Grade: 2

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact, Frances can’t stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it’s Frances’s turn to speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion and joy.

Dr. Seuss turns 50 simple words into magic in this time-honored classic. Sam-I-am won’t give up! He keeps trying to get the grumpy grown-up in the story to taste green eggs and ham. No matter how Sam-I-am presents the green eggs and ham (in a box, with a fox, in the rain, on a train), the curmudgeon refuses to try them. Finally, Sam-I-am’s pesky persistence pays off. A crowd of open-mouthed onlookers watch in suspense as the old grouch takes a bite. And?…SAY! The old sourpuss’s face is wreathed in smiles as he gratefully acknowledges, “I do so like green eggs and ham. Thank you, thank you, Sam-I-am!”

A young girl and her mother learn about the life cycle of frogs, as they grow from eggs to tadpoles to full-fledged adults. This “frog-growing adventure” has sunny pictures and simple text with just enough detail to help you start your own frog farm!

Listen to a dramatic reading of this beloved tale accompanied by music and sound effects, and get ready for a whole story experience! Acclaimed actor Adrian Dunbar presents nearly a full hour of interactive fun, including story-inspired games, activities, songs, and suggestions for simple crafts. Perfect for both individuals and groups–at home, in the car, in a classroom, or at a party–this lively recording is sure to energize little ones’ imaginations time and again.

Read all about everyone’s favorite fourth-grader Hank Zipzer in this bestselling series co-written by Henry Winkler! This boxed set features #1 Niagara Falls, Or Does It?; #2 I Got a “D” in Salami; #3 Day of the Iguana; and #4 The Zippity Zinger.

Harold’s wonderful purple crayon makes everthing he draws become real. One evening, Harold draws a path and a moon and goes for a walk-and the moon comes too. After many adventures, Harold gets tired and can’t find his bedroom. Finally, he remembers that the moon always shines through his bedroom window. He draws himself a bed, and “the purple crayon dropped on the floor, and Harold dropped off to sleep.” This little gem is filled with visual and written puns.

The intrepid Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!

Inspired by a passage from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, this story follows two bear friends who take different “routes” to get to the town of Fitchburg. Henry decides to walk, while his friend plans to work to earn the train fare. Each turn of the page offers a look at two different ways to reach the same goal. This book also includes information on Thoreau, his writings, and his literary friends, such as Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose names are used as characters.