Books in Books for Young Learners series

Poetry to delight anyone who still believes in magic."When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies."--J. M. Barrie, Scottish, 1860-1937, from Peter PanThe art of Englishman Richard Doyle offers lush glimpses into the world of the wee folk. Doyle's fairies troop through meadows, twirl in the moonlight, and enlist birds and bugs in games and mischief. His whimsical illustrations, chosen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, are paired with poems by William Shakespeare, John Keats, Robert Louis Stevenson, William Butler Yeats, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stevie Smith, and Langston Hughes, among others.Fairy sweethearts among the roses illustrate Wilder's "The Fairies in the Sunshine," elf babies in a snail race match Robert Graves's "I'd Love to Be a Fairy's Child," and a fairy queen carried by butterflies reimagines Shakespeare's popular "Queen Mab" soliloquy. A magical treasury that will enchant readers of all ages.

A little boy in India longs to become a snake charmer.Vishnu dreams of being a snake charmer like his father. He already knows how to handle cobras and he is learning to play the special flute. He longs to go to the city to charm snakes while the tourists watch. But his father thinks that education is more important, so Vishnu must stay home.Life in the village is never dull, though. There are plenty of games and chores to keep everyone busy, and then there's school, which is taught outdoors. And every few weeks Vishnu's father-and the snakes-return home to visit.A striking introduction to life in India as seen through the eyes of one little boy.

Can Carlene really be remembering things from a past life?Strange, fragmented memories have been haunting Carlene since she and her mother came to Lake Isadora. The vivid recollections don't seem to relate to anything in Carlene's own past. Until now, she hadn't even seen the place where Keith, the brother she never knew, disappeared during a storm fifteen years ago. Some think he drowned, but his mother thinks he was kidnapped and is still alive somewhere. She is sure the little boy's clothes that have just been found near the lake belonged to her son. Carlene knows that her bizarre memories have something to do with Keith. They might even help her discover the truth about what happened the day he disappeared. But she can't possibly be remembering things that happened before she was born-unless the memories are from a past life.

A reassuring look at the cycles of life."When I found a dead ladybug one day, my sister, Wilma, buried it for me. She painted a rock to use as a tombstone."It doesn't take much to start a bug cemetery-a dead ladybug or inchworm, a pitcher of lemonade, and a few tears for a show of proper respect. But when a beloved pet suddenly dies, funerals are no longer any fun. A bug is one thing, but how do you mourn a special friend?With warmth and sensitivity, this subtle picture book explores the difficult emotions associated with losing a loved one.

Witness loving, working hands in action in this vivid portrait of life in a Maya village."Grandmother Apolonia has gone to market for the day to weave and sell her baskets."Experience a day in the life of a Maya village. The wisdom of the phrase "Many hands make light work" comes across in vivid detail as the community prepares a warm meal, weaves clothing, constructs roofs, and creates art and music. Best of all-in the morning or at the end of the busy day, a pair of strong, gentle hands never seems hard to find.With its lyrical prose and richly textured photographs, this engaging picture book captures the hard work, love, and respect of the Maya culture.The proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to a high-school scholarship fund for the children of Maya Centre.

Busy machines for busy kids!"Diggers are good at dig, dig, digging,scooping up the earth and lifting and tipping.They make huge holes with their dig, dig, digging.They can work all day."Trucks and tractors, fire engines and helicopters-they all like to work hard. But after a long, happy day of beep-beeping and vroom-vrooming, even the busiest engines need to rest. This bright, bouncy, noise-filled book brings together all the vehicles that children adore.

A wacky cross-country adventure starring the fifty states!"Well, it was just your basic, ordinary day in the good old U. S. of A. States all over the country were waking up, having their first cups of coffee, reading the morning paper, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise.All the states, that is, except for Kansas."At the first annual "states party," Virginia and Idaho hatch a plan to swap spots so each can see another part of the country. Before the party is over, all the states decide to switch places. In the beginning, every state is happy in its new location. But soon things start to go wrong. Will the states ever unscramble themselves and return to their proper places?Packed with madcap humor and whimsical illustrations, this quirky story-starring all fifty states-is chock-full of introductory facts and silly antics that will make learning geography as much fun as taking a vacation.

Can Little Horse find his place in the big world?After accidentally falling into a stream, Little Horse fights the swift current that carries him farther and farther from the valley where he was born.When he finally manages to scramble ashore, a giant bird swoops down on him. Little Horse runs for cover in a forest of flowers only to have a giant paw pin him to the ground. But a hand gently lifts him up and tucks him inside a warm cave-just like the cave he used to share with his mother. This tender, fast-moving tale, written by master storyteller Betsy Byars and enhanced by David McPhail's beguiling illustrations, is a true cliff-hanger.

An evocation of an army ant parade set in the rain forest.One morning there is a strange stillness in the forest. A few birds call. There is a rustling, like rain. Suddenly insects scurry into view. The army ants are coming! They swarm over the ground in a thick stream, searching for food. Antbirds follow them to eat the insects that flee from the swarm. Most animals escape the army ant attack, but one frog isn't so lucky: it becomes a meal. The hungry army ants move on, and soon the forest is quiet again.Simple, evocative text and vibrant illustrations capture the drama and excitement of an army ant parade.