Classic Animal

"...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." So says Rat, as he welcomes the lonely Mole to the community of the River. Whether messing about in boats, touring in Toad's motorcar, or simply relaxing at home, Mole, Rat, Otter, Toad, and Badger demonstrate the honorable human characteristics of kindness, patience, and tolerance toward all that have made this classic tale beloved by generations since it was first published in 1908.

In this follow-up to the first of Hugh the series though, Lofting assigns the starring role to Tommy Stubbins who is now an "old man". He recalls how he met Doctor John Dolittle and the many adventures they shared. The Doctor is working on learning the language of the Shellfish and their adventures take them from a trial for murder to adventures on the high seas, culminating in their arrival on Spidermonkey Island. Then comes a war between the native tribes, Dolittle being crowned King, the arrival of the Great Glass Sea-Snail and their eventual return to Puddleby-on-the-Marsh.

Nils Holgersson is a naughty boy who pulls the tails of cats and trips up his mother while she is carrying the milk pail. Then one day he discovers he has been magically turned into a tiny imp. He climbs on the back of a gander and takes off with a flock of wild geese as they fly over Sweden, soaring above patchwork fields, through storms, to castles and lakes and even to a city under the sea. As he learns about the world, he also learns what it means to care for living things, in Selma Lagerlöf's timeless and beloved fable.

Listening goes to the dogs in this timeless beginner book edited by Dr. Seuss. From big dogs and little dogs to red, green, and blue dogs, dogs going up and dogs going fast.... Who knew dogs were so busy? And laughter will ensue at the repeated question “Do you like my hat?” Like P. D. Eastman’s classic Are You My Mother?, Go, Dog. Go! has been a go-to favorite for over 50 years, leaving audiences of all breeds wagging their tails with delight.

Christmas is coming and Marty and his rescued pup, Shiloh, are sure glad about that - for their town is low on love and understanding, and they hope that the joy of the holiday will bring with it the generosity of spirit that's so lacking. It's been a year since Marty Preston rescued Shiloh from Judd Travers and his cruel ways, and since then, Marty and Shiloh have been inseparable. Anywhere Marty goes, the beagle's at his side, and Marty couldn't be happier about that. Even Judd has been working to improve his reputation.

With the important pre-reading concepts of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, these picture books have long been used as beginning learners. Complete with a letter from master educator Laura Robb, and with fun reading activities added, these new versions of Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? are certain to appeal to a new age group and find an even wider audience.

Lad: A Dog is a novelized version of twelve short stories about a fantastic collie named Lad. Lad is a noble creature, risking life and limb in defense of the vulnerable. Many people believe Lad: A Dog was the basis for the highly popular "Lassie" series which gripped the imagination of children and adults alike, as has this book for generations past.

Travel back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie in this number one best-selling series, and meet the greatest warriors of all - the Romans! Then get whisked away and meet famous founding-father and inventor Ben Franklin!

With winter coming, orphaned bear cub Glee is looking for a place to nap. He finally finds a cozy corner in an empty railroad car. Glee is rudely awakened and discovers that he has taken a ride on a traveling circus train! The performers who find him adore him and try to find an act for him. That is the only way the ringleader will let him stay. Will Glee be able to find his talent in time, or will he end up back out in the cold?

When Mr. Gruber shows Paddington an outdoor painting exhibition he is inspired to take up a new hobby… After attending an Outside Exhibition, Paddington is inspired to take up painting himself. He gets busy with his own paints and holds his own exhibition, but is discouraged by the problems of self-portraiture – forgetting what he looks like in the mirror! Then a mystery art collector buys up his entire works. This is just the boost he needs, and he’s soon busily trying his first family portrait!

"Goldilocks and the three bears" is a family-friendly variation of an old tale in which a woman enter the house of three bears, eats their food, sits on their chair, and sleeps in their bed. This very old nursery tale is one of the most popular stories in the English language. It suggests the importance of respecting property and the consequences of just 'trying out' things that do not belong to you. As such, it will spark important interrogations from children: was Goldilocks right to come into the house? Were the bears really scary, or just helpless victims? What would have been the best thing to do?

Over two millennia after its compilation, the Politics still offers much to consider with regards to political science. Aristotle's succinct and thoughtful analysis is based on his study of over 150 city constitutions and covers the gamut of political issues in order to establish which types of constitution are best, ideally as well as for particular circumstances, and how they may be maintained.

First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows belongs to a golden age of children’s book. These charming tales of the riverbank, describing the adventures of Ratty, Mole, Badger, and their irrepressible but conceited friend, Toad of Toad Hall, have become classics loved as much, perhaps, by adults as by children.

Wrongly accused of theft and exiled from a religious community many years before, the embittered weaver Silas Marner lives alone in Raveloe, living only for work and his precious hoard of money. But when his money is stolen and an orphaned child finds her way into his house, Silas is given the chance to transform his life. His fate, and that of the little girl he adopts, is entwined with Godfrey Cass, son of the village Squire, who, like Silas, is trapped by his past.

The sailor Ishmael tells the tale of whaling ship Captain Ahab's obsessive quest to get revenge on Moby Dick, the legendary giant white sperm whale who bit off his leg! With page after page of captivating sea tale, this edition will be the fought over favorite in your home and schoolroom!

Many children understand April's dilemma when her cat, Sheba, has three kittens. April is thrilled until her father insists that theirs is strictly a one-cat household. April must give up three cats, but which ones? The aptly named Charcoal? Tiger-striped Butch? Sweet-faced Brenda?—or even Sheba?

Winnie-the-Pooh is a loveable bear with a forest full of friends: Piglet, Kanga and Roo, Tigger, Eeyore, and many more. This well-known cast of characters was inspired by the toys belonging to author A.A. Milne’s son Christopher Robin, himself a character in Milne’s writing. Join Pooh as he goes in search of Eeyore’s lost tail, which looks suspiciously like Owl’s new bell-rope. Cheer on little Piglet as he ventures into the woods to trap a Heffalump. Take a snack break with Winnie-the-Pooh, who is always in search of honey to satisfy the “rumbly” in his tummy.

A young mongoose protects his human family from two murderous cobras. English Nobel laureate Kipling's best story from The Jungle Book collection, "Rikki Tikki Tavi" has been adapted many times to film and television.

Blacky the Crow is a clever rascal who lives in the Green Forest and Meadow. He loves to play tricks on the other little people who are his neighbours, and is curious about Farmer Brown’s Boy. Blacky is always thinking about what is right and what is wrong, but he still gets into all kinds of mischief.

Adventure, science fiction, aesop’s fables, classic fairy tales, and Christmas story books for children.