Umbrella Town
Marcia Allen Bennett
Little Katarina sees beyond the bleak parade of black umbrellas in rainy Umbrella Town. Her decision to transform her own umbrella into one full of color brings scorn from the townspeople, but Katarina's determination overcomes their prejudice and brings surprising changes to the little town. Umbrella Town won first prize in the Texas Katherine Anne Porter Literary Contest.
Gimme-Jimmy
Sherrill S. Cannon
How a Bully Learns to Share ... "James Alexander's nickname was Jim, But nobody would be friends with him. No one wanted to play with Jimmy, For Jim Alexander always said, "Gimme." Thus begins the rhyming story of Jim Alexander, whose nickname was Gimme-Jimmy because he was a greedy and selfish bully. Imagine Jimmy's concern when he found that every time he said the word "Gimme," his hand grew larger! Jimmy was happy to discover that when he was polite and said, "Please" and "Thank you," his hand began to shrink. He started practicing his new "Polite Rule" and found out that it was much more fun to share. Author Sherrill S. Cannon wrote three children's books that garnered prestigious awards in 2011. In less than two years, this award-winning grandmother of nine had three books and five children's plays published. Gimme-Jimmy is her fourth book. Her earlier book The Magic Word received a Readers Favorite Gold Medal, a NABE Pinnacle Achievement Award and a Global eBook Finalist Award; Santa's Birthday Gift received a National Indie Excellence Finalist Award and a Readers Favorite Silver Medal; and Peter and the Whimper-Whineys won a Readers Favorite Bronze Medal and a USA Best Books Finalist Award. These three award-winning titles are all available as eBooks, and Peter and the Whimper-Whineys is also available as an app. A former teacher, Sherrill S. Cannon of Great Bend, Pennsylvania, is retired and travels the country with her husband in an RV, going from coast to coast to visit their children and grandchildren, sharing her wonderfully rhyming books along the way. Publisher's website: http://sbpra.com/SherrillSCannon
The Little Rose
Sheri Fink
The Little Rose is a timeless, heartwarming story about embracing who you really are. Finely detailed, irresistible illustrations bring to life this endearing story of the Little Rose growing amongst a bed of weeds. Teased by the ugly weeds around her, the Little Rose nearly gives up but then learns to accept and love herself for what she really is, a beautiful rose.The Little Rose inspires children to embrace who they are despite their current environments. Themes include: Overcoming Bullying, Self-Esteem, Tolerance, Embracing and Accepting Yourself, Authenticity
The Many Colors of Friendship
Rita Kaye Vetsch
One day a new student joins Katherine's first grade class. His name is Luis and he looks very different in appearance than Katherine. Katherine is afraid to talk to Luis; therefore, she ignores him and walks away. She goes home from school that day feeling sad and confused. Katherine falls asleep in her bed that night, but when she awakes, she is in a magical jungle overflowing with every color imaginable. And waiting to meet her are four amazing, unique jungle animals: Sanjay the purple emerald boa, Addie the hairy orange tree sloth, Sophie the brilliant rainbow singing toucan and Chen the giant ocean blue panda. The jungle animals frighten Katherine at first, because they are so different in appearance than any animals she has ever seen before. But Sanjay, Addie, Sophie and Chen quickly help Katherine to confront her fears and to explore what being different is all about. Together, the unique and colorful animals of the jungle help Katherine to realize that friends come in many different colors, sizes and shapes. Katherine goes through a life altering and soulful journey that teaches her about differences, compassion and friendship. Enchantingly written and illustrated by Rita Kaye Vetsch, The Many Colors of Friendship is an ageless story of diversity that every reader will cherish and come away with a meaningful and positive message. Author Bio: Author Rita Kaye Vetsch lives in Central Minnesota with her loving husband Dan, wonderful 5-year-old daughter Katherine and two very entertaining little pups, Kasper and Koko Bean. Her daughter, who helped her remember how to see the world with the imaginative eye of a child, was the inspiration for The Many Colors of Friendship.
Wallie Exercises
Steve Ettinger
Wallie is mostly a wonderful dog, but his super-laziness has become a problem. So his boy convinces him to go on an adventure to get fit. With a little help from a big friend, Wallie learns how to exercise. Will he enjoy the change from pudgy pup to healthy hound or will he return to his lazy ways? Learn important fitness concepts while following Wallie on his hilarious journey to get in shape. A special section with more information and original exercises (performed by Wallie) will get every kid (and pup) excited about exercise.
Santa's Birthday Gift
If your child or grandchild has ever wondered where Santa fits in with the traditional Christmas story, now you can read them Santa's Birthday Gift. Finally, a book that ties two holiday traditions into one inspirational tale of wonder - as Santa brings gifts to baby Jesus. The cleverly-written, rhyming book reveals Santa's adventure from toymaker to star follower -- right into the heart of Bethlehem where he meets Baby Jesus in the manger. Delivering toys to a king is a touching experience for both Santa and readers alike, as they discover where the tradition began -- Santa makes a promise to Jesus to bring gifts to good boys and girls each year on Jesus' birthday. This delightful story is engaging and delivers meaningful lessons using recognizable nativity characters, and of course, Santa and Jesus. Author Sherrill S. Cannon says her inspiration for this book came from her granddaughter who, after hearing the Christmas story, asked, "But where's Santa?" Cannon has been weaving stories and poems even before she could write. She enjoys the creative process and says her goal in each book is to teach good manners, as well as caring for others. Her background is in physical education, sports photography and she also had a column in a newspaper. Cannon is already working on several new children's books.
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys
"In a house in the forest all covered with vines, Lived a very small rabbit who did nothing but whine." Thus begins the rhymed story of Peter and the Whimper-Whineys. Peter's mother warns him that if he cannot stop whining and crying, he'll have to go live with the Whimper-Whineys. His adventure continues as he later hops into the woods and finds lots of frightening Whimper-Whineymen! He discovers that the Whimper-Whineys are very ill-mannered and rude, and that everything is sour in Whimper-Whineland. He decides his mother was right...If only he can get back home...! According to a recent Critique, "I cannot imagine any parent or guardian not wanting to read this book to their child!... Parents everywhere applaud you!" Sherrill S. Cannon is also the author of the popular Santa's Birthday Gift, published by Eloquent Books in November, 2009. Cannon, a former teacher, enjoys the creative process and says her goal in each book is to teach good manners, as well as caring for others. She is already working on several new children's books. Publisher's Web site: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/PeterAndTheWhimper-Whineys.html
Queen Vernita's Visitors
Dawn Menge
Queen Vernita invites twelve wonderful friends to visit with her during each month of the year. Queen Vernita and her friends enjoy fun activities throughout the Oceaneers Kingdom. Parents and teachers will love teaching the monthly calendar, days of the weeks and seasons through the storytelling adventures of Queen Vernita and her friends.