Bernard

Esi is sure she is brave enough for anything. Monsters? Ghosts? Scary masks? They should be afraid of her. At Ghana’s Kakamotobi Festival, the music booms, the crowd presses close, and strange masked figures whirl everywhere. Esi still wants to be fearless, but when she suddenly cannot find her parents, the festival feels much bigger than she expected. This vivid picture book follows one determined girl as she discovers that bravery does not mean never feeling scared. With lively read-aloud energy, a strong sense of place, and illustrations full of festival detail, Esi the Brave invites you into a story about courage, family, and finding your way through an overwhelming new experience.

Tiny Tim has a very strange problem, and ordinary grown-ups are not much help. The doctor arrives, the nurse arrives, and then comes the unforgettable lady with the alligator purse. Based on a familiar jump-rope rhyme, this funny picture book turns a playground chant into a playful read-aloud full of rhythm, nonsense, and comic timing. Children can chant along, predict the repeating pattern, and enjoy the absurdity of a tiny patient, dramatic visitors, and a cure that belongs completely to the world of silly verse. Nadine Bernard Westcott’s lively version keeps the spirit of the traditional rhyme bright and energetic, with illustrations that make the humor easy for young readers to follow. It is a good fit for children who enjoy nursery rhymes, music, and laugh-out-loud repetition.

Miss Mary Mack is dressed in black, ready for a rhyme that begs to be clapped, chanted, and shared. This playful picture book expands the familiar hand-clapping verse into a bright, funny story about Miss Mary Mack, an elephant, and the delightfully silly rhythm children already love. The words are easy to join in, the beat is made for reading aloud, and the included music and hand-clapping directions turn the book into an invitation to play. Mary Ann Hoberman’s adaptation keeps the bounce of the traditional rhyme while giving young readers a fuller, more entertaining version to enjoy. Nadine Bernard Westcott’s lively illustrations add humor and motion, making this a strong choice for story time, classroom sharing, and children who like poems they can perform.

The library doors are swinging wide, and you are invited inside for a rhythmic adventure! Set to the familiar tune of The Wheels on the Bus, this playful story takes you through a day in the library, from the shushing of the librarian to the magical worlds found inside every book. You will meet a cast of excited children as they explore the shelves, find their favorite stories, and learn how the library works. The energetic illustrations and catchy text make it easy to follow along and even sing your way through the stacks. This is a perfect introduction to the wonders of the public or school library. You will discover that the library isn't just a place for quiet reading—it is a community hub where your imagination can run wild. By the time the doors close at the end of the day, you will be ready to check out your own adventure and come back for more.

Since the day he watched white men murder his father, Lolla-Wossiky has been a broken man, drowning his grief in a rough frontier town. His brother, Ta-Kumsaw, harbors a fierce vision to keep the encroaching white settlers confined to the eastern lands and protect their people. But the brutal Governor Bill Harrison has far darker, more violent plans for the native tribes. When Harrison sets his ruthless scheme into motion, the collision of cultures unwittingly draws in young Alvin Miller. Alvin is no ordinary frontier boy; he is a Maker, gifted with extraordinary, earth-shaping magical powers. As tensions explode into conflict, Alvin's path intertwines with Lolla-Wossiky and Ta-Kumsaw, launching the next critical stage of his magical education. Step into a brilliantly reimagined alternate American history where folk magic is real, loyalties are tested in blood, and a young boy's extraordinary knack might be the only thing that can prevent a devastating war.

After the American Civil War, the members of the Baltimore Gun Club need a new challenge. Their president, Impey Barbicane, proposes one so enormous it sounds impossible: build a cannon powerful enough to send a projectile to the Moon. The plan demands money, engineering, daring calculations, and public faith in an idea that seems half scientific dream and half reckless spectacle. Rivalries sharpen the drama, especially when Captain Nicholl challenges Barbicane’s claims with a series of bets. As the project grows, the question is not only whether the launch can happen, but whether human ambition has found a new frontier. From the Earth to the Moon is a landmark classic of early science fiction. Readers who enjoy space exploration, bold inventions, and big what-if ideas will find Jules Verne imagining the Moon race long before rockets became real.

Jump in Sim Webb was born to work on the railroad. As the best fireman around, his job is to shovel coal into the roaring furnace of the train engine driven by the legendary Casey Jones. The adventure Casey has the biggest, loudest steam whistle on any train, until a mysterious, sinister stranger offers him an unearthly golden whistle. Casey wants it at any cost, but Sim can sense the terrible danger ahead. The heavenly sound of the new whistle is mesmerizing, but Sim knows it does not belong in human hands. Why it pulls you in This thrilling historical folktale reimagines the famous legend of Casey Jones from the perspective of his brave fireman. With vivid illustrations and a spine-tingling mystery, it is a perfect ride for anyone who loves trains, myths, and heroics.

A quiet prairie town is getting ready for Christmas when a mysterious stranger opens a new candy shop. Young Lucy is curious about the striped candy he places in the window, but the candy cane is more than a sweet treat. As the stranger shares its meaning, Lucy discovers how one simple Christmas symbol can point to a much bigger story of faith, hope, and giving. The Legend of the Candy Cane is a warm, faith-centered picture book with a gentle historical setting and richly illustrated scenes. It invites young readers to look closely at familiar holiday traditions and think about the stories they carry. Ideal for Christmas reading, family sharing, and children who enjoy meaningful holiday stories with Christian themes.

Margaret has three wishes: a sister, a dog, and the chance to study medicine like her papa. In the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Papa is the only doctor for miles, riding out in all kinds of weather to help neighbors in need. Margaret watches, learns, and longs to prove that a girl can be brave and capable enough for doctoring too. But Mama thinks the work is too hard and too dangerous for a woman. Then the influenza epidemic of 1918 reaches their community, and Margaret sees just how much courage, skill, and sacrifice real medicine can demand. A Doctor Like Papa is a thoughtful historical chapter book about ambition, family expectations, and the responsibilities that come with helping others. Readers who enjoy strong heroines, early twentieth-century settings, and stories about girls challenging unfair limits will find Margaret’s dream both moving and inspiring.

Nellie and Gus have questions about bodies, and a trip to the beach gives them a natural way to notice what is the same and what is different. Who Has What? introduces young children to basic facts about girls' bodies and boys' bodies with simple words, everyday curiosity, and a reassuring tone. Robie H. Harris keeps the explanations clear and concrete, while Nadine Bernard Westcott's warm illustrations make the topic approachable. The story does not treat body questions as embarrassing; it presents them as part of learning about yourself and others. This picture-book introduction is best suited for families, caregivers, and educators who want a gentle, factual way to begin conversations about body awareness, privacy, and healthy confidence.

Sophie is officially six years old, and she is busier than ever preparing for her future career as a full-time farmer. Her days are packed with important agricultural duties, and there is never a dull moment when she is around. From inspecting the fields to managing her growing collection of pets, Sophie takes her responsibilities extremely seriously. This year brings exciting new challenges, especially when her beloved cat finally has a litter of adorable kittens. While playing with the babies is wonderful, Sophie must quickly learn the hard reality of farming when the time comes to find them all new homes. Along the way, she deals with messy accidents and hilarious misunderstandings with the adults in her life. With her signature stubbornness and massive heart, this unstoppable six-year-old takes every triumph and tragedy right in stride. Join Sophie on her latest, muddiest adventure as she marches one step closer to her ultimate farming dream.

The Idaville police department has a secret weapon, and he is only ten years old. Leroy Brown, known to everyone as Encyclopedia, solves the town's most difficult crimes right at his family dinner table. When he is not helping his police chief father, he runs his own detective agency to help the neighborhood kids outwit the local bully, Bugs Meany. In this collection of ten thrilling mysteries, you will face an unusual midnight quest, a serious bank holdup, and a pair of gerbils who mysteriously paint together. You will even need to figure out the truth behind fifty mosquitoes netted at the strange Oddball Olympics. Encyclopedia never misses a detail, and he is inviting you to examine the evidence right alongside him. Every single clue is hidden within the story, waiting for you to spot the mistake that gives the criminal away. If you find yourself completely baffled by a tricky suspect, the solutions are waiting for you at the end of the book. Sharpen your wits and get ready to catch the crooks before they can get away!

Hey super sleuths! Get ready to solve some tricky cases with the best kid detective around, Encyclopedia Brown! He's famous for his amazing brain, and he can crack any mystery that comes his way in the town of Idaville. In this book, you'll join Encyclopedia as he tackles ten brand-new puzzles. From uncovering who vandalized a library book to figuring out a sneaky scheme during a soccer game, no case is too big or too small for him. He even helps solve the mystery of an African killfish! The best part? You get to play detective too. Each mystery gives you all the clues, and then you can try to solve it before looking at the answers hidden at the back of the book. Can you outsmart the criminals and find the solutions?

Toby Harbinger is just trying to survive Hubble Middle School, and his biggest goal is finally winning the local science fair. He has worked hard on his project and is ready to take home the prize. But Toby is about to realize that his school is hiding a secret far more dangerous than baking soda volcanoes. The ruthless president of a rogue nation has targeted the science fair as ground zero for a massive plot to overthrow the United States government. As ordinary students become unwitting pawns in this international conspiracy, Toby stumbles onto the truth. Suddenly, his quest for a blue ribbon turns into a desperate race to stop a group of highly trained terrorists. Get ready for a hilarious and action packed adventure where middle school drama meets global espionage. You will laugh out loud as Toby uses his wits, his friends, and some very unconventional science to save the free world from total destruction.

Swindlers, con artists, and clever thieves are always trying to pull a fast one in the town of Idaville, but they never succeed for long. The neighborhood is protected by Encyclopedia Brown, a ten year old crime stopper with a mind sharper than any adult detective. In this exciting new collection, you will follow the famous boy sleuth as he tackles ten bizarre and challenging new mysteries. Have you ever wondered if an old diary belonging to George Washington's mother is actually authentic? Or perhaps you want to investigate a mysterious photograph of a UFO that was supposedly captured by the army? From the strange puzzle of a giant shark tooth to the thrilling whodunit surrounding a secret shipwreck, these cases will push your deductive reasoning to the limit. As a reader, you are not just sitting on the sidelines. You are an active participant in every single investigation. All the clues are carefully hidden within the story, waiting for you to spot them and expose the truth. Use your critical thinking skills to match wits with Encyclopedia, and see if you can expose the fakes and catch the culprits before turning to the solutions in the back.