Books published by publisher Bright Works Press

Baxter Barret Brown has a big bass fiddle and loves the big, low sounds it makes as he plays it all day long. Why can't the fiddle go along with him on every adventure of the imagination? But it can! An adaptation here and there, and over the road they go. Baxter Barret Brown's Bass Fiddle is an age-old story of the deep bond of friendship between musicians and their instruments.

Whether wandering down a Texas back-country road or passing by a vacant city lot, all around you grow untamed beauties, each with a story to tell. These are the wildflowers of Texas, demonstrating a tenacious spirit and diversity only topped by the Lone Star State's people. A children's book for children of ALL ages, Bloomin' Tales brings the history of both plants and people to life with exciting legends passed down from those who chose to call Texas home: Scottish, French, Mexican, English, and the original Texans, the tribes of the Native Americans. Let award-winning author and garden writer Cherie Foster Colburn introduce you to seven of her favorite plant legends from the hundreds she's unearthed creating school gardens across Texas. Artist Joy Fisher Hein, winner of numerous awards for her lively paintings, illuminates detail as only a Texas Master Naturalist could. Look for hidden pollinators, companion plants, habitat and fun facts for each of the featured wildflowers.These are more than simple stories explaining how a plant got its name though; you'll also find tales of TEXAS' heritage, a people learning to adapt to an unforgiving land just as these flowers have done for millions of years.People say the folks in Texas have some awfully tall hats. In BLOOMIN' TALES, you'll find the stories of their wildflowers are even TALLER!

Baby Ellis is hungry, but he can't talk, and neither can his friends BB The Black Bear and Ducky - except, that is, to each other. What can they do? They say it with sign language. Ellis lets his hands do the talking, and soon all their bellies are full. Milk and More is the first Words by the Handful story. This series of children's concept/picture books teaches American Sign Language (ASL) to babies and their families through interactive and entertaining stories. Each Words by the Handful story weaves five signs into a 300 - 600 word engaging children's tale. Baby sign language - the use of ASL with pre-verbal babies and toddlers - is a growing phenomenon. Parents marvel when babies talk long before they can form words, and research confirms that the twos of signing infants are less terrible. Hearing babies can use signs to communicate effectively long before they can speak words. Providing a context for the introduction of each sign, these educational stories focus on communicating essential messages through repetition and reading aloud while encouraging long-term developmental benefits by stimulating early communication skills.

There's a world at our feet few even notice, full of untamed beauties with bizarre names and even more bizarre stories. A book for children of ALL ages, Bloomin' Tales brings the history of these ultimate survivalists - the wildflowers - to life with exciting legends passed down from those who settled the land: the French, Scottish, Mexican, and English, along with the original settlers, the Native Americans. Let award-winning author and garden writer Cherie Foster Colburn (Our Shadow Garden, Heirloom Bulbs for Today) introduce you to seven of her favorite plant legends from the hundreds she's unearthed creating school learning gardens. Artist Joy Fisher Hein (Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers, David Crockett: Creating a Legend, Sam Houston: Standing Firm), winner of numerous awards for her lively paintings, illuminates ecological detail as only a Master Naturalist could. Look for hidden pollinators, companion plants, native habitats and fun facts for each of the featured wildflowers and listen to the unique story each one tells. You'll never see wildflowers in the same way again.

Stephen F. Austin is known as the Father of Texas. At the age of twenty-one years, he was elected to the territorial Legislature of Missouri, and served there until 1819, when he moved to Arkansas. While Stephen was making laws, his father, Moses Austin, received a grant of land in Texas to form a colony. Stephen’s father died when he was returning to Missouri from a trip to Texas, but he bequeathed his grant to Stephen with instructions to carry it to a successful completion. After many delays and frustrations with the Mexican government, Steven F. Austin brought many colonists from the United States. Throughout the Revolutionary period, Austin was a voice for peace and a great support to his fellow Texans. He was deeply respected by the people of Texas. Austin died from sickness in 1836. He was only forty-three years old. Texas would not have such a rich mix of population today, and might not even be a part of the United States, if it weren't for Austin’s loyalty and dedication to his family and his colony.

How would a small, stumbling colt with the tough name "Assault" tell his own story of courage and victory? In this delightful true account of King Ranch’s Triple Crown champion racehorse, Marjorie Parker involves her young readers in the life of the Texas Thoroughbred "who ran on three hooves and a heart."Along with electrifying racing, this story gives an inside look at life on the historic King Ranch and recaptures life in another era through the eyes of a noble horse who never gave up.

Life as a troll is never easy, but Tyson faces more challenges than most. When his mother’s early death leaves him with an unfeeling father, he finds himself alone, unloved and uneducated. Trying to better himself through education, he’s bullied about both his looks and his race. Confronting barrier after barrier, his dream of building his own home comes to life in his imagination and sustains him. Pursuing Thistle Downe, as he names his haven, drives Tyson to succeed both financially and personally and gives him a chance to win the heart of Amelia, a lovely fairy. Allegorically addressing the challenges that middle readers face and the importance of setting goals, Tyson’s tale of cheerful determination provides inspiration to overcome social and educational obstacles as well as a welcome escape to a land filled with magical creatures, grand adventure and delicious sticky toffee pudding.

The Spindletop Gusher is the iconic Texas oil story that begins the history of the worldwide dominance of fossil fuel as the energy source of choice. In easy-to-understand, detailed terms, Carmen Bredeson tells the story of Spindletop from discovery to today. Necessary reading for any young person who wants to understand the history and importance of oil and the way it changed the world, it includes information on alternative energy sources and our need to continue developing them.

From his humble beginnings in east Tennessee to his valiant stand at the Alamo, this biography introduces young readers to the real person behind the larger-than-life image of Davy Crockett, highlighting the strong character traits of this Texas hero. Much more than a rough-and-tumble frontiersman, Davy Crockett was also a businessman, a U.S. congressman, and a freedom fighter whose accomplishments are detailed in this fascinating biography.

Jane’s father died when she was not yet one, and she lost her mother as a young girl. Orphaned, she went to live with her older sister in Natchez, where she met her husband, physician James Long. Jane followed James to Bolivar Point, a peninsula opposite of Galveston Island. On an excursion to Mexico City, James was captured and killed, leaving a pregnant Jane in Bolivar. Unaware of her husband’s death, Jane stubbornly waited for him in Bolivar, surviving on meager and rapidly dwindling supplies. It eventually became clear to Jane that she was alone in an uncivilized territory. Rather than returning to Natchez, Jane opened up a hotel in Brazoria in 1832. Jane’s hotel in this primary port became a central hub of activity for all of Texas. She entertained all the significant players in the Texas Revolution, including William Barret Travis and Sam Houston. Jane had many admirers and received numerous proposals, but she rejected her suitors in favor of her independent lifestyle. The strength that she developed on her journey from orphan to "Mother of Texas" is an inspirational story of determination.

Now, whoa whoa! Little Pardner!Isn't it true?COWBOYS CAN DO!Amazing things, too! Hey there, cowboy, in your jingle-jangle spurs, holding your lasso high-show me everything you can do! Can you brush and curry your horse, climb up in the saddle, gallop with Dad till you almost fly, and stir the dust up to the sky? Will you hold a roundup and capture a lost dogie? And, sit down to a meal of hot buttered biscuits, beans, and beef? When night falls will you rest by the fire, strumming your guitar while Papa listens, humming? Yes, it really IS true that a cowboy like YOU can do amazing things, too.

This colorful biography brings to life the legendary statesmen, warrior, and friend of the Cherokee, Sam Houston. From running away and joining a band of Cherokees to avoiding classes at school, to leading men into battle, Houston's larger-than-life and flamboyant personality is encapsulated in this life telling. Little-known facts about Houston are fully explored and revealed-for instance, as a congressman he wore a vest made of leopard skin to remind everyone that he would not change his spots to do what is popular over what he felt was right. Encouraging youthful readers to stick to their guns when facing life's challenges, this accurate history and compelling story also debunks the commonly held belief that Houston's flowing, smooth signature, which seemed to appear as I Am Houston, is how he actually signed his name. A listing of web links for teacher activity resources is also included.