Lives West

Sometimes you have to run away to find your way. This adventure tells of three friends coming together in Key West. They discover life, work, play, and mango tree economics.

In Ghana and some other west African countries, when a baby is born, the extended family prepares for a whole week to welcome the little one at a celebration called an outdooring. Andani can't wait to meet her new baby cousin, but a week is so long! As her aunties and uncles prepare cassava, tuo zaafi, fufu, and other delicious foods for the outdooring, Andani will have to patiently (well, okay, sometimes not so patiently) wait to perform the most important job of all: being the first to greet the little one by name.

The Bear family is flying over rivers and mountains to get to Uncle Tex's ranch. There is so much to see! Uncle Tex and Aunt Min have plenty of ways to share the fun of the West with the Bear family.

Oliver is a young transient orca swimming with his family off the east coast of Vancouver Island, BC. One day, during a family hunting episode, he ignores his family and chases an otter on his own. In the process he tangles with a ferry boat and ends up injured and beached.

Welcome to the town of Barksdale, where the canine residents strive for perfection. Every shopkeeper claims to be the "best groomer" or sell the "best biscuits". And at Barksdale Academy, the pressure is on every year for one pup to be named Best in Show. Nova, Duke, Harley, and Peanut have never won Best in Show...which is okay with them! But they have to work together to pass their Agility Exam, because either the whole pack passes or the whole pack fails.

Haida is traveling with her family for their annual hunt in Hecate Strait. Near Haida Gwaii, her family encounters an oil spill with potentially lethal consequences. Haida and her family must survive this man-made disaster and then face the challenges of delivering her newborn and protecting him from predators.

The Coffee Bean for Kids tells the inspiring story of Gavin, a young boy with the difficult task of starting school in a new town. Gavin's teacher, Mrs. Spring, teaches him the story of the carrot, the egg, and the coffee bean. The environments we find ourselves in, like a pot of boiling, hot water, can change, weaken, or harden us, and test who we truly are. We can be like the carrot that weakens in the pot or like the egg that hardens. Or, we can be like the coffee bean and discover the power inside us to transform our environment.

Waffles Saves the Day teaches acceptance, discusses bullying, and applauds uniqueness. When Farmer Ken discovers an issue on the farm, he rushes to find a solution! At first, the farm animals don't agree with Farmer Ken's decision, but when they see how much it improves their lives, the farm animals can't help but appreciate and love the farm's newest addition.

Albert is listening carefully as his teacher, Miss Dixie, talks about friendship. Albert knows he has friends, but he does not have a ship! The story helps children understand about friendship and, like Albert, realize that they each have a Friend Ship in their heart.

Albert Thinks About His Future is the engaging story of Albert, a young preverbal boy on the autism spectrum, as he thinks about the many possibilities he has for his future. His family and friends encourage him to think about his strengths and interests as he considers his potential occupations.

Tim Diamond - the world’s worst private detective - takes on his most dangerous case yet, and it’s going to be up to his brother to keep him out of trouble. A short story from Guys Read: Thriller, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Young children are invited to visit a rollicking and welcoming, inclusive classroom where children of differing abilities learn and play together every day. Come join the fun! Each student in this preschool classroom has a special need, but also a special gift to share.

Her dad loves superheroes. He says superheroes are for real. She isn't sure, so she begins to watch for superheroes in her everyday life and discovers her dad may be right, and they may be closer than she thinks.