The Cat Who Decided

Margaret Forrester

Softbound

$11.95

Why doesn’t anyone want the mixter-maxter kitten? The little striped cat is on a journey—sent from the farm to the city and passed from owner to owner. No one seems to love him just as he is.

Finally, he moves into the tall house in Edinburgh and finds his name—Mac— and life gets more interesting. He makes friends with two musical ladies next door and discovers he likes Bach, as well as cat treats. He has many adventures as he explores. Then, just when he begins to feel settled, unsettling things start to happen. Will he ever find someone to love him for always?

A sweet tale for ages 6–8

My Guardian Angel

Written in 5 languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Portugese, German, French

Written and Illustrated by Sharon Sofia Fletter

Hardbound, large format

$17.95

Share this books with a young child. Read slowly, let the images on the page rest there for the child to explore. Don't explain -- your child will recognize what is true without our adult words. As you read the simple text and sit with your child or children, I feel certain you will feel a joyous warmth flow between you and enfold you.

Sharon Sofia Fletter has created a beautiful book, filled will love and reassurance -- something we all need and our children will love and thrive upon. Do enjoy!

I recommend My Guardian Angel and encourage you to enjoy this time of closeness with your child, allowing it to be a blessing for you both!

Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Author: You Are Your Child's First Teacher

Birthday

Norah Romer

Illustrated by Heather Jarman

Softbound

$12.95

Five young children wait to travel with Father Time from Heaven down to Earth, on their Birthday.

Absolutely just right for our little ones!

Mother Earth's Children

Heather Jarmon

Softbound

$12.95

After Mother Earth has kept the seeds safe during their Winter sleep, she now calls for their other friends to come and help them grow. This story is both written in verse and illustrated with soft watercolour by Heather Jarman. Simply lovely.

The Harvest Story

Elizabeth Reppel

Softbound

$14.95

In this delightful story, written in verse, we journey through the seasons with the farmer, from winter rest through to autumn harvesting. Along the way, we meet the elements as they bring help for the seeds to grow.

The entire book is a work of art - the drawings exquisitely beautiful and just right for young children; the verses are hand written in a beautiful script. It is a privelege to be able to offer something this lovingly created. Ages 3-8.

The Nettle and the Butterfly

Daniel C Bryan

Illustrated by Angela Bryan

Softbound

$10.00

If in your garden nettles you find,
Please don't cut them, please be kind,
For under young leavesof delicate green,
Small clusters of eggs can now be seen.

And so begins the soft and lovely story of the nettle sheltering the eggs that become the caterpiller, then feeding the caterpiller, then sheltering the cocoon as the caterpiller dreams itself into the butterfly who flies away with love and gratitude for its great friend, the nettle. Perfect for the young child, with beautiful paintings illustrating the story throughout.

The Duck and the Owl

Hanna Johansen

Illustrated by Käthe Bhend

Hardbound

$17.95

In this delightful fable by the team behind Henrietta and the Golden Eggs, a cantakerous duck and a grumpy owl square off over the right way to eat, the right time to sleep, and the right place to perch. Neither thinks the other is right about anything, and each clearly has a blind spot about the other’s way of life. Johansen tells the story almost entirely through dialogue, giving lively energy to the petty bickering and narrow-mindedness that stand in the way of a woodland friendship.

Bhend’s intricate, telling ink drawings, show convincingly the value in each creature’s point of view. Together, words and pictures reveal how respect for others can be the first step toward true friendship and real understanding. And, as any good fable should, it does it all without preaching its moral or losing its sense of humor.

Ages 5 and up.

Frog, Bee and Snail Look for Snow

Loek Koopmans

Hardbound

$15.95

Frog knows all about water. Bee knows all about the sky. And Snail knows all about the earth. So why do none of them know anything about snow?

Waking from their winter sleep, the three friends are astonished to hear of something called snow—and it fell from the sky! Where is it hiding now? Determined to discover all about snow, they set off on a journey of discovery that takes them through the seasons.

(Ages 4–7)

Theo, the Blue Rider Pigeon

Christine Sierau and Rose Tannenbaum

Softbound

$10.95

It was a cold and blustery November night at Blue Rider Stables, with the wind howling outside the barn. The horses were huddled safely inside, but no one noticed that a blue pigeon had blown in with the storm. What a surprise when, the next morning, Theo the pigeon was found limping around inside. No one expected that the barn would become his new home, but it did.

Join Theo as he slowly becomes a part of the rich and varied family that inhabits the Blue Rider Stables. Luminously illustrated in vibrant watercolors, Theo, the Blue Rider Pigeon takes us on a sweet and warm journey around the barnyard. A lovely book for ages 4 and up.

Pudding and Chips

Penny Matthews
Janine Dawson

Hardbound

$17.95

Pudding is a cranky goose. She is as fierce as a tiger and as prickly as barbed wire. And she’s as noisy as a street full of fire engines. Nobody tells Pudding what to do—not even Chips the sheepdog. Things are never quiet on Annie’s farm!

But one warm, windy night, a big red fox comes creeping through the paddocks, dreaming of chicken dinners, and things start to change.

(Age 5–8)

Little Dolphin's Big Adventure

Renne

Hardbound

$17.95

One day, little dolphin leaves Sandy Bay, and follows a ship into the deep ocean. The book includes fact boxes about dolphins and their behavior, which will appeal to any child curious about these gentle, intelligent creatures.

(Ages 4-7)

Go to Sleep, Little Bear

Jan Mogensen

Hardbound

$17.95

How many ways can a Little Bear find to avoid settling down for his long winter sleep? Lots! But if he goes to sleep late, will Mother Bear be able to wake him up in time for spring?

Children will enjoy Little Bear’s antics in the snow while parents will recognize a few of his tricks.

(Age 5–8)

Little Snow Bear

Hazel Lincoln

Hardbound

$17.95

Little Snow Bear was born at the very top of the world, in a land of snow and ice. He lives with his mother in a deep, warm cave. When winter comes, the Sun disappears for long periods of time. Little Snow Bear wonders what will happen if the Sun never returns?

He sets out on a journey to find the Sun, and along the way he encounters the northern lights, Wise Old Caribou, Baby Seal, and Blue Whale.

Beautiful watercolor paintings, both gentle and dramatic, bring this enchanting story to life.

(Ages 5–8)

The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly
"The Bee Who Lost His Buzz," "Pumpkin Crow," "Lucy Goose and the Half-Egg"

Reg Down

Softbound

$14.95

Whether you plan to read these sprightly stories to young children, use them as class stories for first grade, or offer them to an intermediate reader as a first chapter book, you and the children in your care are going to love these tales and the gentle characters who people them.

Tiptoes Lightly is a gentle and wise fairy who lives in an acorn high up in the branches of a Great Oak Tree. One morning she finds a note lyin gon her floor. It says: "Please help! Bee has lost his Buzz!" Thus begins the adventure that takes Tiptoes through the world of nature and into your heart.

The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly comprises three adventures: "The Bee Who Lost His Buzz," "Pumpkin Crow," and "Lucy Goose and the Half-Egg." Sweet and lively illustrations by the author are just one more thing to love about these charming stories.

I read these stories to the children of my class every week for a whole year - they loved them! Their faces shone with obvious delight - I recommend them highly.

- M. Higashine, grades teacher

The Festival of Stones
Autumn and Winter Tales of Tiptoes Lightly

Reg Down

Softbound

$14.95

More adventures of Tiptoes Lightly -- this time with an eye to the festivals of autumn and winter. Tiptoes and her friends journey the realms of nature and spirit, encountering the heart and soul of the festivals along the way. These are just such dear stories -- I can't imagine any young child failing to love them as much as I do.

The festivals Tiptoes illuminates are:

• Michaelmas
• Martinmas
• The Festival of Stones
• The Festival of Plants
• The Festival of Animals
• The Festival of Light
• Christmas

Big-Stamp Two-Toes the Barefoot Giant
Spring Tales of Tiptoes Lightly

Reg Down

Softbound

$14.95

Reg Down weaves more Tiptoes magic, this time with a spring theme. In this third book filled with stories that are so lyrical and lovely they practically dance themselves off the page, we join Tiptoes and her friends in Farmer John's garden where bees and plants are awakening in gay abandon. As the book and the season progresses, babies of all sorts are born, kites are flown, more tales are told, sacrifices and rescues are made, and love is called into it all.

These stories are so wonderful for kindergartners and first graders (and their teachers and parents!). Thanks, Reg!

The Magic Knot and Other Tangles
A Comedy Starring Pine Cone and Pepper Pot

Reg Down

Softbound

$14.95

Tiptoes Lightly lives in a lovely little house with just one problem -- there is no furniture! But, that's about to change. Tiptoes will be having a birthday soon, and her dear friends Pine Cone and Pepper Pot the gnomes have determined to make her a table and three chairs, and to find a way to get them to the tippy top of the Great Oak Tree where Tiptoes makes her home. Along the way,they get help from a host of friends and adventures and misadventures abound. In the end, we join Tiptoes at her birthday party where she tells the story of how she came to live in the Great Oak Tree as a daughter of Father Sun and Mother Wind.

Wonderful! Thanks to Reg Down for adding another delightful window into the world of Tiptoes Lightly and her friends.

Mia's Apple Tree

Nancy Jewel Poer

Hardbound, storybook format

$18.95

Once upon a time there was a shiny red apple,
and inside the apple was a star,
and inside the star was a little brown seed,
and inside the seed was a secret.
The secret was a dream -
a dream that someday the little seed would
grow into an apple tree.

So begins this very beautiful story, told by one of my favorite Waldorf kindergarten teachers -- someone with a great heart. The story follows the little seed as it is planted in the earth. The gnomes care for it below the ground, the water fairies bring it rain, the air fairies beckon it to come out into the light and air, the fire fairies coax its blossoms into apples.

All the while there is a mommy and daddy waiting for their first child, and a little child steps out onto the rainbow bridge, helped by her angels who whisper, "Remember, you can always find a star in the heart of an apple to remind you of the stars in heaven." The little girl arrives, and the apple tree becomes her beloved friend, always bringing her happiness and never letting her forget the stars in heaven.

A gift for any young child, especially ages 4 to 7.

The Old Shepherd's Tale

Christopher Nye

Paintings by Henri Sørensen

Heirloom quality hardbound, dust jacketed, large format

$16.95

This story brought tears to my eyes, it is so poignantly beautiful, the perfect compliment to the festivals of Christmas or Easter.

An old shepherd shares the stable with his animals on the night Mary and Joseph arrive and give birth to the infant Jesus. Miraculously, the stable fills with angels and with light, and the ox, the donkey and the cow are able to speak to each other and to the old shepherd. Each animal gives a special gift to the Child - the donkey (speaking for all donkeys) offers protection and safe passage into Egypt; the ox shares his strength with the Child, strength enough to become a carpenter and eventually carry a large cross; the cow offers the nourishment of her milk, that the Baby may become a strong man.

The shepherd goes on with his life of tending these and other animals, but when able to do so, shares the miracle of that night with those who do not know of it: a man beating an ox to make it labor harder, runs to find a second ox to help the first when he learns of the ox's gift to the Child; the shepherd buys starving donkeys, grazes them back to health and then sells them to a good home; the forgetful milkmaid never again leaves the cow unmilked once she learns of the cow's gift.

The shepherd sees the greatness of these beasts -- and shares that vision with us in this story that goes straight to the heart. For all ages.

Dragon Baked Bread

Warren Lee Cohen

Hardbound

$24.00

This is a tale of bravery and bread
One of delight, of daring and dread
In which I befriend our dear Princess Alice
And help her to save this wonderful palace.

On the day of the Fall Harvest Feast, the baker’s old cart collapses and falls into the moat, turning his flour and yeast into a doughy mess. How is the royal feast to be saved? The King calls on his advisers to solve the problem, but only the young Princess Alice has a solution. To the astonishment of those gathered round, she proposes to call on the dragon to bake the bread dough with its flaming roar.

A really interesting, rhymed story that the entire family will enjoy. Ages 4–8

In the Land of Fairies

Daniela Drescher

Hardbound

$13.95

A really sweet book - In the Land of Fairies follows the fairy world through the seasons with a minimum of words and evocative, beautiful two-page illustrations that open the door to many more stories you can tell yourself. This is a storybook you and your child will gaze at and love.

In the Land of Elves

Daniela Drescher

Hardbound

$13.95

Sweetly rhyming verse and soft, luminous illustrations take you and your young child through the days and seasons in the Land of Elves. A lovely, lovely book for any young child.

In the Land of Merfolk

Daniela Drescher

Hardbound

$13.95

In the colorful style of her other two books, In the Land of Fairies and In the Land of Elves, Daniela Drescher's evocative full-spread watercolor illustrations reveal the secret, watery world of the merfolk among the lilypads, reeds, and rushes. Their magical world is shown through the seasons.

(Ages 5–8)

Spring's Sprung

Lynn Plourde

Hardbound

$16.00

Mother Earth rouses her
daughters - March, April and May.
"You must wake
the world to start a new day."

But sisters March, April and May begin quarreling as soon as they awake from their long winter's sleep. They are so busy competing with each otehr that they have forgotten that it's their job to make theworld blossom into springtime. Can Mother Earth soothe her daughters and stop their silly squabbling? Will spring ever arrive?

Join Mother Earth and her daughters in Lynn Plourdes magical companion to Summer's Vacation and Wild Child (below). Ages 3-8 or so.

Wild Child

Lynn Plourde

Illustrated by Greg Couch

Hardbound, dust jacketed

$16.95

"Time for bed," Mother Earth said

"Not for a while," said her wild child. "A song, first. I need a song to play in my head before going to bed."

So, Mother Earth gives her child (Autumn) a song; then a snack, then PJs and a kiss until finally her wild child Autumn is tucked sweetly under a blanket of snow. Of course, once Autumn is alseep, guess who wakes up?

This gorgeous book is one that will stay near to the hearts of both the adults who read it and the children who are treated to it. The light-filled paintings that illustrate the simple story line are a wonderful celebration of the changing season, and a warm, wonderful feast of love between mother and child. A book to share - a story to remember with love.

Mr. Goethe's Garden

Diana Cohn

Illustrated by Paul Mirocha

Hardbound, dust jacketed, large format

$17.95

"Mr. Goethe, How did you ever learn to paint these plants so they look so alive?"

Mr. Goethe turned his kind face to me. "First," he said, "I listen with my eyes. I give each plant my full attention, as I do you. Like friends, plants tell you their secrets only when they know you care."

Mr. Goethe's Garden is one of those rare books that is a classic upon first printing. A beautifully illustrated book whose tale will captivate and inspire both children adults, its story is so timeless and so multifaceted that I predict it will live for a lifetime in the hearts its readers. This is the sort of book that will be saved to be passed along to future generations of children - and will uplift and gladden them as it does us now.

Mr. Goethe's Garden is the story of the friendhsip between an inquisitive young girl and her elderly neighbor, Johann von Goethe. Set in the 1830s as Goethe was finishing (at last!) his play Faust, Anna sees Mr. Goethe painting in his garden and decides to go paint with him. Theirs is that very special friendship between the very old and the very young - as they spend their days together, Mr. Goethe teaches Anna how to listen to plants with her eyes and see them with her heart. The plants and their cycles spring to life within Anna and blossom within her heart with a sun-drenched beauty.

*My review is based on an actual reading of a prepublication review copy, not on publisher's blurbs. I have seen this book, read it several times, and loved it - it is among the best children's books I've ever read.

Winter, Awake!

Written by Linda Kroll

Illustrated by Ruth Liebrherr

Softbound

$11.95

This new children's book is cause for hope - that lusciously illustrated, beautifully told childrens stories are being created! In this story, it is the last of fall's days. The trees and animals and insects all know it is time for Winter to awake - and they all are becoming impatient. They need their rest and can't get it until King Winter wakes once more.

Told in delightful rhyme amid color-filled, wonder-filled paintings - this new fairy tale is almost too good to be true. Children ages 4 and up will love to listen to this story and gaze at the pictures.

The tired trees had had enough
They cried and creaked in groaning gusts;
With lashing limbs they swayed and thrashed,
"Oh, Winter, wake with icy blast!
We need a rest! We must prepare
To bloom and grow afresh next year.
This season's done! Our leaves are lost;
Our branches bare. Bring on the frost!"
Wail and whoosh! the tree tossed.
Wail and whoosh!

But Winter would not wake.

Corduroy

Don Freeman

Softbound

$6.99

This is one of the all-time warmest stories every written for children - one that still catches my heart strings even though it has been years since my children and I basked in its glow.

Lisa is a girl who lives with her mother in a big-city apartment. One day while she and her mother are shopping in a big department store, she spots Corduroy, the cuddliest of stuffed bears, on a shelf and falls in love with him. Her mother can't afford to get him for Lisa just then, so she bids a sad farewell to her dear Corduroy. Corduroy is sad too, and decides to go on an after-hours hunt through the department store in search of a button to replace the one missing on his overalls. His adventures and Lisa's return will captivate you and your children. And, if you're anything like me, they'll live in your heart a long, long time.

A Pocket for Corduroy

Don Freeman

Softbound

$6.99

In this gentle sequel to Corduroy, Lisa and her mother go to the laundromat. Of course, Lisa brings Corduroy along. While they are getting their clothes ready to wash, Corduroy discovers pockets! He also discovers that he doesn't have any. Being the resourceful bear that he is, he slips off the chair where Lisa left him and begins hunting for something he could use to make a pocket. It is a hunt which results in another adventure and a night at the laundromat! When Lisa finds him again, she knows just what to do for her bear (of course)!

As wonderful as Corduroy!

Little Boy and Little Cat

Richard Rosenstein

Illustrated by Robin Bell Corfield

$16.95

Little Boy searches everywhere, but can't find his Little Cat. A fierce storm is coming. Where can Little Cat be? Charming and reassuring, ages 3-5.

Am I Really Different?

Evelyn van Dort

Illustrated by Gerda Westerink

$14.95

If you're a ladybug with only one spot, you can't help feeling a bit different. But when you look more closely, you see that no two ladybugs' patterns are the same. So who is it who is really different? A lovely book for ages 5-7.

A Pack of Ragamuffins

A Grimm's Fairy Tale
Illustrated by
Carla Grillis

$14.95

It is autumn - and the hen and the rooster set off to gather nuts before the squirrel gets them. Of course, the duck had the same idea, but after a brief squabble, the three team up and head off to find more riches. They travel far until they come to an inn where they persuade the innkeeper to give them food and lodging in exchange for an egg. But by morning, it becomes clear that they aren't the sort of guests you'd want to invite back! Read aloud ages 4 and up; read to myself ages 8 or 9.

Charlie Needs a Cloak

Tomie dePaola

$5.95

Charlie the Shepherd needs a new cloak - really needs one! So, in the springtime he shears his flock and, with the help of a very friendly sheep and a scurrying mouse, he dyes, spins, weaves, and sews a beautiful new cloak. Just in time for winter, too! This is an old family favorite - we hope you enjoy it as much as our children did. Ages 3 - 7.

Dragon
Part 1 of the DragonFire Trilogy

Written and Illustrated by
Jody Bergsma

$15.95

During his twelfth year, Langilor stands before his parents and the Royal Advisors, who will judge his worthiness to be the future king. There are enemies to the north as well as a fire-breathing dragon - how can Langilor ever be strong enough to protect his kingdom? Alone in the palace garden, a white swan tells him to "go in search of the dragon alone." The future of his kingdom hangs in the balance of this encounter in which we see that there are many ways, including the way of friendship, to conquer a fierce enemy. A great and exciting tale, with beautiful watercolor illustrations that match its spirit. Ages 5 and older.

The Way to the Stable
A Christmas Story

Max Bolliger

Illustrated by Arcadio Lobato

$15.95
Hardbound

A lame, surly-tongued shepherd lives near Bethlehem. When a choir of angels appears bringing good news of a child, he turns away. When the other shepherds set out to find the child, he just watches them go. Why bother - they are just chasing a dream. At last, he sets out to follow them, not to find the child but to gloat at their folly. What happens when he finally reaches the stable? A miracle, of course!! A wonderful Christmas tale for ages 3 - 9.