Winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award The place is the chilly border between Russia and China. The time is the early 1970s when the two giants were poised on the brink of war. And the characters in this thrilling collection of stories are Chinese soldiers who must constantly scrutinize the enemy even as they themselves are watched for signs of the fatal disease of bourgeois liberalism. In Ocean of Words, the Chinese writer Ha Jin explores the predicament of these simple, barely literate men with breathtaking concision and humanity. From amorous telegraphers to a pugnacious militiaman, from an inscrutable Russian prisoner to an effeminate but enthusiastic recruit, Ha Jin's characters possess a depth and liveliness that suggest Isaac Babel's Cossacks and Tim O'Brien's GIs. Ocean of Words is a triumphant volume, poignant, hilarious, and harrowing. “A compelling collection of stories, powerful in their unity of theme and rich in their diversity of styles.” —New York Times Book Review “Extraordinary. . . . [These stories are shot through with wit and offer glimpses of human motivation that defy retelling. . . . Read them all.” —Boston Globe “An exceptional new talent, capable of wringing rich surprises out of austere materials.” —Portland Oregonian

A touching tale of a grandmother and her granddaughter exploring and cherishing the natural world. Words, the woods, and the world illuminate this quest to save the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for. When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them. • With its focus on the power of language and social change, The Keeper of Wild Words is ideal for educators and librarians as well as young readers. • For any child who longs to get outside and learn more about nature and the environment • A loving portrait of the special relationship that grandparents have with their grandchildren For children who love such books as Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature, And Then It's Spring, and Finding Wild. Brooke Smith is a poet and children's book author. She lives in Bend, Oregon, at the end of a long cinder lane. Brooke writes daily from her studio, looking at the meadow and many of the wild words she cherishes. Madeline Kloepper is a Canadian artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Major in Illustration from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Her work is influenced by childhood, nostalgia, and the relationships we forge with nature. She lives in Prince George, British Columbia.

From hardy Nantucket whalers to Elizabethan sea dogs, from grizzled fishermen in Nova Scotia to the crews of clipper ships, the men who made their living on the sea left as part of their legacy a remarkable contribution to the English language. An astonishing variety of words, sayings, and idiomatic expressions are explained in alphabetically organized entries in this authoritative and entertaining work. Illustrations.

Chris Ferrie fans will love this perfect educational art book for babies and toddlers featuring essential STEAM words from the #1 Science author! Babies and toddlers are curious and ready to learn! Introduce them to art words that go beyond the basics with this first 100 words baby board book. From painting to photography, from music to theater, from literature to history and more, this is the bright and simple introduction to the smart words every budding scholar needs! Surprise your special little one at birthdays, baby showers, holidays, and beyond with the amazing opportunity to discover with this baby and toddler learning book! My First 100 Art Words makes a wonderful addition to many other gifts you may be searching for, such as baby first birthday gifts for girls and boys, early development toys for babies, baby learning games, gift sets for babies and toddlers, and more!

Dive under the sea with this exquisite layered board book that introduces marine animals and their habitats Through this simple narrative following Little Turtle's game of hide-and-seek, Into the Ocean introduces different sea creatures in their habitats. With a gentle rhyming text and beautiful illustrations, Into the Ocean's die-cut pages and silver foil details make this the perfect tactile package for little hands.

Learn your ABCs in this aquatic exploration of everything under the sea. Best-selling author Jerry Pallotta delivers a fun first concepts book that covers sea creatures from A to Z. From speckled cod to jellyfish to the shiny shells of scallops, readers will be introduced to over twenty-six species that live in the North Atlantic Ocean. Jerry Pallotta’s signature witty while scientifically accurate text paired with fun and detailed illustrations by Frank Mazzola Jr. make this a fun read aloud that kids and parents will be eager to dive into.

Now that a whale is too big for her tank, she is going to be returned to the sea. In all the great vastness of the ocean, will she be able to find a friend? "A fascinating tour de force."--"Kirkus Reviews." Full color.