New Releases by Joan Holub

Medusa is the ultimate mean girl in this series that blends modern drama with ancient myths. Well researched and true to the original myths, each volume in the Goddess Girls series addresses contemporary issues, like friendships and relationships, from a classically accurate—and entertaining—perspective. In Medusa the Mean, Medusa is sick and tired of being the only mortal at Mount Olympus Academy. Not only is she surrounded by beautiful, powerful, immortal classmates, but she also has snakes for hair and a reputation for being mean. Immortality, she thinks, will solve everything. So when she finds out about a necklace that promises just that, she’s sure it will help her get the two things she covets most: to be as popular as the four Goddess Girls and to have her supercrush, Poseidon, finally notice her. But when the necklace brings about popularity in the totally wrong way, things go from bad to worse. Can Medusa overcome her “meanie” status and prove that there’s more to her that meets the eye?

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. That''s what all the other numbers think of Zero. He doesn''t add anything in addition. He''s of no use in division. And don''t even ask what he does in multiplication. (Hint: Poof!) But Zero knows he''s worth a lot, and when the other numbers get into trouble, he swoops in to prove that his talents are innumerable.

Just in time for baseball season! Babe Ruth came from a poor Baltimore family and, as a kid, he was a handful. It was at a reform school that Babe discovered his talent for baseball, and by the age of nineteen, he was on his way to becoming a sports legend. Babe was often out of shape and even more often out on the town, but he had a big heart and an even bigger swing! Kids will learn all about the Home Run King in this rags-to- riches sports biography. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, a true sports legend is brought to life.

For an extra credit project, Aphrodite begins a club for matchmaking mortals, which brings her to Egypt and face-to-face with her competition, the Egyptian goddess Isis.

It''s Halloween, and the Ant Hill kids are all dressed in costume and visiting a spooky fun house! They see and hear all sorts of creepy things, but once they switch on their flashlight, the house turns out to be not so scary at all!

It''s picture day at the dog park. But before the first photo can be taken, an exuberant pack of pups needs a bit of grooming. So they’re off to Shampoodle, the local pet salon, where the eager dogs simply cannot sit still. And when some curious cats stop by, things go from messy to mayhem. Shampoodle is perfect for animal lovers and children who are just starting to read on their own, taking their cues from lively art and bubbly, rhymed text. Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

The ants are hard at work in their classroom on a big Valentine''s Day card! They will add lace and glue and stars. But who will they send it to? The Ant Hill kids list all of the possibilities before settling on one lucky person: their teacher!

Well-researched and true to the original myths, each volume in the Goddess Girls series addresses contemporary issues like friendships and relationships from a classically accurate—and entertaining—persepective. In Aphrodite the Beauty, Aphrodite, goddessgirl of love, must deal with jealousy after giving Athena a makeover. It doesn’t seem fair that the godboys pay more attention to her friend when Aphrodite is supposed to be destined for love! She also copes with a crush from an unlikely source—the nerdy Hephaestus (god of the smith)—and learns that love comes in many forms.

Fang, a bat, is having a tough time getting to sleep. His brother Fink decides he needs a story - a scary story. Now Fang really can''t get to sleep. Next, brother Batrick thinks he has the answer - an adventurous pirate story! Fang is so excited that he is even more wide awake. Then sister Batsy offers a dramatic romance story about Cleobatra. That''s even worse! How will Fang finally get to sleep? There''s one story yet to hear . . . will it be the one that works?

Jim Henson broke into television with a five-minute puppetry segment when he was only a freshman in college. He created puppets like none ever seen before, with expressive fabric faces and rod-controlled arms. His Muppets became world-renowned celebrities and formed the backbone of a media empire. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this easy-to-read biography will be published twenty years after Henson''s untimely death.

In Athena the Brain, Athena always knew she was smart and special, but she didn’t realize that she was a goddess! When she’s whisked away to Mount Olympus Academy, she worries about fitting in and dealing with her dad (Zeus). Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls and finds the best friends she’s ever had.

Apple facts and counting combine in this fun trip to the apple orchard. Field trip today—to the apple farm! Count 20 name tags, 19 kids on the bus, and 18 miles to the farm. There are 14 cows and 13 ducks (10 white and 3 black) and 12 rows of apple trees. Count the apples in your sack, count 3 pies to eat (divided into 20 pieces), and all too soon it''s 2 p.m., time to go! But wait—Lee has a number 1 surprise. Joan Holub''s creative countdown, from 20 to 1, includes grouping and simple addition. Her multicultural students enjoy all that the apple farm has to offer, from counting the cows and ducks to picking different varieties of apples. The inside cover of this cheerful book is filled with apple facts.

When Groundhog realizes he needs helpers all over the country to accurately forecast the weather, he establishes a school to teach young groundhogs how to properly determine when spring will arrive.

A brief biography of the life and travels of thirteenth-century explorer, Marco Polo.

Learn about the real man behind the legend.

Many people like snakes, lizards, and turtles, and there''s so much to find out about all of these scaly-skinned animals. Are all snakes poisonous? Why do snakes shed their skin? What unusual things can lizards do? Do lizards ever lose their tails? Why do turtles have shells? Kids will find the answers—and much more—in this fun, fact-filled introduction to reptiles. Filled with colorful photographs and illustrations, this is just right for any reptile lover.

Do you love horses? If you do, you''re not alone. There''s so much to know about these amazing animals. Why do horses neigh? What are baby and adult horses called? How do horses communicate? Beginning readers can find out the answers to these questions-and many more-in this lively, fact-filled introduction to these popular animals. Filled with colorful illustrations and dynamic color photos of real horses, this is a perfect selection for any young horse lover. Illustrated by Anna DiVito.

Why Do Rabbits Hop? And Other Questions about Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Gerbils Did you know that rabbits can jump 10 feet in one hop, guinea pigs bump noses to say hello, and baby gerbils are called pups?

A silly twist on the classic tale. The school principal bakes a gingerbread cookie and brings it to school in his lunchbox. When the principal opens his lunchbox, the gingerbread kid winks and jumps off the desk. Where is he off to in such a hurry?

There are many different kinds of dogs and so much to find out about them. Why do dogs bark, howl, or bury bones? Why do they like to lick and sniff people? What jobs can dogs do? You''ll find the answers to these questions and many more in this fact-filled reader about man''s best friend.

Many children love cats, and there is so much to know about America''s most popular pet. Why do they meow, hiss, and purr? Why do they have whiskers, tails, and claws? Beginning readers can find out the answers to those questions and many more in this fun, fact-packed book filled with colorful feline photos and drawings.

Abby was always the best speller at witch school. But now there is a new student who can also spell like magic. And the spelling bee is coming up. Which little witch will win? Read this magical story and find out!

Everyone is excited to stay up all night at the pajama party. But after pizza, movies, dancing, and ghost stories, it''s hard to stay awake!

Her excitement at having a pen pal quickly turns to disappointment when Daisy, a second-grader, receives some unwelcome news about this new "friend."

In 1848, gold was discovered in California, attracting over 300,000 people from all over the world, some who struck it rich and many more who didn''t. Hear the stories about the gold-seeking ''forty-niners!'' With black-and-white illustrations and sixteen pages of photos, a nugget from history is brought to life!