Growing Social Media

Let’s celebrate! This series for beginning learners introduces basic facts about popular holidays from around the world, including when they happen and why. Simple, predictable text takes listeners through the traditions of each celebration, including decorations, activities, and foods. Features highlight favorite activities and important aspects of each holiday. Students just starting to learn will be ready to celebrate. This volume includes Cinco de Mayo, Groundhog Day, Holi, Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, and Valentine's Day.

Dani is afraid of the Ndiyamasi! Ever since he heard his grandmother’s stories about the hairy monster with two mouths, he can’t think of anything else. His brother, Esto, cruelly teases him about it. After a scary walk home alone, will Dani be able to get back at Esto and make him just as afraid of the Ndiyamasi as Dani is?

Steven enjoys spending time with his elderly neighbor, Mr. Fazone. While they share cannoli from a local bakery, Mr. Fazone regales Steven with tales of how Brooklyn was when he was young. When his friend passes away unexpectedly, how will Steven cope with his loss?

After hearing scary stories about the Dark Tree, Sam is afraid to go near it. After her brother, Dairy, gets stuck in the tree, she must find a way to help him before the storm. Will she be able to get over her fear of the tree? Will the siblings get to safety before the storm hits?

Ryan’s father is on a tour of duty with the National Guard. Everyone else in his family seems to have found ways to cope with his absence, but Ryan hasn’t! When his dad’s deployment is extended, Ryan has to find a way to stay in touch with him. A trip to the library may be just what he needs—both for communication with his dad, and finding his way to cope!

When Austin finds out that he and his sister Payton will have to spend the day with their rock hound Uncle Ted looking for geodes, he is not interested. That is until Austin finds a geode of his own! Do you know how geodes are made?

Zander and his dad are about to move far away from his old home. The thought of missing his grandparents makes Zander feel sad and empty. His supportive grandparents help him to deal with this experience and talk about his sad feelings, or "missing spot."

Summer has returned to the beautiful beach but Jake is mourning his grandfather. Gram gives him Grandpa's knife and a wooden seagull to finish carving, but Jake doesn’t think he'll be able to finish what Grandpa started. Walking along the beach for inspiration, Jake sees a special gull he's named Spirit.

Alexa has one last chance to see a green sea turtle while snorkeling. She dreams of swimming with one as does her autistic brother, Jonah. Jonah loves to follow his sister around and share in her interests, but Alexa is beginning to get embarrassed by him.

Twelve-year-old Rosie is a musical prodigy whose synesthesia allows her to see music in colors. She's never told anyone this, though. She already stands out more than enough as a musical "prodigy" who plays better than most adults. Rosie's mom expects her to become a professional violinist. But this summer, Rosie refuses to play. She wants to have a break. To make friends and discover new hobbies. To find out who she would be if her life didn't revolve around the violin.

Catalina’s father works at the Cerro Tololo Observatory. She hopes to become an astronomer one day but all the scientists doubt her. After an accident with one of the telescopes, will Catalina be able to prove she has what it takes?

No matter what Stella does, she cannot get her shark kite to fly! Everyone else has gotten to fly their kite except for her—even her friend Robby, who’s only flying a paper plate! Will Robby be able to help her? Or will they have to figure something else out?

All the flights at the Seattle airport are delayed due to the bad weather so Trevor and his family are stranded! While concerned about their flight delay, Trevor's family worries how he will be affected by the crowds of people and noise in the airport. Will Trevor's autism cause him to become agitated and cause a scene? Find out what Trevor uses to entertain and soothe the crowd.

Doodlebug and Dandelion are preparing for their school’s pet show! Their cat, Choo-Choo, quickly learned her trick and their owl, Kazoo’s trick is almost perfect. Their dog, Don’t, is still confused and cannot even do one leap! Will he learn his routine in time for the show?

Princess Clarabelle never gets to do anything fun! She has to follow all of her mother’s rules, so she never gets to go swimming, play with other children, or learn to play the drums. She decides she’s going to make a new set of rules for being a princess! Will Princess Clarabelle ever get to play the drums?

Doodlebug has stage fright! When his tryout for the school play goes awry, he is embarrassed. His teacher notices Doodlebug’s artistic talent, though, and gives him a huge role in the play! Will he be able to get over his fear of the stage and let his true talent shine?

Have you learned to ride your bike without the training wheels? Follow along as a young girl learns to ride her bike without training wheels. Will she finally be a big kid? Or will she be stuck with the training wheels forever?

One day, Skyler meets Skyman, a strange old man who stares at the sky all day. After spending time talking about clouds, birds, and rain, Skyler appreciates the man’s lessons. What happens when Skyman stops coming to their street corner?

Garrison loves to draw, but his talent makes him feel like an outsider in his family. He wishes he could love the farm, like his brother, or the sea, like his father. Is there more to life than food and money, though? Follow along as he learns how important it is to pursue what makes you happy.

David and his father are on their way home from Hiroshima in Japan. During the drive home, they stop at an apple farm where an old man tells David about his time as a soldier in World War II. The story helps David understand that kindness can happen even in the darkest of times.