New Releases by Veronika Martenova Charles

A picture book blending a sweet fairy tale with the realness of immigration, inspired by the author-illustrator''s own experiences moving to a new home. Emma lives on the grey, cold, lonely side of a wall, where people speak in whispers and no flowers grow. On the other side, there is happiness and color, but she can never go there. When Emma''s parents disappear, she is sent to live with her Aunt Lily, who, "just like the land withered from lack of sunshine, was broken by the life she led." One day, Aunt Lily discovers Emma drawing and dashes her niece''s dream of becoming an artist. That is, until the day a strange boat captain, and an even stranger boat, arrive, and she leaves her world behind forever. Following Emma''s arrival in a strange land (Halifax''s Pier 21), her placement in a group home, and the discovery of her voice through art, The Land Beyond the Wall is a beautifully rendered allegory that uses magic realism to confront the harsh realities of immigration, and the universal struggle of finding one''s voice, and one''s place in the world. "These types of autobiographical stories for young readers serve a dual purpose: on the one hand they let children know that they are not alone, not the only ones who have come through hardship and awfulness. On the other, they offer inspiration, a message directly from the author that says, "I did it. You can, too." That Charles relates her personal fairy tale with such delicacy and style is a bonus." — Quill & Quire (Toronto, ON)

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: It''s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince; It'' Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina; It''s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads; It''s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and It''s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk. As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

Cautionary tales from West Virginia, Africa, and Central Europe are related by each boy until they are certain Mothman, Monster, and Ghost are after them. Are they scared? Not enough to admit it, but they certainly are running for home a little faster than usual.

Having been warned not to open the door for anyone while Mom goes to help a neighbor, the three boys try to outdo each other by telling scary stories about strangers at the door. By the time they have finished, they have scared themselves under the bed. Stories in this book come from Bohemia, the Guyanas, and Peru and are based on the universal theme of not opening the door to strangers.

Ghostly tales of strange things lurking in forbidden places tie these three stories together. The boys have been warned not to go into a certain room while they are pet-sitting for the neighbor, but, of course, their bravado leads to a session of one-upmanship and the distinct possibility that the cats they are looking after may not be cats at all. Stories from Russia, the United States, and the West Indies are highlighted.

Baba Yaga, The Golden Arm, and Monster Gogo all come out to play with the imaginations of the boys this time. Children around the world all know that they mustn’t forget important things and these generously illustrated tellings from Russia, England, and West Africa drive the point home in a memorable way.

This time the boys find themselves in cottage country making up spooky tales about staying out of the forest. Tales from the Philippines and Native American legends are told until the boys can almost see strange characters at their dinner table that night.

In short lines, large type, and text broken into phrases, three more stories are told. Marcos, Leon, and “I” try to out-do each other with warnings against tasting things that may not be safe. Dire consequences and ridiculous outcomes take the boys to new heights of hilarity in these spooky tales from Australia, Italy, and Eastern Europe.

Three friends frighten each other with tales of haunted beach houses, sinister cats, and witches in this trio of cautionary stories from Japan and the United States. Beginning readers come away with a satisfying experience and the benefit of good advice!

This time a lost dog sparks the theme of strangers and the wisdom in avoiding them. And what a collection of strangers they are! Headless trolls, people with pointy ears and huge eyes, and long-lost “aunties,” who enjoy eating their guests. Stories from Scandinavia, Sierra Leone, and Iraq are highlighted in this universal warning.

All that glitters may not be gold and certainly should not be touched, as the three boys find out when they see something strange at a construction site. While deciding their best course of action, they tell each other stories about strange toys, a mysterious glass bottle, and a dragon. By the time they are finished they are scared, but they know just what they should do. The Far North, Germany, and Italy are featured this time.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It''s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It''s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It''s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It''s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It''s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins. Easy-To-Read Wonder Tales is a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles''s series, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales.

Having been warned to stay away from the high waters of the local creek, the boys’ imaginations run as swiftly as the stream. Before they know it, they have scared themselves silly with stories like The Children with Green Teeth, from Britain; The Deadly Beach, from Hawaii; and The Waterman, from Central Europe.

Stretch was not like other people. She could stretch her body taller than the tallest tree. People didn''t trust her because she was different. That''s why she lived in the forest. Swallow could eat more food than anyone. The villagers made fun of her because she was short and fat. That''s why she left town. Stare''s eyes were so strong they could burn through anything she looked at. Everyone was afraid of her. That''s why she stayed alone. And then there was Ira - small, skinny, and short-sighted - with nobody in the world to help him search for his missing sister. Somehow these four unlikely characters come together and overcome all obstacles - even the most evil magic in the land. Veronika Martenova Charles has drawn upon an old Czech fairy tale to create her own contemporary story about the strength of friendship and the value of being different.