Growing Youth

Bobby is a typical urban New York City teenager, impulsive, eager, and restless. For his 16th birthday he cuts school with his two best buddies, grabs a couple of slices at his favorite pizza joint, catches a flick at a nearby multiplex, and gets some news from his girlfriend, Nia, that changes his life forever: He's going to be a father.

When Eddie wakes up in his neighbor the judge's yard after a particularly vivid dream and with no recollection of how he got there, the trouble begins. Someone or something has caused mischief in the judge's chicken coop, harming his prized rooster. No matter what Eddie says, the judge is convinced he is the culprit and must be punished accordingly.

A four-year-old girl looks back on her life when she was a "little" girl of two and a half. Jamie Lee Curtis perfectly captures a little girl's simple, childlike celebration of herself. This spirited view of growing up is perfect for the youngest readers.

Hope is our children's window for a better tomorrow. In terms of resilience and well-being, hope is a critically important predictor of success. This creative story from the best-selling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, and Bubble Gum Brain, reminds children that dark clouds can be temporary and asking for help is always okay. We all have times when we need to borrow a little hope from someone else.

Each day, there are so many things to think about. Getting ready for school, turning in homework, taking a math test, band solo tryouts, soccer practice...and it's a long way from your head to your feet. Be Where Your Feet Are! reinforces the concepts of mindfulness and being present in a way children will remember, while showing how good life can be when we learn to appreciate the world and people around us.