It was Christmas Eve. Big snowflakes fluttered slowly through the air like white feathers
and made all of Heavenly Valley smooth and white and quiet and beautiful.

So begins the story of two orphaned sisters at Mrs. Monday’s Boarding School. But nothing is heavenly for Nancy and Pamela (aka Plum): their parents died in a tragic accident years ago, they’re constantly punished by the cruel Mrs. Monday, and they’re all alone for the holidays.

Luckily, Nancy and Plum have each other, and though their prospects may be bleak, they’re determined to change their lot for the better. If their plan works, the spirited sisters will never spend Christmas at the cold, dark boarding school again. But what will they find on the other side of Mrs. Monday’s gate?

Adventure, warmth, unforgettable characters, and unexpected kindness abound in this classic story by Betty MacDonald, which was originally published in 1952. With illustrations by the acclaimed Mary GrandPré and an introduction by Jeanne Birdsall, National Book Award–winning author of The Penderwicks, this edition introduces the spunky, beloved heroines to a new generation of fans.

From the Hardcover edition.

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A Grinch book and plush package perfect for holiday gift-giving!
 
Is there any better holiday gift than a copy of Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Yes! A copy of the book packaged in a sturdy gift box with a 14-inch tall, exclusively-available soft plush Grinch! Now children of all ages can read the story while they cuddle with the iconic character whose heart grows three sizes when he learns the true meaning of Christmas. Also included exclusively in this package is a 32-page paperback “Good Deed Journal.” Filled with simple activities and room for children to write and draw, it’s the perfect way to encourage children to grow their own hearts by helping others.

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Truman Capote’s boyhood Christmas memoir rereleased in a beautiful new package, which includes a CD with the audio version of the text.

     The classic story of Truman Capote’s childhood Christmas ritual is more endearing than ever in this newly redesigned package.

     In celebration of A Christmas Memory‘s enduring appeal, this repackaged edition retains Beth Peck’s evocative watercolors and an audio CD narration by the venerable Celeste Holm (originator of the Ado Annie role in the 1943 Broadway hit “Oklahoma!” and an Academy Award-winning actress). Originally published in 1956, this is the story from Capote’s childhood of lovingly making fruitcakes from scratch at Christmas-time with his elderly cousin, and has stood the test of time to become known as an American holiday classic. In its new size, it’s perfect for reading alone or reading aloud, or following along while listening to the audio version.

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Becky knows her inner-city family is too poor even to buy her favorite ice cream for her birthday, but they seem to be going out of their way to be mean, whispering and planning something behind her back. Reissue.

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Before the candy and the costumes, get kids excited for Halloween with the all-new Ultimate Sticker Collection: LEGO Spooky! Young LEGO fans can now learn more about the monsters, ghouls, and other ghostly minifigure from the LEGO universe, including the LEGO Monster Fighters. Packed with over 1,000 reusable stickers, they can create their own monster scenes and or decorate their Halloween bags with their favorite spooky minifigures using this new LEGO sticker collection from DK!

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Welcome, brave souls, to the Monster Museum!

 

Look out for the mummy (she’s snapped and come unwrapped).

Frankenstein’s grumpy—they gave him a bride, but never a name.

 

Come in, if you dare, and meet all the slimy, screaming, slithery friends and fiends. They’re just dying to show you a good time!

 

Gris Grimly’s colorful caricatures perfectly complement the playful beat of Marilyn Singer’s poems to create a ghastly good Halloween read.

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A new Easter tradition from the author of The Sparkle Box.

Easter is coming, and Sam loves Easter! But this year, he is upset about a lie he told his parents. Even though he apologized and they forgave him, Sam can’t shake the feeling that he is a bad kid for what he did. Meanwhile, his parents help him make a special Easter craft called a Sparkle Egg. His mom tells him to write anything he feels sorry about or ashamed of on a piece of paper and put it inside his Sparkle Egg.

On Easter morning, when he opens his Sparkle Egg expecting a surprise, Sam finds that it is empty! His parents explain that because Jesus died and rose again, we are forgiven. Like the tomb that first Easter Day, Sam’s egg is empty — and Sam’s wrongdoing is completely forgiven. Once he accepts this forgiveness fully, Sam realizes a truth: we can sparkle and shine with God’s light when we let God’s gift of grace into our hearts.

This touching story will strike a deep chord with readers of all ages, and the Sparkle Egg tradition will help readers and their families grasp the totality of God’s perfect grace. Ages 4-8.

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Lights! Camera! ACTION!

Lulu in LA LA Land

A screenplay by Lulu Harrison

Scene 1:

ZOOM IN on Hollywood mega stars LINC and FIONA HARRISON singing happy birthday to their daughter LULU. Lulu blows out the candles, and they all gather for a group hug—

CUT!

If only real life were like the movies. Instead, Lulu Harrison’s massively important eleventh birthday is just three weeks away—and her parents still haven’t RSVPed!

Lulu’s not like the rest of her glamorous Hollywood family. She likes tamales and they like tofu. She likes gardening and they like grooming. But all she wants for her birthday is for her whole family to be there. Together. So this year she’s planning a super fabulous SPA-tacular party. But what if trying to fit in leaves Lulu feeling even more like she was cast in the wrong family?

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“Artie watched the trees. When they saw children misbehave, a fine mist flowed from their branches. When touched by this mist, children stopped bickering, babies stopped crying, and parents started smiling. “What’s that coming from your branches?” asked Artie. “That’s Christmas Spirit…” Artie is delighted when a family selects him to be their Christmas tree. But, because he’s not a real tree, he doubts he has enough Christmas Spirit to bring the children the hope, joy, love and peace they need. Who can help Artie believe in himself? No one knows more about Christmas Spirit than Santa. That jolly old elf soon sets Artie straight. Any tree?just like any person?has an infinite amount of Christmas Spirit to share, if it comes from the heart. Artie: The First Artificial Christmas Tree shows children how important it is to share Christmas Spirit. Artie’s struggle to feel worthy of the special work of the evergreens will encourage young readers facing their own obstacles and help them to understand the importance of developing their own special talents. Timeless watercolors capture the enduring magic of the Christmas season and will inspire readers to spread cheer through the holidays?and beyond. Artie’s story shows that with Christmas trees, just like with people, it’s what’s inside that matters!”

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Earth Day is on the way, and Ryan, Luke, and Carly have a plan. If they manage to collect and recycle 5,000 aluminum cans, they can make enough money to buy some beautiful flowers for nearby Gilroy Park.

CAN they do it?

Counting the cans gives Ryan, Luke, and Carly — along with readers — a lesson in place value. And facts about recycling throughout the story will help readers understand how important it is to take care of the earth.

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This picture book is the perfect gift for soon-to-be flower girls. Girls will enjoy reading the story of Fiona, a first-time flower girl who discovers how exciting it is to play a special part in a wedding. The book includes a flower-shaped keepsake necklace the child can wear, as well as a comprehensive guide for parents with tips on how to prepare girls for the big day.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

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This fourth book about the Hatford brothers and the Malloy sisters begins shortly before Christmas, three months after the Malloys move to Buckman, WV. As the holiday season approaches, the boys and girls continue to play pranks on one another and begin to learn the consequences of their actions. Caroline Malloy and Wally Hatford are partners for their fourth-grade December project and discover that, instead of annoying one another, they need to learn how to work together in order to receive a passing grade. Told in their alternating viewpoints, the story moves quickly, continuing the mischief and humor of the previous novels. Readers will be especially taken with precocious and dramatic Caroline, who will stop at nothing for revenge. While it is not necessary to read the first three books, fans of the series will enjoy references to the characters’ past pranks and will delight in the promise of future additions to this ongoing battle between these rivals.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

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New Friends, Unicorns, and the Winter Court…

That’s what’s in store this holiday season for Holly Daniels. Two days before Christmas, she takes a special trip to the mall to see Santa Claus. He sends her to the library on a quest to find a book that could make her dreams come true.

Since moving to Montana, Holly hasn’t made any new friends. And, being an only child can be very lonely. All that could change when Holly meets Dylan, the princess of the Winter Court in the Fairy Realm.

Christmas fun and Fairy enchantment is on its way in,
Have a Fairy Christmas!

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Four best friends start a party-planning business in this fresh, funny tween novel from the authors of At Your Service and Breaking the Ice.

Twelve-year-old Sadie loves helping her mom with her wedding planning business, and with Sadie’s mad organizational skills, she’s a natural! That’s why it’s so devastating when her mother “fires” her after a Little Mermaid–themed wedding goes awry.

Enter Sadie’s best friends: sporty Vi, ace student Lauren, and boy-crazy Becca. The girls decide that in order to get Sadie’s mom to reconsider, they have to make her see how amazing Sadie is at party planning. Except no one’s gonna hire a twelve-year-old to plan a wedding. A birthday party, though? Definite possibility.

Before long, RSVP—your one-stop shop for the most creative parties in town—is born. Of course, Sadie can’t wait to prove herself to her mom, but the other girls also have their reasons for enlisting: Vi has her eye on the perfect gift for her hardworking dad, and Becca’s all aflush at the thought of connecting with Ryan, the new Irish cutie in town. And though Lauren thinks she’s too busy with summer studies to “officially” join, she’s willing to help out in any way she can.

But in this particular party-planning business, nothing goes according to plan! Sadie’s mom is a perpetual no-show, Vi’s archrival is dead set on ruining her summer, Becca can’t seem to get Ryan to glance in her direction, and Lauren keeps choosing studying over her friends. Is the girls’ friendship strong enough to survive a business? Or does RSVP spell the end of these BFFs?

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68 Colorful Pages!! Your Kids Will Enjoy Learning About Passover

This book for children is all about reviving the basic themes of Passover in a fun way!
( Length: 68 pages and not 7 pages…)
With 68 colorful pages! your kids will enjoy and remember what is Chametz, Matzah, the Ten Plagues, Ten Commandments, Four Cups, Eliyahu Hanavi, the Children of Israel Exodus from Egypt and more..
The book contains the MUST KNOW Passover Seder song for children – Ma-Nish-Tana!
The four questions with Hebrew & English translation, so your kids can practice before the Seder.

Entertaining Activities & Puzzles

You will find dozens of entertaining puzzles for little ones 5-8, like a search for Chametz around the house, seeking for the Afikoman in different rooms or looking for the lost Four Cups of Wine.
Inside the book, the kids will meet Dave who will show them around and add value while they do the activities.

This is not a Jewish Orthodox “study book” for Passover
But a light way to familiarize the main Jewish traditional themes of passover.
It’s not only games and puzzles, there are lots of information items about the main themes for the parents too. The 68 colorful images and icons will help your kids in a friendly way to be ready for the Passover Seder dinner.

It’s for Non Jewish Children Too
The book can be a nice and easy way for non-Jewish children and adults catch up some of the Passover story, and basic ideas. If your kids are invited to a Jewish Passover Seder dinner, then this book can help them get acquainted with the traditional “buzz-words” and the history as it is passed from generation to generation.

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Mark is a ten year old boy who has a monster named, Murf. Murf is a red, furry monster with big ears and green eyes. He is very sweet and lovable even though he farts and burps when he is excited or scared.
It’s Christmas time, but Murf doesn’t understand what Christmas is about. You see, this is Murf’s very first Christmas. Mark and his friend Joey set out to show Murf what Christmas is all about.
But in the end, it’s Murf who shows them the true meaning of Christmas.
This is a fun, short chapter book with beautiful illustrations. Great for kids 5 -10 years old. Your kids will love Murf.

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“If you love dogs or mysteries, this is the book for you!”
“If you want to get your middle grade reader interested in picking up books, then this is a great place to start.” – Net Galley reviewer

Celebrate your favourite holidays with this collection of exciting short mysteries featuring Honey the Great Dane sleuth and her canine friends. In NIGHT OF FLYING SHADOWS, a creepy visitor on Halloween night sends the dogs on a dangerous mission through a haunted forest. Then Honey and her friends find themselves deciphering a mysterious note during a snowy Christmas in MESSAGE IN A BAUBLE. And in TREASURE FROM THE PAST, the dog detectives race to uncover a long-lost secret over an Easter weekend.

Perfect for fans of animal fiction, dog stories and classic mystery series like Nancy Drew and the Famous Five. Kids and dog lovers of all ages will love this action-packed collection filled with suspense and humour. A great middle grade read or a book for parents and children to enjoy together.

Collect the other books in this series:
– Curse of the Scarab (Book 1)
– A Secret in Time (Book 2)

——————————————-
PRAISE FOR THE BIG HONEY DOG MYSTERIES:
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards 2014 – GOLD Medal Winner
Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards 2014 – GOLD Medal Winner
Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards 2014 – SILVER Medal Winner
The Wishing Shelf Independent Children’s Book Awards 2013 – Finalist

“Dog lovers young and old will love this rip-roaring, bark-serious adventure… highly recommended” ~ Midwest Book Review

“If you want to get your middle grade reader interested in picking up books, then this is a great place to start.” – Net Galley reviewer

“My daughter NEVER reads and couldn’t put this book down.” – Amazon reviewer

“The author has a great voice with a wonderful sense of humour.” – Indie Abode Book Reviews

“I just adored this mystery. Ms. Hanna knows how to hook her readers in, both young and old.” – Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

“We are loving this book. My 10 year old son who has a short attention span cannot get enough.” – Amazon reviewer

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Monster’s Halloween Challenge is a humorous rhyming picture book
story geared toward boys and girls 4-10 years old. 
It takes place Halloween night when witches, warlocks, werewolves, zombies, Frankenstein and other ghastly ghouls come together for a gathering.
 Moonlit Monster poses a dare, challenging the group to a “Crazy Dance Contest.” Party guests are encouraged to come and boogie woogie and do their finest! Along with humor, the story embodies a theme of PEACE and WORLD LOVE.
Parents and children all over the world will fall in LOVE with Monster’s Halloween Challenge!
Monster’s Halloween Challenge Video is now available on YouTube! Visit Moonlit Monster and friends rockin out to the song “Shufflin My Feet” from “Uncle Moondog’s” “New Goldfish” album by musical genius Mike McManus.
 This exciting collaboration brings you the Monster Bash of the Year! Your children won’t want to miss it!
Do the chicken dance and make duck calls, Boogie away with these Halloween oddballs!

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With more than 10 million copies sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading!

Three hilarious Halloween chapter books in one great box!

It’s a weird Halloween spook-tacular! From a school secretary with a haunted house to a teaching assistant who might be a vampire, A.J. and the gang from Ella Mentry School have had some weird and wacky Halloween nights. But it’s no trick: you can find all three Halloween adventures in this one box, including My Weird School Special: It’s Halloween, I’m Turning Green!, which features thirty-two pages of bonus trivia, puzzles, and games, My Weird School #13: Mrs. Patty Is Batty, and My Weird School Daze #10: Miss Mary Is Scary.

Perfect for reluctant readers and word lovers alike, Dan Gutman’s hugely popular My Weird School series has something for everyone. Don’t miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and the gang.

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The perfect holiday gift for every young ballet lover.

Go backstage at the ballet with real-life thirteen-year-old dancer Fiona. Dozens of gorgeous, full-color photographs welcome readers into Fiona’s world, as she goes from auditions, to rehearsals, to opening night playing Clara, the lead child’s role in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Experience the nerves, the hard work, and ultimately the thrill of performing on the big stage with a professional company. This is a beautiful holiday gift that young dancers will cherish all year round.

From the Hardcover edition.

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This multicultural children’s book is full of Filipino holidays, culture, language and stories!

In the Philippines, people love to celebrate—holidays are filled with music and dancing, sometimes with colorful costumes, and always with great food! Rich with detailed watercolors and cultural flavor, Filipino Celebrations: A Treasury of Feasts and Festivals makes major holidays (like Christmas) and family gatherings (like weddings and birthdays) come alive.

From these pages, children will learn the history of each holiday, its cultural influences, the varied ways in which people celebrate in different regions of the Philippines, special customs and food, key words and phrases (in English and Tagalog), and more. Games, songs, and other activities invite young readers to join in the fun. New and familiar holidays take on a special flavor as children learn about the diverse cultures that make up this wonderful island nation. Perfect for Filipino-American families looking to share the unique culture of the Philippines, educators interested in promoting multiculturalism in the classroom, or anyone interested in the country, Filipino Celebrations will encourage children ages five to ten to participate and learn while having fun.

Celebrations and festivals include:

• Mga Kaarawan—Birthdays
• Semana Santa—Holy Week
• Mga Barrio Fiestas—Town Festivals
• Mga Binyag—Baptisms
• Araw ng Kalayaan—Independence Day and more!

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In this first volume of the Gospel Time Trekkers series, children ages 6-9 are taken on a journey that imaginatively retraces the birth of Jesus through the experiences of modern siblings Hannah, Caleb, and Noah.

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As Santa heads out to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve, he encounters trouble over Australia. Unexpected friends arrive to help save the day, and along the way Santa learns a valuable lesson. Join Santa, Oli, and the rest of the crew in this unique Christmas tale!

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