Josephine Heltemes is the pen name used by Mary Trost on her series of children's books. Mary's inspiration for her stories comes from many years spent working with elementary students and her own rambunctious childhood as a middle-child in a family of eight children. She likens her method of story writing to home cooking: you open your mind, throw in a couple of ideas, put the concoction on the back-burner and wait for a story to form. Of course, disasters fit only for the trash are inevitable, but occasionally you get a tale worthy of sharing with friends. Mary lives in Vancouver, Washington. When she's not at the computer writing, she enjoys gardening, painting, bird watching and travel.
Your children will delight in this story of Henny and her brave little "chicks" as they face the unwelcoming flock of barnyard fowl. The brightly illustrated pictures enhance the storytelling and allow even the youngest readers to enjoy the tale.
It was the full moon that enticed Mrs. Ima Mausensken out onto her porch on the late October evening. However, it was the creatures she thought she saw marching down the street that sent her scurrying back inside. This Halloween poem with its colorful illustrations and catchy refrains will delight readers of all ages. The poem is especially suited to young listeners in third and fourth grade.
Estevan's life had lost its charm. Day after day he planted banana trees on a mountainside. When the opportunity arose to ride "look out" on a delivery truck, he took the job. It isn't until the truck reached the city that the boy realized it had been a one-way trip. Luckily, he is "adopted" by Consuelo and her family of street urchins. Together, they face the dangers inherent to homelessness.
When Phoebe Hammond sprains her ankle in a tumble over Ralph's backpack, she blames him for ruining summer vacation. Later, Phoebe suspects Ralph is the culprit who ransacked her clubhouse. Is it time to replace Ralph with a new friend? After all, kids outgrow clothes, why not friends? Travel along on Phoebe's quest for revenge to discover its heart-warming conclusion.
Shantay's winter vacation is beginning along with the parties, caroling, and special times with family and friends. Unfortunately, instead of enjoying the season, she's obsessed with buying a shimmering tube of Bearry Sweet lip-gloss. When a series of misadventures leave her empty handed will she be yelling, "Bah! Humbug!", or will holiday magic give her a gift not found in a shopping cart?