Alyssa Howerton was born with special needs, but that didn't stop her from living her life to the fullest. She touched the lives of her family and of everyone who came to know her. The obstacles she faced were unbelievable, yet she remained strong and steadfast through them all. Because she was paralyzed from the waist down, Alyssa was confined to a wheelchair. Even so, she was able to travel, meet new people, and live a full and happy life. Lovingly told by her mother, Alyssa's story chronicles the ups and downs of a life lived with special needs. She had many surgeries, but she faced each optimistically and with the understanding that life is very precious. Why did one person have to go through so much physical pain? How did Alyssa stay so positive through all of the trials she faced? She had a real zest for life, and she looked forward to each day with endless excitement. Each day was bright and new full of hope in spite of the fact that a life-threatening surgery was always just beyond the horizon. Alyssa was always planning her next adventure. Our Butterfly Flies Free chronicles the full life of a daughter, granddaughter, and friend who was loved by all.

Exposing children to a diverse range of literary and informational texts, the Core Concepts program helps develop important literacy and cognitive skills necessary to meet many of the Common Core State Standards. Did you know that every year hundreds of thousands of monarch butterflies migrate 2,500 miles to Mexico for the winter? It takes four generations of butterflies to make the trip, and only the fourth generation lives longer than three weeks. Follow a beautiful butterfly as she makes her journey down to Mexico! Fly, Butterfly covers the concepts Animals and Seasons.

With breathtaking illustrations and a touching story, this dazzling picture book introduces young readers to one of nature's most magnificent and essential insects: the butterfly. See how a little girl recovering from poor health finds wonder in nature and delights in planting a garden with her father to attract a fascinating array of butterflies. Exploring the life stages of butterflies, their importance to our ecosystems and the revitalising power of nature, this book is a heart-warming information story for children who love the outdoors and all its incredible creatures. At the back of the book, discover tips on how to create your own wildlife garden to attract betterflies!

Inspired by our family's wild adventures in the butterfly capitol of the world, we pitched the tent, surfboards and portable crib in a tropical wonderland to stargaze from nine degrees north. Homeschooling the baby in a living classroom, she counted monkeys in the trees, planted seeds and raised caterpillars with high hopes for their future. Discovering her own magical connection to the Universe built noble character and a fortune in self confidence. Discover the mystical power of the world's most popular insect, learn the value of a single seed and help monarch butterflies fly away happy.

Combines paintings and verses to show fifteen butterflies in their natural environment.

Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo’s dictatorship. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind. From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free.

“What a wonderful idea for an adventure! Absolutely inspired, timely, and important.” —Alistair Humphreys, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and author of The Doorstep Mile and Around the World by Bike Outdoor educator and field researcher Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle along­side monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration—a round-trip adventure that included three countries and more than 10,000 miles. Equally remarkable, she did it solo, on a bike cobbled together from used parts. Her panniers were recycled buckets. In Bicycling with Butterflies, Dykman recounts her incredible journey and the dramatic ups and downs of the nearly nine-month odyssey. We’re beside her as she nav­igates unmapped roads in foreign countries, checks roadside milkweed for monarch eggs, and shares her passion with eager schoolchil­dren, skeptical bar patrons, and unimpressed border officials. We also meet some of the ardent monarch stewards who supported her efforts, from citizen scientists and research­ers to farmers and high-rise city dwellers. With both humor and humility, Dykman offers a compelling story, confirming the urgency of saving the threatened monarch migration—and the other threatened systems of nature that affect the survival of us all.