C. J. Critt

Whether you're settling in for a heaping plate of banana pudding or arepas and tostones, a good meal can always bring families together. Once a year, on a Friday night, My family leaves the city And drives hours and hours . . . First my family drives through the mountains to stop at Mamaw and Papaw's house in rural West Virginia. We share blueberry jam and toast for breakfast the next morning, then munch cookies and cut bananas to make banana pudding...

What bird has a large body and a long neck, but cannot fly? It is an emu! Or is it an ostrich? These birds may seem similar, but they are unique in many ways. Lively images, simple text, and a side-by-side comparison feature help young readers learn how emus and ostriches have different appearances and behaviors. Readers will soon identify these flightless birds with ease!

From fluffy Pomeranians to tiny Chihuahuas, the toy dog group has a lot of fun breeds. These dogs may be small, but they have a lot of personality! In this book, readers explore the history and characteristics of the American Kennel Clubs toy dog group. Leveled text and engaging photos introduce the basics of the group, while special features highlight top breeds, breed sizes, and a champion dog. Four two-page profiles give readers a closer look at...

Follow along as three children learn about the bedtime routines of squirrels, parrots, dolphins, and many more. Meerkats sleep in a stack. Is that how these kids go to sleep? Or do they hibernate in snow all winter long like frogs? Or maybe they sleep the day away like skunks? No, that can't be right!

In That's Not a Hippopotamus, A class trip to the zoo descends into a chaotic hunt for the missing hippopotamus. Teacher, zookeeper and all the children join the search. The noise and drama reach a pitch, and no one thinks to listen to quiet Liam.

Jet the cat likes to swim. When the other animals tell her that cats actually hate water, she goes in search of her true identity. After failing to fit the description of a variety of animals, Jet finally learns to embrace her unique brand of catness. A timely tale that humorously challenges labels and celebrates defining one's own unique identity.

Needing to express how much they love each other, parent and child play the old familiar counting game. The child says "I love you," the parent replies "I love you too," and the child, gleefully, replies "I love you three!" From there they continue counting until they reach "I love you ten."

The classic picture book from Margaret Wise Brown about two trains and their cross-country journey from east to west, with a bold new look from Geisel Award-winning artist Greg Pizzoli.

Horse is just an oversize dog with funny paws ... according to Dog. And Dog? Just a tiny baby horse with a weird tail. That's what Horse thinks, anyway.

Some days are harder to get through than others, but when you're sad, or lonely, or angry, it helps to remember these words: the Isle of You. Take a moment to shake off your worries, then set sail to a land where your dreams can come true. Soar on the back of an eagle, hunt for treasure, watch dancing polar bears on roller skates - anything you can imagine is yours.