“Do you know who Lilya was? Was she here?” Megan was talking slowly – deliberately choosing her words, she was trying to retain control of her emotions. This man knew something about Lilya, and Megan had to remain calm enough to find out what he knew. This question made the man stop yelling, but he still pointed to the door, gesturing with his arms that they must leave. He would say no more, he had revealed too much already. “Was Lilya here?” Megan repeated, her voice stronger and showing she had no intention of leaving without an answer. “I still am.” said a small voice as Lilya appeared next to the trees.

“No time to explain—they will see you, now run!” Learning that an expedition is studying a group of endangered terns, Jan joins the group with her father to help him with his research and see if she can do anything to protect them. While at the nesting site on the cliffs, she finds a small silk bag in a cave, and so starts an adventure with many unexpected surprises. When she learns poachers have stolen many tern eggs, she is determined to rescue them, and with a little help, to transport them, along with their parents, to Ituria’s Island where they will be safe. But what chance does a young girl have against a band of poachers? This book is great for early readers who love learning about animals and birds as well as how to help their environment. Themes include asking for help, building self-courage, and encouraging self-discovery.

Sara will have to find her courage if she wants to protect her friends from poachers! A cry for help wakes Sara, a young girl living in a small town in the countryside. The continuing calls compel Sara to slip out of her home to find the source. She doesn’t realize it was not a call she heard with her ears, but with her mind—a mother tiger is calling out for help to save her cubs! But to save them, Sara must first find the cubs, and then hide them away from the poachers seeking to trap them. She must rely on her wits and courage to see it through; there is no turning back once she starts on her mission. Can she rescue the baby tigers, get them to safety, and get back home without anyone noticing she is gone? Can she stay one step ahead of the poachers? Note from Author: Amur Tigers, or Siberian Tigers, are an endangered species dwindling rapidly due to illegal poaching and logging operations. Entire environments are being destroyed unless we find the courage to create change and aim to protect these now rare creatures. ‌

Step into a mystical world filled with fantasy and adventure as Jenna defends her dragon friend from dangerous hunters! Middle Forest is once again being threatened by hunters and twelve-year-old Jenna is the only one who can help them. First Guard to Ituria, the shapeshifting dragon, Knocker, has encountered the hunters before—but in his human form. The hunters promised they would stop hunting, but now that they have discovered the forest where Knocker lives, they seem determined to break their word. The duo’s diabolical plot could ruin everything. Jenna races to discover their plans and stop them before they can find Knocker. With the help of her animal friends, she devises a plan to protect Knocker and Middle Forest, but will her courage, spirit, and a little magic be enough to save the day?

Join Michelle on her adventure to rescue a baby manatee! As a hurricane rips through her coastal community, Michelle does her best to stay safe inside her house, but a strange siren leads her to the end of her dock. There she discovers a young manatee named Ethan who is in desperate need of help. Quickly joined by Knocker, a dragon who can transform into a human, and Alleana, the leader of the Crystal Cay mermaids, the trio devise a plan to save him. As this unique group of rescuers lead the baby manatee to safety, the worst of the hurricane hits. Trees fall, structures collapse and Michelle’s family is suddenly in danger. Michelle must overcome her fears and learn to trust others again if they are to save both Ethan and her family. Will renewed trust, compassion, and courage, along with a touch of mermaid magic, be enough? Only time will tell if Michelle can find the courage to save the day!

Dive into a world filled with nature and self-discovery as Jenna finds herself part of the Legend of the White Wolf… A desperate call for help starts Jenna on a fast-paced journey to save Ituria, a unicorn trapped by hunters. After freeing him from the hunter’s cage, she must also protect him from a renegade wolf intent on taking over Ituria’s forest home. Jenna may be human in East Forest, but when she travels into the Middle Forest, she takes on another form: a large white wolf. Though she may look like a wolf, she doesn't fool all of the animals she encounters. Animals have many ways to identify and assess their environments, and every animal’s survival is dependent on its many senses. She will have to learn how animals think in order to earn the trust of the creature who lives in the cave. Join Jenna on her adventures in Middle Forest to rescue a unicorn with the help of the forest animals and a very large dragon. During her quest, Jenna learns how she fits into the Legend of the White Wolf and must decide if she is brave enough to see it through! This book contains themes of self-discovery, bravery, and environmental awareness and is great for early readers interested in wolves and nature.

“It looks like its tail is broken! Let’s make sure it gets home!” Young mermaid Kimmi has been chosen to raise a baby sea dragon until it is large enough to live with its parents in the open ocean. Although warned not to go beyond the reef with her young charge, after Kimmi’s necklace breaks and the pearls scatter, they forget the warning and swim out to find the lost pearls. When a ghost net threatens the mermaids' kelp garden and the sea creatures who live there, Kimmi and Snappy must be brave in order to save the day. Will they make it back to the safety of the reef?

The siblings go to great heights! Gabby and Maddox visit the historic Niagara Falls and make new friends traveling from Canada. They learn about the rich history of the area and the people who have tried to conquer the powerful falls. Seeking adventure themselves, the kids brave the Cave of Winds and explore the Hurricane Deck at the base of the American Falls. They take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat tour all the way to the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls. Of course, a trip to Niagara wouldn’t be complete without an exciting helicopter ride!

A "one size fits all" strategy is not effective when it comes to philanthropy and fundraising in today's diversified environment. This book enables nonprofit leaders, board members, staff, and volunteers of nonprofit organizations to better reach diverse populations and incorporate perspectives that increase success by surveying the cultural context for philanthropic action. Diversity and Philanthropy: Expanding the Circle of Giving is a concise, accessible, and research-backed resource that explains the traditions of philanthropy—an invaluable tool given the proliferation of global nongovernmental organizations that affect every aspect of society in every country. Author Lilya Wagner has worked across the globe as fundraising and nonprofit organizations proliferated in the last 25 years. This book is an outgrowth of her extensive research as well as an accumulation of her professional interactions in the field and real-world knowledge. The book begins with an overview of culture and its influence on generosity and then examines the global increase of attention on diversity in giving. Chapters address specific cultural and ethnic groups; the traditions of their countries of origin; what influences their giving in North America; and characteristics that are inherent in culture, such as religion and attitudes about family. The book concludes with an insightful discussion of how to be a culturally proficient professional. An extensive listing of resources—including research on various aspects and angles of the topic, and surveys on giving both in North America and globally—makes it easy for those who want to pursue related topics in more detail.