New Releases by Emily Arnold McCully

Zaza, an acting bear, leaves the stage to become a regular cast member of a television show but discovers that performing for the small screen is not her cup of tea.

On the day of the race, Nate is running late. Find out what happens when he tries out going fast in this Guided Reading Level D story. Nate likes to go slow. His brother and sister are worried they''ll miss the race—but mom tells them not to nag him. When they get there, Mom convinces Nate to try, too. . . . And Nate finds out sometimes he likes to go slow, but sometimes he likes to go fast! With colorful, kid-friendly illustrations by Caldecott Honor artist Emily Arnold McCully, this simple story about the rewards of trying new things is perfect for emergent readers. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own! Suitable for late kindergarten readers, Level D books feature wider vocabulary, longer sentences, and greater variety in sentence structure than levels A, B, and C. When Level D is mastered, follow up with Level E.

In this quirky duo’s third adventure, the Grandmas pitch in to help when Pip’s regular baseball coach contracts the chicken pox. But the trouble is, neither of them know beans about the game. ‘A double-threat winner, combining the humor of the two grandmas with enough play-by-play description to gladden the hearts of young baseball fans.’

Everyone is mad at Pete! Even Mom! But Pete can''t eat that green slop that Mom made for lunch. He won''t even taste it! His siblings want Pete to eat so they can go out to play. But Pete stands firm, and his siblings desert him. Mom makes Pete stay, but she is feeling sad about it. She is about to make him a sandwich when Pete decides to try the slop. He likes it! In addition to enjoying the yummy slop, Pete has learned the benefits of keeping an open mind and trying new things.

Poor Sam! He wants to play with the big kids. "You are too small," they tell him. "Go home." But when the big kids need help, who saves the day? Sam, of course! New readers will relate to being excluded by older kids, and they''ll cheer for Sam when he shows that he can help, even though he''s not big. Watercolor illustrations with pen-and-ink highlight the subtle emotions in this charming book. An I Like to Read® book. Guided Reading Level E.

Stagestruck Blanche would like to be a part of a theatrical bear troupe''s new play, but, her shyness causes problems until she discovers a special talent of her very own.

All the best holiday traditions are here in this wordless picture book by Caldecott-winning illustrator and writer, Emily Arnold McCully. The decorated tree, singing carols with papa, and all the many mouse children’s going up to bed, dreaming about the presents they will find on Christmas morning. Everyone finds something marvelous under the tree, especially the remote control airplane that really flies. It’s the best present EVER, until the special surprise that comes when the family visits Grandma and Grandpa.

Recounts the true story of how four boys looking for buried treasure in the south of France in 1940 stumbled upon something much more valuable--a sealed cave whose walls were covered with prehistoric paintings and engravings.

From a Caldecott Medalist ("Mirette on the High Wire") comes an amazing true story about an extraordinary horse and the man who trained him. Full color.

A 1993 Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and the author of Itchy, Itchy Chicken Pox come together in a lively first-level reader about a jubilant party of kids making a pizza. Original.

This is the true story of a determined and resourceful young man whose intimate knowledge of two cultures later led him to play an important role in the opening of Japan to Western trade and ideas.

Alice Cogswell was a bright and curious child and a quick learner. She also couldn''t hear. And, unfortunately, in the early nineteenth century in America, there was no way to teach deaf children. One day, though, an equally curious young man named Thomas Gallaudet, Alice''s neighbor, senses Alice''s intelligence and agrees to find a way to teach her. Gallaudet''s interest in young Alice carries him across the ocean and back and eventually inspires him to create the nation''s first school for the deaf, thus improving young Alice''s life and the lives of generations of young, deaf students to come./DIVDIV

In the War of 1812, Caroline, the fastest runner in town, carries word about a plan to ward off bombardment by the British fleet from house to house. But when the battle begins, her courage, not her speed, is tested. Includes colorful illustrations, an author¿s note and a note to caregivers.

Young Oney Judge risks everything to escape a life of slavery in the household of George and Martha Washington and to make her own way as a free black woman.

A curious little mouse decides to find out what school is all about.

An outstanding book for young naturalists Floy Hutchings, also known as Squirrel, is the daughter of the man who opened the first hotel in the Yosemite Valley in the 1860s. She has to fend for herself much of the time and is considered wild by her family and her father''s guests. When the future naturalist John Muir is hired as a carpenter, Floy becomes his inquisitive shadow as he builds himself a cabin over a stream, talks to flowers, and listens to snow. Floy, determined never to grow up because she''d have to be a lady, and Muir, searching nature for a way to live free of society''s expectations, are primed to find common ground. In this story set against a backdrop of watercolor paintings that vividly capture the beauty of Yosemite, Floy learns to see the world through John Muir''s eyes.

Momma is black and Daddy is white but the family is many colors. The members of their loving circle make the world sweet for the two young children who are growing up tall and strong.

The first snow has fallen. The mice children go sledding with Grandma and Grandpa. But at the top of the hill, who will go first? Bitty, the smallest mouse, is scared. When she tries, WHEEEEEE, she finds that sledding is the best! Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully captured the chills and thrills of a first sled ride when first snow was published in 1985. She has added words and created new pictures for this handsome larger edition, a companion to picnic.

"Beautiful day!" "Not a cloud in the sky!" "A-picnicking we go!" When Picnic was first published in 1984, readers fell in love with Emily Arnold McCully''s lush watercolors and charming story about a little mouse who is reunited with her family. Now the Caldecott artist has added words and painted bigger illustrations in her signature whimsical style to accommodate a larger-sized read-aloud book. But what has not changed is a timeless story about the hurt of being lost, and the joy of being found again.

Tricks or treats? It''s Halloween night and Grandma Sal wants everyone to play tricks. Grandma Nan wants all of the trick-or-treaters to have good manners. The grandmas'' arguing is driving Pip and her friends crazy!

Monk the little mouse learns from his parents that practice is the way to succeed--whether it is in playing baseball or in playing music.

Tells the story of two unlikely kung fu masters and how their skill in martial arts saves them both.

One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at a boardinghouse of the widow Gateau—a sad-faced stranger, who keeps to himself. When the widow’s daughter, Mirette, discovers him crossing the courtyard on air, she begs him to teach her how he does it. But Mirette doesn’t know that the stranger was once the Great Bellini—master wire-walker. Or that Bellini has been stopped by a terrible fear. And it is she who must teach him courage once again. Emily Arnold McCully’s sweeping watercolor paintings carry the reader over the rooftops of nineteenth-century Paris and into an elegant, beautiful world of acrobats, jugglers, mimes, actors, and one gallant, resourceful little girl.

Three books bound together.

First published in the US in 1997, this picture book is the sequel to the Caldecott Medal Winner ''Mirette on the High Wire''. Set in the 19th century, this is the story of Mirette, a Parisian girl who performs highwire walks with the Great Bellini. On their trip to Russia, Bellini is imprisoned for his beliefs and Mirette must overcome her fears in order to rescue him. For children aged 4-8.

A cat wanders into the church garden and children in the congregation name him Leo the Magnificent. Leo spends many happy years in the garden. When it''s time for him to go, everyone remembers their magnificent friend. Full-color illustrations.

A ten-year-old bobbin girl working in a textile mill in Lowell, Massachusetts, in the 1830s, must make a difficult decision--will she participate in the first workers'' strike in Lowell?

When a new bridge is built over the river, the happiest person in the town must be the first to cross it.

Recounts the life of the renowned sixteenth-century Irish woman pirate.