books

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By  Victoria Kintner Griswold     Art by Sharon Vargo  

While attending his very first concert, Teddy is captivated by loud,  puffy sounds coming from a musical instrument he can't see. After deciding to take a quick peek backstage, Teddy finds himself on an unexpected adventure through the sights and sounds of the violin, viola, flute bassoon and more as he seeks (and finds!) THE BIG NOTE

Hope to be in the bookstore by Dec.24.

By Leah Rachel Berkowitz     Illustrated by Sharon Vargo  

A boy and his mom find a creative way to make a new apartment in a new city feel like a bit more like home as they prepare to celebrate the fall holiday of Sukkot. 

Everything is different and nothing feels like home for a boy who has moved to a new city with his mom. As they unpack together, he can't find his special blue blanket, he misses his old yard, and he worries that they won't be able to celebrate holidays as they once did. Calm and sensitive guidance from his mom, who describes how the Israelites had to move and adapt to new surroundings throughout the ages, also includes some hilarious ideas from the rabbis of long ago as they tried to imagine where it might be possible to build a sukkah--the temporary hut where ancient Israelites sheltered during their pilgrimages. The boy begins to see that different isn't necessarily worse, and a new place can begin to feel more like home, especially when family is together.

“A sweet, accessible, child-centric story.” --School Library Journal

  by Victoria Kintner Griswold     Art by Sharon Vargo  

Backstage, Cello wonders, can he and his other musical  instrument friends offer enough excitement to their audience? Join Cello and his wacky quartet of runaway string instruments as they form themselves into a rocket, sailboat, train, and more to look for adventures to bring back home. 

Listen along with the story. This book has special music that you can listen and move along to as you read the story! 

 by Victoria Kintner Griswold     Art by Sharon Vargo  

In a jungle full of musical animals, a spider monkey has a wonderful idea. What if he and his friends played their music together instead of alone? Join Monkey as he gathers his rain-forest friends, one by one, for a musical adventure.    

Listen along with the story.  This book has special music that you can listen and move along to as you read the story!                                                                  

By Sharon Vargo

Señor Felipe, a photographer, finally has an assignment. He is to make a set of photographs of objects, beginning with each letter of the Spanish alphabet. Yes, amigo, Señor Felipe can speak Spanish! Join him and his trusty parrot on their remote island for an action-packed alphabet adventure!

"Señor Felipe, an alligator, photographer is an accident waiting to happen.  In the course of his assignment to photograph object that begin with each letter of the 'Spanish Alphabet,' many incidents occur.  In fact—it is hopeless Felipe's clumsiness that propels the narrative upon which this alphabet book hangs. He slips, slides and crashes around his small island home, taking pictures that are identified in both English and Spanish—the 'Where's Waldo' aspect, as well as Felipe's wise cracking parrot, lend child appeal."   -School Library Journal

The TumbleBook Library collection has over 1100 titles. Available to public libraries and elementary schools, with content most appropriate for those in grades K-6. It includes animated talking picture books, chapter books, videos, non-fiction titles, playlists, books in languages other than English such as French and Spanish, graphic novels and math stories. Check your local library or school.

By Michelle Jovin        Illustrated by Sharon Vargo

This wordless picture book introduces beginning readers to the idea that taking the time to do something right pays off in the long run. This beautifully illustrated adaptation of the beloved fable, The Three Little Pigs, features vibrant illustrations that encourage children to use their own words to describe what is happening in each illustration, developing their oral language skills.

by Terry Webb Harshman    Art by Sharon Vargo

It's a stormy night. Bessie is snug in her bed. There is a rat-a-tat on Bessie's door. Who could it be? Hint: Animals that live in dens or lairs or nest might not be snug and warm in a storm.

"The Silly Millies are carefully crafted early readers designed to help kids move from one reading level to the next on their way to independent reading. The combination of facts and fun in these readers makes this series an excellent choice for your beginning reader."

-Lea M. McGee, Ed.D, Professor, Literacy Education University of Alabama

"PreS-Gr 2-A fun beginning reader. One stormy night, a bathrobe-clad woman generously shares her warm, dry bed with several animals that have been washed out from their homes. Sharing doesn't necessarily mean getting along, as each creature finds a way to make a ruckus: Sheep "-kicked at Fox,/who snapped at Snake,/who hissed at Bear,/who growled at Cat,/who spit and spat,/and that was that-.” Finally, a loud peal of thunder and Bessie's demand that they end their rudeness causes them to behave and snuggle up. However, peace and quiet are still not possible, as Bessie’s rumbling snores force the ungrateful menagerie to carry their host out to the shed for the rest of the night. Harshman’s cumulative rhyme creates lots of anticipation and, with each new knock at the door, an awareness of animal behavior and habitats. Vargo's humorous mixed-media drawings in predominant shades of blue and purple add a comic quality to the verses." — School Library Journal 

Silly Miillie 2 Beginning to Read Alone

by Kathy Ross    Art by Sharon Vargo

Boo! Kids can make 20 marvelous monsters for all sorts-of purposes. There are Halloween costume ideas, party ideas, practical ideas, jewelry ideas, and more! From the Howling Banshee Mask to the Dracula Soap Dispenser to the Blob in a Bottle Necklace, these crafts guarantee a monstrously good time!

"An above-average instructional book featuring 20 monster-themed crafts for kids who enjoy anything creepy, crawly or just plain fun. . . these projects are to wear, share and scare." 

- School Library Journal

Contributing Author  Sharon Vargo    

Edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, pictures by Sachiko Yoshikawa

From the very first day of the school year, there is so much to do! So grab your backpack, hop on that school bus, and don't forget your lunch. Whether you're practicing for the spelling bee or getting ready for the big school play, there isn't a moment to lose!"

"Lee Bennett Hopkins delivers an assortment of twenty spectacular poems from writers such as Jane Yolen, Alice Schertle, and J. Patrick Lewis that are perfect for show-and-tell. Sachiko Yoshikawa's vivid illustrations are sure to delight the whole class!"

I Can Read 2 - Reading with help

by Cynthia L. Copeland    Art by Sharon Vargo

Being the new kid in school can be a challenge. But you can turn some of those hard things—such as not being able to find the bathroom—into FUN things! Here are 15 ways to make your days as a new kid great! You'll never want to be an  "old" kid again.

"The Silly Millies are carefully crafted early readers designed to help kids move from one reading level to the next on their way to independent reading. The combination of facts and fun in these readers makes this series an excellent choice for your beginning reader."
-Lea M. McGee, Ed.D, Professor, Literacy Education University of Alabama

Silly Millie 3 - Reading Alone

by Shannon Anderson    Art by Sharon Vargo

When Monster and Dragon discover a poetry contest, they both decide the are in it to win it. Making the most of every minute, Monster and  Dragon try out many kinds of poems. They drop their entries into the box right before the deadline, with high fives and high hopes.  Sorry, this book is out of print. 

By A. Kidd      Cover art by Sharon Vargo

Stars with healing powers are falling from the sky.

Feisty  fourth-grader Julia’s best friend in the entire universe is her  grandmother. Julia and Grammu share secrets while cooking soup together,  stay up late eating junk food and watching scary movies, and go  stargazing on Blackberry Hill. They even wish on the same star every  night.

But everything changes when Grammu catches the disappearing  disease: little by little, she’s turning invisible. If Julia can catch a  falling star, then her wish to save Grammu will come true. All Julia  needs to do now is find the legendary ladder to the stars…

By Grace Linn and Robert Mercer

"It’s snowing art! Eric Carle, Emily Arnold McCully, David McPhail, MarjoriePriceman, Mark Teague, Eric Rohmann, and many more award-winning children’s book illustrators have created amazing artwork for an important cause. Gorgeous snowflakes fall on each spread—on one spread snowmen dance—on another children ice-skate. Haiku by well-known writers celebrate the season, and there is even a full-size snowflake to punch out and hang up!

Robert’s Snowflakes is the perfect gift for a collector, an art lover, and anyone who wants to support the fight against cancer. 100% of the royalties of this book go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute."

"Page after page, beautifully illustrated snowflakes fall from the sky,  children skate, and snowmen dance--while poetry of hope pleads for the  promise of a cure."

By Rand McNally and Company     Art by Sharon Vargo

For young travelers, Alphabet Travels includes games, puzzles, coloring fun and stickers. 

Colorful illustrations by Sharon Vargo.