Books in Another Sommer-time Story Bilingual series

Speckles the spider and Crumbs the cricket think Katy the caterpillar is much too ugly to be their friend. But Annie the ant doesn't agree, and she and Katy become best friends. As Katy the caterpillar begins her strange transformation into a beautiful butterfly, her friend Annie is shocked and amazed. Speckles and Crumbs finally learn the true meaning of beauty and friendship-and caterpillars. In this inspiring and beautifully illustrated book, Carl Sommer teaches the importance of respect for others, kindness, friendship, and the true meaning of beauty. Grades 1-4.

Benny and Sally don't mind doing their farm chores and caring for their mules, but they absolutely refuse to share. Their mules, Bossy and Stiffy, imitate their owners' selfish ways by stubbornly refusing to let anyone else ride them, and fussing whenever they work together doing farm work. Dad needs to teach the mules a lesson. He ties them together which forces them to learn to cooperate in order to eat. After much struggling, the mules learn to work together, and teach their owners Benny and Sally that sharing brings happiness. This delightful story by Carl Sommer shows the importance of cooperation, tolerance and respect. Grades K-3. Virtues: Cooperation / Tolerance / Respect Other Virtues: Appreciation, Caring, Cheerfulness, Compassion, Courtesy, Fairness, Friendship, Humility, Justice, Kindness, Obedience to Parents, and Patience

When Jane, the farmer's wife, complains to her husband Sam about the crooked rows he has plowed, they decide to switch jobs for a day. Both Sam and Jane expect to have lots of free time after each finishes the other's "easy" job. But they encounter one calamity after another doing each other's chores. After having the hardest day of their lives, they meet each other and end up laughing at their misconceptions. In this hilarious adventure, Carl Sommer teaches the importance of respect for others, responsibility, and forgiveness. Grades 2-4. Virtues: Respect for Others / Responsibility/ Forgiveness Other Virtues: Appreciation, Cheerfulness, Peacefulness, Respect for Work, and Tolerance

Tombo the tadpole thinks he is the king of the pond. He brags that he is the biggest, the fastest, and the strongest tadpole, and teases and chases all the other tadpoles. However, while Tombo is showing off doing a triple flip, a boy catches him. The boy puts him into a fish tank and gives him fish flakes to eat, a food Tombo despises. When Tombo turns into a frog, the boy releases him back into his pond. Then Tombo discovers that he is no longer the biggest and fastest, but he does learn the value of friendship. In this superbly illustrated book, Carl Sommer reveals the importance of respect for others, forgiveness, and sportsmanship. Grades K-3. Virtues: Respect for Others / Forgiveness / Sportsmanship Other Virtues: Appreciation, Assertiveness, Caring, Cheerfulness, Citizenship, Civic Virtue, Compassion, Cooperation, Courtesy, Fairness, Friendship, Generosity, Humility, Justice, Kindness, and Tolerance

Millie thought the whole world was unfair. Even though she had a nice house and a loving family, she was always miserable. Whenever things didn't go her way, Millie constantly complained. Millie became so miserable that she decided to run away so she could do whatever she wanted. She takes a bus to the big city, but instead of having fun, she encounters one disaster after another. Millie is alone and scared, and ends up with no money, no food to eat, and nowhere to sleep. After getting caught stealing candy, the police call her parents. Her parents are overjoyed that she has been found. Millie finally appreciated what she had and became, "the happiest girl in the whole world." Grades 1-4 Virtues: Respect / Trustworthiness / Fairness

Missy the mouse has a very big problem—she's dissatisfied with who she is and what she looks like. She thinks her ears are too big and her tail is too skinny. Even worse, Horace the cat is constantly chasing her, and she can't do anything about it! If only she could be as big and beautiful as Horace, then all her problems would be gone. One day, while being chased by Horace, Missy wishes herself into becoming a big cat. Her wish comes true, and she chases Horace. Missy is delighted that she is now the biggest and most beautiful cat in the whole world. But she quickly discovers that cats have serious problems with dogs. As Missy wishes herself into becoming bigger and stronger creatures, she discovers that everyone has problems. Missy finally learns to accept herself for what she is. Grades k-3

Trapped high on a mountain by deep snow, hungry townspeople wait desperately for one of the three big trains to bring them food, but they all refuse to go up the mountain. Seeing the desperate situation, The Little Red Train and a family of brave helpers decide to go up the mountain in spite of the ridicule from the big trains. The Little Red Train and it helpers overcome severe obstacles and save the people from starvation. In this exciting and vividly illustrated book, Carl Sommer shows the value of perseverance, compassion, and civic virtue, and children learn to sing the song: Try! Try! Try! Grades K-3. Virtues: Perseverance / Compassion / Civic Virtue Other Virtues: Appreciation, Assertiveness, Caring, Cheerfulness, Citizenship, Commitment, Community Service, Cooperation, Courage, Creativity, Diligence, Generosity, Initiative, Kindness, Patience, Positive Mental Attitude, Respect for Humankind, Responsible, and Self-Discipline

As a reward for winning the soccer championship, Davy is chosen mayor for a day. The band and the whole town assemble together for this great event. Tired of his parents' rules, Davy's first official announcement as mayor is to eliminate all rules. The parents' groan, but the children jump up and down for joy. But the day without rules was a disaster for everyone. The whole town becomes angry, but Davy finally saves the day. In this graphically illustrated and fascinating story, Carl Sommer shows the importance of citizenship, rules for maintaining civic virtue, and respect for the law. Grades 1-4. Mayor for a Day' has been selected as "Best Children's books that Today's Librarian reviewed in 2000." Keri Davies, Publisher, Today's Librarian Virtues: Citizenship / Civic Virtue / Respect for Law Other Virtues: Appreciation, Caring, Cheerfulness, Community Service, Compassion, Cooperation, Courtesy, Fairness, Justice, Kindness, Obedience to Parents, Peacefulness, Respect for Humankind, Responsible Citizenship, Self-Discipline, Sportsmanship, and Unity.

The bear cub Teddy is a grumpy bear. Even though he had been a happy baby from a loving family, along the way he had lost his smile. He doesn't enjoy any of the things that usually make children happy, such as baseball, bike riding, rides at Playland, and swimming. Teddy tries real hard to find his smile, but nothing works, until he asks his grandpa for advice. Grandpa tells him that he can only get his smile back if he makes others happy. Teddy can't understand how this will help, but he's willing to try. He goes home and starts doing helpful things for his family and for his friends at school. He quickly discovers that Grandpa was right-happiness comes by helping others. In this moving story by Carl Sommer, children will learn about caring, citizenship, and about one of the most important principles of living a happy life--helping others. Grades K-3. Virtues: Caring / Cheerfulness / Citizenship Other Virtues: Compassion, Generosity, Kindness, Positive Mental Attitude, Respect for Old Age, Responsibility, and Self-Discipline.

The bear cubs Stubby and Prissy can't seem to agree on anything-not even on who should close the door. Even their forest friends walk out because of their bickering. The cubs finally decide to settle the issue with a game of, "You move, you lose." However, two raccoon burglars show up for an unforgettable game of their own. When a wolf comes by chasing a little kitten, their stubbornness is tested to the limit. Stubby declares victory, but he soon realizes that the true winner is his sister Prissy. In this stimulating book, Carl Sommer shows the folly of stubbornness, and the importance of tolerance, cooperation, and friendship. Grades K-3. Virtues: Tolerance / Friendship / Cooperation Other Virtues: Caring, Cheerfulness, Civic Virtue, Compassion, Forgiveness, Kindness, Loyalty, Obedience to Parents, Positive Mental Attitude, Respect for Others, and Responsible Citizenship

Mama and Papa have always told their chicks never to have anything to do with strangers. But the sly fox disguises himself as a little lamb, and tries to trick the chicks into going with him. His early attempts fail because Clucky listens to Papa and Mama. The fox finally succeeds by promising delicious corn to lure some of the chicks. After a horrifying experience, Clucky's sister Wendy escapes and realizes the importance of always listening to her parents and never talking to strangers. To help protect our children from unscrupulous strangers in today's society, Carl Sommer teaches the importance of trust, safety, and obedience to parents. Grades K-3. Virtues: Trust / Safety / Obedience to Parents Other Virtues: Caring, Cheerfulness, Compassion, Friendship, Generosity, Honesty, Integrity, Kindness, Respect for Parents, Self-Control, and Truthfulness.