NAMED ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES The story of a girl who rides an ostrich straight to her dreams from the award-winning writer and librarian Betsy Bird, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small. "[A] charming, wacky novel." —The New York Times Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles is tired of summers filled with chores on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan, and desperate to see the world. When her wayward uncle moves back home to the farm, only to skip his chores every morning for mysterious reasons, Suzy decides to find out what he's up to once and for all. And that's when she meets legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her ostriches. Before long, Suzy finds herself caught-up in the fast-paced, hilarious world of ostrich riding, a rollicking adventure that just might be her ticket out of Burr Oak. “Beautifully told by one of our best librarians.” —Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature

The very funny Brian P. Cleary takes on the alphabet in this whimsical tour of everyone's 26 favorite letters. Rhyming, giggle-inspiring verses are illustrated with colorful digital collage artwork by Betsy Snyder. For added fun, every letter is hidden within the artwork—as are several objects starting with each letter!

Betsy the Diva Dog© is a true conceptualization of a book which can integrate both being able to write in conjunction with reading! Young children love animals, especially little adorable dogs. Over the years, in the author's kindergarten classes, if she wanted to get their attention all she had to do was mention her little, female dog, Betsy. By the mere mention of the dog and her adventures, the entire class would become silent and attentive! This certainly worked to convince the author to develop a book revolving around her little dog named Betsy! The concept for this inaugural book is to tell a doggy life lesson through Betsy's adventure filled stories. At the end of the book, Betsy asks her readers a question to give each child a text to self connection opportunity. In this opportunity, students are able to reflect on the story and relate the story to their own life experiences. When children are prompted to write from their own personal experiences, they are better able to express their own thoughts. It is her hope that the children will enjoy the invitation to read and write and thus simultaneously grow in both areas.

When Melanie's dad wins a free trip to the Caribbean, Melanie invites the rest of The Fabulous Five to come along. When they arrive in Barbados, each of the girls has a crush on the entertainer Marco Montavo.

An assortment of animals gathers for a picnic.

Award-winning author Sally Gardner delivers a whimsical tale about the daughter of a mermaid and an ice cream maker, a mysterious talking tiger, and a challenge as big as the moon. From a magical world of well-dressed animals, talking toads, and bossy princesses comes a timeless story about Mr. Tiger and his troupe of acrobats, and Betsy K. Glory, the daughter of a mermaid and an ice cream maker. Together they must figure out how to turn the moon blue, appease a grumpy giant, and make the best-tasting and rarest ice cream in the world--Gongalong Berry Ice Cream. Told with beautiful one-color illustrations throughout, this modern fairy tale teaches us that happiness is sometimes big enough to solve even the toughest problems.