Books published by publisher First Avenue Editions, 2001

The war of 1812 is raging, and from the lighthouse where their father works, Rebecca Bates and her sister Abigail can see a British ship coming. But the American troops are nowhere near! Rebecca and Abigail go the rescue--to become an American army of two--in this adventure-filled tale based on the true story of two young women who turned the tables on the mighty British army.

On a dark, cold, and rainy night in April 1777, Sybil Ludington sets out on a journey to warn American soldiers that danger is headed their way. The British are coming! They have already attacked a nearby town, and it is up to sixteen-year-old Sybil to make sure that she reaches the American soldiers before the British do. With only a large stick to defend herself, and her horse, Star, for company, Sybil rides off into the perilous night and changes the course of the American Revolution. The true story of Sybil's bravery and perseverance are faithfully related by Marsha Amstel's appealing text and Ellen Beier's finely crafted illustrations.

Growing up, Paul Bunyan was always too big. Too big for the furniture. Too big for regular clothes. Too big to play with the other kids. But out among the tall trees in the great northern forests, Paul felt at home. So he set out with his big blue ox, Babe, to live the life of a lumberjack. The adventures of Paul and his friends are recounted by author Stephen Krensky and artist Craig Orback in this tallest tale of them all.

What is a verb? it's easier to show than explain! in this fun and animated introduction to grammar, rhyming verse is used to creatively clarify the concept of verbs. Chock-full of colorful, lively examples, the playful rhymes and illustrationsical cartoonbine to highlight key words in the sentences. Verbs like toss and tumble, jump and jam, jog and juggle, jig and leap are printed in color for easy identification. - offering a light-hearted perspective, this title shows readers the fun and entertaining world of language. - a flurry of verbs for readers - often presented in humorous juxtaposition - plus a sprinkling of grammatical rules. - reads and looks like fiction so learning is fun. - full-color illustrations. - interest level: grade 2 - grade 5; reading level: grade 3

Horses! Ducks! Cows! Would you like to see what happens during a year at a farm? Then come spend the next twelve months at this farm. Check out eight action-packed scenes for a bird’s-eye view of spring planting, a summer festival, and an autumn harvest. Look out for an escaped cow and a surprise landing by a hot air balloon. Keep your eye on the calendar too. By spending a whole year at a farm, you can watch events unfold as the seasons change.

In April 1607, twelve-year-old Sam Collier and a group of Englishmen landed in North America. Arriving as an assistant to the solider John Smith, Sam was excited to discover what adventures lay before him in the new land soon to be known as Virginia. But the months ahead would soon prove to be a harsh test. Facing sickness and starvation and sudden attack, Sam had to use all his wits if he were to survive. Could Sam and his fellow settlers trust Virginia’s Indians to help them? Could they learn to survive in this strange new land?

The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen have inspired, frightened, and amused readers since they were first published in 1835. Readers will recognize the little mermaid who makes a deal with a sea witch in the hopes of winning a prince's heart; the conceited emperor who is swindled by two men who claim to be weaving magical cloth, invisible to all but the most worthy; and the young queen who risks her life to save her brothers from the terrible curse that has changed them all into wild swans. This collection of the Danish author's most famous stories also includes "The Ugly Duckling," "Thumbelina," and "The Snow Queen." This unabridged version is compiled from the 1914 edition of the First Series and the 1915 edition of the Second Series, with illustrations by Edna F. Hart.

June 19th, 1865, began as another hot day in Texas. African American slaves worked in fields, in barns, and in the homes of the white people who owned them. Then a message arrived. Freedom! Slavery had ended! The Civil War had actually ended in April. It took two months for word to reach Texas. Still the joy of that amazing day has never been forgotten. Every year, people all over the United States come together on June 19th to celebrate the end of slavery. Join in the celebration of Juneteenth, a day to remember and honor freedom for all people.