Mazes around the World

a great look at a variety of mazes around world ~ from ancient Egyptian mazes, to hedge mazes, to Soekershof mazes, and many in between...learn more about the legends, the puzzles, and more. Great fun!

eyelike Shapes and Patterns

A visually stunning new series...Flip through the pages and explore picture by picture, words like Round, Spots, Fan-shaped, Wrinkled, and more...see and guess what all the objects have in common...if you like this title, be sure to check out the rest, as well as the new Baby eyelike series...

How Does the Show Go On? by Thomas Schumacher

I found this book fascinating! From rehearsals to curtain calls, this book covers every possible aspect of staging a Broadway show. It is full of great collateral materials like Playbills, fabric swatches, set design sketches and casting lists. The book is photo-heavy and focuses on child friendly shows (primarily "The Lion King") and the collage-like makeup of the layout make it a delight to read. It is a perfect choice for a child bitten by the theatre bug!!

How to Find Flower Fairies

Filled with precious knowledge which must be passed on and carefully guarded, this stunning book offers a rare glimpse into the world of fairies.
Stunning dimensional pop-ups, lift the flap tabs, tiny maps, and booklets make this book engagingly interactive and encourage hours of exploration.
Lots of fun - Morrigan

The Edible Pyramid by Loreen Leedy

I am never a particular fan of Leedy's illustrations but she does have a knack for making complex concepts accessible to children. This is a very timely re-release of the original, updated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new guidlines for healthy eating. It is a book that will empower children with the knowledge to make the right decisions when it comes to food choices.

Lazy Days of Summer

Judy Young has written a book of poems about various games that are played in the summer. There is also a history of how the games were started, complete with rules. Some of the games included are hopscotch, tag and jumping rope. Colorful illustrations by Kathy O'Malley compliment the text. With summer vacation just around the corner, this book will certainly be a hit with children.

Many Ways by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly Ed.D.

It can be difficult to explain to children that different people have different beliefs in a candid and non-judgemental way. Thankfully, Rotner and Kelly have written Many Ways. Illustrated with lush photographs, this book thoughtfully and simply explains religion to children. Ages 5-8.

Meet the Author [Series]

Self Portrait by George Ancona
I love the fact that George is so dedicated to his pictures. He even took all of the pictures for this book -- using a tripod and a camera with a timer so he would have time to pose. It was very neat to see into his studio and to see how he keeps himself organized when planning and writing a book. The most significant message in George's story, though, is that you need to love what you do. He actually quit his job (designing magazines, ads, and TV films) to become a photographer. This book will surely be an inspiration to the children who love his work.

Before It Wriggles Away by Janet S. Wong
Janet readily admits that she didn't like books or reading when she was growing up. A strange admission from an author. Even stranger, however, is that she hated poetry -- and then went on to become a prolific poet. Janet had a very normal childhood; she never thought that her life would be exciting or worthy enough to write about. After becoming a lawyer, she found that she was bored with her job and didn't care as much about money as being happy. She decided to become an author, went back to school, and fell in love with writing. Through her hard work and dedication, Janet became a published author -- and now she loves her job.

Whole Days Outdoors: An Autobiographical Album by Jim Arnosky
One of my favorite things about Jim is his honesty about having a short attention span. With so many kids getting diagnosed with ADD and ADHD, it's refreshing to see an example of how a short attention span can be a positive thing! Jim may not finish a painting in one sitting, but he manages to find the time for both work and play -- while staying physically fit. Definitely a fun book for kids who love animals and the great outdoors -- and, of course, Jim Arnosky's books.

--Hestia