Family Reader

Do you ever feel like you are too small or too ordinary? That's how Itsy and Bitsy feel. When these two charming little mice hear that a king is coming to Bethlehem, they run to find him. But they can't find the king, and other animals discourage them. "Don't even try," they say. "The king doesn't care about little ones like us." Itsy and Bitsy are just about to give up when something amazing happens.

The Poky Little Puppy: A puppy loves to dig holes under the fence, despite what his mother, his brothers, and sisters say. But the poky little puppy digs one hole too many in this charming story and ends up missing dessert. (Also includes Scuffy the Tugboat, Tawny Scrawny Lion, and The Saggy Baggy Elephant.)

Rot is a mutant potato. Like most mutant potatoes, Rot loves mud. He plays games in it, he eats it, he even sleeps in it! So, when Rot sees the most magnificent, messy mud pit ever, he can’t wait to dive right in. But then, Rot’s big brother warns him: Watch out for the Squirm! The Squirm is slippery and slimy and gross and grimy, and it lives in the beloved mud. Now, Rot’s too scared to jump into the puddle. Can anything help him feel brave enough to take the plunge and face...the Squirm?

Miss Mackle is getting married! But she didn't invite any of her students to the wedding. The kids don't understand it: A wedding is a time for families to be together, and they are Miss Mackle's Room 3B family - which is especially important because her father is in the military overseas, and he won't be home for the wedding. So Harry comes up with a plan to sneak his pals into the wedding ceremony and hide in the back.

Sleepy, sleepier, sleepiest - NOT! When Stink’s parents win tickets to an aquarium sleepover for the whole family, could it be science-freak Stink’s dream come true or his worst nightmare? He loves learning about sharks, but does he want to sleep in the same room with them? He’s nuts about gross stuff, but does he want go to bed thinking about the eating habits of the vampire squid?Creepy, creepier, creepiest - yikes!

Enjoy learning the ABC's about families. Using fun and positive words that build self-esteem and knowledge.

There is nothing more important than the time we spend together, learning to see the world through each other’s eyes. From counting constellations to imagining shapes in fluffy clouds to hiking great canyons or jumping into the ocean, the special moments between a mother or father and their child are some of the most memorable and precious in our lives. Inspired by the majesty of nature all around us, I Loved You First is a gently whimsical celebration of parental love and a companion to Jenna and Barbara’s New York Times bestselling children's books Sisters First and Love Comes First.

There are zero reasons for Theo Ripley to look forward to his family vacation. Not only are he, sister Laura, and nature-obsessed Dad going to Big Bend, the least popular National Park, but once there, the family will be camping. And Theo is an indoor animal. It doesn’t help that this will be the first vacation they’re taking since Mom passed away. Then, Theo’s dad hits him with a whopper of a surprise: the whole trip is just a trick to introduce his secret new girlfriend.

Mrs. Z’s class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special skills! Everyone, that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She’s good at reading, but someone’s already reciting a poem. She’s good at synchronized swimming, but they can't get a pool onstage. What could her act be? Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school? Turns out her dad is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It’s embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines.

Muffy is so sure that Francine cannot be nice for an entire week that she bets her Princess Peach watch on it, and now it is up to Francine to keep her temper.

At Prunella's half-birthday party, her sister unveils a fortune-telling cootie catcher that seems to be able to predict the future.

What can possibly be in the sealed envelope Mr. Ratburn sent home with Arthur? Arthur is so worried he can't even eat or sleep. Whatever it is he's done...he's sure it can't be good.

The gang is so excited when they get coveted tickets to the BINKY concert. And now, Arthur is in for the chance of a lifetime. But will he realize that not sharing the excitement with his friends will make for a hollow experience?

In Arthur's Mystery Envelope, it looks like trouble when the principal asks Arthur to take home a large envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL. In Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club, Arthur and his pals can't wait for the next book in the Scare-Your-Pants-Off series, only to find out when the book arrives at the library that the series has been banned!

Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’ s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home, Alvin is a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, just like his dad. With the help of his family, can Alvin take on the outside world without letting his fears get the best of him?

Children's Favourites is a delightful compilation of old time radio stories and songs.

Back in his old basketball league, before the car accident, 13-year-old Carlos Cooper owned the court, sprinting and jumping and lighting up the scoreboard as his opponents (and teammates) watched in amazement. But now, Carlos feels completely out of his league on his new wheelchair basketball team, the Rollin’ Rats. After all, how can he make a layup when he’s still struggling to learn how to dribble? But when the city’s crooked mayor threatens to tear down the Rollin’ Rats’ gym, Carlos realizes that he can’t stay on the sidelines forever.

Arthur wants to enter a jingle in the Crunch Cereal Contest, but he can't seem to come up with anything. Just when he's about to give up he hears D.W. singing a catchy tune. But can he call that jingle his and enter it in the contest?

Ein Verräter auf den geheimen Inseln! Lizard beschleicht ein schreckliches Gefühl. Wieso taucht ihr bester Freund Taiyo nicht zum Schwimmtraining neben der Mangroveninsel auf? Ein Anruf von ihrem Begleittier Ajax, einem Seeadler, beruhigt sie nicht wirklich. Taiyo wird in geheimer Mission gebraucht - es muss also etwas Schlimmes passiert sein. Erst als Lizard die Insel verlassen und zurück nach Hause rudern will, bemerkt sie Tausende von Termiten, die um sie herumkrabbeln. Und die scheinen einen finsteren Plan auszuhecken.

Amelia Bedelia and her friends are studying all about the Middle Ages in school. They’re building catapults, creating illuminated manuscripts, and visiting a medieval fair - in costume! Plus, there’s a class-wide competition to see who can be the most chivalrous student. Amelia Bedelia really wants to win! But when she discovers that one of her friends is the kindest and most helpful of them all, can she somehow help her friend win the competition?