Books in Another Sommer-Time Story series

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.

Ants have to work hard during the summer to build their homes and gather food for the winter, but the Dilly Dally family have a different tradition: they always play first. If they have any time, then they work a little. The Family Work Play ants, however, first build their house and gather their food, then they relax and have fun. So they built a strong house and had lots of food for the coming winter. When the long, cold winter came, the Dilly Dally family had a tough time getting food and keeping warm. However, they learned an important lesson, and changed their name to Family Work First. In this delightful and inspiring book, Carl Sommer shows the importance of diligence, responsibility, and having a proper work ethic. Children will learn that by working first and playing later, it will bring them much greater happiness. Grades 1-4.

Marcus and Marcella hate the noisy forest animals and the hard work in searching for food every day. Their eyes light up when a chipmunk tells them that the farm has no noise and lots of food. In spite of being warned by Mama Beaver, they immediately move to the farm. Their dreams come true. But their dreams are shattered when the farmer and his wife come home. The chase is on. After barely escaping, they quickly return to their forest home. They discover that even with all the noise and hard work, the forest is a wonderful place to live. In this delightful and inspiriting story, Carl Sommer shows the importance of tolerance, friendship, and appreciation. Grades K-3. Virtues: Tolerance/Friendship/Appreciation Other Virtues: Caring, Cheerfulness, Citizenship, Civic Virtue, Community Service, Compassion, cooperation, Diligence, Dignity of Labor, Friendship, Kindness, Patience, Peacefulness, Perseverance, Positive Mental Attitude, Peacefulness, Respect for Others, and Unity.

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.

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

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.

Three boys grow up in the same drug-infested, gang-ruled, poverty-stricken neighborhood. Nelson becomes a successful doctor, his best friend Jesse, an award-winning architectural engineer, but Nelsons brother Alvin ends up in jail. In this riveting tale, Nelson relates the story of their childhood, and how, with the love and guidance of his grandparents, they come upon valuable lessons on how against all odds to become successful. Featuring accounts from Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Helen Keller, and Abraham Lincoln, the boys are inspired by some of Americas greatest heroes. Although Alvin chooses differently, Nelson and Jesse are two friends who Dare to Dream! Virtues: Courage / Responsibility / Self-Discipline

Teased by their friends that "No one will ever know," Johnny and Janie ignore their parents' warnings about the big, bad wolf. Wanting big, delicious acorns, they lie to their parents and sneak out one night to Mr. Smith's farm. Their delightful meal suddenly ends by being chased by a very hungry wolf. Barely escaping with their lives, the young squirrels learn that to disobey is wrong even when you think no one will ever know. This adventurous and thrilling story by Carl Sommer shows the importance of honesty, respect for parents, and trust. Grades k-3

Even though Randy is much loved at home, he has a serious problemeverything he has is old! His rich neighbor Mike, who often teases Randy, has a new bike, new toys, and never does chores. Randy, however, rides an old bike, has old toys, and has to do all kinds of work around the house. Though Randy is often reminded that things dont bring happiness, he desperately wishes he could be rich so he could buy everything new. To Randys great delight, his wish comes true. Everything he touches turns into gold, even his beloved dog. As he holds his lifeless gold dog, he realizes hes the most miserable kid in the world. Remembering he has one more wish, he uses it to return things as they were before. His wish comes true, and he becomes the richest poor kid. Virtues: Appreciation / Cheerfulness / Trust

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

To grow up to be big, little lions have to learn survival skills, but the cub Sangu didn't want to listen to Papa and Mama's lessons-he just wants to play. Getting lost while escaping a charging rhino, Sangu learned how unprepared he really was to be out on his own. Befriended by some kind gazelles, Sangu didn't have the slightest idea as to what a lion should be. Sangu finally learned some valuable lessons-the hard way. In a powerful story with superb illustrations, Carl Sommer teaches children to be assertive, to value learning, to respect their parents, and to respect themselves for who they are. Grades K-4. Virtues: Self-Esteem / Respect for Parents / Assertiveness Other Virtues: Appreciation, Caring, Citizenship, Compassion, Courage, Friendship, Generosity, Kindness, Obedience to Parents, Perseverance, Positive Mental Attitude, Self-Reliance, and Tolerance

Christopher has great dreams of becoming an inventor, but he dislikes anything requiring work. When he discovers that his neighbor Dr. Finkle has invented a time remote, Christopher uses it to avoid schoolwork, wholesome food, and jobs he doesn't like. The time remote sends him quickly through a life of avoiding problems, right into old age. Christopher finally realizes the misery of an easy life. Discovering a hidden button on his discarded remote, he fortunately gets a chance to start his life over. This fascinating and inspiring story, Carl Sommer teaches the value of diligence, self-discipline, and responsibility. Grades 1-4. Virtues: Diligence / Self-Discipline / Responsibility Other Virtues: Appreciation, Caring, Cheerfulness, Cleanliness, Courage, Diligence, Initiative, Obedience to Parents, Perseverance, Positive Mental Attitude, Responsibility for Others, Self-Respect, Temperance, Trust, and Wellness.