New Releases by Clyde Robert Bulla

The opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung, by Richard Wagner, stands as one of the greatest achievements in the history of music. Wagner based his Ring cycle on tales from Norse and German mythology after studying ancient legends of gods, demigods, and earthly beings. He spent years writing and shaping his material, the result was an epic story, heroic and exalted, told through his stirring music. Clyde Robert Bulla tells the stories that make up The Ring of the Nibelung cycle: The Rhinegold, The Valkyrie, Siegfried, The Dusk of the Gods. Magical and mysterious, they are larger than life, yet based on human emotions. He brings Wagner''s epic tale of love, hate, greed, and goodness, to life simply but dramatically. Bulla includes musical themes from the four operas, and writes of Wagner''s life and his struggles to break with tradition, creating a new form of opera-the music drama. Readers who love lore and legends, and readers who admire Wagner''s music will welcome the simple beauty of Bulla''s powerful tales. Strikingly illustrated with woodcuts by Clare and John Ross.

Best-selling author Clyde Robert Bulla's classic, finely-crafted Arthurian tale with its sword fights, dark and dangerous dungeon, roguish knaves, action-packed showdowns and tales of dangerous feats, will appeal to emerging readers who are ready for chapter books and reluctant tween readers alike. In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long-lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and unhappiness. It was then that Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy. Shan was surprised by bearded robbers in the woods. He met noble knights in plumed helmets, and eventually he even made a trip to high-towered Camelot. His story is filled with the pageantry and color of England in King Arthur's time. It creates a vivid picture of the Knights of the Round Table and the wisdom of King Arthur himself.

Join Frank, Ellen, and the whole Davis family on their adventure west during the Gold Rush of 1849. This exciting chronicle has the same appeal as Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books.

Young and orphaned, Tom Pippin has just been sold by his greedy uncle to the captain of a great sailing ship bound for America. Although Tom has been sold into slavery, no one can buy or sell his unwavering spirit. Tom longs to be free on the shores of America, but when a pirate's ship captures his boat, the young boy's life changes forever. Pirate Captain Land and his motley crew of men reveal to Tom all of the secrets—and dangers—of the pirate's life. Peter Burchard's black and white drawings throughout illustrate Tom's journey.

A novice wood carver is momentarily defeated when people laugh at the result of a winter of work.

Relates the history and describes the customs of this holiday from its beginning in Roman times to the present. Includes directions for making a paper valentine and sugar cookies.

When you run, your shadow runs. But you can never catch it! What makes a shadow? Where does it come from? When the sun is shining, everything has its own shadow -- trees, houses, cars, even clouds and planes way up in the sky. You have a shadow, too. As the sun sets, all shadows become part of a much larger one -- the night! With simple words and charming illustrations, Clyde Robert Bulla and June Otani explain how shadows are produced. Young readers will discover what makes the shadows they see and will be introduced to the fun of making shadows of their own.

When the cruel cousin he has been working for refuses to let him leave at the end of the summer, a young Navajo boy runs away to rejoin his family and go to school.

When you run, your shadow runs. But you can never catch it! What makes a shadow? Where does it come from? When the sun is shining, everything has its own shadow -- trees, houses, cars, even clouds and planes way up in the sky. You have a shadow, too. As the sun sets, all shadows become part of a much larger one -- the night! With simple words and charming illustrations, Clyde Robert Bulla and June Otani explain how shadows are produced. Young readers will discover what makes the shadows they see and will be introduced to the fun of making shadows of their own.

Determined to earn some money, ten-year-old Sarah Ida gets a job at a shoe shine stand and learns a great many things besides shining shoes.

A classroom favorite about the power of art and creativity. A new neighborhood. A new school. A lonely birthday. Life isn’t easy for nine-year-old Gregory. Then he finds an abandoned chalk factory behind his house. It’s a secret place, just for him! Now he can draw anything he imagines on the dark brick walls. What amazing thing will Gregory draw first? Two beloved classics—The Chalk Box Kid and The Paint Brush Kid—get a vibrant new look!

Daniel is hurt when others laugh at his wood carving, until he learns that giving people pleasure takes a very special gift. ‘Good, warm feelings result from reading this gentle tale set in rural Tennessee during pioneer days.' 'CS. ‘A lovely book on all counts.' 'NYT. Notable Children's Books of 1979 (ALA)

When a poor orphan is found by his rich uncle, the boy's life changes dramatically.

For use in schools and libraries only. An Indian goes to London with some of the first English explorers, is sold into slavery in Spain, and finally returns to America where he befriends the Pilgrims when they land.

A boy living in an almost deserted town is distressed to hear that his family will have to give up their store and move into the city, but when friends visit, bringing an old diary, he hopes to find gold that will keep the town from being a ghost town.

A lonely prince forms a satisfying though dangerous friendship with a monster.

Monica doesn't particularly like the new girl at school, but when she receives a mysterious note stating that Rhoda is in danger she must make a decision whether to help or not.

The youngest in the family, Allen seems to be always running after his ever-active sister and brothers until he discovers the satisfaction of just being quiet and observing things around him.

A series of curious circumstances bring together an African elephant and a young boy from an ancient British tribe.

A fictionalized account of the life of Pocahontas woven about the few facts known from historical records.

Thinking that to rub the ball on top of the church steeple will make his wish for his mother''s happiness come true, a young boy climbs the steeple and then can''t get down again.

Dave befriends the strange new family and their pony, Dexter, when the rest of the townspeople remain aloof.

After losing everything they own, including their dolls, when their house burns down, two sisters learn about a place where they can adopt dolls.

A retelling of the Bible story in which Joseph is reunited with his family many years after being sold into slavery in Egypt.

A lonely boy is found and reared by a hermit in the wilderness of the Tennessee mountains in the 1880s.

Retells the stories of twenty-two well-known operas. Includes brief introductions which describe the origin and first production of each.

Kee lived in a hogan on the Indian reservation and then moves to an apartment in the city. Life in the city is strange and ugly. Kee has trouble getting used to the sights and strange smells.

Describes how an apple tree grows from seed and explains how its roots obtain food and how its leaves change with the season.

Condensed versions of favorite operas.