Starring Prima!
Overview
At her birth, the youngest daughter of the mouse family Pianissima, born in a broken grand piano backstage at a huge theater, decides she will not only be a dancer of the Ballet Rodente, the dance company of mice her aged grandmother, Madame Mouiselle, has headed in a little-used box seat in the theater since she came from Paris, but a dancer for people and other creatures. This decision leads her into many harrowing adventures, and to a friendship with a human child, Kristen, who can understand Prima’s speech, and who takes her, in her pocket, literally around the world as they travel with Kristen’s mother, the Prima ballerina Antoinette Brown — Prima’s namesake. It is a story of friendship, loyalty across age and species, and of loss and acceptance, for Prima is a grown mouse and a mother before Kristen even becomes a teenager. Called my best novel by some critics, it is a book that even older children find funny and punny, as well as moving. The sweet line drawings are by Tricia Tusa.
Read MoreBaby Bat’s Lullaby
Overview
Mama and her precious baby bat wake up at dusk ready to take a flight into the sky. Together they soar and explore, relishing each tender moment spent with each other until bedtime at dawn. New York Times best–selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard’s soothing bedtime rhyme and Julia Noonan’s soaring images capture the simple joys and special love shared by a mother and child.
Read MoreRosalie, My Rosalie
Overview
Named for her father, Henry Marie wants a pet so bad it hurts — a kitten, a horse, even a little sister would do!
But her parents nix every idea Henry has, until one day her farmer father comes home with a little creature he rescued from a restaurant basement, just hours before she was to become Peking Duck.
Rosalie becomes Henry’s constant, sometimes irksome, but always beloved companion. But ducklings grow up; and they become as fierce as guard dogs when it comes to the little girls they love. When that happens, something must be done, and Henry knows it may mean that she and Rosalie will part. But when they do, something happens Henry could never have imagined, that both breaks her heart and makes it as strong as any mother’s for her child.
Read MoreReady, Set, School!
Overview
Rory is scared of being away from home for the first time, especially when his sleeping bag is so comfortable . . . but he doesn’t want his parents treating him like a baby kit anymore. He’ll get to stay up until morning if he sleeps over at his cousins’ house. It could even help Rory conquer his biggest fear: starting Remarkable Raccoon Suburban School, which means nights away from his folks. Is Rory ready to show everyone—including his parents—that he’s ready to go anywhere?
Read More