New Releases by Bob Graham

Follow the journey of the sun across the world from a whale’s eye to a little girl’s window in Bob Graham’s tender, transcendent story. While Coco sleeps far away, the sun creeps over a hill and skids across the water, touching a fisherman’s cap. It heads out over frozen forests, making shadows in a child’s footprints, and balances on an airplane’s wing for a little boy to see. The sun crosses cities and countrysides, wakes furry creatures, makes a desert rainbow, and barges into Coco’s room to follow her through a day of play. With an eye for capturing small moments of shared experience, Bob Graham illuminates the natural wonder that comes with every new day.

A timely, inspiring, and uplifting story about hope and the power of creative expression from one of the world''s most treasured storytellers After a long, cold winter, doors finally open, and children spill out like candies from a box. Amanda is the last one out of the apartment building, with a carton of chalk in her hands. On every inch of the pavement outside, the children draw pictures of flowers and trees, mushrooms and snails, and a few very unexpected things. It''s a concrete garden. Their creativity, unfettered in the open air, brings something beautiful, something hopeful, to the residents there, and to many more across the globe. From master storyteller Bob Graham comes a charming, gentle post-pandemic story about finding optimism after a dark spell, and the nurturing power of community friendships in an urban setting. The Concrete Garden will resonate with anyone who has been apart from their loved ones, and will encourage us all to find the brightness and color within ourselves.

Amanda, Jackson, and other neighborhood kids use a box of chalk to draw a garden on the pavement outside of an apartment building that brings joy to the tenants who look on.

Max, the young son of superheroes, is a late bloomer when it comes to flying, until he is inspired by the plight of a falling baby bird.

Max has a little sister! Fans of Bob Graham''s beloved superhero family will want to meet its newest family member, Maxine, who flies high with her own sense of style.

“This is an elegant piece of living theater. . . . A book to bathe in, reminding readers that something magical is happening every instant.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) At 9:59 on a Thursday morning, Jodie draws a duck. As she’s about to add a silver button to the duck’s boot, her little brother, Jonathan, takes his first step. At the exact same moment, a man buys fresh bread at the bakery, a baby is born, a soldier says good-bye to his mom. . . . From an ordinary scene in an apartment strewn with a child’s artwork to a bird’s-eye view of a city morning pulsing with life, Bob Graham celebrates a whole world-vision in a single moment.

Two young tooth fairies make their first lost-tooth collection in Bob Graham’s warm, whimsical tale. A Junior Library Guild Selection. April Underhill, seven-year-old tooth fairy, gets a call on her cell phone. This is it! Her first tooth collection. April and her little sister, Esme, must convince Mom and Dad to let them take on the task all by themselves. But soon, two tiny fairies fly off into the night, over a highway of thundering eighteen-wheelers, eager to prove how grown up they can be. As always, the charm is in the visual details: the pony-tailed, winged dad in baggy jeans; the snug fairy house with teeth dangling from the rafters like wind chimes. Once again, Bob Graham has crafted a tale of heartwarming adventure, magical yet very real.

A Read-Out-Loud Book to Delight and Teach Good Manners (Age 4-8) #1 New Release in Children''s Alligator & Crocodile Books Level One I Can Read book. Rhoda the Alligator is the debut read-out-loud children’s book by former U.S. Senator (Florida) Bob Graham. The book tells the story of Rhoda, a uniquely colored alligator who is trying to find her place in the wild world of the Florida Everglades National Park. Filled with beautiful illustrations, Rhoda the Alligator teaches pre-school and kindergarten children about the beauty of our differences, good manners, and the hurt that bullying can inflict. Teach your 4-8 year-old the importance of diversity and the environment. Rhoda is born with a distinct color unlike any other alligator in the Everglades. She is blue and orange, shining with colors. Rhoda’s parents celebrate her brightness. However, when Rhoda meets the other young gators in the Everglades she is bullied because of her appearance. Using powerful lessons from her environment, Rhoda is able to overcome the hurt and hardship, embrace her true colors, and educate and transform her bullies. Rhoda the Alligator teaches your child the importance of self-love, respect, and friendship. And, this read-out-loud book highlights the beauty of our national parks and what makes them so important. Rhoda’s experiences help children: Feel confident in their own skin Respect those who are different Cherish our national parks If you and your child have read books such as Strictly No Elephants, Seeds and Trees, Be Kind, Stick and Stone, May I Please Have a Cookie, Alligators and Crocodiles by Laura Marsh, or Kindness is my Superpower; you will love Bob Graham’s Rhoda the Alligator.

From master storyteller Bob Graham comes an adorable and affecting tale about imaginary friends and the bittersweet nature of growing up. When Ellie is very small, she finds a lovable newborn dragon on a carton of eggs in the grocery store. Ellie calls him Scratch, takes him home, and moves him into her dollhouse. Her mother can’t see Scratch, and her teacher doesn’t notice when Ellie brings Scratch to preschool, yet her friends are amazed. Ellie is lucky to have an affectionate, house-trained dragon like Scratch! But dragons get quite large as they grow. And Ellie is growing, too, moving from dollhouses to dance parties, not noticing that Scratch’s brilliant green scales are beginning to fade a little. . . . Beloved picture-book creator Bob Graham illustrates the joys of imagination and friendship in this touching story. With his signature gentle wit and warm, whimsically detailed illustrations, he captures the bond between girl and dragon, as well as the changes that come with time’s passage. A wistful, quietly thought-provoking tribute to the friends who appear when we need them most, even if it’s just for a little while.

“Such a visual piece . . . readers young and old will return to the story to look more deeply; they won’t be disappointed.” — Booklist (starred review) In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. With the help of his sympathetic mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home. Wistful and uplifting in true Bob Graham fashion, here is a tale of possibility — and of the souls who never doubt its power.

“In a story where every turn is possible, if improbable, Graham makes readers believe. High hopes and busy, vibrant artwork . . . will entice children.” — Booklist (starred review) One morning in front of Stella’s house, an abandoned bus appears, looking sad as a whale on a beach. On its front, held up with packing tape, is a hand-painted sign that says Heaven. Right away, the bus brings change to Stella’s street when people stop to talk about it instead of rushing by. “This bus could be ours,” Stella declares. With a master’s eye for finding the magic in the mundane, Bob Graham creates an encouraging story about community — a whimsical tale about neighbors of all ages and stripes coming together, and about one little girl who comes into her own.

In a captivating follow-up to April and Esme, Tooth Fairies, a master of whimsy sends his tiny heroines on another adventure. With their parents off on an urgent molar pickup, April and Esme are ready for a cozy overnight at Grandma and Grandpa’s teapot house by the airport fence. There will be fairy cakes to mix, pancakes and syrup for breakfast, a chocolate on each of their pillows. But then a call comes in about a small girl in a red coat, arriving from Ghana with a baby tooth somewhere in her pocket. Could this be a job for April and Esme, tooth fairy sisters? As always with Bob Graham, the beauty is in the details: Grandpa working out with a giant teabag-turned-punching-bag; fellow winged creatures hovering above the airport terminal (cupids to help people meet and angels to comfort the sad arrivals). Merging humor, poignancy, and a bit of heart-fluttering suspense, Bob Graham turns a familiar moment of childhood independence into a thing of magic.

On a rainy drive home, an expectant mother and her young daughter stop to wait out the weather and the mother is inspired with a name for her new daughter.

In 2016, Americans fed up with the political process vented that frustration with their votes. Republicans nominated for president a wealthy businessman and former reality show host best known on the campaign trail for his sharp rhetoric against immigration and foreign trade. Democrats nearly selected a self-described socialist who ran on a populist platform against the influence of big money in politics. While it is not surprising that Americans would channel their frustrations into votes for contenders who pledge to end business as usual, the truth is that we don’t have to pin our hopes for greater participation on any one candidate. All of us have a say—if we learn, master and practice the skills of effective citizenship. One of the biggest roadblocks to participation in democracy is the perception that privileged citizens and special interests command the levers of power and that everyday Americans can’t fight City Hall. That perception is undoubtedly why a 2015 Pew Charitable Trusts survey found that 74 percent of those Americans surveyed believed that most elected officials didn′t care what people like them thought. Graham and Hand intend to change that conventional wisdom by showing citizens how to flex their citizenship muscles. They describe effective citizenship skills and provide tips from civic experts. Even more importantly, they offer numerous examples of everyday Americans who have used their skills to make democracy respond. The reader will see themselves in these examples of citizens who chose to be victorious participants rather than tranquil spectators in the arena of democracy. By the end of the book, you will have new confidence that citizen participation is the lifeblood of America -- and will be ready to make governments work for you, not the other way around.

In 2016, Americans fed up with the political process vented that frustration with their votes. Republicans nominated for president a wealthy businessman and former reality show host best known on the campaign trail for his sharp rhetoric against immigration and foreign trade. Democrats nearly selected a self-described socialist who ran on a populist platform against the influence of big money in politics. While it is not surprising that Americans would channel their frustrations into votes for contenders who pledge to end business as usual, the truth is that we don’t have to pin our hopes for greater participation on any one candidate. All of us have a say—if we learn, master and practice the skills of effective citizenship. One of the biggest roadblocks to participation in democracy is the perception that privileged citizens and special interests command the levers of power and that everyday Americans can’t fight City Hall. That perception is undoubtedly why a 2015 Pew Charitable Trusts survey found that 74 percent of those Americans surveyed believed that most elected officials didn''t care what people like them thought. Graham and Hand intend to change that conventional wisdom by showing citizens how to flex their citizenship muscles. They describe effective citizenship skills and provide tips from civic experts. Even more importantly, they offer numerous examples of everyday Americans who have used their skills to make democracy respond. The reader will see themselves in these examples of citizens who chose to be victorious participants rather than tranquil spectators in the arena of democracy. By the end of the book, you will have new confidence that citizen participation is the lifeblood of America -- and will be ready to make governments work for you, not the other way around.

The invasion of Earth would have been a complete success, if only its inhabitants had noticed it.. Think you know why youre here or where youre from? Think again. Max is gullible and stressed out to the point of breakdown. This isnt helped by believing he has inadvertently ordered the death of one of his colleagues, his over passionate meetings with an ex-colleague, or his wifes three cats trying to kill him. Elsewhere a member of an intergalactic council hates meetings so much that he has set about destroying one of the more boring items on the agenda Planet Earth. On the upside, the aliens on Planet Earth arent getting on too well either.

Hold on to your seats as Bob Graham, sage, master painter, and brilliant costumer, takes you for a ride through the zany, Uptown Mardi Gras ''whirled.'' --James Michalopoulos, painter and sculptor Bob Graham captures all the excitement, mystery, joy, and pageantry of Mardi Gras in his paintings. He is one of the artistic treasures of Louisiana who has celebrated its history, people, landscape, and events for decades. --M. Stephen Doherty, editor of Plein Air magazine Laissez les bons temps rouler! It''s Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and the crowded streets overflow with colorful lights, coveted throws, costumed riders, and fantastical floats. Artist Bob Graham captures the lively scenes with fresh, vibrant strokes, showing kings and queens, dukes and jesters in their annual glory. Whether you''re near or far, these paintings of Rex, Zulu, Muses, Endymion, and more leap off the page to transport you to the heart of the pageantry of Carnival.

During the dry season, Morris the crocodile and his animal friends enjoy playing in and near the water hole.

A wild sparrow''s journey sets in motion a toddler''s new experience in Bob Graham''s tale of life''s surprising little turns -- and unlikely connections. Following some food, a curious young sparrow stows away in the back of a truck and takes an unusual voyage south -- through the lush rice paddies of India, across the rough sea, and all the way into a bright new day. As the sun rises high over the city, he finds little Edie at a caf with her grandma and granddad, and for a fleeting instant, his world meets up with hers and changes her life in the most delightful way. From the masterful Bob Graham comes an invitation to notice the smallest of moments as they unfold around us, full of unexpected promise.

Bob Graham beautifully captures a world vision in one solitary moment. At 9.59 on Thursday morning, Jodie draws a duck. Just as she is about to add one final silver button to the duck''s boots, her little brother takes his first step. At this exact same moment, a man buys bread, a soldier leaves home, a baby is being born...Here is a book, a story, a philosophy so simply told and yet - in true and inimitable Bob Graham style - so rich with emotion and meaning. It is in the smallest details that we sense the greatest significance and can see the big picture. From his glorious urban skyscapes to the tender portrayal of a falling feather or the tying of a shoelace or a dog''s joy in scratching his back, Bob lets us in on a world view conveyed with humanity, compassion and affection. This is a book that is sure to connect quietly and powerfully with readers of all ages. The idea that we are all alone, and yet all as one in the world, is drawn with huge sensitivity and poetry.

There''s a hush in the crowd as the mayor lifts his gun, then an ear-splitting Bang! and the race has begun, with a flashing of goggles and pale cyclists'' knees, and a murmuring sound like the bumble of bees. Monsieur Albert enters the Grand Cycle Race, but he''s up against Francois, the champion of France. Can he possibly win? Witty text by Pete Smith and gentle, funny illustrations by Bob Graham make this story a classic, ideal for reading aloud to young and old.

Opening and closing arguments of a first-degree murder case show how one cop''s simple mistake turns a classic case of self-defense into a first-degree murder. Read this book and be prepared.

Graham, a petty officer with a bachelor''s degree, is guaranteed to raise eyebrows with this diary, the best and worst of his Navy adventure. Welcome to the forward galley. Grab a slice of pizza, on the house. All that action you hear on the flight deck is Air Wing Tactical Assessment. This is our next to last exercise off the coast of southern California, as the Navy assesses battle readiness of CV-61…. So begins GULF in the WAR STORY, like a Navy recruiter''s dream ... but it turns into a nightmare. Imagine the Village People''s hit song "In the Navy", the anti-war musical "Hair", and that classic tale of insubordination (for the right reasons) "Mister Roberts", all in one. But there''s a major difference: This is a true story delivered in real time, day by day and play by play. Why it took 20 years to see daylight should be obvious. The names have been changed, but the criminals know who they are. In the midst of the gung ho, something drives him to hate—not the Navy, but the people they let in. Not the speed freaks, not the acid heads, not the guys who faced jail or joined the service. It''s the foreigners who seem to be taking over, falsifying documents to cover their assets, moving foreigners up the chain of command. The war starts on two fronts as he writes it all down. Forgive the typos, this happens in a combat zone. GULF in the WAR STORY is a message in a bottle. See Graham''s Navy hazing videos at "thebobweb" on Youtube.

High in the sky above Parkville, tooth fairies April and Esme Underhill are on their way to collect their very first tooth...April and Esme Underhill have never collected a tooth before. Mum and Dad always do it. But tonight it''s their turn. So, equipped with a bag, a coin and a mobile phone, the sisters head for Daniel Dangerfield''s house, and a very unusual first tooth visit! This is a charming story of a pair of young tooth-fairy sisters on their first tooth-collection adventure.