Orca Echoes

When eight-year-old Josh and his family adopt an energetic puppy with a big personality and a talent for escaping, everyone is sure that obedience school will teach him good manners. But Bagels turns out to be a bigger handful than anyone predicted. He gets into the laundry, the groceries, and the neighbor's koi pond. He even gets expelled from obedience school. Josh and his little sister, Becky, are worried that if Bagels doesn't shape up, their parents will send him back to the shelter. Can Bagels redeem himself before it's too late?

Meet Bagels Bernstein-backflipper, jig dancer and escape artist extraordinaire. Josh learns just how much work a puppy can be when he adopts Bagels. When eight-year-old Josh and his family adopt an energetic puppy with a big personality and a talent for escaping, everyone is sure that obedience school will teach him good manners. But Bagels turns out to be a bigger handful than anyone predicted. He gets into the laundry, the groceries and the neighbor's koi pond. He even gets expelled from obedience school. Josh and his little sister, Becky, are worried that if Bagels doesn't shape up, their parents will send him back to the shelter. Can Bagels redeem himself before it's too late? "Whimsical and humourous. The crazy adventures that Bagels gets into are close enough to reality that many dog-owning adults will be able to relate to this book as well...Readers will be left with the feeling of fun and mischief that only owning a dog can bring...The illustrations are funny and worth having a good long look at as you read." "This lively, easy to read novel will certainly attract the young reader's interest. Filled with humourous puppy antics as well as a sly cat in the background, this story is highly entertaining and fun. Included also in the story are some valuable messages for young readers, such as adopting a dog from a rescue shelter, and making sure that it is well looked after...A good read-aloud for the classroom, this short tale should promote lively discussion and more stories." "Accented with delightful illustrations that children will love. Pet owners will be able to relate to Bagels' mishaps." "Josh is eight when his family decides to adopt a dog in order to round out the pet names in their home. They already have a fish named Lox and a cat named Cream Cheese so, of course, they need a dog named Bagels!..Family relationships and pet responsibility themes are explored in this story...Bagels' escapades are fun to read about." "A hilarious story that will greatly amuse young readers." "This engaging, entertaining and exciting story provides a lesson in how difficult it can be to take care of a dog. The value of tza'ar ba'alei chayim (proper treatment of animals) can certainly be reinforced by educators and parents while reading this tale." "A fast-paced, funny story, perfect for first grade readers transitioning to a slightly longer, beginning chapter book. It will keep a young reader's interest-in fact, even adults can become entranced…A great book!"

At the end of The True Story of George, George, a small plastic man, went for a ride on a rocket and flew apart. Now, with Katie and Mackenzie's help, all his parts must find each other. But his head has been frozen deep in a bag of blackberries. Will he ever be whole again? George Most Wantedis the second of three books in the George series. Book one is The True Story of George Book three is George, the Best of All!

In this sequel to Bagels Come Home, Josh, his younger sister, Becky, their parents and Bagels head off on a three-day trip to Sasquatch Lake. But the vacation gets off to a rocky start. The cabin is a bit more "rustic" than advertised, with a few too many holes in the roof. Then Josh starts catching glimpses of a hairy figure in the woods nearby. When household items begin disappearing, from pickles to pj's to Becky's birthday cake, the family heads out to investigate, with Bagels in the lead. Who's behind the mysterious happenings at Sasquatch Lake? And could Sasquatches be real?

When an osprey nest atop an electrical pole catches fire, the whole town of Waterton loses power. Being a park warden's daughter, Jenna (whom everyone calls Cricket) is there at the scene, where she finds three abandoned baby ospreys. Caring for the chicks proves to be challenging for Cricket. The birds are noisy, hungry and very picky eaters. But when she discovers that the power company is building a new anti-nesting device on the electrical pole, Cricket has an even bigger problem. How will she reunite the baby birds with their parents without a place for them to build a nest?

When eight-year-old Kiara discovers that her recently deceased grandmother left her a genie, trapped in a bottle of garam-masala, she's elated. She'll be a modern-day Aladdin and have someone to do her bidding. And, Kiara could really use a little magic. Third grade is just about to start and she's spent the summer worried about being in class with Matt, a bully who seems to have nothing else to do but make Kiara and her best friend Bai's lives miserable. Unfortunately, the genie has decided he's on vacation after working for ten thousand years and is looking for someone to do his bidding. A battle of wills ensues, and Kiara realizes that you don't really need magic to solve your problems.

Beatrice More is no average third-grader. She is a list-making, hyperorganized perfectionist whose laid-back parents and messy little sister consistently frustrate her high standards. And when a new house, a new neighborhood and new friends are thrown into the mix, Beatrice sends the family into a comic tailspin, all in the name of "professionalism." Despite her most feverish organizational efforts, Beatrice ultimately discovers that some of the best experiences are the ones you can't control.

When Kyle finds a young dog almost drowned in a heap of seaweed on the beach, he claims the dog as his own and is happy for the first time in a while. He knows that his dog loves him, but whenever they walk on the beach, the dog swims out to sea and doesn't come back until Kyle calls and calls. Then one day, they run into an old man and it turns out that the dog may not belong to Kyle alone.

Nell makes two wishes on her birthday, but the next day they show little sign of coming true. Everyone in her household is busy and wants her out from underfoot and no one is willing to help her find her lost cat. In the end she finds more than a cat and she makes her own wishes come true with the help of a row of tall, bright, smiling sunflowers.

Bad weather, bugs, and boredom-DJ and the boys in Camp Lots-o-Fun's cabin six are starting to call it Camp Not-so-Fun. To make matters worse, one of the boys has it in for DJ. But DJ isn't about to let that bother him. His lively imagination and wit ensure there's never a dull moment. A bear in the woods, monsters in the lake, and a hermit's ghost make for a week at summer camp that none of the boys in cabin six will soon forget.

Googol and Googolplex are on a mission to learn about Earth by collecting a number of items including a blackbirdís song, snowballs, and a chocolate bar. Pippa and Troy are happy to help, especially when they get to ride to the North Pole in a spaceship. But when they return, Martin, the bully next-door, sees something that he shouldn't.

Cricket McKay has lived in Waterton all her life, so she is surprised to discover an animal she hasn't seen before: the long-toed salamander. She finds a band of them migrating from the pond to their hibernation grounds at Crandell Mountain. Crossing the road that lies between the pond and the mountain is dangerous enough, but now a newly-constructed curb makes their journey even more challenging. Can Cricket and her friends come up with a solution to help the salamanders? Salamander Rescue is the second book featuring Cricket and friends, following Ospreys in Danger.

Googol and Googolplex have come back to earth to continue their scavenger hunt. Tutus, sand dollars, and peacock feathers are on their list. Luckily Troy and Pippa are ready to help, and the ocean is nearby, but so is Martin Kelly, the boy next door, who will ruin everything if he gets a chance.

Just when Josh starts to think his break from school is going to be all chores and no cheer, his best friend, Mark, invites him to spend their break helping restore a historic home and mill in Oregon. With the help of their friends Angela and Mary Jane, and under the watchful eye of Aunt Sue and Uncle Doug, the kids spend weeks fixing up the grounds, basking in the freedom of country life, and learning about the surrounding area. Not to mention eating bugs, domesticating feral cats, and starring in a movie! But it's not all fun and filming. The mill is in financial trouble, and the kids have to figure out a way to help Aunt Sue and Uncle Doug keep it running, in spite of it being haunted. Ghost of the Mill House follows Bus to the Badlands, where we first met Josh and his classmates.

Googol and Googolplex are back from space, ready to continue their scavenger hunt. Pippa and Troy are eager to help, but runaway bulls and disappearing rainbows make their task difficult. And dangerous! Over the Rainbow with Googol and Googolplex is the third book in the Googol and Googolplex series. Book one is Down the Chimney with Googol and Googolplex. Book two is Under the Sea with Googol and Googolplex.

Googol and Googolplex are on a mission to learn about Earth by collecting a number of items including a blackbirdís song, snowballs and a chocolate bar. Pippa and Troy are happy to help, especially when they get to ride to the North Pole in a spaceship. But when they return, Martin, the bully next-door, sees something that he shouldn't.

Eleven-year-old Charlie Dembinski knows how to make his group project for science class an organized and informative success. Unfortunately for Charlie, his (reluctant) best friend, Amy Ma, would rather it be interesting, fun and just a bit gross. And, their other partner, Jenna Yee, is too worried about why her puppy, Diesel, keeps attacking her mom to think about their project. Luckily for Jenna, Charlie's mom is a veterinarian, and Amy and Charlie are keen to help figure out what Diesel's problem is. What the three classmates don't realize is that Diesel isn't trying to hurt anyone. Just the opposite in fact: Diesel is trying to save someone! But, will the kids figure out what he's trying to tell them before Diesel's behavior becomes too much to handle?

Jake, Tommy and Lexie are on a ski trip. In an attempt to squeeze one last run in for the day, the kids head out on their own to ski down Easy Street. But Lexie and Jake convince Tommy to try Wildcat Run instead. Wildcat Run presents the young skiers with more than they expect, including a cougar sighting. When Lexie has a bad fall, the kids are left stranded on the hill in the fading daylight. Will they be rescued or will they have to spend the night alone on the mountain with a cougar?

In behind the raspberry bushes is a special place, a place Abby doesn't trust to just anyone. Then she looks through a knothole in the fence and right into a blue, blue eye. A toy tractor appears on her side of the fence and she pokes her little brother's stuffed blue monkey into the hole. The next morning she finds it with its tail ripped off. Who does the blue eye belong to?

Googol and Googolplex have come back to earth to continue their scavenger hunt. Tutus, sand dollars and peacock feathers are on their list. Luckily Troy and Pippa are ready to help, and the ocean is nearby, but so is Martin Kelly, the boy next door, who will ruin everything if he gets a chance. Under the Sea with Googol and Googoplex is the second of three books in the Googol and Googolplex series..

George stood up in the saddle and waved his hand in the air. He went up and down, up and down. The lights of the night sky glittered in his eyes. He would get himself a hat. He would get himself a pair of silver spurs to match his silver saddle. He would blaze a new trail clear across the country! George is back, more popular than ever. And Katie and Mackenzie are just one step behind him. But George will have an adventure or two of his own before the three will come together again. George, the Best of All! is the third and final book in the George series.

The poems in this book tell stories of animals and nature, from two sweaty hippos, a smiling lizard and some creepy crawlers to a few tricky dandelions. At the end of each poem, find out more in an interview with a key character or a list of fascinating facts.

I'm Brianna Ross. And what I love is: • Kicking leaves. • Digging soft sand. • Helping others. What I don't love is: • Having zero friends in my class. • Getting in trouble every single day. • Being called Brianna Banana. Nine-year-old Brianna struggles to fit in. She can be impulsive and distracted, and sometimes she loses her temper, but she's also thoughtful and brave and ready to be a friend. Brianna thinks that being chosen for classroom helper duty will make the other kids like her. When new girl Rumi is named Helper of the Day instead, Brianna is disappointed. But could a new friend be just around the corner?

It's a good thing young sleuths Lark and Connor Ba are always prepared because mysteries find them wherever they go. Lark and Connor are excited to visit the local art gallery where some of their classmates have been invited to exhibit their paintings. But when their friend Franklin is accused of stealing Kyle's masterpiece, the twins are sure Franklin is being framed, especially because Kyle has been nothing but mean to Franklin. Now the detectives are in a race to prove their friend's innocence as they collect clues and sort through red herrings. Will this be Lark and Connor's first unsolved case and is their friend doomed to be painted with a guilty brush?

On returning to their home after a massive wildfire, nine-year-old Jasmin and her seven-year-old brother, Hunter, thought the biggest surprise would be whether their fire-resistant house had survived. Jasmin and Hunter did not expect to find an orphaned bear cub stuck in the neighbors' well. Rescuing the tiny cub from the well was the easy part, now they need to care for it until the people from the bear-rescue sanctuary can make it safely through the fires to pick it up. The cub turns out to be exactly what one would expect of a wild animal-a huge handful! The latest Orca Echoes early chapter book from award-winning author Eric Walters was inspired by Eric's visit to a wildlife sanctuary in Northern British Columbia. Bear in the Family tells the fictionalized story of a bear cub found by a family after the forest surrounding their home was destroyed by a wildfire.

It's Fern's birthday, and all she wants is a metal detector. Instead, she gets clothes and a mysterious long box that turns out to be a gardening tool from her neighbor, Madame Musette, with a note about coming over to pull weeds. Sigh. Fern and her friend Newt lost her older sister Nicole's jewelry box when they buried it at the beach, playing pirates. If they can just find it before Nicole returns from camp, they'll be in the clear. But the quest is impossible without a metal detector! Fern and Newt need to earn the money to buy one themselves. Luckily, Madame Musette offers Fern five cents for every root pulled and Newt agrees to help too. The money adds up-but very slowly-until the friends discover that Madame Musette will pay even more for butterfly eggs so she can let them hatch safely before releasing them outside. With the summer slipping away and Nicole due home at any minute, will the friends be able to earn enough for a metal detector and find the treasure before it's too late? Key Selling Points • After Fern and Newt accidentally lose her sister's jewelry box at the beach, they earn money by helping a neighbor pull weeds and collect butterfly eggs in order to buy a metal detector to find it. • Shows kids learning the consequences of their actions in a lighthearted and funny way. Also demonstrates their ingenuity and ability to problem solve-and work hard-to try to fix their wrongdoings. • Despite the challenges and failures they experience, Fern and Newt have a strong friendship that helps keep them going. • In helping Madame Musette, Fern and Newt (and readers) get a look at the process of raising monarch butterflies, from collecting and storing the eggs to the caterpillar phase, the chrysalis and finally the hatching of the butterfly. • The expressive illustrations of Catarina Oliveira capture the humor and action of the story, and the relationships between characters, who are from a variety of diverse backgrounds. • Mireille Messier is a well-established author who has written over thirty picture books and chapter books, both in French and English. In this illustrated early chapter book, Fern and her friend Newt help a neighbor with weeding and butterfly-egg collecting so they can earn money for a metal detector to help them find a jewelry box they lost at the beach. Mireille Messier is an awardwinning children's writer with a background in broadcasting and theater. Before becoming an author, Mireille worked as a television and radio host, a director, a researcher, a book reviewer and a voice actress. Mireille has published over thirty books, some in French, others in English, for children of all ages, including No Horses in the House! and Nevin Knows. Her books have been selected for many literary awards including a Governor General's Award, a Christopher Award, a Blue Spruce Award, a Rocky Mountain Book Award and a Hackmatack Award. In the summer, Mireille's mantel is often full of containers with cocoons! Catarina Oliveira is a Portuguese Canadian illustrator currently based in Portugal. She started her career as a graphic designer but decided that her love of children's books was too strong to ignore. Since then, she has been published in Portugal and North America. When she's not working, she enjoys making paper collages, cooking, hiking in the woods and going on trips around the world. Lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages seven and nine. These popular classroom favorites are well suited for social responsibility and character-building programs. Fern is in big trouble "A gentle, nature-infused chapter book with a focus on monarchs, and an additional purchase for libraries seeking science-themed fiction."

It's Fern's birthday, and all she wants is a metal detector. Instead, she gets clothes and a mysterious long box that turns out to be a gardening tool from her neighbor, Madame Musette, with a note about coming over to pull weeds. Sigh. Fern and her friend Newt lost her older sister Nicole's jewelry box when they buried it at the beach, playing pirates. If they can just find it before Nicole returns from camp, they'll be in the clear. But the quest is impossible without a metal detector! Fern and Newt need to earn the money to buy one themselves. Luckily, Madame Musette offers Fern five cents for every root pulled and Newt agrees to help too. The money adds up-but very slowly-until the friends discover that Madame Musette will pay even more for butterfly eggs so she can let them hatch safely before releasing them outside. With the summer slipping away and Nicole due home at any minute, will the friends be able to earn enough for a metal detector and find the treasure before it's too late? Key Selling Points • After Fern and Newt accidentally lose her sister's jewelry box at the beach, they earn money by helping a neighbor pull weeds and collect butterfly eggs in order to buy a metal detector to find it. • Shows kids learning the consequences of their actions in a lighthearted and funny way. Also demonstrates their ingenuity and ability to problem solve-and work hard-to try to fix their wrongdoings. • Despite the challenges and failures they experience, Fern and Newt have a strong friendship that helps keep them going. • In helping Madame Musette, Fern and Newt (and readers) get a look at the process of raising monarch butterflies, from collecting and storing the eggs to the caterpillar phase, the chrysalis and finally the hatching of the butterfly. • The expressive illustrations of Catarina Oliveira capture the humor and action of the story, and the relationships between characters, who are from a variety of diverse backgrounds. • Mireille Messier is a well-established author who has written over thirty picture books and chapter books, both in French and English. In this illustrated early chapter book, Fern and her friend Newt help a neighbor with weeding and butterfly-egg collecting so they can earn money for a metal detector to help them find a jewelry box they lost at the beach. Mireille Messier is an awardwinning children's writer with a background in broadcasting and theater. Before becoming an author, Mireille worked as a television and radio host, a director, a researcher, a book reviewer and a voice actress. Mireille has published over thirty books, some in French, others in English, for children of all ages, including No Horses in the House! and Nevin Knows. Her books have been selected for many literary awards including a Governor General's Award, a Christopher Award, a Blue Spruce Award, a Rocky Mountain Book Award and a Hackmatack Award. In the summer, Mireille's mantel is often full of containers with cocoons! Catarina Oliveira is a Portuguese Canadian illustrator currently based in Portugal. She started her career as a graphic designer but decided that her love of children's books was too strong to ignore. Since then, she has been published in Portugal and North America. When she's not working, she enjoys making paper collages, cooking, hiking in the woods and going on trips around the world. Lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages seven and nine. These popular classroom favorites are well suited for social responsibility and character-building programs. Fern is in big trouble "A gentle, nature-infused chapter book with a focus on monarchs, and an additional purchase for libraries seeking science-themed fiction."

In this partially illustrated early chapter book, two friends bring a friendly dragon statue to life and must find a way to help her get home. The dragon is alive! When eleven-year-old Hailey and her friend Kyle make a wish on a Chinese lion statue, they accidentally bring to life the dragon statue on top of a Chinese gate. Scared at first, the kids soon realize that Zhu the dragon means them no harm, and they show the dragon around their city. It's all fun and games until Animal Control gets wind of a wild creature on the loose. The kids have to find a way to send their new friend back home before she's taken away. Key Selling Points • Two kids make a magical new friend when a wish on a Chinese lion statue comes true in this story about friendship, Chinese culture and, of course, dragons! • The book introduces and helps to promote an understanding of Chinese culture and traditions, which is timely in light of the increase in anti-Asian racism occurring in North America right now. • This is a current-day story set in Edmonton's Chinatown. It pays tribute to the city's China Gate, which was gifted to Edmonton by the Chinese Harbin government. Unfortunately, it was taken down to make way for the mass transit line. • Marty Chan has a special connection to Edmonton's Chinatown, as it's where his parents lived when they first arrived in Edmonton. He has many memories of visiting the China Gate and rubbing the stone ball in the Chinese lion statue's mouth for good luck. • Features several black-and-white illustrations throughout. Orca Echoes are lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages six and eight. These popular classroom favorites are well suited for social responsibility, growth mindset and character-building programs.

Eleven-year-old Charlie Dembinski likes to keep his life organized and quiet. This is a challenge when you live on a farm where your mother runs a veterinary clinic for the local livestock, neighbors' pets and sometimes rescued wildlife. To complicate Charlie's orderly life even further, his mother hires a bookkeeper to live on the farm who brings along her daughter, Amy Ma. And, Amy is anything but quiet! Her constant questions and attempts to spend time with Charlie really bother him, and he doesn't understand why the adults seem to like her so much. But when, a neighbor's beloved dog gets sick with a mysterious illness, Charlie realizes that Amy's outgoing approach might not be all that bad.

Dylan lives on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest with his parents, but when they have to go to the mainland, his grandfather weathers a storm to come spend time with him. Grandpa's brought Dylan a number of gifts, and one comes in handy the next day while they are exploring the coast. In fact, this gift leads the duo to a dangerous discovery: a young orca got stuck on the rocks during the storm. Racing against the sun and the heat, Dylan and Grandpa need to work together to figure out how to save the calf while his pod circles nearby.

Lightning sparks a forest fire deep in the mountains near the town of Waterton. Days later, the sky is blue and the air is clear, so it doesn't seem like an emergency, until crews of firefighters begin to arrive and townspeople start to prepare. Cricket and her friends watch deer and birds flee the forest and run right through town. But what about the slower animals? What about the porcupines and squirrels, the salamanders and snakes? Cricket searches for a way to help until the fire surprises everyone by quickly switching directions and racing towards the town. She hopes that the preparations and the firefighters' experience will be enough to save her home. But what about all the animals she loves?

Nathan has always loved animals and longs for a pet. When a baby squirrel shows up at Nathan's door, he wonders what could have happened to its mother. It isn't long before his family discovers six more orphaned baby squirrels in need of food and shelter. With help from Batcat, a neighborhood cat who is fed by many but owned by no one, Nathan learns to care for the squirrels. But all babies must leave the nest eventually. Will Nathan finally find a pet to call his own?

Filip, the ten-year-old son of Croatian immigrants, lives in a boring suburb of the big city, where he passes his time either at school or in his cozy kitchen, googling everything from dinosaurs to the Hubble Space Telescope. When his favorite uncle gets sick, Filip turns to Google for answers. Instead he receives a visit from the Great Googlini, a tiny woman in Converse sneakers who swirls out of the computer vents. She's not really a genie, she explains: "I'm more of an archivist." Her visit is a little bit of magic that lets Filip see the magic all around him. Ultimately about the things we can know and the things we can't, this is a smart, touching, funny chapter book about growing up, braving tough times and looking for answers.

Cheetah is the small spotted frog Amelia brings home in a macaroni container. Amelia longs to keep Cheetah forever, but over the course of a week, she comes to understand that his place is back in the wild. Cheetah is based on a true story, and all the characters are real.

A boy's love of pirate treasure leads to unexpected events. A boy's love of pirate treasure leads to unexpected events with Captain Kidd. Jake loves to hunt for treasure, so when the famous pirate Captain Kidd asks him to be his cabin boy, he can't refuse. But Jake soon learns that bringing home an invisible pirate can be a real disaster, particularly when the pirate is mortally terrified of his teenage sister. There are many rules of the sea, and Captain Kidd's own cabin boy, Richard Barleycorn, teaches Jake how to face his biggest fear, Boris Baxter, the meanest boy in the whole school. "A good beginning chapter book for younger students...Recommended." "Shannon Stewart definitely knows what appeals to young boys... Recommended." "This easy-to-read, beginning chapter book blends fictional character with real facts...Large print, short chapters and many full page illustrations make this a good chapter book for developing readers." "Fast-paced easy fiction that many boys and girls would enjoy. The theme of bullying is addressed in a simple, light-hearted yet relevant matter. Recommended." "The plot of the story is very well developed for a young reader, and doesn't lend itself to sugary sweetness, but hilarious humor that readers will enjoy and relate to in their own family. This is an excellent mix of plot, theme, and character development that will push a beginning reader into chapter books without a struggle." Jake saw something very strange. Even stranger than his older sister Gladys after she dyed her hair green. There was a pirate standing on top of a teeter-totter. The pirate rocked back and forth as if he were on a ship in a stormy sea. Jake rubbed his eyes and stared. "Ahoy, my hearty!" roared the pirate when he saw Jake. "Me?" squeaked Jake. "Ahoy, cabin boy! What are you doing in those bushes?"

Jake loves to hunt for treasure, so when the famous pirate Captain Kidd asks him to be his cabin boy, he can't refuse. But Jake soon learns that bringing home an invisible pirate can be a real disaster, particularly when the pirate is mortally terrified of his teenage sister. There are many rules of the sea, and Captain Kidd's own cabin boy, Richard Barleycorn, teaches Jake how to face his biggest fear, Boris Baxter, the meanest boy in the whole school.

Birthdays, hiccups, swim lessons, summer holidays-growing up is fun! This is the second collection of stories about Bruno, an imaginative boy with a humorous personality. Seven-year-old Bruno is back and tackling problems with his trademark originality. He defeats hiccups. He trades his mother for a new hat. He skillfully avoids math. And thanks to his special Flutter Kick, he easily advances to the next level-in swimming and in life! Bruno is ready for any challenge as he learns all there is to know about being a boy. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Told with humor and originality, this early chapter book series tells the adventures of seven-year-old Bruno as he uses his vivid imagination to tackle problems with his trademark originality. "Young readers will enjoy Bruno's funny stories, short chapters and cartoon illustrations." "Bruno has so much personality he almost leaps off the page, and the energy of the book marches its main character. Bruno's hijinks are entertaining and true to life, with every chapter acting as a fast-paced, self-contained story...Highly recommended." "With a teacher who turns any conversation into a math lesson, Bruno tackles daily life with a great sense of humor and originality. Cartoonish pen and ink drawing complement the silly tone and create an appealing transitional chapter book." "Where did you get that funny hat?" Mom asked him. "I swapped for it," Bruno told her. Dad looked proud. "Did you? What did you swap?" "I swapped Mom." Mom put down her fork. Her face turned white. "Don't worry," Bruno told her. "I got you back." Dad said, "Thank goodness! I like your mother." "Me too," said Bruno. "I like her so much I swapped my plastic teeth to get her back again." In Bruno for Real, the sequel to I, Bruno, award-winning author Caroline Adderson shares more of Bruno's really real adventures. Caroline lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and the son who lied to her when he said he'd always be seven.

In Monster Lunch we dine with Frankenstein, attend a burgoo and a birthday party, meet a grumpy garden dude and slurp hot zoop. Each poem is followed by an interview with the main character or fascinating facts about food. This collection of yummy, yucky, messy and hot rhyming stories is bursting with rhythmical fun.

Long, long ago, Johnny's grandpa found a bottle on the beach. When Johnny roots it out of the back of Grandpa's closet, he can see a mysterious shadow through the green glass. "We should break it," Johnny says. "Maybe later," says his grandpa. And so the story begins.

Kate and Jake have always been best friends; always, that is, until Jake's cousin, Lionel, moves nearby and Jake starts spending time with him instead. Kate struggles with his abandonment and her own loneliness as she seeks new friends that share her likes and dislikes. And, perhaps there is a place in her life for her old best friend after all.

More than anything else in the world, Ali wants a pet cat for her birthday. Unfortunately her brother Jay is allergic to cats. One day, Ali discovers that something is sharing her clubhouse with her. To Ali's delight, the new resident is a beautiful white cat, who she names Snowy. Ali thinks that the clubhouse is the perfect home for Snowy. But is she right and, more importantly, is Snowy really hers to keep?

Puppies and people make great pairs. Elizabeth spends a summer with her grandmother preparing for the birth of puppies, caring for them, and finding just the right home for each. Elsie is about to have puppies, and Elizabeth is going to help. Her grandmother shows her exactly how to make the den for the dog and how to be ready when the puppies come out. After they are born, Elizabeth helps Elsie care for them. Most important of all, though, she helps her grandmother find just the right home for each, especially the very last one. "A Puppy is For Loving is a very strong book....Mary Labatt's intimate knowledge of raising puppies is evident in the text and the passion with which she tells this story. Highy recommended." "This story could turn any kid into a dog lover." I sat in the rocker for long hours. And I watched Elsie care for her babies. She washed them with her tongue. She lay on her side and fed them. She nudged them over on their backs to clean them... Three times a day, I put five of the puppies in the basket. Then I let the little runt feed by herself. Once a day I held her in my arms and fed her a bottle. It was special milk from the vet. The little runt got stronger every day.

Elsie is about to have puppies, and Elizabeth is going to help. Her grandmother shows her exactly how to make the den for the dog and how to be ready when the puppies come out. After they are born, Elizabeth helps Elsie care for them. Most important of all, though, she helps her grandmother find just the right home for each, especially the very last one.

Harriet has a large collection of stuffed animals. Her favorite is an intrepid bear, Theodora (Teddy, to her friends), who leads the others in a variety of attempts to boss Harriet around and to claim the spot of alpha animal in the household. It is all Harriet can do to get her own way once in a while. Visit the website for Theodora Bear.

In Rhyme Stones, we go spelunking, we meet a witch who can't stay on her broomstick, a schoolyard bully, and we see how a simple piece of cloth can become anything we want it to be. Each long poem is followed by an exclusive interview with the main character, and each short poem has a "trailer" of cool facts about the theme.

To Jessie and Johnny, their friendship is easy. Jessie and Johnny have been inseparable ever since Jessie moved to the small island town during summer break. But as they begin fourth grade together, the new school year gets off to a rocky start when outside pressures and differences in their home lives threaten their friendship. Jessie lives comfortably and never worries about money while Johnny lives with his father and stepmother on the reserve outside of town. With guidance from Raven and spiritual teacher, Steven, the two friends bridge the gaps between them and learn to lean on each other through family troubles and cultural differences. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Key Selling Points • Two friends face the fourth grade together while learning to overcome cultural prejudices. Reconciliation is exemplified by a friendship between a white child and an Indigenous child. • The authors use fictional versions of their younger selves to reimagine what it would be like if they met as children today. • Extended family is celebrated with positive relationships with a grandmother, aunties, and a cousin. • Coast Salish culture is celebrated by Johnny Aitken's own experiences and teachings. • Contains about 25 black-and-white illustrations. • An Indigenous character, who identifies as 2Spirit, acts as a role model and educator to the two friends. • Raven, a trickster and wise teacher in many Indigenous stories, guides the two friends through the story. After a young girl moves to a small island community, she and a local Indigenous boy form a strong friendship over the summer. When they begin the fourth grade together, the two find adventure while navigating the challenges and prejudices of their lives. Elder Johnny Aitken is an interdisciplinary artist, actor, writer, carver, filmmaker, activist and educator. Johnny's mixed ancestry includes Coast Salish, Scottish and Haida, and he self-identifies as a Two-Spirit First Nations individual. Johnny's twenty-foot-tall carved Honouring Figure stands in the Emma and Felix Jack Park on Mayne Island-a park named after his grandparents from the Cowichan Tribes. As a self-proclaimed "cross-cultural bridge builder," Johnny enjoys collaborating with members of both Indigenous and Settler communities and has dedicated himself to a lifetime career in creating stories that lead to a place of healing. He lives on Mayne Island, British Columbia. Jess Willows has had a long career as a teacher in the Gulf Islands School District of British Columbia. With a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, Jess is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies at the University of Victoria while also working as a sessional instructor with the teacher education program. She has been involved with professional development (PD) for teachers, offering workshops and serving as the PD Chair. Jess also works with the BC Teachers' Federation as a facilitator of the Teacher Inquiry Program and as a workshop facilitator throughout the province. She lives on Mayne Island, British Columbia. Alyssa Koski is an illustrator, animator and entrepreneur. She graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design (now Alberta University of the Arts) with a major in Character Design. Alyssa specializes in whimsical and narrative-based illustration, following the themes of adventure, magic and belief in the impossible. She mostly works on children's books, graphic novels and short film 2D animation. She is also the curator of her grandma's traditional Blackfoot dress collection, which she showcases in museums, pop-up exhibits and fashion shows. She has a mixed heritage of Blackfoot and European ancestry and is a member of the Kainai Nation. She lives in her hometown of Okotoks with her family and many dogs. Orca Echoes are lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages six and eight

Shelley arrives at her aunt and uncle's cottage on Grey Rocks Lake and is excited to see her cousin Kyle. Her excitement quickly turns to disappointed when she discovers Kyle's friend Marcus is staying at the cottage too. Shelley feels left out of the boys' games. Then the fossil she found at the beach goes missing, and she thinks Marcus took it. But when Topper, Kyle's dog, loses her ball, Shelley and Marcus are given an opportunity to become friends.

In this illustrated chapter book, twins Henry and Allie buy their mom a pair of headphones for her work-from-home meetings, but they soon discover something much better: an empty room in the basement that they can fix up just for her. Henry and Allie need a solution to their mom's online meetings-fast! Can Allie and Henry help their mom and get their apartment back at the same time? Twins Henry and Allie love the apartment they share with their mom, Sam, but their space has been feeling cramped ever since Sam started working from home. Her online meetings mean the siblings can barely use the living room! At first, Allie and Henry figure out a quick fix-buying their mom some headphones. But when Allie stumbles upon a secret locked room in the basement, she and Henry ask the custodian, Mr. Jeff, for his help to turn it into an office. As they work away, the twins make new discoveries about themselves, Mr. Jeff and their amazing apartment building's history. They can't wait to show their mom her new workspace! Key Selling Points • The Secret Office shows how self-sufficient kids can be, as Allie and Henry use their problem-solving smarts throughout; the real-world setting will help empower readers to take on their own projects. • Reflects the contemporary reality of many adults working from home, and its setting in an apartment building will be refreshingly relatable to many. • Sara Cassidy's children's books include finalists for the Governor General's Literary Award in Young People's Literature, the Chocolate Lily Award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award, the Diamond Willow Award and the Silver Birch Express Award. Her book Genius Jolene won the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. • There are 25 black-and-white illustrations throughout. • Part of the Orca Echoes series of early chapter books with character-building themes and curriculum tie-ins. Sara Cassidy is a writer and editor. She is the author of 17 children's books, including Genius Jolene, winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize, and Nevers, which was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Silver Birch Express Award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, the Rocky Mountain Book Award and the Chocolate Lily Award. Sara also writes nonfiction and poetry for adults and works in communications for the BC Ministry of Health. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia. Alyssa Hutchings is an educator and illustrator based in Guelph, Ontario. She holds a BA in French studies and fine arts from the University of Waterloo and a BEd from Queen's University. Her art style is whimsical and bright, and she strives to depict a sense of adventure in everyday life. When not making art, you can find her experimenting with vegan cooking and baking, sewing her own clothes, reading comics and manga, and playing board games with her husband. Orca Echoes are lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages six and eight. These popular classroom favorites are well suited for social responsibility, growth mindset and character-building programs.