Exploring Stella’s Island By: Bonilou Stella Custer A place where anything is possible... welcome to Stella's Island, where you can find something for everyone, from exploring and searching the island, to discovering and telling the secret story within.

I>I spy with my little eye the sun in the sky and a bird flying by

Readers of Kate DiCamillo and Sheila Turnage will love Moonpenny Island, a middle grade novel of friendship and secrets by the beloved and acclaimed Tricia Springstubb. Moonpenny is a tiny island in a great lake. When the summer people leave and the ferries stop running, just the tried-and-true islanders are left behind. Flor and her best, her perfect friend, Sylvie, are the only eleven-year-olds for miles and miles—and Flor couldn’t be happier. But come the end of summer, unthinkable things begin to happen. Sylvie is suddenly, mysteriously, whisked away to school on the mainland. Flor’s mother leaves to take care of Flor’s sick grandmother and doesn’t come back. Her big sister has a secret, and Flor fears it’s a dangerous one. Meanwhile, a geologist and his peculiar daughter arrive to excavate prehistoric trilobites, one of the first creatures to develop sight. Soon Flor is helping them. As her own ability to see her life on this little lump of limestone evolves, she faces truths about those she loves—and about herself—she never imagined.

Meze & salads -- Soups, stews & braises -- Fish -- Gratins, fritters & egg dishes -- Stuffed vegetables -- Meat & poultry -- Rice pilafs & noodles -- Savoury pastries & breads -- Sweet treats & beverages.

In the first new Stella book in four years — in a series that has sold two million copies in ten languages — Stella introduces little brother Sam to the pleasures of reading. Sam is as busy and worried as ever, and Stella almost always has her nose in a book these days, but she finds time to help him out, while sharing her new pastime with contagious enthusiasm. Sam has gathered a wagonload of branches to build a doghouse for Fred, and he wonders if the book Stella is reading tells you how to make one. It doesn't (although it is very funny), but Stella is more than willing to give Sam a hand. As soon as the doghouse is built though, Sam worries that a wolf might come along and blow it down. Stella breezily banishes his fears, suggesting a picnic at Lily Pond. Stella cools her feet in the water, reading a story, while Sam tries to catch a frog. Are there frogs in Stella's book, he wonders. No, Stella tells him, but there is a toad wearing a velvet jacket... With her characteristically light touch, Marie-Louise Gay imparts the pleasures and importance of reading to her young audience, whether it be humor, fiction, nonfiction or poetry. Her detailed, beautifully rendered and often-amusing watercolor illustrations (spot the tiny bunny reading a book!) show yet again that Marie-Louise Gay is one of the very best artists creating picture books today.

I Spy the Sun in the Sky will engage young readers with its take on the I-Spy game. The delightful illustrations by Italian artist Nicoletta Ceccoli will enchant small children and the lap book format will ensure that they pick it up again and again.

From spiky Stegosauruses to speedy Velocirapotors, there's so much to see on Dinosaur Island! With a hidden baby T.Rex to find on every scene and fun facts to discover throughout, step inside for hours of entertainment. Fantastic spot book activities, combined with non-fiction settings, make for an informative and entertaining series. Interesting facts add further educational value to the books. Titles in the new Spot the... series include Spot the Monkey in the Jungle and Spot the Dinosaur on the Island.