Cats and birds can’t be friends! They have absolutely nothing in common. After all, cats are supposed to eat birds, not play with them! But there’s something special about this prey-and-predator pair…and they may just find that it’s our differences that bring us closer together. In a delightful picture book filled with pleasing banter and hilarious quips, rising talent Coll Muir creates the perfect unlikely friendship between unexpected creatures. Perfect for fans of Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat, and We Found a Hat.

Alone can be lonely, be open to those who ask you to join in

When the precocious Russell meets a huge flightless jungle bird named Kevin, they become the best of friends, in this Step 2 Reader based on the latest Disney 2 Pixar release, "Up." Full color.

Big Bird learns that taking care of a puppy is a big responsibility.

Based on a true story, Ralphie finds new best friends in Homer and Peeptwo adorable (gulp!) . . . birds! But how can that be? Im a dog, and everyone knows dogs arent supposed to like birds! Why not? asks his sister Charlotte. Because . . . well, I dont know why not. Were just not, thats all. If we are open to everyone and have no (as Ralphie learns and describes as) silly ideas of who we think we are supposed to like and not like, a whole new world opens up as we learn we have more in common than we ever realized and our new best friends may turn out to surprise and delight us!

Bird comes to feel less shy when Bunny helps her rebuild her ruined nest, showing her what a good friend can be.

Based on what we now know about reading, this practical book offers strategies in a consistent format that is easy for teachers to incorporate in their daily instruction. This grab-bag of classroom-tested activities allows teachers to choose what they need to meet the diverse needs of students in grades 1 through 8. These strategies guide students through the reading process and build important comprehension skills through reading, talk, art, drama, and more. These innovative ways to use the best children’s books will inspire students to become enthusiastic and avid readers, and take the first giant step into becoming lifelong readers.