"A lulling text and the exquisite illustrations follow the animals' day on the farm as they make their noises, play in the grass, and return to the big red barn to fall sound asleep." taken from back cover

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• Teaching Ideas for use with Big Red Barn.

This book discusses the importance of farms, how they have changed, grown in size, and become more specialized.

Cute Holiday pop-up book

You can't teach this lesson too early: There are days when just everything seems to go wrong -- but tomorrow is always another day!

Meatballs aren't the only things that fall from the clouds in this all-too-delicious story. Children see what would happen if rain were replaced with pancakes and other surprising foods.

Longing to care for a baby like her mother, Elizabeti has no doll, but instead finds a suitable rock. But when Elizabeti loses her new doll, Eva, she does all she can to find it.

When Farmer Brown goes on vacation, Duck is up to his usual antics. Changing the note from Farmer Brown so the animals get pizza on Tuesday is just the beginning.

Kids will find relief in their advanced language abilities when they read about a young girl who loses her bunny -- but isn't yet able to articulate to her parents what's happened!

You just have to love this classic tale of a mother duck's unconditional love for her ducklings.

Nate is back and on the case of a missing cat. With the help of his dog Sludge, the two are able to crack the case and find the missing feline.

This great trickster tale will have your child laughing.

After moving to Japan from the United States, Masako struggles to learn the culture of another country.

She's everyone's favorite maid. Taking literal meaning from everything she is told causes Amelia Bedelia to string the beans and more mixups.

This story of a selfless tree that gives to everyone -- not just the boy -- teaches that it's better to give than to receive.

With one turn of the key Omri's toys are brought to life. He quickly learns that taking care of another person is no easy task.

A stuffed rabbit yearns for the love of a child that he hopes will one day make him real.

In August, on the Hindu holiday Rakhi that honors the bond between brothers and sisters, only child Arun wishes for a little sister. In October his wish comes true—almost. His parents announce they are going to adopt a little girl named Asha from India. But Arun is frustrated, and at times disheartened, by how long they have to wait until they can bring Asha home. “Adopting a baby can take a long time,” his parents explain, but that’s little comfort. Arun and his parents prepare Asha’s nursery the following June, and hold a birthday celebration for her in July, but still there is no Asha. Finally, almost a year after Arun first made his wish, permission comes and his father leaves for India. A few weeks later, Arun and his mother are at the airport, welcoming his new baby sister home. Uma Krishnaswami’s warm, realistic story looking at adoption from the point of view of a young child features a biracial family. Arun’s father is Indian; his mother is white. © Cooperative Children's Book Center

All the members of a young African American girl's family are musicians. But each one plays a different instrument and a different kind of music. The young girl likes playing with each member of her family, but her choice of instrument varies from the triangle to the tambourine, the handbell to the maracas, wind chimes to woodblock. This celebration of music and of family ties concludes with a glossary that provides brief information about each type of music referenced in the buoyant story. from CCBC Categories: The Arts. © Cooperative Children's Book Center

I love how this "grass is always greener" tale sparks kids' limitless imaginations

What's better than a fireman saving the day? Fire truck-obsessed kids will definitely enjoy this inspiring read.

Another in the "Mouse" series, but this time he's not after your cookies. However, when you get to school make sure your lunchbox is hidden.

A great reading tale about "Big Kid School."

Olivia may be a pig, but she certainly doesn't sit in mud all day. This active little lady is always on the go and promises nonstop fun in this beautifully illustrated book.

Mr. Quinby's going to college, Mrs. Quinby's going to work. Now that Ramona is eight, she can go to a new school with a new teacher and ride the bus all by herself. But life isn't as easy for Ramona as it used to be. All the Quimbys have to adjust, and Ramona gets her chance to prove that she's "big enough for her family to depend on

This book's famous line -- "I think I can, I think I can" -- will fuel pep talks for years and years to come.

When Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo falls into a well, his younger brother, Chang, tries to get help but is always out of breath after trying to say his brother's name.

"Dramatic photographs, charming illustrations and informative text give children essential first facts about the animal kingdom. Simple text explains how animals live, eat and tend to their young. A short quiz in the back of each book lets children test their new animal knowledge." from Amazon.com

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Palatini adds her own brand of offbeat humor and an unexpected ending to the traditional story of a child trying to convince her parents that she should have a pet. Elizabeth accepts the substitute cactus plant and even names it, but she doesn't give up, surprising her parents in bed, in the bathroom, and at the dinner table. While she enumerates the advantages of each animal, requesting everything from a horse to a rat, her parents counter with the negatives. Finally, the child finds her own solution. She adopts a bug, names him Doug, and provides him with a perfect habitat, good food, and companionship. He is the perfect pet, and Elizabeth loves him for his differences and individuality. Mother, on the other hand, is not happy with the idea. There is a happy ending, though, as Doug joins the family on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. The finely crafted illustrations in both delicate pastel shades and bright colors combine realistic pictures of animals and people with cartoon elements and an engaging little bug. Good for individual or group sharing. from Marlene Gawron, formerly at Orange County Library, Orlando, FL

Struggling with a picky eater? Give this book a go to show your kids that branching out those taste buds can be a good thing!

When two children can verbally say why they like themselves it's a great thing. From getting a bad gift to being wrong in class these children remain positive.

When your child's got a case of the gimmes, this book is a great reminder that we may already have all that we really need.

An inspirational guide offers a program to put the joy back into parenting and create a harmonious family atmosphere with self-esteem, compassion, balance, humor, communication, integrity, responsibility, conscious choice, and full expression of emotions.

Amazon.com Review "What is 'effectiveness' in a family?" asks author Steven R. Covey. He promptly answers with four words: "a beautiful family culture." Building this culture is the primary theme of Covey's parenting guide, a manual based on concepts introduced in his blockbuster, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey, a New-Age business guru and leadership authority, has consulted with the world's top corporate and political leaders, but closer to home he is the father of nine children. Here, Covey reinterprets each of his now famous "habits" (Habit 1: Be Proactive, Habit 4: Think Win-Win, Habit 6: Synergize) to apply to parenting and family-life issues. Covey suggests writing a family mission statement, implementing special family times and "one-on-ones," holding regular family meetings, and making the commitment to move from "me" to "we" as techniques to improve family effectiveness. Covey is a brilliant storyteller. By weaving the voices and anecdotes of his wife and children with his own inspirational and informative stories, exercises, and parables, he has created a book with something for all parents interested in enhancing the strength and beauty of their own families. --Ericka Lutz

This book emphasizes the important attributes and values that we should all instill in our children. These character attributes can be achieved by any child, no matter their socio-economic background, their intelligence or their talents. These are the attributes that really develop self esteem.