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Books in Reading Rainbow Book series

  • Feelings

    Aliki

    Paperback (Greenwillow Books, May 21, 2019)
    This classic picture book from beloved author-illustrator Aliki is a great way to explore feelings with younger kids, whether at home or in the classroom. Happy, sad, shy, excited—how do you feel? No matter the emotion, Feelings explores it—and helps children understand and express their own feelings.Best-selling author Aliki uses a child-friendly cartoon style to build empathy and awareness in young readers—and to help them find appropriate ways to handle their feelings. Short, funny comics show how children might feel in different situations—at a birthday party, when a beloved pet dies, on the first day of school, and more.A timeless classic ideal for sharing. "Children often have difficulty articulating emotions. That fact is the underpinning for Aliki's catalog of feelings, be they happy, sad, or somewhere in between." —Booklist"A delightful book." —New York Times Book Review
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  • Knots on a Counting Rope

    Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, Ted Rand

    Paperback (Square Fish, Sept. 15, 1997)
    In Knots on a Counting Rope, Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault tell a poignant story about a boy’s emerging confidence in facing his blindness in this beautiful children’s picture book illustrated by Ted Rand.By the warmth of a campfire beneath a starry night sky, a Navajo youth named Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses listens to the tale of his birth from his grandfather. Although blind, the boy learns that he has the strength to cope with his condition and meet any challenge that comes his way.“The powerful, spare, poetic text is done full justice by Rand’s fine full-color illustrations…The love, hope, and courage expressed are universal.”― Booklist (starred review)
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  • Imogene's Antlers

    David Small

    Paperback (Dragonfly Books, Sept. 12, 1988)
    This whimsical story of a little girl who wakes one morning to discover she has grown antlers has delighted children since it was first published over 30 years ago! The family doctor, the school principal, and even Imogene's know-it-all brother, Norman, fail to resolve her dilemma. Imogene, the cook, and the kitchen maid, however, make the best of things, finding unusual uses for Imogene's new horns. Meanwhile, the problem appears to be solved when Imogene awakes the next morning antler-free.But the family (and the reader) are in for a surprise when Imogene comes down to breakfast. . . .
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  • The Tortoise and the Hare: An Aesop Fable

    Janet Stevens

    Paperback (Holiday House, Sept. 1, 1984)
    With illustrations as timeless as the tale, this edition of a classic will delight both parents and children. Once upon a time, there was a tortoise and the hare. Tortoise was friendly and quiet. He did everything slowly. Hare was flashy and rude. He did everything quickly. Janet Steven’s signature style adds color, light, and humor to this classic fable. Parents will love revisiting this story as much as children will love reading it, as its always a good time to be rereminded slow and steady wins the race!
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  • Galimoto

    Karen Lynn Williams, Catherine Stock

    Paperback (HarperCollins, Aug. 21, 1991)
    “A joy to read aloud.” —New York Times Book ReviewKondi is determined to make a galimoto—a toy vehicle made of wires. His brother laughs at the idea, but all day Kondi goes about gathering up the wire he needs. By nightfall, his wonderful galimoto is ready for the village children to play with in the light of the moon.This Reading Rainbow book is a school and library favorite that offers a view of life in the southeast African nation of Malawi, one of the world's least-developed nations.Karen Lynn Williams, the award-winning author of such books as Baseball and Butterflies and Painted Dreams (also illustrated by Catherine Stock) delivers a heartwarming tale of perseverance that is sure to delight children everywhere.
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  • Louis the Fish

    Arthur Yorinks, Richard Egielski

    Paperback (Square Fish, May 1, 1986)
    Maurice Sendak greeted the publication of the first book by this unique author-and-artist team with an astonishing review in The New York Times Book Review, which began: "Sid and Sol is a wonder--a picture book that heralds a hopeful, healthy flicker of life in what is becoming a creatively exhausted genre. The magic rests in teh seamless bond of Arthur Yorinks's and Richard Egielski's deft and exciting collaboration." Sendak concluded his review with an enthusiastic "Welcom, Mr. Yorinks and Mr. Egielski!" Now Louis the Fish, their second picture book, not only fulfills the promise of the first, but amply surpasses it.Louis is a butcher. He has a nice shop on Flatbush, with steady customers. He's "always friendly, always helpful, a wonderful guy." But Louis is not happy. He hates meat!All his life he's been surrounded by meat. His grandfather was a butcher. His father was a butcher. His whole childhood, even his birthdays, revolved aournd meat. As a boy he tried anythign to escape--even a job after school cleaning fishtanks.But that doesn't last long. Louis soon has to take over his parents' butcher shop. He grows ill. Business begins to fail. All seems lost. Until on night, in fitful sleep, after uneasy dreams, Louis is changed in a profound and startling way and begins a happy new life.
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  • "Could Be Worse!"

    James Stevenson

    Paperback (Greenwillow Books, May 21, 1987)
    "Unexcitable Gramps surprises everyone with a whopping tale of derring-do that proves there's life in the old boy yet. Stevenson's watercolors couldn't be better."--School Library Journal.
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  • Mrs. Katz and Tush

    Patricia Polacco

    Paperback (Dragonfly Books, March 1, 1994)
    Friends from different backgrounds come together in a heartwarming picture book that is perfect for Passover, from beloved children's book author Patricia Polacco! Larnel doesn't know his neighbor, Mrs. Katz, very well, until he asks her to adopt an abandoned kitten. Mrs. Katz agrees on one condition: that Larnel helps her take care of the kitten she names Tush. When Larnel starts spending more and more time with Mrs. Katz to help with Tush, Mrs. Katz tells him stories about coming to America from Poland and about the good times she spent with her late husband. As Larnel grows to love Mrs. Katz, he also learns about the common themes of hardship and triumph in each of their cultures.
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  • The Paper Crane

    Molly Bang

    Paperback (Greenwillow Books, July 15, 1987)
    A beautifully illustrated retelling of an ancient Japanese folktale by Molly Bang, the celebrated creator of numerous picture books including the Caldecott Honor Books Ten, Nine, Eight; The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher; and When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry . . . Business returns to a once-prosperous restaurant when a mysterious stranger pays for his meal with a magical paper crane that comes alive and dances. The Paper Crane is illustrated with cut-paper collages and paintings. It is a wonderful book to use with children learning about patterns in storytelling. "A delight to the eye and imagination."—The Horn Book. "An enchanting book."—School Library JournalSupports the Common Core State Standards
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  • The Star-Spangled Banner

    Peter Spier

    Paperback (Dragonfly Books, Feb. 1, 1992)
    A book for every patriotic American kid! Never before has the riveting American saga of "The Star-Spangled Banner" been so beautifully and thoroughly presented. This info-packed story of our national anthem includes:★ Illustrated lyrics★ The fascinating history of the War of 1812 and the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the words★ Musical notation★ Historical images★ A reproduction of Key's original manuscriptCaldecott Medalist Peter Spier's magnificent tribute takes readers from our anthem's turbulent origins at the Battle of Baltimore through the flag's significance in modern-day America. It's a must-have for every American family's library.★ A Bank Street Book of the Year★ An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists"Spier . . . is one of our finest creators of children's books alive."—The New York Times Book Review"Beautifully illustrated by the award-winning artist."—Publishers Weekly
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  • The First Dog

    Jan Brett

    Paperback (HMH Books for Young Readers, Aug. 17, 1992)
    Kip the Cave Boy offers to share all his woolly rhino ribs if Paleowolf will use his keen nose, fine ears, and sharp eyes to keep Kip from being eaten up. When Paleowolf agrees with a bark and a wag of his tail, Kip names his new friend Dog.
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  • Zora Hurston & The Chinaberry Tree

    National Geographic Learning

    Paperback (National Geographic School Pub, Dec. 28, 2000)
    The true story of the famous writer, who as a young girl, learned about hope and strength from her mother. Zora is full of dreams. From the top of the chinaberry tree, she dreams of living in the cities beyond the horizon. Her father thinks she should wear dresses and leave dreaming and tree-climbing to boys. But her mother teaches Zora that like each new branch of the chinaberry tree, dreams are always within reach. Independent and full of spirit, Zora explores her hometown and listens to the stories of its people -- stories her mother makes her promise to remember. But it isn't until Zora is faced with her mother's death that she realizes the importance of her promise. Based on autobiographical writings of the renowned African American writer Zora Neale Hurston, this is a story that will appeal to all readers who, like Zora, believe in their dreams.
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