New Releases by Margaret Bateson Hill

Masha''s mother sells eggs at market, and Masha loves to paint their smooth shells. One day, deep in the forest, Masha meets the magical Firebird, guardian of the eggs of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The Firebird asks Masha to paint its eggs so that they blend with the elements, hiding them from the vicious witch, Baba Yaga. At first, the plan works well, but Baba Yaga finally gets her hands on the last egg, and Masha sets off on an amazing journey to find it. This original folktale blends elements of the Firebird legend and traditional European folktales in a bilingual English and Russian text, along with suggestions to inspire children to paint their own eggs.

Presented in the style of traditional folktales of India and Europe Chanda finds herself reduced to a servant in her stepmother''s house when her mother dies and her father marries again. All the lonely girl can do is seek peace walking along the near-by river and gazing into the magical mirror her mother left her as a parting gift. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Retelling of a folktale from the Lakota indians of North America in which a young girl and her grandmother make a star quilt as a celebration of their friendship, love and community. Includes brief factual information on the Lakota indians and instructions for making a star collage. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.