Browse all books

Books in Avenues series

  • The Scrambled States of America

    Laurie Keller

    Paperback (Square Fish, April 1, 2002)
    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.This title has Common Core connections.
    N
  • The Best Part of Me: Children Talk About their Bodies in Pictures and Words

    Wendy Ewald

    Hardcover (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Jan. 1, 2002)
    An award-winning photographer asked several children "What is the best part of you?", and presents their answers in this sometimes funny, sometimes moving, deeply personal book that includes striking black-and-white photographs taken by the author. Ideal for parents and teacher to use to discuss body image, self-esteem, and diversity with children.
    P
  • The Very Quiet Cricket

    Eric Carle

    Hardcover (World of Eric Carle, Nov. 9, 1990)
    A VERY classic from Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!One day a tiny cricket is born and meets a big cricket who chirps his welcome. The tiny cricket tries to respond, but there is no sound. The quiet cricket then makes his way into the world, meeting one insect after another, each of whom greets the little cricket with a cheery hello--the hum of a bee, the whirr of a dragonfly, the whisper of a praying mantis. The cricket rubs his wings together each time, but nothing happens, not a sound. Until the day he meets another cricket, a female, and something different happens . . .As children turn the page on this wonderful moment, they are greeted with a surprise--an actual chirp!Full of Eric Carle's gorgeous and lush collage art, a gentle rhythmic text for read-alouds, and a wonder-inducing surprise at the end, The Very Quiet Cricket remains an all-time favorite from one of the true masters of picture-book making.Batteries are replaceable. Please use two 1.5 volt L1131 button cell batteries.Praise for The Very Quiet Cricket:"Typical of Carle's style, the language is simple, with rhythm, repetition, and alliteration to delight young listeners. Painted collage illustrations are lavish and expressive."--School Library Journal "The text is skillfully shaped; the illustrations convey energy and immediacy."--Horn Book"As usual, Carle's art is lovely and his story is simple and satisfying."--Publishers Weekly"Carle's signature style ensures that this is a visual standout, and storywise it's appealing, too....The spare text is structured by repetitive phrasing that will lend itself to read-aloud responses."--Booklist
    K
  • The Honest-to-Goodness Truth

    Patricia C. McKissack, Giselle Potter

    Paperback (Aladdin, Jan. 1, 2003)
    If telling the truth is the right thing to do, why is the whole world mad at Libby?“Tell the truth and shame the devil,” Libby’s mama has told her. So whatever is Libby doing wrong? Ever since she started telling only the truth, the whole world seems to be mad at her. First it’s her best friend, Ruthie Mae, who gets upset when Libby tells all their friends that Ruthie Mae has a hole in her sock. Then Willie gives her an ugly look when she tells the teacher he hasn’t done his homework. It seems that telling the truth isn’t always so simple. Children will sympathize with Libby as she struggles to figure out that even though it’s always wrong to tell a lie, there’s a right and a wrong way to tell the truth. Giselle Potter’s naively stubborn illustrations perfectly capture this humorous and poignant story by award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack.
    O
  • The Moon Book

    Gail Gibbons

    Paperback (Holiday House, Jan. 1, 1997)
    Facts about the moon, including eclipses and its different phases.
    P
  • The Old Man and His Door

    Gary Soto, Joe Cepeda

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 26, 1998)
    Who would bring the door, la puerta, to a picnic instead of the pig, el puerco? An old man who's great at gardening but lousy at listening to his wife! "In the universal tradition of the wise-fool story, this gentle disaster tale is funny and affectionate....The combination is great for reading aloud." -- Booklist"Cepeda makes brilliant use of color, form, and perspective to add humor to the work. It's a story children will want to retell themselves." -- Kirkus Reviews
    M
  • Cassie's Word Quilt

    Faith Ringgold

    Paperback (Dragonfly Books, Jan. 15, 2004)
    In this 32-page lap book we join Cassie, the main character from the picture book Tar Beach. As she takes us on a tour of her home, neighborhood, and school, dozens of new words are introduced with simple labels throughout. Young readers will love the simple story line and all the new words they’ll encounter. They’ll relish the beautifully designed spreads, each with its own quilt motif. The bright, boldly colored pages will attract even the youngest lookers, and the words will teach pre-reading skills to slightly older children. The size makes it perfect for story hours, and the price makes it perfect for every home.
    I
  • Flicker Flash

    Joan Bransfield Graham, Nancy Davis

    Paperback (HMH Books for Young Readers, June 16, 2003)
    This remarkable collection of concrete poetry gives shape to light in its many forms. From the flicker of birthday candles to a flash of lightning, the powerful beam of a lighthouse to the gentle glow of a bedside lamp, light illuminates our world in wondrous ways.Join poet Joan Bransfield Graham and artist Nancy Davis in a fantastic exploration of light, and open your eyes to an amazing new way of perceiving poetry.
    O
  • Rocks in His Head

    Carol Otis Hurst, James Stevenson

    Hardcover (Greenwillow Books, May 8, 2001)
    Anyone who has ever felt a little out of step with the world will identify with this true story of a man who followed his heart and his passion. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.Some people collect stamps. Other people collect coins. Carol Otis Hurst's father collected rocks. Nobody ever thought his obsession would amount to anything. They said, "You've got rocks in your head" and "There's no money in rocks." But year after year he kept on collecting, trading, displaying, and labeling his rocks. The Depression forced the family to sell their gas station and their house, but his interest in rocks never wavered. And in the end the science museum he had visited so often realized that a person with rocks in his head was just what was needed.
    O
  • Barnyard Banter

    Denise Fleming

    Paperback (Square Fish, Oct. 15, 1997)
    This farm favorite is now a board book, perfect for preschoolers. "Cows in the pasture, moo, moo, moo. Roosters in the barnyard, cock-a-doodle-doo . . ."It's another noisy morning on the farm, and all of the animals are where they should be -- except Goose. And where is Goose? Young children will enjoy clucking, mucking, mewing, and cooing while they search for Goose on every gorgeously illustrated spread.
    K
  • Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck

    Lisa Westberg Peters, Sam Williams

    Hardcover (Greenwillow Books, March 1, 2000)
    What's a cold little duck to do when she races the spring thaw to her home pond and wins? She could shiver, slip, slide, and shake--or think lovely, warm thoughts until nature comes through and brings the pond splashing and quacking to life once again. Lisa Westberg Peters and Sam Williams are inspired harbingers of spring in this irresistible story that's also an unrivaled read-aloud featuring enchanting rhyme and repetition and absolutely winsome illustrations of the cold (but brave!) little duck.Children's Pick of the Lists 2000(ABA) 2001 Notable Children's Books (ALA)
    K
  • Mountain Dance

    Thomas Locker

    Hardcover (HMH Books for Young Readers, Oct. 1, 2001)
    Listen. The earth seems still and quiet, but constantly, silently, it is moving and changing. Mountain Dance takes readers from summit to shore, and into the depths of the earth, exploring the geographic forces it takes to move, build, and wear away the great peaks and valleys of our planet. Thomas Locker's poetic text and exquisitely detailed paintings reveal fascinating details of geology in this beautiful and inspiring introduction to earth science.
    K