In a world where learning and reading are forbidden, the fairy princess Ariel is taking huge risks to explore the knowledge avaliable among the elves she’s befriended on the other side of the valley. As she becomes more entwined in their world, Keeper the patriarch of her new band of friends, warns Ariel of the dangerous path she's on and reveals a shocking truth about her own family. Ariel is left with a difficult choice. Should she return to the barbarian, illiterate security of her colony, or continue risking everything in her attempts to quench her awakened thirst for knowledge? In this captivating tale of alliances and self-discovery, Ariel and Keeper form an unlikely pact that will change their lives forever.

In a world of elven tribes and mythical creatures, Ariel challenges the dogmatic laws and norms of her kin and begins a transformative journey, learning various skills from the compassionate Rapha. In her adventures with different elves, like Rosie the gnome and Sage the tree sprite, Ariel is exposed to a world where care, knowledge, and community are paramount. But because of his haunting memories and biases, Keeper still struggles to trust Ariel. Soon, the Rapha begin to reconsider their own stories and beliefs, and Keeper has to face his own troubled past. An enlightening and heartwarming fantasy adventure, THE RAPHA AND THE FIREFLY is the third book in The Year Of The Firefly series by GeAnn Powers.

Ariel is a fairy princess from a colony of scavengers. Her life has been one of hunger, emptiness, and fear. In a year’s time, she will have to choose one of her ruthless barbarian kin to marry, and be condemned to a life of servitude and hopelessness. Basil is a well-educated young elf, used to a life of books, warmth and friendship. With his pack full of vials and potions, he was just wanting to get home. But after one chance encounter in a spider's web, their lives entangle, and their worlds will never be the same again.

Written by a respected internationally known math professional development professional and a language arts specialist this book will provide a teaching and learning resource book for teachers of children in Kindergarten to Grade 2 (4-8 year olds) that will help all children learn important mathematics based on the Common Core Standards of Mathematics and English Language Arts and reflects the knowledge and skills that young people need for success in college and careers. Rita Janes and Elizabeth Strong are well versed in the theoretical underpinnings of using Children's Literature to teach young children number sense through investigations and problem solving tasks. The book is based on the learning standards and practices in both the CCSS-M and the CCSS-LA. This very practical book will support teachers in integrating children's literature with meaningful mathematical learning experiences and provide a balance of procedural knowledge and understanding.

A unique and fascinating scientific detective story that traces the origins as well as the complex mechanisms of human self-consciousness.

The wisdom from these stories can become a companion on your own spiritual journey. Native American Stories of the Sacred are intended for more than entertainment: they are teaching tales containing elegantly simple illustrations of time-honored truths. From tales of Creation to "Why?" stories that help explain the natural world around us, these stories highlight the sacredness of all life and affirm that we are each an integral part of all that is holy. Drawn from tribes across North America, these are careful retellings of traditional stories such as Son of Light's quest to win back his captured wife from the monstrous Man-Eagle; humble Muskrat's noble self-sacrifice to establish solid land so other beings might live; Water Spider's creative solution for retrieving fire for all the animals; and White Buffalo Calf Woman's profound gift of the sacred pipe to the people. Each of the compelling stories in this collection illustrates principles that can guide you on your own spiritual quest. Now you can experience the wisdom of these teaching tales even if you have no previous knowledge of Native American traditions. SkyLight Illuminations provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains the cultural and spiritual significance of the seemingly mundane objects found in these stories--tobacco, gambling, even the exploits of mischievous tricksters such as Coyote and Weasel--while gracefully drawing comparisons to Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions, among others. Whatever your spiritual heritage, these Native American stories of the sacred are sure to delight and inspire you with the sacredness of all Creation, and remind you that the earth does not belong to us--we belong to the earth.