Children's

Let them go outside and play! More parents are heeding the advice of specialists who urge them to do just that. By playing outside with friends, kids learn valuable interpersonal and negotiation skills and how to make decisions. Outdoor play teaches about the natural world, fosters creativity, and encourages physical activity.

101 Things For Kids To Do Outside is ideal for parents, teachers, and all those working with youth. This book is ideal for the children who like gaming, TV, movies, the soft couch, and even too many snacks. The kids who believe "there's nothing to do outside" can learn and be encouraged to experience the joy of outdoor play.

Each activity is described in language easy for a 6- to 9-year-old and illustrated with engaging graphics. Younger children may need direction, at least the first time. Large pictures display all the fun to be had. The activities range from 10 minutes to hours and hours of fun. Some require creativity, make-believe or physical exertion but they are all outside. Perfect for rainy days, sunshiny days, even snowy days.

Examples of the 101 activities are:

***A 2016 National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) winner

The timeless appeal of alphabet books meets the patented technology of Scanimation.

Scanimation is a state-of-the-art animation process that creates the illusion of movement in each picture. In terms kids can relate to, it's like a video without a screen.

ABC Animals presents the alphabet as it's never been seen before. In a romping, stomping journey from A to Z, watch the Alligator snap, the Bats swooping, the Camel trot. There's L for the Lion proudly prowling along, and M for the Mouse scurrying inside his wheel. And it all culminates in the largest Scanimation image yet: Z, for Zoo, where all the animals gather to play. Each page is a marvel that brings animals, along with one shining star, to life with art that literally moves. It's impossible not to flip the page, and flip it again, and again, and again.

Alec's Primer is based on the true story of Alec Turner (1845-1923), who learned to read and, eventually, just as Zephie predicted, became a free man. Traveling to Vermont where he established his home and became a landowner, Alec kept his cherished primer with him throughout his life. Years later, Alec's daughter Daisy told his dramatic tale of defiance and endurance to the Vermont Folklife Center. Mildred Pitts Walter and Larry Johnson have transformed Alec's powerful story into an engrossing picture book that affords young readers an authentic lens through which to view history.

Amanda Panda has BIG ideas for her first day of school. But when things don't go according to plan, and when a pesky girl in a pink bow decides to be her best friend, she walks out on kindergarten and joins her brother in second grade. It takes an unlikely partner to fix Amanda's terrible day--and to teach her about friendship, tolerance, and how to cope with life's ups and downs.

Amanda Panda perfectly captures the spirit, motivations, and humor of a headstrong five-year-old girl--and will be sure to soothe back-to-school jitters.

"a sweet story about the power of kindness and getting past first impressions."--The Washington Post

"Empathy and kindness are just as important as ABCs and 123s, and Amanda gives readers a good lesson."--Kirkus

"Filled with droll humor that begs to be read aloud, this is an excellent back-to-school purchase and a great fit for storytime."--School Library Journal

"With strong dialogue and well-imagined details of wardrobe and play, Ransom writes an original story around the familiar situation: the beginning of school. . . . This wryly amusing picture book offers a fresh take on an old theme."--Booklist