Publisher: iCharacter
Patience is usually the best way. Things don’t always work out the way we hope when we get impatient. Suggested for ages 6 and under. For more kids products and free downloads, visit our website at www.icharacter.org
Every town has an old lady all the children just know is a witch. When Johanna and Casper must spend the afternoon at her house, there’s nothing to do, except listen to a story. While the siblings await their mother’s return from the hospital where she’s visiting their ailing father, Mrs. Kinder reads them a story of adventure, magic and music. Mrs. Kinder’s mysterious golden book tells an intertwined tale of two young men—the sensitive Sculptor who carves a beautiful woman from ice and the thieving Sorcerer searching for a spell that will bring the statue to life. The story twists and turns, from the Frozen Forest, to the land of the Lemon Trees, to the home of the Swamp Witch, as the Sculptor’s and Sorcerer’s adventures circle each other. Their inevitable confrontation reveals buried memories that force each of them to confront the true cost of love and redemption. The Ice Maiden's Tale the perfect story-within-a-story with magic, adventure and romance reminiscent of The Princess Bride for a new generation of readers. Excerpt: Mrs. Kinder settled herself in the chair across from the children and cracked open the book. She adjusted her spectacles, ever so slightly, then caressed the page with her wrinkled fingers. “In our world, when magic happens outside of a storybook, we call it a miracle. And miracles are considered so rare and special that lifetimes can go by without so much as a hint of one. But there are faraway places where our kind of miracles are as common as blades of grass in an open field. In the northern region of one of these worlds, in the top far east corner, past green forests, swamps, lakes, and even an ocean, there lived a young artist named Gabriel.” .... “This isn’t a very good story.” Casper complained. "Casper!” Johanna exclaimed in embarrassment. Mrs. Kinder laughed. “That’s because I’m not even at the story part yet, but it’s high time we get started. This story doesn’t begin, the way you think it might and the way most stories do. It doesn’t begin with a big adventure or a journey, or even pirate treasure. It starts with a tiny choice—one that seems unremarkable at the time, but that changes the course of destiny. One crisp morning, our Gabriel decided to search for firewood—and it’s with that simple decision that our tale begins.”Show book
“This richly detailed nonfiction account of Norwegians who spied for the British and organized resistance against the Nazis unfolds like a spy thriller” (Library Journal). The invasion begins at night, with German cruisers slipping into the harbor, and soon the Nazis occupy all of Norway. They station soldiers throughout the country. They institute martial rule. And at Vemork, an industrial fortress high above a dizzying gorge, they gain access to an essential ingredient for the weapon that could end World War II: Hitler’s very own nuclear bomb. When the Allies discover the plans for the bomb, they agree Vemork must be destroyed. But after a British operation fails to stop the Nazis’ deadly designs, the task falls to a band of young Norwegian commandos. Armed with little more than skis, explosives, and great courage, they will survive months in the snowy wilderness, elude a huge manhunt, and execute two dangerous missions. The result? The greatest act of sabotage in all of World War II. “A strong choice for students of history or science. This title is easy to recommend to those who enjoy nonfiction and to thriller fans interested in true tales of heroism.” —School Library Journal “Riveting.” —Publishers Weekly “A rich, well-paced narrative.” —Kirkus ReviewsShow book
Emmy was not an ordinary girl. She could talk to rodents. She could shrink to the size of a rodent. And just a few weeks ago, she had even become a rodent to defeat her evil former nanny, Miss Barmy.Emmy's parents, unaware of their daughter's other life, ship her off to visit two elderly aunts in Schenectady. Emmy figures her life will be ordinary at last, if rather boring. But she didn't count on her friend Ratty, whose search for his long-lost Ratmom brings him more than he bargained for. Here is the third book in the acclaimed Emmy series, complete with a flip book feature (bats!).Show book
“A humorous rhyming text immediately engages readers . . . [Children] will respond to the comedy, the catchy rhythm, and especially the yuck factor.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Frank was a monster who wanted to dance. So he put on his hat, and his shoes made in France . . . and opened a jar and put ants in his pants! So begins this monstrously funny, deliciously disgusting, horrifyingly hilarious story of a monster who follows his dream. Keith Graves’ wacky illustrations and laugh-out-loud text will leave young readers laughing—clamoring for an encore performance. “Ghoulish gross-outs abound . . . the punchline . . . will likely hit primary graders’ funny bones.” —Publishers WeeklyShow book
From the New York Times–bestselling author. “A rousing, slightly surreal tale of rescue and redemption, this effort will appeal to animal lovers everywhere.” —Kirkus Reviews All Hal had ever wanted was a dog. “Never!” cries his mother. “Think of the mess, the scratch-marks, the puddles on the floor.” But on the morning of Hal’s 10th birthday, the unbelievable happens. He’s allowed to choose a dog at Easy Pets, a rent-a-pet agency (a fact his parents keep from him). The moment he sees the odd-looking terrier, he knows he’s found a friend for life. But no one tells Hal that Fleck must be returned. When Hal wakes up on Monday morning, Fleck is gone. If dog and boy are to stay together they’ll have to run away . . . From the renowned Eva Ibbotson comes a tale laced with humor and brimming over with heart, stunning in its beauty of the love of all things dog.“Ibbotson’s final book is a story with the heart of Lassie and the satirical bite of Roald Dahl . . . as funny as it is satisfying.” —Booklist “Readers who have grown to love Ibbotson’s bighearted heroes and larger-than-life adventure stories will relish this final novel . . . In true Ibbotson form, the lives of unlikely acquaintances are colorfully threaded together.” —Publishers Weekly “In this—her last book—Ibbotson maintained her flair for characterization, madcap action, and a rollicking plotline . . . This satisfying novel combines humor with heart to great effect—a lovely parting gift from the masterful storyteller.” —School Library JournalShow book
Perfect narrative non-fiction for young learners! Backyard Safari: Opossums is told through a fun story. Children learn about what opossums look like, different types of opossums, why opossums do what they do, how they hunt, what they eat, and where they live. As a narrative non-fiction book, it also includes full-color photos of opossums in the wild, fun facts about them, and suggests further reading on the subject. Start a child's love of wildlife with the Backyard Safari series.Show book
