Family Reader

Nick and Teresa's family are getting boxes out of the attic as they get ready to decorate for Christmas. They find an old, dusty box that no one remembers… until they open it and Dad remembers one of his childhood Christmases. The surprise in the box and the song that goes along with it make for very special holiday as Dad shares his favorite childhood toy with his children. A story of family and Christmas wonder.

Josh Higgins has an alien gizmo that lets him think his way to other planets - and he does not want to use it. But his sister Maggie won't stop bugging him, so he agrees to an off-world vacation. Josh dreams up a planet full of blue oceans, white beaches, and sunny weather. And he prepares for everything...well, almost. A parade of cranky creatures soon spoil Josh and Maggie's perfect getaway - including a one-horned beast, a sharp-toothed sea princess, and a two-tailed monkey.

Josh Higgins loves to make up stories about other planets. At least he thought he was making them up. After Josh publishes his first book, sinister blue aliens visit Earth! Josh quickly learns that the worlds he wrote about in his stories are way too real. The outer space thugs take Josh and his kid sister, Maggie, all the way to the desert planet Yastol. And when Josh and Maggie refuse to aid the blue guys, a chase begins across Yastol's harsh landscape. Will the help of the planet's brave Prince Izor be enough to save Yastol from the bad blue aliens?

Brandon and his brother Riley want to surprise their mom on her birthday. They bake a cake and even make a piñata! They also make a mess. What will Brandon pick for his mom's present? Find out the many ways people celebrate their birthdays.

One beautiful autumn day, Art sets out with his mother and grandfather for a fishing trip. Fishing days are Art’s favorite. He loves learning the ropes from Grandpa - the different kinds of flies and tackle and the trout that frequent their favorite river. Art especially appreciates Grandpa’s stories. But, this time, hearing the story about Mom’s big catch on her first cast ever makes Art feel insecure about his own fishing skills. But, as Art hooks a beautiful brown trout, he finds reassurance in Grandpa’s stories and marvels in the sport and a day spent with family.

Part-inventor, part-dentist, robot builder, and scientist, nine-year-old Matty Bratty just might be a misunderstood genius. Matty Bratty Robots is the hilarious, clever tale of a boy who flunked third grade but is confident enough to think that he can be a scientist. After all, Albert Einstein is his pen pal, although Albert never writes back to Matty. When Matty builds some robots in his bedroom closet science lab, chaos happens.

Grandpa's trees can grow all sorts of fun things! With easy-to-understand text, emergent listeners will learn about different kinds of trees. Pairs with nonfiction title Parts of a Tree.

Newbery Medal winner Cynthia Rylant pens the enchanting tale of Whistler and Lila’s adventures during the low tide of the full moon. The mice children set off to meet new creatures before the tide comes back in and washes the creatures back to sea. Suddenly, a young octopus named Cleo startles the children, but the three soon become good friends. Yet as the tide comes back in, Lila discovers her feet are stuck in the mud. Will Cleo be able to help her in time and save the day?

Newbery Medal and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Cynthia Rylant creates an adorable family in The Lighthouse Family series chapter books. The mice children, Whistler and Lila, set out on an adventure into the mysterious forest. With a trusty compass, they are sure to find their way home until it falls out of Whistler’s pocket. A large eagle named Stanley finds the compass, becomes a dear friend, and gives the mice a view of the great forest they will never forget.

Can you grow your dinner in your backyard? Emergent book explorers will hear simple text and learn about the foods that can be grown in a garden. Pairs with nonfiction title What a Garden Needs.

All her life, Boo has wanted a real live dinosaur to follow her home - and today, one did. There is only one problem - no one else can see Boo's dinosaur. Boo's older brother Sammy certainly won't put up with these crazy antics.

Two fox sisters are surprised when their neighbor hops over the back fence. It's the boy next door, Eugene. Together these three foxes play pirates, camp outside, and learn the value of true friendship.

Arthur and his pals can't wait for the next book in the Scare-Your-Pants-Off series, until they learn that a parents' group is trying to ban the popular books. The gang learns about standing up for what's right as they get help from a surprising source.

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.

This fun-filled tale by acclaimed children’s author Laura McGee Kvasnosky was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and received the Theodor Seuss Geisel Beginning Reader Award. Fox sisters Zelda and Ivy refuse to eat cucumber sandwiches for lunch ever again. To avoid this nasty meal, they pack their bags and run away (even if they only make it to the backyard). The young foxes’ adventures are separated into three chapters - perfect for young listeners.

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?

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?

Ethan and Ella are excited to get to Paris - they've only ever seen pictures of the Eiffel Tower! After arriving, the twins receive an email from their beloved Grandpa Harry. He tells them that there's a secret bakery near the Louvre museum - so secret, in fact, that you need a password to get inside. Lucky for the twins, their dad wants to take them to see some artwork at the Louvre.

Every year, our deserts are growing hotter and hotter due to global climate change. This brings many challenges to the animals of our deserts, but luckily, they have found a solution for survival! From extra water storage, giant ears for cooling, or microscopic silver hairs used to repel the heat, these animals are always adapting and changing to the environmental shifts caused by the human race over many years.

Effective hand hygiene, whether before food, after the toilet, in the hospital, or following the handling of animals, is the single most important step in reducing infections. The message is an important one for all ages, especially young children, some of whom will become the healthcare workers and food handlers of the future. This audiobook quickly teaches children how to wash their hands with four fun stories set in everyday places: home, school, hospital, and petting farm.