Synopsis: Join nine-year-old Hubaldo Romero Paez in Venezuela as he introduces his friends, his family, and his favorite sport-baseball. Complemented by a map and an English-Spanish baseball glossary, Hubaldo's story is an inviting introduction to a foreign land viewed through the lens of a shared passion. "This dynamic sports photo-essay will be fun for sports fans and effective for social studies units."-Booklist

Synopsis: In the tradition of Clementine and Ramona Quimby, meet Bat. Author Elana K. Arnold returns with another irresistible story of friendship in this widely acclaimed series starring an unforgettable boy on the autism spectrum.For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life is pretty great. He’s the caretaker of the best baby skunk in the world—even Janie, his older sister, is warming up to Thor. When Janie gets a part in the school play and can’t…

Synopsis: A young bear awakens to find that his mother is gone and he is all alone. Driven by fear and hunger, he must confront an unfriendly wilderness and meet the challenge of surviving on his own. The Caldecott Award-winning illustrator of Owl Moon brilliantly depicts the drama of the animal world in this tale of courage, self-determination, and personal victory. Full color.

Synopsis: Baby Bear asks his parents for all kinds of hugs—wet hugs, dry hugs, fly up to the sky hugs—in search of the best hug of all. The Step into Reading series entices brand-new readers with rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. The type is big, the words are easy, and the art is bright and bold.

Synopsis: Bear's cave fills with animal friends as he sleeps in this classic book from New York Times bestselling team of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.In a cave in the woods, in his deep, dark lair, through the long, cold winter sleeps a great brown bear. One by one, a whole host of different animals and birds find their way out of the cold and into Bear's cave to warm up. But even after the tea has been brewed and the corn has been popped, Bear just…

Synopsis: "This is my favorite book of the year." —Lincoln Peirce, New York Times bestselling author of Big Nate series Meet Ben, a literal-minded kid with a big heart and an even bigger sweet-tooth, who cracks open a fortune cookie and discovers that TODAY might be his last day on Earth! Perfect for fans of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID or THE TERRIBLE TWO.Live each day as if it were your last.When Ben reads his fortune-cookie fortune, he's alarmed and inspired.…

Synopsis: With vibrant art that shifts to a colorless world and back again, this is a story of a community lost and rediscovered--and how one child's actions can cascade into something that makes all the difference. A young boy who loves his community notices that as neighbors stop interacting, the colors around them slowly fade. Then a thunderstorm sweeps away the last hints of bluebird skies and lemon-Popsicle days and leaves a rift in the road that…

Synopsis: Jaclyn and her aunt have moved to Sherpia. There's something odd about the village. At night there are strange howling noises. And in front of every house there's a snowman. A creepy snowman with a red scarf. A deep scar on his face. And a really evil smile ...

Synopsis: The city is a big, busy place for a little yellow puppy. From gazing at the tops of tall buildings to chasing pigeons across crowded sidewalks, there's so much to do! There are more people than Biscuit's ever seen before, too -- and so many new friends to make!

Synopsis: Based on the new Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series. Jar Jar Binks is mistaken as a Jedi as he and C-3PO attempt a daring, and quite comical, rescue of Padmé Amidala, who has been captured by the Separatist Alliance.

Synopsis: Hank stars the same Hank as in the bestselling Hank Zipzer series, only this time he's in 2nd grade! Hank is a kid who doesn't try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He's pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) In the first book in this new series, Hank's class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition…

Synopsis: A rambunctious mutt and a curious porpoise become best pals in this adorably charming story about friendship and family.When a bad storm throws Bangor, a harbor porpoise, off course, he finds himself all alone in the harbor of Ogunquit, Maine. And he's not the only one who's lost in these wayward waters: Lars, a rowdy pup, is knocked overboard a nearby boat. With the help of a girl named Natalie, Bangor rescues Lars, and they become fast friends…

Synopsis: Dogs with checks, dogs with stripes, dogs with spots, dogs with funny hats--all these dogs and many more in the funniest, craziest counting adventure ever!

Synopsis: In 1946 a ten-year-old girl tries to understand and overcome her stern father's objections to having a Christmas tree in the house.

Synopsis: No hay nada mejor que subir a un podio y sujetar un trofeo en lo alto. ¿Pero vale más un premio que la amistad?No hay mejor sensación en el mundo que subir a lo más alto del podio y alzar un trofeo en alto. Al menos, eso es lo que Allie piensa... nunca ha ganado nada. Todos en su familia son especiales de alguna manera: su hermana menor es una estrella de la televisión; su hermano es un prodigio del fútbol; su bisabuelo ganó la Medalla de Honor…

Synopsis: There's going to be a feast! And everyone is here with food from A to Z! There is Elderberry Elixir from Elephant and Mocha Mousse made by Mouse. By the time Zebra Zips in with his Zaftig Zucchini, there will be enough food to feed a zoo! So come and join the party and don't forget your appetite!

Synopsis: Watch out for Amelia Bedelia! When the literal-minded maid and her niece, Effie Lou, help out Miss Emma for the day, anything can happen--and everything does.

Synopsis: Does a polka-dotted sock match a striped sock? Young children will learn about matching, an important early math skill, as a lonely striped sock searches the house for its mate. They will may even be inspired to practice this skill in their own sock drawers! Best Children's Science Books 1997 (Science Books and Films)