Ready to Read tubs are designed for use with youth aged 0-3 to promote early reading and language skills. Each tub contains 30 to 50 books (picture books and board books), a resource guide, and a DVD. Tubs may be checked out by organizations that serve babies and toddlers (such as day care centers, licensed family child care providers, libraries, parenting classes, health clinics, and faith organizations). Tubs must be checked out with an Anchorage Public Library corporate card.

From Paris to Antarctica, a family finds that a little imagination can go a long way! Sam has a very busy family. Mom works late; Dad's projects pile up. Even Sam's younger sister Marla is always doing something. Everyone in Sam’s family has their own idea of what the perfect vacation would look like. But there’s one thing they all agree on: they just can’t get away right now. So Sam comes up with a different kind of getaway. With a little planning, a few supplies, and a touch of creativity, she finds that her family’s dream vacation wasn’t so far away after all.

From the award-winning team behind Ida, Always comes a story about a friendship that grows between a blind horse and a gruff goat All the animals at the Open Bud Ranch can see that Jack likes keeping his space to himself. But when Charlie arrives, he doesn’t see Jack at all. He’s still getting used to seeing out of only one of his eyes. The two get off to a bumpy start. At first, Jack is anxious and distrustful. But one day, he summons his courage and guides Charlie to his favorite sunlit field: this way, Charlie. And so begins a powerful friendship that will be tested by life’s storms—but will ultimately change each life for the better.

Creativity, the power of imagination, and the importance of self-expression are celebrated in this inspiring picture book written and illustrated by real-life best friends. This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream... Stunning mixed media illustrations, lyrical text, and a breathtaking gatefold conjure powerful magic in this heartfelt affirmation of art, imagination, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Wolfstongue tells the story of a boy with speech problems who enters a hidden world of talking animals. When he befriends a family of wolves who have been enslaved by scheming, articulate foxes, the boy must face his own struggle with words to help the wolves win back their freedom.

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Fun and creative activities to stimulate your toddler every day of the year The Toddler's Busy Book contains 365 screen-free activities for one-and-a-half- to three-year-olds using things found around the home. It shows parents and daycare providers how to: Prevent boredom during the longest stretches of rainy days with ideas for indoor play, kitchen activities, and arts and crafts projects. Stimulate your child's natural curiosity with entertaining math, language, and motor-skills activities. Encourage your child's physical, mental, and emotional growth with fun music, food, water, and outdoor activities. Celebrate holidays and other occasions with special projects and activities. Keep toddlers occupied during long car trips or crosstown errands. The Toddler's Busy Book is written with warmth and sprinkled with humor and insight. It should be required reading for anyone raising or teaching toddlers.

Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource.

Features 365 activities for toddlers, including games, art projects, and songs, that are intended to foster creativity, stimulate cognitive development, and encourage inventiveness.

Every year, people ask Groundhog the same, boring old question. Is spring around the corner? Or are we doomed to more winter? Sure, they care about his shadow, but what about him and his interests? He's had enough! Groundhog packs his bags and sets out for a much-needed vacation. Now the town is holding auditions to find someone to fill his spot. None of the animals seem right for the job, though. Not Elephant, not Ostrich, and most certainly not Puppy. No one has Groundhog's flair for the dramatic, but is it too late to woo him back into the spotlight? With a fresh take on a familiar event and bold, lively illustrations, this hilarious audio eBook will leave readers wishing it was Groundhog's Day year-round.