Books published by publisher Sylvan Dell Publishing Jun - 2009

Astro is a stellar Steller sea lion! Only a few days old when found orphaned, he is cared for and raised at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. When big enough to be released to the wild where he needs to be, he has other plans! Just like a lost dog finding his way home, Astro keeps swimming back towards the Center, crossing miles of open ocean water to do so. After several attempts, people realize that Astro is too accustomed to humans and will just keep coming back. Based on real events, readers follow Astro through some of the travels that have taken him across the U.S. to his current home at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Reviewed by: School Library Journal , Katie’s Literature Lounge, Eclectic Homeschool Online, In the Pages 4-6 pg For Creative Minds educational section in the back40-60 pg cross-curricular Teaching Activities and 3 Interactive Quizzes available free on the book’s homepageeBooks with Auto-Flip, Auto-Read and selectable English and Spanish text and audio

Someone stole a cake from the cake contest who could it be? Twelve animal bakers are potential suspects but Detective Duck uses his deductive reasoning skills to quack the case. After all, the thief left hairs behind so the thief wasn t a bird. Follow along as he subtracts each suspect one at a time to reveal just who the culprit was. This clever story will have children of all ages giggling at the puns and the play on words.

Just as tiny kittens and puppies grow into bigger cats and dogs, wild animal babies grow into adults too. These full-grown animals may no longer be cute and cuddly. Their wild instincts may kick in. They can become very large, even dangerous. What happens to these exotic pets when owners realize they can no longer care for them but they can t be returned to the wild? And what about big predators that get hurt or sick? This photographic journal takes readers behind the scenes at five nonprofit sanctuaries and rescue zoos, and one care farm, that have opened their doors and their hearts to desperate animals in need.

Cozy up for a rainy day to read and explore the prairie ecosystem through its ever-changing weather. Each month features a storm typical of that seasonand a prairie animal who must shelter, hide, escape, or endure those storms. Told in lyrical prose, this story is a celebration of the grasslands that dominatethe center of American lands and the animals that live there.Animals in the book include: prairie chickens, ground hogs, sandhill cranes, prairie dogs, red foxes, whitetailed deer, striped skunks, lesser earless lizards,burrowing owls, cougars, bald eagles, and bison. It’s so much more than a picture book . . . this book is specifically designed to be both a fun-to-read story and a launch pad for discussions and learning. Whetherread at home or in a classroom, we encourage adults to do the activities with the young children in their lives. Free online resources and support at www.SylvanDellPublishing.com include: • 6 pg For Creative Minds as seen in the book (in English & Spanish): ° Grassland Habitat ° Grasslands Around the World ° Weather or Seasons? ° Animals, Weather, & Seasonal Changes: True or False? ° Humans, Weather, and Seasonal Changes • Teaching Activities (52 pages): Reading Questions, Math, Language Arts, Geography, Science, Coloring Pages • 3 Interactive Quizzes: Reading Comprehension, For Creative Minds, and Math Word Problems• English and Spanish Audiobooks• Related Websites for deeper study• Aligned to State Standards (searchable database)• Accelerated Reader and Reading Counts! Quizzes• Lexile and Fountas & Pinnell Reading LevelseBooks with Auto-Flip, Auto-Read, and selectable English and Spanish text and audio available for purchase online.Thanks to Dr. Jeff Masters, Director of Meteorology at Weather Underground, Inc. for checking the accuracy of the weather information; and to staff at the TallGrass Prairie National Preserve for checking the accuracy of the prairie information.

The Tree That Bear Climbed is a creative twist on the classic, The House that Jack Built. Young listeners and early readers will love the rhythmic repetition as they learn about the many parts of a tree. Beginning with the roots that anchor the tree, this cumulative verse story climbs to a surprise ending. Why is bear so eager to climb the tree and what happens when he gets to the top? 4 pg For Creative Minds educational section in the backAligned to State Standards / Lexile, Guided Reading, AR, Reading Counts, and Fountas & Pinnell

What do you get when you cross The Little Red Hen with a burro and his friends? Burro’s Tortillas! In this humorous Southwestern retelling of a childhood favorite, Burro finds it difficult to get any help from his friends as he diligently works to turn corn into tortillas. Young children will love the repetition; older children will enjoy the book’s many puns. In addition to its Southwestern “flavor,” the delightful story imparts an accurate picture of the traditional way that tortillas are made.2007 Southwest Books of the Year selectionReviewed by: Kirkus Reviews, CLCD, Nola Baby Magazine, The Parent Guide, Armchair Interviews, The Horn Book Guide, Latino Perspectives, The Reading Tub, Stories for Children Magazine4-6 pg For Creative Minds educational section in the back40-60 pg cross-curricular Teaching Activities and 3 Interactive Quizzes available free on the book’s homepageeBooks with Auto-Flip, Auto-Read and selectable English and Spanish text and audio

Polly 'Possum is looking for a new home to raise her expected babies. Along the way, she meets a wide variety of diurnal and nocturnal animals. She learns how they build and live in webs, nests, hives, shells, burrows, lodges, dens, caves, dreys, and even hollows. While those homes are perfect for those animals, they aren't right for her. How does Polly find a home and will she find it in time?

Step back in time and follow dinosaur tracks around the world. Whether made by a few dinosaurs or large groups, these tracks provide clues to the movement and behavior of these lovable ancient creatures. What dinosaurs made the tracks and what do scientists think they were doing when they made them? The author tells the story in rhythmic rhyme that may be sung to the tune of Over the River and Through the Woods.

Henry the Heron couldn’t stand still! He was always moving, and it drove everyone crazy! His brother and sister yelled at him for stepping on their heads, and Mom and Dad could barely get food into his little baby mouth. But herons have to stand still to catch their food, so how would Henry ever be able to eat on his own? In Henry the Impatient Heron, Donna Love takes readers along with Henry as he learns a valuable lesson from the King of Camouflage! Hilarious and lighthearted illustrations by Christina Wald complement the important lesson in the text. It is a meaningful lesson for both herons and kids alike, which teaches the importance of just being still! 2010 Gold Mom’s Choice Award for Best Children’s Picture Book, Developin g Social Skills 2009 Everglades Reading List, 2009 South Carolina Reads, Suggested Reading List, 2009 Florida Recommended Summer Reading List Reviewed by: School Library Journal, National Wildlife Federation’s Your Big Backyard, International Reading Association’s Reading Today4-6 pg For Creative Minds educational section in the back40-60 pg cross-curricular Teaching Activities and 3 Interactive Quizzes available free on the book’s homepageeBooks with Auto-Flip, Auto-Read and selectable English and Spanish text and audio

Penelope Parker lives with penguins! Short ones, tall ones; young and old the penguins are from all over the Southern Hemisphere including some that live near the equator! Do the penguin antics prove too much for her to handle? Children count and then compare and contrast ten different penguin species as they learn geography.4-6 pg For Creative Minds educational section in the back40-60 pg cross-curricular Teaching Activities and 3 Interactive Quizzes available free on the book's homepageeBooks with Auto-Flip, Auto-Read and selectable English and Spanish text and audio

When a strange little creature appears out of nowhere after the big rains, Australian animals wonder what in the world he could possibly be! His fur, feet, tail, and duck-like bill remind each animal of something different. But with a down-under spirit, they all pitch in to help him discover where he belongs. Kersplatypus is the story of one creature's journey to find his place in the world and how he sometimes falls flat on the way there. A heart-warming story with an unmistakable Aussie flare, Kersplatypus proves that with a little determination (and some really good friends) you can pick yourself up when you fall and keep on going.

Ever wonder how a balloon is made? Follow the journey of a balloon from its beginnings as gooey sap in a tree to its completion at a rubber factory. You'll be surprised to discover what a balloon started out as and how it becomes the bright, air-filled decoration that you enjoy today. Florida Authors & Publishers Association - Presidents Book Award Gold Winner