Books published by publisher Peachtree Publishers

For Beauty McElwrath, the first day of sixth grade in small-town Green River, Florida, proves to be exactly the catastrophe she expected.Acutely shy and raised in a non-traditional family of strong-minded single women, Beauty is sure she’s doomed to be a social outcast for yet another school year. It doesn’t help that her mother is dating her teacher! But then she meets Alane Shriver, a spunky new student who suffers from progeria, a rare, rapid aging disorder. At first Beauty is frightened by her fellow outsider’s tiny, frail body. But fear gives way to curiosity, and Beauty discovers that Alane is just like any other twelve-year-old girl. When a life-threatening event puts the two of them in harm’s way, Beauty unexpectedly finds the confidence and inner strength to save Alane.Author Carol Lynch Williams offers a realistic, sensitive look at the trials and challenges of adolescence while expertly weaving in themes of isolation, illness, and even death. The result is an honest, humorous, unsparing, and ultimately uplifting book that celebrates the power and courage that come from accepting differences and meeting life’s uncertainties head on.

This fact-filled, colorful look at the amazing world of birds includes a call to action to protect these beautiful creatures. In this simple introduction to birds and ecology, Melissa Stewart describes the behavior and beauty of birds and describes specific ways people can help protect them and their natural habitats. Children learn basic facts about birds, including where they live, what they eat, and how they benefit plants and other animals. Sidebars throughout the book contain information on human action that has harmed birds and the many ways people can protect certain bird populations, such as by preserving forests and meadows and cutting down on pesticide use. Pointers on how youngsters can help birds in their own neighborhood are also included. Author Melissa Stewart offers children a glimpse into the interconnectedness of our world and shows how the actions of one species can inadvertently harm another. Illustrator Higgins Bond s colorful, realistically detailed watercolor illustrations highlight the diversity of the species from the crested honeycreeper of Hawaii to the Florida scrub jay.

In The Library Dragon, Miss Lotta Scales is the thick-skinned library dragon with a burning love of books that jealously guards the library at Sunrise Elementary School. But when an unsuspecting child wanders into the library and begins to read aloud joyfully from a storybook, Miss Lotta Scales is transformed into Miss Lotty, a gentle school librarian.Based on the illustrations created for the book by Michael P. White, the Library Dragon is now available in a colorful, all-cotton 12-inch flip doll. Held one way, children encounter Miss Lotta Scales the dragon, in a long yellow dress, complete with fangs, iridescent wings, and a tail. Turn the doll upside down, and the dragon is transformed into the smiling, kind-hearted Miss Lotty complete with beehive hair-do.Of course she keeps her tail. Every librarian needs to be a little bit of a dragon--or else, who would guard the books? The Library Dragon flip doll is the perfect addition to library or classroom story hours or as a child's fun-loving companion.

When Fish tries to escape from the responsibilities of his overachieving life, he gains a new understanding of the dangers of neglecting his connections and commitments to others For Fisher Brown, bearing the responsibility for the well-being and happiness of the people around him is a heavy burden to shoulder. Not long after his mother’s sudden departure, Fisher lost interest in school and was well on his way to becoming a classic underachiever at school. But now—under the strict supervision of his high school counselor father—he is jockeying for position at the top of his high school class. It’s a challenging role, and one he has doubts about. But as long as Fisher single-mindedly prepares for college and practices for the SATs, he can keep his father happy. So when Fisher meets Lonnie Traynor, whose rootless, carefree existence is so markedly different from his own, he is drawn to his take-life-as-it-comes attitude. Lonnie easily cons him into accompanying him on a weekend outing that turns into an extended road trip. But Lonnie’s footloose ways reveal a troubled man with a long history of letting down the people he loves. As Fisher becomes an unwitting participant in Lonnie’s hapless adventure, he begins to rethink what it means to be responsible for other people. In the end Fisher finds his way home as well as a way to redefine his own complex relationships.

AUTHOR AND FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER Cathryn Sill and her husband, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill, offer young readers a first glimpse into the natural world of mollusks in their latest book in the acclaimed About... series. In simple, easy-to-understand language children learn what mollusks are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. The beautifully detailed, full-color illustrations reflect the vast diversity of the mollusk population--from a sixteen-foot-long Giant Pacific Octopus to an eight-inch-long BananaSlug--and present each in its natural habitat. The afterword, which provides details on the mollusks featured, will inspire young readers to learn more.

WHEN BABY ARRIVES, the new Mom and Dad follow the "How To" instructions in their baby book as closely as they can. But when the book says, "Now rock the baby to sleep," the parents are left a little confused about exactly what to do. They try every trick they can think of--from the ordinary to the outlandish--but Baby just won't fall asleep. Then, just when Mom and Dad are tired and running out of ideas, they make a wonderful discovery...Follow Baby's adventures through the night--from a drive around the block to an ocean jaunt--and discover what finally helps Baby (and Mom and Dad) to get some sleep.

A colorful and informative first glimpse into the diverse world of reptiles. With the help of beautifully detailed illustrations from noted wildlife illustrator John Sill, ABOUT REPTILES explains the basic characteristics that all reptiles share, while offering a look at the animals that fall into this diverse category. An afterword provides further detail on the animals portrayed to help inspire young readers to learn more. In this easy-to-read introduction to reptiles for children, elementary school teacher and author Cathryn Sill explains what reptiles are, how they live, and what they do. Author Cathryn Sill and illustrator John Sill have also collaborated on the critically acclaimed titles ABOUT BIRDS and ABOUT MAMMALS.

A fabulous addition to an important series for kids, this book explores the fascinating world of insects. Once again, teacher Cathryn Sill and her husband, illustrator John Sill, have collaborated on the most recent addition to the ABOUTseries. They tackle the fascinating and varied world of insects in this easy-to-read and educational book, painting these creatures in their respective natural habitats, explaining what insects are, how they live, and what they do. The captivating scenes depicted by noted wildlife illustrator John Sill in ABOUT INSECTS aid in the explanation of basic characteristics that all insects share as well as offering a look into the many differences of the animals that fall into this diverse category. As in the previous books, an afterword provides further detail on the insects portrayed to inspire young readers to learn more.