New Releases by Sarah L. Thomson

Magical creatures and mystery abound in this lighthearted whodunit fantasy. Princess Lyss can’t wait another second to meet the griffin that’s joining her father’s royal menagerie, so she ditches her lessons and heads for the stables. But the griffin isn’t the only new creature she finds. A boy is hiding—or at least trying to—in the griffin’s stall. The boy is Devin, the griffin’s trainer, and he’s refusing to leave his beloved Tam. Lyss agrees to help him. But their arrival coincides with the revelation that someone is stealing creatures from the king’s menagerie. Devin is an obvious suspect, though Lys believes someone else is to blame. Determined to clear Devin’s name and put a stop to the endangerment of any more animals, she turns to her favorite magical creatures for help.

This adaptation of the old nursery poem "Over in the Meadow" introduces neighborhood animals and their young and the numbers one through ten.

Turtles have swum and snapped their ways into kids'' hearts. With this book, readers can become turtle experts and learn how to save the animals they love. Featuring an introduction from Chelsea Clinton! Did you know that a turtle named Jonathan is the oldest known living animal on Earth? (He’s almost two hundred!) How about that the largest sea turtles can dive more than three thousand feet below the water’s surface? Or that turtles’ shells have a spine in them, which makes turtles vertebrates—just like humans? Perfect for all animal lovers—and turtle fans in particular—this book is filled with all the facts you need to know to become a turtle expert! Where are turtles found? What’s it like to be a turtle? Why are turtles endangered, and who has been working hard to save them? Read this book and find out how you can help save the turtles! Complete with black-and-white photographs, a list of fun turtle facts, and things that kids can do right this very moment to help save turtles from extinction, this book, with an introduction by animal advocate Chelsea Clinton, is a must for every family, school, and community library.

Rhinoceroses have wallowed and grazed their ways into kids'' hearts. With this book, readers can become rhinoceros experts and learn how to save the animals they love. Featuring an introduction from Chelsea Clinton! Did you know that rhinoceroses are the second biggest land animal in the world, second only to elephants? How about that rhinos have especially poor eyesight? Or that white and black rhinos are called that even though neither of them is black or white? Perfect for all animal lovers—and rhino fans in particular—this book is filled with all the facts you need to know to become a rhinoceros expert! Where are rhinos found? What''s it like to be a rhino? Why are rhinos endangered, and who has been working hard to save them? Read this book and find out how you can help save the rhinoceroses! Complete with black-and-white photographs, a list of fun rhino facts, and things that kids can do right this very moment to help save rhinoceroses from extinction, this book, with an introduction by animal advocate Chelsea Clinton, is a must for every family, school, and community library.

Although mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella meets her prince with the help of her fairy godmother.

Lions have roared and pounced their ways into kids'' hearts. With this book, readers can become lion experts and learn how to save the animals they love. Featuring an introduction from Chelsea Clinton! Did you know that a lion can eat hundreds of pounds of meat at a time, as much as is found in four hundred hamburgers? How about that lions are the only kind of cat that lives, hunts, and eats in a group? Or that a lion''s roar can be heard up to five miles away? Perfect for all animal lovers—and lion fans in particular—this book is filled with all the facts you need to know to become a lion expert! Where are lions found? What''s it like to be a lion? Why are lions endangered, and who has been working hard to save them? Read this book and find out how you can help save the lions! Complete with black-and-white photographs, a list of fun lion facts, and things that kids can do right this very moment to help save lions from extinction, this book, with an introduction by animal advocate Chelsea Clinton, is a must for every family, school, and community library.

Take Pippi Longstocking’s joie de vivre, blend it with a 21st century urban setting, toss in a dog named Otto for good measure and what do you get? This joyfully carefree story about two unlikely friends. It’s a pair of silver sequined sneakers that unexpectedly flips Emily’s comfortable, predictable world upside down. Or, more precisely, it’s the girl wearing them. The shoes belong to Rani, who moves into Emily’s apartment building—and her life—with absolutely no one but her dog Otto. (Her research scientist mother is away in Patagonia.) And that’s only the first rule that Emily watches Rani break without hesitation. But it’s not just that Rani breaks rules. Most of the time, she doesn’t seem to know the rules exist. Why can’t she bungee jump off their building? Or bring an ice cream truck to school? For steady and orderly Emily, Rani’s approach to life feels impossible . . . and more than a little irresistible. But is there a place for her in Rani’s world? And should she find a way to make space for Rani in her own? A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Frogs have hopped and croaked their ways into kids'' hearts. With this book, readers can become frog experts and learn how to save the animals they love. Featuring an introduction from Chelsea Clinton! Did you know that some frogs can leap twenty times the length of their own bodies? How about that the largest frog in the world weighs more than a chihuahua? Or that frogs drink through their skin and not through their mouths? Perfect for all animal lovers—and frog fans in particular—this book is filled with all the facts you need to know to become a frog expert! Where are frogs found? What''s it like to be a frog? Why are frogs endangered, and who has been working hard to save them? Read this book and find out how you can help save the frogs! Complete with black-and-white photographs, a list of fun frog facts, and things that kids can do right this very moment to help save frogs from extinction, this book, with an introduction by animal advocate Chelsea Clinton, is a must for every family, school, and community library.

Read and find out the science behind a pandemic and how to stay safe in this illustrated, informative nonfiction picture book. Everybody gets sick now and then—maybe with a runny nose or a sore throat. But sometimes, a lot of people get sick at once. If a disease spreads all over the world, that’s a pandemic. The current COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of kids across the world and has caused fear and confusion as people in charge have given conflicting orders. Read to discover the answers to some of your biggest questions, including: What is a pandemic? How are they created and spread? Has anything like this ever happened before? What is a coronavirus? What can we do to stay safe and healthy? While pandemics are rare, several have happened throughout the world’s history, such as the bubonic plague and smallpox, and our scientists have observed and learned some important lessons, such as the importance of vaccines. This Level 2 Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out shares important facts about past and current pandemics, taking readers from the origin of the word “quarantine” and through history’s many pandemics, to milestones such as the first vaccine that helped end smallpox. This book also comes with a handwashing diagram, a glossary, and a timeline of past pandemics and their impact on the world. This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It''s a Level 2 Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are: hands-on and visual acclaimed and trusted great for classrooms Top 10 reasons to love LRFOs: Entertain and educate at the same time Have appealing, child-centered topics Developmentally appropriate for emerging readers Focused; answering questions instead of using survey approach Employ engaging picture book quality illustrations Use simple charts and graphics to improve visual literacy skills Feature hands-on activities to engage young scientists Meet national science education standards Written/illustrated by award-winning authors/illustrators & vetted by an expert in the field Over 130 titles in print, meeting a wide range of kids'' scientific interests Books in this series support the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards. Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.

Illustrations and text celebrate the colors brown and black, demonstrating the many positive assocations with these two colors.

During the fire season in Australia, a wombat allows its underground shelter to become a place of refuge for other vulnerable animals in need. Discusses Australia''s devastating 2019-2020 fire season, in which many animals lost their lives or their habitats.

Discover the life of Neil Armstrong—a story about working hard and achieving the impossible for kids ages 6 to 9 Neil Armstrong became the first person ever to step foot on the moon. Before he flew space missions and made history with his moon landing, Neil was a curious kid who loved putting together model airplanes. He dreamed about pushing the boundaries of flight and studied hard in school to achieve his goals. Explore how Neil went from being a young boy growing up in Ohio to one of the most famous astronauts in the entire world (and beyond!). How will his can-do attitude and strong dedication inspire you? Independent reading—This Neil Armstrong biography is broken down into short chapters and simple language so kids 6 to 9 can read and learn on their own. Critical thinking—Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Neil''s life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more. A lasting legacy—Find out how Neil Armstrong went from curious kid to famous astronaut. How will Neil Armstrong''s story inspire you? Discover activists, artists, athletes, and more from across history with the rest of the Story Of series, including famous figures like: Leonardo da Vinci, the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein, and Marie Curie.

For middle grade fans of National Treasure and Indiana Jones, this smart, action-packed series continues with more enticing historical mystery and interactive puzzles. Like Alexander Hamilton, this one is non-stop! Middle school geniuses Sam, Martina, and Theo arrive in New York City on a mission. They''re after the third key left behind by the Founding Fathers. They''ve escaped the forests of Glacier National Park with the second key, but at great cost--Evangeline, their chaperone and friend, was captured by the nefarious and dangerous Gideon Arnold. Now they have to navigate New York City following clues related to Alexander Hamilton, solve (and survive) the puzzles and traps they encounter along the way, and find the third key before Gideon Arnold does. But the stakes have never been higher, and they might not all make it out alive . . . Another exciting adventure filled with clues, puzzles, and action that dives into the fascinating history behind the Founding Fathers and our country''s natural wonders.

This sequel to Deadly Flowers is a fast-paced and compelling read with a multitude of astonishing plot twists. Kata is one of the best employees of a master thief until he sells her to Madame Chiyome, the woman who trained Kata as a ninja. It turns out that Madame Chiyome has been hired by Kata’s enemy, Saiko, to capture Kata and the magical pearl she possesses. But while escaping her enemies, Kata puts her trusted group of friends in danger. Should Kata stay loyal to her mission, as a true ninja would, or to her friends? Can Kata trust the fellow thief who says he is in love with her and wants to help her? The themes of trust versus independence underlie each of Kata’s decisions as she tries to get the pearl out of Japan to weaken the demon within it. As Kata faces one obstacle after another, including a wide range of supernatural creatures, she is tempted to make a wish to save herself, even though could it be the last wish, the one that frees the demon and lets him take her soul. Will her sense of duty and honor prevail against all odds?

Ninety million years ago, giant dinosaurs roamed the earth, pterosaurs flew through the air, and giant reptiles and fish hunted in the oceans. The area that is now Kansas was covered by water and one of its inhabi-tants was the plesiosaur—a reptile with an extremely long neck and a huge body. This early reader about the ancient plesiosaur brings the prehistoric world of this ocean-dwelling animal to life, explain-ing how scientists think these reptiles lived, hunted, and became extinct. Back matter explores other reptiles both ancient and modern and provides additional print, visual, and web resources.

For middle grade fans of National Treasure and Indiana Jones, this smart, action-packed series continues with more enticing historical mystery and interactive puzzles.

Kata, a ninja, embarks on her first solo mission, for which she must enter a warlord''s castle and make sure that a certain sleeping occupant never awakens. But then Kata discovers that her target is just a young boy (and that her new accomplice is that boy''s slightly older sister), and suddenly her mission is much more complicated than she bargained for. Faced with taking someone''s life or confronting the dire consequences of failure in her mission, Kata must make a hard choice, one that leads her into a more dangerous battle than she ever expected. In this action-packed coming-of-age novel, Kata discovers that while a ninja must always act alone, humanity requires that you accept the trust and friendship of others.

When middle school puzzle master Sam and history wiz Martina win a contest for a summer trip across the US, they discover they''ve been drafted into something vastly more extraordinary. Joining another kid on the trip, Theo, a descendant of George Washington himself, they must follow clues to find seven keys left behind by the Founding Fathers. Together the keys unlock Benjamin Franklin''s greatest invention--a secret weapon intended to defend the country. Each key is hidden in a unique location around the U.S., protected with puzzles, riddles, and traps. This has kept the weapon safe . . . until now! Gideon Arnold, a dangerous descendant of the infamous Benedict Arnold, is on the chase. In competition with Arnold and his thugs to reach the artifacts first, Sam, Martina, Theo, and readers must use their wits to solve ingenious puzzles, escape death-by-booby-trap, and, by the end of the series, save our nation by uncovering many of its greatest secrets.

When Little Monkey''s curiosity causes her to slip and fall to the dark, shadowy rainforest floor, she must hide—quick!—because an ocelot is looking for lunch. Thanks to Papa, Little Monkey knows just what to do to stay safe. And thanks to her own wit and speed, she escapes. But no sooner is she safe from the ocelot than she finds herself wrapped in the coils of an emerald tree boa. This exciting adventure will enthrall readers as Little Monkey faces one challenge after another and will also teach them about the fascinating lives of pygmy marmoset monkeys, the smallest monkeys in the world.

Read and find out about the different kinds of food we eat and how to fill up your plate to keep your body healthy in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book. What''s for lunch? Your body needs lots of different things to eat, and every kind of food has a different job to do. Did you know drinking milk makes your bones strong? Or that eating carrots helps you see better? This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It includes a find-out-more section with simple guides to learn about everyday healthy eating. Both text and artwork were vetted for accuracy by Dr. Carolyn Johnson, PhD, FAAHB, NCC, LPA, and Keelia O''Malley, MPH. This is a Level 1 Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are: hands-on and visual acclaimed and trusted great for classrooms Top 10 reasons to love LRFOs: Entertain and educate at the same time Have appealing, child-centered topics Developmentally appropriate for emerging readers Focused; answering questions instead of using survey approach Employ engaging picture book quality illustrations Use simple charts and graphics to improve visual literacy skills Feature hands-on activities to engage young scientists Meet national science education standards Written/illustrated by award-winning authors/illustrators & vetted by an expert in the field Over 130 titles in print, meeting a wide range of kids'' scientific interests Books in this series support the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards. Let''s-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.

The saber-toothed cat was a fearsome prehistoric predator. Written for beginning readers, clear and succinct text explains how we think saber-toothed cats lived, hunted and became extinct. Back matter explores other large-toothed predators and provides additional print, visual and web resources.

The moving, true story of the young woman dubbed "The Voice of America''s Bullied." How her bond with her dog, Izzy, changed her life - and their mission to help break the cycle of bullying.

Relates the author''s personal experiences with bullying, describing how she was harassed as a child because of her degenerative muscle disease and eventually appeared with her similarly disabled dog, Izzy, on Animal Planet before launching a public speaking career.

A fascinating prehistoric creature, the flightless terror bird in ancient South America was a formidable hunter. Thomson s succinct and age-appropriate text explains how terror birds lived, hunted, and how they might have died out. The scientifically accurate illustrations will appeal to young naturalists and budding paleontologists.

In this picture book about exploring the big snowy world, a tiny polar bear learns that she can be brave--especially with Mom close by.

Imagine a day when your swing swings you higher than the highest treetops. Imagine a day when you can ride your bike up a path of falling leaves into the very tree they are falling from. Imagine a day when you release a handful of blue balloons into a cloudy, gray sky to create a postcard-perfect day. Imagine a day when the ordinary becomes the extraordinary...a day when anything is possible. Imagine a Day is the companion book to the critically acclaimed Imagine a Night, which School Library Journal declared "a fascinating foray into the imagination." Renowned Canadian artist Rob Gonsalves once again stretches the limits of visual exploration with his breathtaking paintings and encourages parents and children alike to look beyond the limits of the everyday world and imagine.

It is a rare talent, and only she can care for the Inn''s herd. She feeds them, gathers their eggs, and tends to their injuries. But Mella dreams about the dragons of legend, even though hardly anyone believes they still exist. Dragons are small farm animals, not huge fire-breathing monsters. Everyone knows that. Until one day changes everything. A Knight of the Order of Defenders arrives at the Inn. Signs of the mythical dragons have led him there, he says. Then a simple errand takes Mella through the forest, where she stumbles across a dragon''s egg—and faces the true, terrifying dragon guarding it. On the spot, Mella vows to get the egg safely to the fabled Hatching Grounds. She must leave her home for the first time, and she finds an unlikely companion in the Defender''s squire, Roger. For Mella and Roger, this one day is the beginning of an adventure. Where will it take them?

An exciting and romantic spy-thriller set in Elizabethan England, featuring a brave heroine who must disguise herself as a boy-or have her true identity revealed.

Our world is getting warmer, and the polar ice caps are melting. A polar bear needs the ice to survive, but many scientists believe that climate change may make it impossible for polar bears to live in the wild as soon as 2020. Why is the ice melting? What can we do to protect the Arctic environment that is home to unique wildlife? Read and find out!

If you can imagine a place,you can go there.Imagine a place that makes you feel as free as a bird. Imagine a place where getting there is worth whatever it takes. Imagine a place that makes you feel like it''s always been your destination. Imagine a place made out of pure imagination.Imagine a Placeis a gorgeous companion to the critically acclaimedImagine a NightandImagine a Day,and reminds us that imagination is powerful enough to take us anywhere we want to go. And Rob Gonsalves''s exquisitely conceived paintings leave you in awe...ofhisimagination.