Chris Barton

Even as a young girl growing up in Texas, Barbara Jordan had a voice that commanded attention. It was big, bold, booming, and completely confident. Whenever she spoke, people naturally sat up and listened closely to what she had to say. So, how does a person use a voice that powerful? Barbara decided to use her incredible gift to fight for people who could not be heard. Pushing past the unfair boundaries of the 1960s, she confidently entered places few African American women had ever been allowed. She earned a law degree, won a seat in the Texas state senate, and eventually brought her powerful voice all the way to the United States Congress. Read the remarkable true story of a fearless educator, lawyer, and politician who never backed down from a challenge. Her tireless fight for justice and equality continues to inspire future leaders to speak up loud and clear.

Clarence is a super strong hero known as Mighty Truck, but today he is facing his toughest mission yet: babysitting. On his rare day off, Clarence kindly offers to watch his friend Hattie's little bulldozer cousins, Zip and Beep. He thinks it will be a relaxing afternoon, but these two youngsters have an endless supply of energy. From wild games of tag to jumping jumper cables, Zip and Beep simply refuse to run out of gas. Clarence is zooming everywhere just trying to keep them out of trouble, and his tires are getting tired. How can one superhero keep up with two hyperactive bulldozers who never want to slow down? Find out if Clarence has enough power to survive the playdate in this fast paced adventure. This funny, high energy story is perfect for young readers who love big machines and loud action.

You probably have a very strong opinion about glitter. Some people absolutely love the shiny confetti, while others cannot stand how it sticks to everything in the house. But no matter how you feel about it, you have to wonder where this sparkly stuff actually comes from. What exactly makes it shine so brightly? Who was the person who first invented it, and how is it manufactured in factories today? Most importantly, is all this sparkling plastic harming our environment? Dive deep into the fascinating science and surprising history behind the world's flashiest craft supply. This funny and informative book uncovers all the brilliant secrets of glitter, from its ancient origins to its modern day controversies. Whether you want to cover your world in sparkles or avoid them forever, you will learn the shiny truth behind how glitter gets absolutely everywhere.

Every winter, families bundle up and head to the theater to watch the magical story of The Nutcracker. But this famous ballet was not always an American holiday tradition. In the early 1900s, three brothers named Willam, Harold, and Lew Christensen grew up in a small Utah town with a huge passion for dance. Leaving their quiet home behind, they performed on lively vaudeville stages alongside clowns and elephants before diving into the fast paced New York City dance scene. Along the way, Russian immigrants shared the enchanting tale of a wooden nutcracker that comes to life. During the difficult days of World War II, the brothers took a massive risk. With very little money, they staged America's very first full length production of the ballet in San Francisco. Discover how three small town brothers built a dazzling stage show that transformed into one of the country's most beloved winter celebrations.

Clarence is just a regular, rickety old pickup truck who loves rolling through the mud. But everything changes the day he rolls into a mysterious, glowing truck wash. When he finally drives out, Clarence realizes he has been completely transformed. With massive pumped up tires, a roaring revved up engine, and a shiny exterior, he is no longer just an average vehicle. He has secretly become Mighty Truck, the fastest and strongest hero in Axleburg. Watch as Clarence uses his new superpowers to pull friends out of deep mud, rescue a stranded kitten, and stop heavy falling beams from destroying the town. Can he save the day while keeping his new superhero identity a secret from his friends? Jump into the driver's seat for an action packed adventure full of roaring engines, daring rescues, and a whole lot of muddy fun.

Clarence may look like a normal truck, but he is always ready to rev his engine and transform into the superhero Mighty Truck whenever trouble strikes. Today is the biggest, dirtiest, most exciting event in all of Axleburg, and everyone is covered in mud. But when sudden danger threatens the muddy celebration, Clarence finds himself in a sticky situation. He knows he has the power to zoom in and save the day, but doing so right in front of the huge crowd means his best pal Bruno might discover his secret identity. Can Clarence figure out a way to rescue his friends without blowing his cover? Gear up for a high speed, all wheel drive adventure where bravery and loyalty are put to the ultimate test. Discover why true friendship is always thicker than the deepest mud puddle in town.

John Roy Lynch spent his early childhood working as a slave in Mississippi, facing hardships most kids could never imagine. But his entire world transformed when the Emancipation Proclamation finally brought freedom to the South. Suddenly, doors that had been locked forever swung open. John Roy could finally go to school, earn money from a paying job, and build his own future. While many people fiercely fought against these social changes, John Roy embraced the new era with incredible determination. His brilliant mind and hard work eventually led him to become a justice of the peace and, incredibly, one of the first African American men elected to the United States Congress. Step back in time to explore the challenging and hopeful days of the Reconstruction period. Follow the inspiring true journey of a boy who rose from slavery to become a powerful voice for justice and equality in America.

Clarence looks like an ordinary, muddy pickup truck, but he hides an incredible secret. Whenever water hits his frame, he transforms into Mighty Truck, a super strong hero ready to save the day. On a bright and sunny afternoon, Clarence decides to join his neighbor Mr. Dent and a brave cat named Throttle for a relaxing day of catching waves at the beach. Everything is going swimmingly until Throttle paddles into some deep, gnarly water. Suddenly, the fun beach trip turns into a serious rescue mission when Clarence realizes the little cat does not know how to swim. Mr. Dent desperately needs help to bring his furry friend safely back to the sand. Find out if Mighty Truck has the power to speed through the surf and rescue Throttle from the wild waves. Get ready for an action packed adventure that proves heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Joe and Bob Switzer could not have been more different. Bob was a careful planner who studied hard and wanted to become a doctor. His brother Joe dreamed of performing magic tricks and striking it rich in show business. But when a terrible accident left Bob stuck resting in a dark basement, the brothers found a surprising way to work together. Using ultraviolet light and special paints, they began experimenting in the shadows. Soon, their basement lab produced something the world had never seen before. They invented an entirely new kind of color. Their creation glowed with a bright, intense magic that would eventually be known everywhere as Day-Glo. Follow their incredible true journey from a dark room to a brilliant discovery. You will learn how teamwork, curiosity, and a little bit of science helped two very different brothers make the whole world a much brighter place.

Lonnie Johnson always had a brilliant mind for rockets, robots, and big ideas. Growing up in a busy house full of brothers and sisters, he learned early on how to persist through challenges and solve tricky problems. This passion for figuring out how things work led him to a successful career as an engineer, eventually designing important systems for NASA. But his most famous creation happened completely by mistake. While trying to invent a new cooling system for spacecraft, Lonnie accidentally designed the mechanics for the Super Soaker water gun. This fun, fascinating true story shows how a love for science and a creative spirit led to one of the most popular toys of all time. You will discover how asking questions, testing ideas, and never giving up can lead to the biggest splashes of success.

During the darkest days of World War I, American and British supply ships faced a massive threat from enemy torpedoes hiding beneath the waves. The military was desperate to find a way to protect their sailors, but they could not make the massive ships invisible. Instead, a brilliant British lieutenant-commander named Norman Wilkinson came up with an idea that sounded completely crazy. What if they painted the ships in wild, eye popping colors and chaotic geometric patterns? This bold artistic technique became known as dazzle camouflage. The bizarre zebra stripes and contrasting colors were not meant to hide the ships, but to thoroughly confuse the enemy about which direction the boats were traveling. Explore the fascinating true story of how art and military strategy joined forces to save thousands of lives. You will be amazed at how one man's wild imagination transformed ordinary battleships into mesmerizing, floating masterpieces.

Henry is completely captivated by the best story he has ever picked up. The first page hooks his attention, and the second page pulls him deeper into the adventure. But just as he turns to the third page, the loud school bell rings. Most students would jump up from their desks, but Henry decides this amazing book simply cannot wait. By staying completely glued to his seat, Henry accidentally sets off a wild chain reaction that turns his entire school and town upside down. The local mayor, governor, and senator all team up to fix the problem by bringing in a much louder bell to get Henry moving. As the noise gets louder, the comedy gets even crazier in this high energy school story. Discover what happens when one reader refuses to put down a brilliant book, no matter how loud the world gets around him.

Two powerful champions are about to face off in the silliest competition you have ever seen. On one side is a fierce ocean predator with a lot of teeth. On the other side is a giant, soot spewing locomotive. Shark and Train are both determined to prove they are the absolute best, challenging each other to the wackiest events possible. They try to outdo one another in everything from pie eating and piano playing to bowling and hiding in secret spots. But who has the real advantage when the games get ridiculous? Watch them struggle, cheat, and pout their way through ping pong matches and hot air balloon rides. Pick your favorite competitor and cheer them on as they go head to head. This hilarious battle proves that even the toughest rivals can look incredibly funny when they are completely out of their element.

Choosing the perfect instrument is a lot harder than it sounds. A young boy with a huge passion for making noise is finally getting the chance to pick out an instrument of his very own. His parents bring him to a giant music store, but there is one major catch. He is only allowed to choose exactly one instrument to take home. Walking through the aisles, he finds himself surrounded by a dizzying array of choices. Should he pick the booming sousaphone or the delicate harpsichord? Will he sound better playing a classic cello, a loud trombone, or a set of noisy bagpipes? Every corner of the store holds a new musical possibility. Join this enthusiastic young musician as he tries out every option to find the sound that matches his personality. This fun, rhythmic story will make you want to tap your feet and make some noise.

Clarence might look like a regular muddy pickup truck, but he hides a zooming secret. Whenever water splashes his hood, he transforms into the heroic Mighty Truck. After spending his days saving the city of Axleburg, Clarence is exhausted and ready for a break. When his parents invite him to visit the family farm, Clarence cannot wait to relax, play with the pigs, and take a long nap. But farm life is full of hard work, and his parents need his help with a massive list of chores. Clarence must figure out how to finish his jobs and still have fun, proving that even superheroes have to pitch in at home.

Creating a picture book from scratch takes a lot of hard work, creativity, and sometimes, a very good dog. Author Chris Barton wants to show you exactly how the publishing process works, and he is using his trusty rescue dog, Ernie, as his main subject. Have you ever wondered how an idea inside an author's head actually becomes a printed book you can hold in your hands? You will get to see every single step of the journey. Follow along as Chris brainstorms ideas, researches facts, writes the very first draft, and teams up with a talented illustrator to bring Ernie to life on the page. You will learn about editing, graphic design, and even how a book cover is chosen. This funny and fascinating behind the scenes tour gives you an exclusive look at the teamwork required to share a great story with the world.

You know how to put out fires, but can you handle a fire-breathing creature from the skies? A fearless fire truck and a mighty dragon are about to go head-to-head in the ultimate battle of water versus fire. It might seem like they are meant to be worst enemies, but their fiery rivalry takes some unexpected twists. From roasting marshmallows at a campfire to celebrating at a birthday party, these two strong characters keep trying to outdo each other with hilarious results. Who will you root for in this epic showdown? Get ready for a wacky, action-packed story that proves even the most unlikely rivals can find a way to become the very best of friends.