Fantasy.

The Important Books takes a look at some of the most significant and talked about authors, illustrators, and titles in the genre, including Maurice Sendak, Margaret Wise Brown, William Joyce, and Chris Van Allsburg. While focusing on those books that are distinguished by some degree of originality in both word and image, the author points out that the importance of picture books is not primarily pedagogical--they are not intended to serve as "dumbed down" versions of young adult or adult novels--and the audience for these great books is not solely children. Because the children's picture book is designed to provide the context for an intimate transaction involving the imaginations of both parent and child, there is a social value to the form that lends a special poignancy to the pleasure it provides.

Age: 8-9 years old Reading Level: 3rd grade The best illustrated fairytales for children! Once upon a time were 3 little pigs who had decided to leave their parents' house and live on their own. After a few days of wandering in the forest, they followed their mother's advice and started to build each one their own house, but some of them were less careful than others and the big bad wolf decided to seize the opportunity... The collection "Once Upon a Time" offers a new and richly illustrated version of the most famous fairytales. EXCERPT Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. One day, they left their mother and father to see the world. All summer long, they had fun and made lots of friends. The third little pig, unlike his brothers, remembered his mother’s advice that they should work hard to have success in life. “We need to build a house to shelter from the cold during winter and also to protect us from the big bad wolf”. However, each little pig took the decision to build a house for himself. In the same collection: • Thumbelina • The Ugly Duckling • The Brave Little Tailor • The Tin Soldier • The Musicians of Bremen • Hansel and Gretel • Beauty and the Beast • Goldilocks and the 3 Bears • The Little Thumb • Puss in Boots • Little Red Riding Hood • Sleeping Beauty • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs • Cinderella • Peter Pan

Beard With Me' is the origin story of Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire (aka Claire McClure) and is just the beginning of their epic love story. No one is better at surviving than Scarlet St. Claire and making the best out of circumstances beyond her control is Scarlet's specialty. In an apocalyptic situation, she'd be the last person on earth, hermitting like a pro, singing along to her CD Walkman, and dancing like no one is watching. Scarlet is clever, Scarlet is careful, and Scarlet is smart . . . except when it comes to Billy Winston. No one is better at fighting than Billy Winston and raging against his circumstances--because nothing is beyond his control--is Billy's specialty. In an apocalyptic situation, he'd be the first person on earth to lead others to safety, overcome catastrophe, or die trying. Billy is fearless, Billy is disciplined, and Billy is honorable . . . except when it comes to Scarlet St. Claire.