'Just because you're exploring doesn't mean you can't be fancy!' Join Nancy and her best friend Bree as they explore nature in their backyards and form an Explorers Extraordinaire Club. Their mission is to watch birds, inspect insects, spy leaves, smell wildflowers, and of course, observe butterflies, recording information in their notebooks to take to their exclusive clubhouse. See how fabulous the natural world can be!

Similar authors: Victoria Kann

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 2/16/2010

ISBN-13: 9780061684869

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When the Biddle family is orphaned in 1841, the oldest boy, Pippin, decides to become a limner (traveling portrait painter) like his father had been. He desperately needs the funds to keep his three younger sisters from the poorhouse. Unfortunately, he paints his subjects as they appear, not how they want to appear, so he has little success. Wearily, he makes his way back home to Pennsylvania, where his sisters have a wonderful surprise in store for him!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 5/18/2009

ISBN-10: 0823416054

ISBN-13: 9780823416059

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Sang-hee's village is next to a mountain: the first hump in a range of mountains. Every night, his father walks to the top of the mountain and lights a fire so big it can be seen on the next hump. These fires are lit on each hump until the last fire can be seen by the king from his palace. When the king sees the fire, he knows all is well in his kingdom. But one night after his father walks up the mountain, Sang-hee doesn't see the fire. What happened to his father? How will the king know that all is well? What can Sang-hee do to help?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 7/6/2009

ISBN-10: 0618133372

ISBN-13: 9780618133376

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What would it be like to live in the White House? Through the eyes of Fala, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog, you learn about a few of the historical events that shaped the United States during Roosevelt's presidency. Read how Fala's fun-free existence changed dramatically when on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Fala continued to be at Franklin's side throughout the long days and nights during this difficult time in America's history. Fala died in 1952 and is buried near Roosevelt's grave where the best friends will forever be together. ' First Dog Fala,' with Elizabeth Steenwyk's easy-to-read vocabulary and Michael Montgomery's large illustrations, is a perfect biography for the beginning reader.

Similar authors: David A. Adler ; Kathryn Lasky ; Fiona Macdonald

Similar books: When Abraham Talked To The Trees by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Barrel Horse Racer by Elizathe Van Steenwyk Frederic Remington by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Seneca Chief, Army General by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Mathew Brady:Civil War Photographer

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/5/2010

ISBN-10: 1561454117

ISBN-13: 9781561454112

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A fisherman catches a fish then throws it back when it speaks and begs for his life. When his wife finds out she sends him back to ask for a wish, a hut to replace the pigsty they live in. Her wish is granted, only to cause her greed to grow. She soon demands a castle, then to be king, emperor, and finally pope. Collage-style illustrations supplement spare text in this retelling of a popular folktale.

Similar books: The fisherman and his wife: a brand new version by Rosemary Wells. The Ugly Duckling, Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel by Isadora Duncan

Awards won: Parents' Choice Award, 2008

Reviewed by: djd

Date read: 7/7/2009

ISBN-10: 0399247718

ISBN-13: 9780399247712

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