couple.This delightful story is a beautiful picture of a young girl discovering joy in a simple life centered on a loving family, a tightly knit community, and an active faith in God…and just a little bit of mischief along the way.

When eleven-year-old Elva finally finishes her chores on this beautiful summer morning, she hurries to the neighboring farm to see if her friend Linda can join her for an afternoon adventure. Come on along with the young Mennonite girls as they hitch up the pony, climb into the cart, and trot down the drive for a day filled with unexpected excitement.This charming story, the first in the Farm Life Series, is based on author Elva Hurst's growing-up years on the family farm and written for children from seven to eleven years old. Reminiscent of days gone by, this simple tale is full of good-hearted fun.

This endearing story invites readers ages seven to eleven to share in a few of young Elva's adventures while working the autumn harvest with her family and attending school in rural Lancaster County. While abiding by the traditions of her Mennonite faith, she steps from one fun adventure to another.Every family member, including children like Elva, help gather the fruits and vegetables from the orchards and gardens and then join the efforts to preserve the bounty. Is it all work and no fun? Certainly not! Find out what happens when Teacher invites the girls in Elva's class to a sleepover. Read about the day Elva decides to teach herself to play her brother's guitar—without his permission. Much can happen—and does—between chores!

Readers ages seven to eleven will be drawn to this charming story that happened during a time not so long ago. Take a peek at life in a large, loving Mennonite family where everyone works together, faith is practiced daily, and fun happens often.When the harvest starts in Lancaster County, it signals time for school to begin. Children help gather the fruits and vegetables from the gardens and prepare the one-room schoolhouse for the first day of school, and Elva loves it all!One day Elva and her classmates plan a secret "food roll" to bless Teacher. They try their best to hide their giggles but erupt with laughter as Teacher shows her surprise. Then when her fifth-grade arithmetic lessons get Elva down, her brother suggests the perfect way to forget about her troubles—for a while anyway. And when the beautiful harvest moon is at its fullest, Elva steps quietly through the rustling corn fields to listen for...for what? What is it that makes Elva love autumn so much?

Rachel Reynolds isn't running from her past, but she wouldn't mind if it stopped chasing her, either. A senior in high school getting ready to graduate, Rachel is trying to look ahead toward her future, while forgetting the one night two years ago that set events in motion which altered the course of her entire life. Part of the future she's looking for includes falling out of love with her best friend, an act she seems incapable of, especially when it appears he might just love her, too. As Rachel tries to find her footing in a relationship that has baggage before it starts, a nightmare from her past reappears, upsetting the tenuous balance of Rachel's life and threatening the one person she loves most. (Mature Young Adult)