Best Selling Books by Anne Rockwell

Describes the parts of a fire engine and how fire fighters use them to fight fires.

According to Mayan legend, Chac is one of the gods of the sky who control rain, wind, thunder, and lighting. With his bottomless gourd of rain, his bag of winds, his booming drum, and his flashing ax, Chac is a mighty lord. But all his powers can''t give him the patience to handle a mischievous mortal boy he plucks from the forest to be his servant. This particular boy rarely does what he''s told on Earth, much less in the heavens...

What makes an insect an insect? What makes a bug a bug? Read and find out! With intricate and vividly colored collages from Caldecott Medal winner Steve Jenkins and engaging text from Anne Rockwell, Bugs Are Insects introduces the youngest readers to the fascinating world of the creepy crawly. Now rebranded with a new cover look, this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book includes activities such as conducting an insect survey, drawing a picture of your favorite insects, and planting a butterfly garden. Both text and artwork were vetted for accuracy by Dr. Ed Spevak, Curator of Invertebrates and Director of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Native Pollinator Conservation. This is a Level 1 Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts for children in the primary grades and supports the Common Core Learning Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.

"In the same vein as Rockwell''s earlier books- Boats , Cars , and Trucks -this new title presents various types of planes to the very young child. The artist uses clear, bright colors to depict the planes that, in this case, fly in a world inhabited entirely by rabbits-a very useful introduction to aviation." - The Horn Book

The students in Mrs. Madoff''s class share how they will celebrate Mother''s Day with their families.

What happened when a former slave took beat-up old instruments and gave them to a bunch of orphans? Thousands of futures got a little brighter and a great American art form was born. In 1891, Reverend Daniel Joseph Jenkins opened his orphanage in Charleston, South Carolina. He soon had hundreds of children and needed a way to support them. Jenkins asked townspeople to donate old band instruments?some of which had last played in the hands of Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. He found teachers to show the kids how to play. Soon the orphanage had a band. And what a band it was. The Jenkins Orphanage Band caused a sensation on the streets of Charleston. People called the band''s style of music "rag"?a rhythm inspired by the African-American people who lived on the South Carolina and Georgia coast. The children performed as far away as Paris and London, and they earned enough money to support the orphanage that still exists today. They also helped launch the music we now know as jazz. Hey, Charleston! is the story of the kind man who gave America "some rag" and so much more.

Mrs. Madoff''s class is counting pennies -- one for every day of school. When they get to 10 pennies, they know they''ve been going to school for 10 days. What will happen when they get to 100? How will they celebrate Day 100, and what will they do with their 100 pennies?

Relates a boy''s excitement in buying the perfect pumpkin and then making the perfect jack-o-lantern.

Thanksgiving is almost Here! It''s time for Mrs. Madoff''s class to put on the Thanksgiving play. Charlie is the ship called the Mayflower, Sarah is a Pilgrim, and Eveline is Chief Massasoit. Everyone has a role to play and a reason to be thankful for the special things that made the first feast possible. The story of the first Thanksgiving is one we''ll never forget -- especially when we have friends and family to celebrate it with year after year.

Miss Dana''s class has front-row seats for one of nature''s most awe-inspiring spring performances. In the branches of the fir tree outside their classroom, two blue jays build their nest. Shortly after the nest is completed, the female blue jay lays her eggs. The male brings her all kinds of food-an acorn, a worm, even a piece of a cookie! She guards her eggs closely, but the children are able to get a quick glimpse of them. Days later the children see the newly hatched baby blue jays huddled together in the nest. Three weeks later, the children say good-bye as the blue jays leave the nest for the first time. Without a single lesson, the birds spread their wings and take flight. This charming story with spectacular three-dimensional illustrations will bring out the nature observer in every child.

In preparation for Halloween night, a family visits Mr. Comstock''s farm to pick apples and pumpkins.

Hugo the dog waits and waits at the window for his friend who is gone a long time, but there is a surprise for Hugo when his friend returns.

On St. Parick''s Day, come dance a jig with the students in the classroom ALA Booklist calls "a lively place." Today in Mrs. Madoff''s class we all wore something green to school. Kate played the fiddle and we danced to Irish music. Then we learned about St. Patrick and many Irish tales and traditions. Now we know why there are no snakes in Ireland. Not every-one in school is all Irish like me, but we all can celebrate St. Patrick''s Day together!

Allan, who loves trains and learns all that he can about them, has a wonderful time when he finally takes his first train ride.