Tasks

Sophie’s Masterpiece

Sophie’s no ordinary house spider. She’s an artist; and every web she spins is more wondrous than the one before. But don’t mention that to the guests at Beekman’s Boardinghouse, because they don’t like spiders.

Stellaluna

When Stellaluna is separated from her mother before she is old enough to fly, she finds out that not all winged creatures eat fruit. Swallowing food that crawls is just one of the many amazing things this little fruit bat must learn to do.

Strega Nona

Strega Nona – “Grandma Witch” – is the source for potions, cures, magic and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical ever-full pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden, but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self makes a story that is beautifully tender and filled with magic.

Sebastian’s Roller Skates

Sebastian didn’t talk very much, even though he had a lot to say. Sebastian was shy. He was very shy. But when he finds a pair of old roller skates in the park, he learns how to do much more than skate…

Private I. Guana

Leon the chameleon is missing! But Ace detective Private I. Guana is on the case. This engaging adventure will tickle your funny bone.

Please Please the Bees

Life is sweet for Benedict. Every morning he wakes up to find jars of fresh honey on his back porch. He makes honey toast for breakfast, bakes honey cake in the afternoon, and drinks honey tea before bed. But one day, the jars on Benedict’s porch are empty. The bees in his backyard have gone on strike! They are tired of doing all the work around the hive. What can Benedict do to make the bees happy and bring sweetness back to his days?

No Mirrors in My Nana’s House

There are no mirrors in my Nana’s house. No mirrors to reflect the cracks in the wall, the clothes that don’t fit, the trash in the hallway. No mirrors. But there is love. The beauty in this child’s world is in her Nana’s eyes. It’s like the rising of the sun…

The Night I Followed the Dog

Have you ever wondered where dogs go at night, and what they do? Well the little boy in this story has reason to believe that there is something funny going on, and he’s ready to find out what it is.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Tricia can’t stand her rotten redheaded older brother Richie, who can do everything better than she can. So when her grandmother tells her a wish made on a shooting star will come true, she knows exactly what to wish for – to be able to do something, anything, better than Richie.

Library Lion

Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren’t any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how.

If I Ran for President

If you ran for president, you would have to do a lot of hard work. You would study the nation’s problems, tell the American people about your platform, select a running mate, and debate your opponents on live television.