New Release Books by Harriet Ziefert

Meet Really Bird, a small bird who lives in a large city park with his friends Cat, Pup, Mouse, and Rabbit. In each story, Really Bird finds himself really wanting something - to be bigger, to have his fair share, or to be the leader - to be really silly, funny, strong, cool, happy, or brave. And when he feels something, he really feels it. Each story is an entertaining, character-driven caper based on relatable social/emotional themes, delivered with surprise twists, high drama, and expert comic timing. Along the way, lessons are learned about qualities such as teamwork and compassion. The emphasis is on character growth and development through creative problem-solving. Friendship and emotional engagement are at the heart of every story. In I Really Want to Be First!, Really Bird is usually in line behind his two best friends, Cat and Pup. He wants to be first for a change, so he thinks up a scheme to become the leader of the group. Along the way, Really Bird discovers that being the leader involves more than being first.

What gives you a seat, a floor for your feet? A place you can sit with your family to eat? The pum-pum of a drum, a guitar''s twangy strum . . . Tree wood makes music zing, ping, and hum. Using lilting, rhyming couplets, this book explores the many items that are made from trees. But it doesn''t stop there! Kids will also learn about the many uses of live trees - and the environmental danger to trees posed by forest fires, floods, and deforestation. Kids are encouraged to be kind, not only to one another, but to the environment as well. Kids will view their backyards and parks in a whole new light after going on an arboreal eco-tour in this gorgeous paean to trees. This book is printed on responsibly sourced, 100% recycled FSC paper.

Teachers and parents of ESL students will cheer when they discover the ¡Hola, English! series, as will those seeking to expose English-speaking kids to Spanish. In this book, "stop" and "go" are illustrated in different situations. In addition, the meanings of "red" and "green" are extended into the wider world.

Combines simple rhymes with anime-style illustrations in a series of skill-building stories that invites young readers to become familiar with word families that share similar long- and short-vowel sounds.

Open wide for mealtime happy landings!

Say hello to English (or Spanish!) in the latest addition to Blue Apple''s bilingual series. Educators and parents can promote success in learning another language by starting with oral language development. Through shared storybook reading, the �Hola, English! series provides children with reasons to talk and things they will want to talk about. In Greenie Grows a Garden, kids are introduced to common gardening words (e.g., "seed," "water," "flower") in both languages as they follow adorable, eco-mascot Greenie through a season of planting, tending, and harvesting berries.

This colorful concept book is like no other, with gatefolds that reinforce a series of comparative adjectives.

"Adapted from ''It''s time to say good night,'' originally published in 2013

"In farmyards, jungles, and oceans, almost every animal has something to say. Why do whales sing? What does a rooster want us to know? This book is a unique combination of language arts, science, and noisy fun."--

How good is your grandma? Let''s count the ways!

"A little girl steps out into her rainy yard in search of her missing kitten. She discovers a series of charming garden denizens on the way to finding Kitty. After celebrating the glories of a rainy day, the book ends with a heartwarming reunion between girl and cat"--

When Max learns that his mother is going to have a baby, he talks and sings to his unborn sibling but he cannot seem to make the baby come out sooner.

Friends who call themselves the Banana Bunch go on a picnic, play in the park, agree on a secret club password, and raise money by putting on a magic show that ends with Scruffy the dog disappearing. Includes suggestions for magic-related activities.

All the familiar fun and foibles of party planning are given a Banana Bunch spin!

"Clever word groupings list three alike things and one that it is different. For example, there are living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms--but a mushroom is not a room! Picture clues will help kids figure out which "of these things is not like the other" and will begin to grasp the more fine-tuned nuances of word parts, roots, and meanings"--

Explores why animals such as chimpanzees, pandas, and armadillos do not go to school with children.

Humorous illustrations and die-cut pages introduce rhyming word families ending in "ot," "ab," and "it."

A full-size illustration of an animal appears on one side of the card. On the other side is a smaller illustration and the word for that animal in three languages--English, French, Spanish. An adult plays with a child who is learning to talk by showing him or her the picture and then encouraging the repetition of the word in any or all of the three languages. If the child is a bit older, the adult can point out the letters that form the words and ask that child to say them, too. A child with some basic letter or reading proficiency could also use the cards on his or her own to learn the words. Once the child has gained some grasp of the words, the adult can have the child guess or remember the words by just showing the picture without showing the words (at first). Letting the child have fun being noisy is a big part of this acitivity''s appeal. Adults should encourage the child to shout, or whisper, or sing the words--depending on each particular child''s personality and natural inclinations. The illustrations are both intricate and spare, perfect for holding younger children''s focus.

"This title in the Think About...series explores and explains that while every animal sleeps, only some have beds"--

"This title in the Think About... series shows that while every animal needs things to protect it from the elements, only people can produce and choose to wear different kinds of clothing"--

In rhyming text, a girl describes all of the things that people and objects have on Easter day, including "Grandpas have vests," "Churches have sing," and "Eggs have hunts."

Whimsical illustrations and silly references combine in an upbeat introduction to practical animal characteristics, physiologies, habitats and behaviors that also shares engaging activities relating to and extending each book''s subject matter. By the award-winning author of A New Coat for Anna.

Humorous illustrations and die-cut pages introduce rhyming word families ending in "ack," "ick," and "ock."

Humorous illustrations and die-cut pages introduce words of the same family, such as beet, feet, and street, and then combine them in often-improbable phrases, including "beet on feet" or "feet meet."

Workbook to help children practice writing uppercase letters.

Little monster goes to a surprise birthday party.

When the first snow of the year falls on the first day of winter, all the snow people have a snow party.

When given the honor of choosing the Christmas tree, a child realizes the many different choices available.

Why can''t you hear a siren with your eyes? Spot an airplane with your hands? And how come a pickle on your ear isn''t delicious? In You Can''t Take a Pickle with Your Ear kids discover how each of their five senses is hard at work all day long, providing them with information and helping them get the most out of their daily lives. Whenever you think, "I''m oh-so-sweet," Pull off your socks and smell your feet! Sections such as "Hold Your Nose" and "Stick Out Your Tongue" (not the same time!) encourage hands-on investigations of what''s happening inside kids'' bodies and why a tongue is best for pickle tasting.

"These are the words kids have to know by sight -- the words that they should be able to read without sounding them out first"--Publisher''s website.

"This title in the Think About... series explores and explains that while every animal eats, only people can cook"--

The stupendously successful I''m Going to Read series has already attracted a new generation of readers with wonderful stories and appealing art. And now an exciting new addition - I''m Going to Read Workbooks - offers parents and children another great way to enjoy interactive, educational playtime together. This workbook on short vowels will have kids sounding out their letters well, and learning a great deal along the way. And with it s appealing design and bright colours, they ll never think they re doing homework!

After playing with her paints, the little princess needs to take a bath, which ends up involving the whole castle staff.

"Nothing delights kids more than a good rhyme. It''s fun to say aloud, has an appealing rhythm, and stays in the mind more easily than simple sentences. Rhyming Words gives children a delightful introduction to letter sounds and pronunciation"--Publisher''s website.

On Tuesday, Mr. Bunsen brings a Styrofoam cooler containing 200 live animals for class.

George and Lily are not happy when their father goes away on a business trip, but telephone calls, e-mail, a calendar, and special activities with their mother help make the time pass quickly.

What sounds do you hear every day? Follow along with a family as they make noises and hear sounds from morning until bedtime.

Andy and Amy just can''t wait: today, they''re going to adopt a dog. But what kind should they choose? He wants a big one; she wants it small. She wants a white dog; he wants a black. Will they find a pet that can make everyone happy--Mom and Dad too? Maybe Rover will be just right.

Were you thinking of having fish for dinner? The fish in this story may talk you out of it! After all, fish are pretty bony . . . and have you seen what they eat?