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A heartwarming story of gratitude, and a reminder to enjoy the journey. Travel to a mysterious island alongside Frankie to wish on a magic feather. The path to the hidden feather will only be revealed through patience, wit, and joy. But time is running out, and wishes are only granted on one special day. Dance along with the creatures in this sound-enhanced audio story with a powerful message about what’s important in life. Frankie’s Wish is ideal for children 5-8. It features Frankie (no pronouns), Auntie Duke (she), a dinosaur, a gorilla, and an eagle. Major themes include gratitude, asking for help, friendship, self-affirmation, and believing in yourself. Track 2 includes Ballerina Konora’s suggestions for movement exploration. Kids are invited to re-create the characters’ actions and explore movement fundamentals by twirling, squatting, waddling, balancing, jumping, stretching, reaching, sway, and more. Self-affirmation and gratitude are also encouraged. Frankie’s Wish is the latest Dance-It-Out! imagination journey by Once Upon a Dance, winner of over 40 book awards including Mom’s Choice Gold, Kirkus Reviews Starred Review, and Outstanding Creator Awards Top 10 Author of 2022. -
Set in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city of St. Louis, Jayrin Foster grapples with the absence of his father, while Kamree Covington copes with her own struggles as her father serves time in prison. Aceson Denner, residing in a more affluent neighborhood, faces a different challenge – his father's emotional detachment. As these teenagers navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence, the void left by their fathers becomes an insurmountable hurdle. Jayrin's entanglement with a local drug dealer jeopardizes his academic pursuits, places his life at risk, and strains his longstanding friendship with Kamree. Kamree, in pursuit of an ideal and perfect world, confronts her own imperfections through self-reflection. Meanwhile, Aceson's explosive temper and social awkwardness lead to isolation in his school. Through the authentic voices of these compelling characters, the harsh reality of socio-economic challenges confronting today's youth unfolds. As they grapple with loneliness, poverty, drugs, and violence, and develop racial awareness, their separate journeys unexpectedly intertwine. The resulting tapestry weaves a narrative of tragedy, awakening, and the potential for redemption. -
As the symphony floated above, Sora searched deep inside for a song. But nothing came. Melodies tickled across Sora’s toes, legs, and back as the little cricket searched in vain. Then a stern voice pierced the song, and the music stopped. “Someone’s not singing.” Discover one little cricket’s beautiful pursuit of inspiration. Readers are invited to stretch, balance, jump, and move along with the creatures in this delightful story of perseverance and celebrating your own unique voice. An enchanting sound-enhanced resource perfect for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms, dance teachers, and families at home. Sora Searches for a Song is ideal for ages 5-8. It features Sora (no pronouns), birds, fish, frogs, dragonflies, turtles, snakes and more. Delight your little one or class with this dance-and-move-along audio story, complete with nature and animal sounds. Track 2 includes Ballerina Konora’s suggestions for movement exploration. As kids move along with the characters, they experience head/tail connection, dynamic posture, vestibular action, balance, movement quality, partnering, and more. -
“The Night Quiet” was born as a poem and remains so in this newly minted Childhood Classic. This story plays an integral role in assisting the Child from being actively awake to falling gently asleep. It has a melodious rhythm, carries a tune, and lulls the mind into restorative sleep. “The Night Quiet” offers a standing invitation to the Child. The Child will learn that the cycle of day and night are connected in their own rhythm. The Night is personified in a way that heightens curiosity as well as wonder. The simple words take on new meaning as the illustrations pair perfectly with their presentation. There is a safe space created as sleep time is ushered into the bed with the Child. A world of fantastical dreams awaits the Child who benefits from a transition from activity to relaxation. It is in Early Childhood that sleep habits and patterns are formed. “The Night Quiet” is a tool in a Caregiver’s toolbox to assist with that healthy formation. Since sleep is one of the most important requirements for a healthy life this book is indispensable. Please join the author on a journey like no other into slumber. -
"The Morning Good" was born as a poem and remains so in this newly minted Book One of Kelly Anne Manuel's Essentials Series. In this story the Child is invited to experience their mornings in a unique and beautiful way. The optimism that the story presents is practical as well as heart warming. "The Morning Good" offers a standing invitation to the Child. The Child will learn that every morning is a fresh, new day, with unlimited adventures to embrace. It has a rhythm which encourages the Child to look upon each morning as special. The simple words take on new meaning as the illustrations pair perfectly with their presentation. The illustrations offer a different view of the morning on the planet. The Child will be drawn in to discover this different view as the Northern Lights as well as Polar Bear illustrations leap off the page. Children who begin their morning ritual with optimism reap wonderful benefits. The story ends with a decision to greet the morning with the awe that it really does inspire. Teaching the Child that they can also make decisions about how to face their day is crucial to healthy self esteem. It is in Early Childhood that self esteem and identity are under major construction. "The Morning Good" is a tool in a Caregiver's toolbox to assist with that healthy formation. The idea that we are united with Nature and Science is such an important message that the author feels Children's literature must reflect. The Child who reads this book will be rewarded with fresh optimism each day as they welcome “The Morning Good.” -
“The Inclusive All” was born as a poem and remains so in this newly minted Book Ten of Kelly Anne Manuel’s Essentials Series. In this story the Child is invited on a journey to a magical place. The narrator welcomes the Child on a voyage that is complete with the theme of inclusion throughout. It is a place where peace and harmony reign supreme. “The Inclusive All” offers a standing invitation to the Child. The Child will learn that they can actively engage with literature that is also entertaining. This is a story for all times of day because it is characterized by the freedom of joy and happiness. There is a positive energy that the Child will feel as a result of the hopeful message that is delivered throughout the book. The simple words take on new meaning as the illustrations pair perfectly with their presentation. The illustrations offer a colorful view of beautiful and ethereal scenery. There are so many birds to find that represent the peace of this magical place. Waterfalls, trees, and plants will capture and hold the Child’s attention. “The Inclusive All” allows the Child to see cooperation in the way the animals interact. There is discovery in the air as butterflies, peacocks, and even fish accompany the Child on this unique voyage. The Child is invited to join the narrator at any time to visit this imaginary community. Positive communication is modeled and there for the Child to absorb throughout the story. It is in Early Childhood that futures are under major construction. “The Inclusive All” is a tool in a Caregiver’s toolbox to assist with that healthy formation. The idea that we can learn from observing inclusive environments is a message the author embraces. The Child who reads this book will be rewarded with an imaginary destination that is always ready to welcome their arrival. -
Destination stories that aid in imaginary and play discourse. The gap between reality and pretend is bridged. Each book begins with “The other day I went to visit a friend…” and transports readers to a different place where anything is possible. -
Self and identity themed books that help children explore the duality of their internal and external nature. The importance of self-esteem and clear communication of the self are explored. These books give the child the opportunity to say: “This is who I am.” -
Timeless books where all generations can find meaning. These many-layered stories have broad themes but focus on specific events and reality-based resilience topics. These books help kids navigate difficult situations. -
In Jaxon and Kevin’s Black History Trip Downtown, the second book in this educational book series, Jaxon shares his magical adventure with his cousin Kevin. They venture into town to meet Black inventors and scientists who are responsible for many of the things we encounter every day. -
The Symphony of Eight Short Stories by Daniel A. Novak is a joyful, imaginative collection of children's tales and is now available in both English and Spanish! These unique stories invite listeners of all ages into a world with creativity, courage, kindness, and curiosity at the center. Perfect for bilingual families, classrooms, or anyone looking to experience the magic of storytelling across languages, this audio collection celebrates the power of imagination. So press play, sit back, and enjoy the ride. This is one symphony you’ll want to hear again and again! -
La Sinfonía de Ocho Historias Cortas de Daniel A. Novak es una colección alegre y llena de imaginación pa’ niños, ¡y ahora está disponible en inglés y en español! Estas historias únicas invitan a gente de todas las edades a un mundo donde la creatividad, el valor, la bondad y la curiosidad son los protagonistas. Perfecta pa’ familias bilingües, salones de clase o cualquiera que quiera sentir la magia de los cuentos en dos idiomas, esta colección en audio celebra el poder de la imaginación. Dale al play, relájate y déjate llevar. ¡Esta es una sinfonía que vas a querer escuchar una y otra vez! -
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A young Irish sailor cast adrift in the sea. A mermaid princess and Irish luck save him from drowning. This adventurous tale owes its inspiration to stories Mike Mirabella heard as a little boy. His sizeable Italian clan swapped such stories during family dinners at the kitchen table.
"My grandpa and uncles would tell tales of fishing the waters off the coast of California and up through the inland passages of Alaska. I recall Grandpa Angelo telling of the scary times, when he was a cabin boy of 12 and was captured by pirates while working on the tall ships”.
And then there was the never-ending argument between my grandpa and Uncle Cam: “What was that strange creature they caught off the coast of Alaska; a mermaid or a merman?" I was (and still am) that wee lad in our story, sitting wide-eyed, half-believing, yet never tiring of hearing those wonder-filled stories told by those salty, old jacks."
Using the rhyming style of a pirate in an Irish pub, our sailor spins his yarn about seeing the slap of a mermaid's tail during a mighty storm. "On the Luck of an Irish Sailor" is a beautiful tale of adventure on the high seas. In a story that's been passed down for generations, author Mike Mirabella takes us on a magical experience deep beneath the ocean.
Could it have happened? Did it happen? Folklore - that's the feeling sparked by the illustrations by illustrator Amy O'Hanlon. She uses hues of blues, grays, and browns to depict the fierce storm accurately. On other pages, O'Hanlon uses beige and brown tones to create the illusion of an older picture book-like classic story that's been around for years. Enjoy the bonus song sheets and sing along with this ‘mostly’ true story of adventure and redemption, in "On the Luck of an Irish Sailor."
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The Crow's Nest is a tale of high adventure, as seen through the eyes of Will Anchor and his sister, Sara, ages 11 and 13, as they set out by canoe on a dangerous mission to find help for their ailing mother.
The year is 2049 and their home is in the drowned and abandoned city of New Orleans. Water levels, worldwide, have risen to unprecedented levels. Civilization, as we know it, has been brought to its knees, yet life struggles on, with promise for the future.
This story depicts an environmental disaster that some scientists predict may actually come to pass. This story is a timely, upbeat, and wholesome adventure. It is a down-to-earth odyssey that takes many twists and turns and is very exciting.
This audiobook has appeal for all ages.
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Join Princess Claudia on an unforgettable adventure as she learns the vital role clouds play in the world. Guided by her wise owl, Iris, and a bumbling wizard named Fumbledore, a nearly blind Claudia discovers that sometimes the things we take for granted are the most important of all. The Day the Clouds Went Away is a beautifully illustrated whimsical fairytale that shares the importance of clouds in our lives, even on rainy days.
