Explorer Basil Bernard Barnswhitten (B.B.B.) has a list of creatures he needs to verify for an important report so he visits the Finchhaven Museum of Extraordinary Curiosities, Oddities & Improbabilities. But he finds that one of the glass exhibit cases is damaged - something appears to be missing. Or did it escape? To complete his report, B.B.B. travels around the world to track down each creature on his list, all the while asking the same three questions: Is it alive? Is it extinct? Did it ever exist? By deciphering the clues in his journal, young explorers can accompany B.B.B. as he tries to locate each mysterious creature. Finding them won't be easy; lushly detailed scenes serve not only as camouflage but also as habitats to other strange and mysterious marvels. In addition to writing children's books, Judy Young teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators across the country. Her other books with Sleeping Bear Press include the popular R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and The Lucky Star. Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. Laura Francesca Filippucci was born in Milan, Italy, where she graduated in Illustration at the Istituto Europeo di Design. She later specialized in Children's Book Illustration at the School of Visual Arts, New York. She lives in Milan with her family.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Star in a Play, after being cast in a theatrical production, the siblings take different approaches in preparing for the stage. Digger is worried he will forget his lines, while Daisy is confident she doesn't need to rehearse.

Our Readers (also known as "primers") are modeled after the popular nineteenth-century McGuffey Readers, which were used to teach life lessons and reading skills to young children. Judy Young, the author of S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet and Show Me the Number: A Missouri Number Book, pays homage to her home state in the entertaining and informative The Missouri Reader. Using colorful illustrations and a variety of writing forms, The Missouri Reader showcases the state's rich heritage and natural charms, as well as its place in American history. Poems, state symbols, and riddles engage beginning readers. Prose, biographies, and short stories challenge more advanced readers. Topics include a state pledge, early Native American culture, famous citizens, and a Reader Theater performance piece. A timeline listing major events in state history is also featured. Judy Young has written several books for Sleeping Bear Press, including R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous, Mysterious, and (maybe even) Magical Creatures. Judy speaks at schools and educational conferences across the nation. She lives near Springfield, Missouri. K. L. (Kate) Darnell has illustrated all of the books in the Reader series, as well as a number of other books for Sleeping Bear Press. In addition to her work as an illustrator, Kate is an art instructor. She lives in East Lansing, Michigan.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love and concern for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go to the Doctor, Digger feels unwell and Daisy takes him to the doctor. But the checkup doesn't go as Daisy had planned.

This manual guides librarians in creating simple, affordable, ready-to-use activities for children, 'tweens, teens, and families, with enough material for a full year of programs. Do-it-yourself programming is an emerging model in which the librarian does the preparation, then lets patrons take over. DIY Programming and Book Displays: How to Stretch Your Programming without Stretching Your Budget and Staff makes it easy for librarians to institute such programs in their own facilities. Organized around 12 thematic chapters, the book explains how to set up and maintain a do-it-yourself station and offers instructions for a variety of year activities. Reproducible materials and booklists are included as well. Librarians may use the activities as starting points for generating their own ideas or they may simply photocopy materials in the book for ready-to-use, monthly DIY programming. Once set up, the DYI station is available to patrons anytime they are in the library. Best of all, because DIY programs do not rely on staff, space, or special materials, they allow libraries to make the most of their resources without sacrificing patron service.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. On a trip to the city Daisy gets to spend time shopping but she doesn't allow Digger to do anything, telling him he will get lost. But Digger finds a way to do what he wants.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love and concern for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go on a Picnic, Digger and Daisy walk to the park for a picnic. On the way there Digger's keen sense of smell leads him to explore his surroundings, ending up with an encounter with a skunk.