It seems animals are like people in many ways--they just can't get along with one another. And Brer Rabbit has the most trouble of all. Maybe it's his mischievous ways, or maybe it's because adventures always come looking for him. There was the frightening day that Brer Rabbit found himself attached to a baby made of sticky tar. Brer Fox would have had a tasty barbecue that evening if Brer Rabbit hadn't been such a quick thinker. Then there was the time Mr. Man finally caught Brer Rabbit in the garden. That was almost the end of a certain long-eared animal. Award-winning author Julius Lester skillfully captures the rhythm and melodic language of these timeless stories first told by slaves. With an accessible combination of standard and black English, he preserves the traditional story lines and wit, yet adds touches of modern humor, breathing life into spunky Brer Rabbit and each of his colorful friends and foes.
Oswald the Octopus is moving to Big City. His pet dog, Weenie, is coming too. All their things are packed in Oswald's big red car, even his piano. But when they get to their new home, they need lots of help moving the heavy piano. By the time Harry the penguin, Daisy the daisy, a snowman, and the Egg Twins help them, Oswald and Weenie have made many new friends. Now everyone is hungry. Can they find something yummy to eat? Dan Yaccarino, author and illustrator of many books for children, is the creator of the Oswald preschool series on Nick Jr. This colorful book is filled with the laughs, barks and other happy sounds of Oswald and his friends. L.J. Ganser's spirited narration adds extra sparkle to each line.
This fresh, funny story is guaranteed to bring lots of laughs from children and adults. To save himself from becoming the main course at a barbecue, a pig disguises himself as a boy. It looks as if his daring trick will work until he meets young Emily, who is not fooled for a moment.
In Dimwood Forest, all the mice know that moving beyond Grey House requires the permission of the great horned owl, Mr. Ocax. No one but Mr. Ocax can guarantee protection against the horrible porcupines who lurk in the forest, waiting to grab innocent creatures. He frequently reminds the trusting mice of his importance, as he snatches careless ones for his frequent meals. But Poppy is a curious mouse, and a little foolish. When she is caught dancing in the moonlight on Bannock Hill, she soon faces not only the great owl, but a huge porcupine, and an impossible challenge. Poppy, an ALA Notable Children's Book, is a warm and lively tale for young listeners and their parents. Through the award-winning talents of the master storyteller Avi, the tiny creature's far-ranging adventure provides a hearty lesson about bullies and celebrates the strength of a courageous spirit.
Today is Gregory's ninth and so far his very worst birthday. He isn't having a party or even a cake. His father has another job, so the family must move across town. When Gregory walks into a strange house that night, however, he finds a room of his own where he can hang his paintings. Maybe this is really his best birthday! But the very next day Uncle Max comes to stay. He sleeps in Gregory's room and even hangs posters over the paintings. To make matters worse, the boys at the new school won't play with Gregory. He wonders if he will ever make friends in the new neighborhood-until he discovers an abandoned chalk factory and something magical happens. Award-winning children's author Clyde Robert Bulla turns youngsters on to books with his powerful stories. In The Chalk Box Kid, he tells the poignant tale of a boy coping with his new surroundings. Narrator Johnny Heller perfectly voices Gregory's struggles to fit in and his final, joyous victory. For another entertaining story by Clyde Robert Bulla, try The Paint Brush Kid.
Eleven-year-old Mandie Shaw is nervous about her trip to visit her Cherokee relatives. The journey through a North Carolina mountain forest is full of dangers like stalking panthers, and she wonders if her dead father's kinspeople will even like her once she arrives. But the trip to the Indian reservation is only the beginning of Mandie's many adventures. When Mandie and her friends get lost in a secret cave, they discover a pile of gold left behind by a legendary Cherokee chief. Is it really cursed, as legend insists? Faced with kidnappers, thieves, and the Carolina wilderness, Mandie uses the strength she finds in her faith in God to choose the proper path - for both herself and the Cherokee people. A warm-hearted sequel to Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, Mandie and the Cherokee Legend provides all the thrills listeners of this series have come to expect, colorfully voiced by Kate Forbes's sparkling narration.
Alexander's dad has a new job a thousand miles away, so now his family has to move. Alexander would rather have poison ivy. Maybe he could live with the Baldwins and their dog. He's always wanted a dog. How can he leave Rachel, his favorite baby-sitter, who taught him to stand on his head and whistle with two fingers (but not at the same time)? And his best friend Paul, who's like a brother, except that he doesn't call Alexander "puke-face" like his real brother does? Just as Alexander is ready to hide from his parents, Dad decides that a boy might need a dog to make the move easier. And Mom says he can call Paul long distance. He's already memorized the number. Johnny Heller's interpretation of this popular best-seller is a fun listening experience for children of all ages. Judith Viorst's remarkable empathy for children shines brilliantly once again.
Henry wants to fly. He longs to go up in the beautiful hot-air balloon like his people. The sassy Siamese finally gets his chance when The Man's back is turned. Henry leaps into the basket, and before he knows it, he's up, up and away! Piloting a balloon can be tricky, especially when you have to learn which cords to pull by trial and error. Luckily, Henry is very talented, even for a cat. But he no sooner learns how to fly the balloon than he has to contend with birds-first redwings, then an eagle and a goose! How will Henry make it through his dangerous hot-air balloon adventure?
If you met Henry in Cross Country Cat (RB# 95928), you know that he is no ordinary Siamese. Favorite children's narrator Christina Moore captures Henry's unique feline personality-his inventiveness and his aplomb. Her spirited performance adds to the exhiliaration and fun of Henry's ride into the wild blue yonder.
Emily's teacher has said that the girl with the longest hair will be the princess in the school play. So when Emily blows out the candles on her sixth birthday cake and makes a wish, she wishes for the longest hair in the world. Day by day, Emily's hair grows. And grows. And grows. Of course she gets to play the princess, but that doesn't mean her hair stops growing. For the rest of the year, it takes up more and more of Emily's life. What will she wish for on her seventh birthday? Award-winning author Lois Duncan, who has written over 40 books for children and young adults, has created a wonderful modern fairy tale. True to form, it mixes one of life's lessons into a story that sparkles with fantasy and imagination.
Thirteen-year-old Mic Parsons is surrounded by weird people. He has a deaf and blind sister who clunks noisily around the house. And Vern Chortle has moved onto his street. A truly strange kid who wears outrageous socks and a beeper watch, Verne has decided Mic should be his best friend. Mic has a bigger problem, though. He's got to pass math, or his parents won't let him try out for the baseball team. Between his odd sister and the even odder Vern, Mic wonders how he can concentrate on page after page of dreaded fraction problems. Will he ever make it onto the baseball diamond?
Lynn E. McElfresh uses her experiences working with deaf children to paint a realistic and touching picture of Mic's dilemma. As Mic gets help in math from an unexpected source, he will also learn about tolerance and change. Johnny Heller's expressive voice adds just the right touch to this captivating unabridged recording.
"I think," said Nicey, "that Christmas is the most magic time of all the year, not just for the pretty things you get, but for the feeling inside you of what a good place the world is to live in. I should know, for I have seen one hundred and ten Christmases!" Nicey Melinda and Sethany Ann are two very old, but very well loved dolls. This time of year, the dolls are busy planning their yearly Christmas dinner party-with a little help from the two little girls they live with. The girls bundle Nicey and Sethany up to go to the woods for their Christmas tree. After they all decorate the tree with silver nutmegs and golden pears, there is much baking to be done for the party. Oh what a lovely Christmas they will have! Tasha Tudor's delightfully nostalgic story conveys the charm of holiday traditions. With Davina Porter's warm narration, you will experience all the magic of an old fashioned Christmas.
Jamaica doesn't like wearing her brother's old hand-me-down boots to school. She's happy when the tiny hole in the toe gets bigger. Now her mother will have to take her shopping for new boots. She wants to buy some beautiful fuzzy pink ones like her friend Brianna's, but Brianna might think she's copying. So she picks out a pair of fancy cowboy boots. When Brianna tells Jamaica that cowboy boots aren't "in," Jamaica tells Brianna that her boots are ugly. Now everyone's feelings are hurt. Juanita Havill has a knack for capturing the real-life struggles of young children learning caring, responsible behavior. Award-winning narrator Lynne Thigpen gives a touching performance as she expresses the pangs of two friends learning valuable lessons about jealousy and friendship.
