Candace Fleming

Take to the sky with Apis, a tiny honeybee, as she embarks on her incredible life journey! Emerging from the wax cap of her cell, she immediately gets to work. Driven to protect her bustling hive, she cleans the nursery, feeds the growing larvae, and cares for the queen. But is she strong enough to fly outside? Not quite yet. First, Apis must build wax combs to store honey, transfer pollen, and fiercely defend her home from dangerous invaders. Finally, the day comes when she is ready for a grand adventure. The walls of the hive fall away as Apis takes flight into the clear blue sky, joining dozens of other bees in search of sweet nectar. This stunningly illustrated, poetically written tribute brings the fascinating life cycle of the hardworking honeybee right into your hands.

After World War II, there is very little left in Katje's hometown in Holland. Her family, like most of their neighbors, must patch their worn clothing and go without simple everyday items like soap and milk. But one bright spring morning, the local postman pedals down her street to deliver a mysterious box all the way from America. Inside, Katje discovers treasures she has not seen in years, including soap, socks, and sweet chocolate, sent by a girl named Rosie from Indiana. Thrilled by the generous gift, Katje writes a letter of thanks. This simple message sparks a beautiful friendship and an exchange of packages that grows larger and more surprising with every delivery. Based on a true story, this inspiring tale shows how small acts of kindness can change an entire town forever.

You are a shy, swift, and small creature swimming through the freezing Arctic Ocean. Humans call you the unicorn of the sea. When winter ice covers the water, you poke your head through a small opening to breathe, pointing your six-foot-long tooth straight toward the sky. In this stunningly illustrated journey, you will experience life as a real narwhal. Float alongside your pod, joust with others of your kind, and use echolocation to hunt for your prey in the dark depths. When the weather warms up, it is time to migrate. But you must stay alert, because hungry predators like orcas and polar bears are always looking for their next meal. Told from your perspective, this fascinating exploration reveals the mysterious underwater world of one of the most incredible mammals on the planet.

Mr. McGreely has dreamed of planting a beautiful garden for years. Now that it is finally springtime, he cannot wait to fill his tummy with fresh, crispy carrots and yummy vegetables. But when the sun goes down and the moon comes up, three hungry bunnies appear. With a tippy, tippy, pat and a muncha, muncha, muncha, they sneak in and eat everything in sight! Furious about his nibbled leaves and empty stalks, Mr. McGreely sets out to protect his precious plants. He builds bigger fences, taller walls, and deeper trenches to keep the pesky puff-tails away. But these clever rabbits are not giving up easily. Get ready to cheer for the determined gardener or the sneaky bunnies in this hilarious, action-packed battle of wits full of fun sound effects.

Fred and Helen Martini always longed for a baby of their own, but they never expected to end up raising dozens of wild animals! When Fred, a zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo, brings home a tiny, helpless lion cub, Helen immediately knows what to do. She feeds little MacArthur from a bottle and coos him to sleep in a cozy crib. Before long, MacArthur is not the only wild cat taking up residence in their home. The couple begins raising tigers and other lion cubs right in their own bathtub until they are strong enough to return to the zoo. This beautiful, true story follows Helen's journey to becoming the very first female zookeeper and nursery keeper at the Bronx Zoo. It is a heartwarming tale of dedication, care, and a very special kind of family.

Bedtime on the farm is supposed to be quiet, but tonight it is completely upside down! When Pig plops into his cozy sty, he is shocked to find Cow fast asleep right in his spot. He tells her to go sleep in her own bed, sending her packing. But when Cow finally snuggles into her stall, she discovers Hen is already sleeping there. This sets off a hilarious chain reaction of grumpy, snoozing animals waking each other up and sending their friends off to the correct beds. You will love shouting out the repeating instructions as every tired creature tries to find their way back to where they belong. Full of giggle-inducing moments and comically sleepy farm animals, this irresistible story is sure to become your new favorite way to say goodnight.

What would you do if you received an invitation to the princess's tenth birthday party, but you did not have a single penny to buy her a present? If you are a clever boy named Jack, you roll up your sleeves and decide to bake the princess the most magnificent birthday cake she has ever seen. The only problem is that Jack now has to carry his delicious masterpiece all the way to the royal castle without ruining it. As he travels through the enchanted forest, he crosses paths with greedy trolls, hungry bears, and unpredictable travelers. What could possibly go wrong? This deliciously funny modern fairy tale is packed with action, unexpected surprises, and a story-loving princess who appreciates a great adventure just as much as a slice of cake.

Clink, clankety-bang, thump-whirr! That is the noisy sound of Papa hard at work in his shop. As an inventor, he is always tinkering, but he has never quite managed to build something that works perfectly. He just needs a truly fantastic idea. Everything changes during a family fishing trip to Lake Michigan when his daughter asks what it is like to be a fish. Suddenly, Papa is inspired! With plenty of persistence and a little help from his family, he sets out to create a mechanical submarine that can take them all on an incredible underwater trip to the bottom of the lake. Based on the real-life inventor Lodner Phillips, this fun and quirky tale celebrates creativity, family teamwork, and the joy of a really great idea.

The giant squid is one of the most elusive and mysterious creatures on the entire planet. Growing as massive as whales, these incredible animals hide deep beneath the ocean waves, completely out of reach. For years, scientists could only piece together their story from the tiny clues they left behind, like a ring-shaped scar on a whale or a sudden flash of blinding ink in the dark water. It was not until very recently that one was finally caught on film in its natural underwater habitat. In this beautifully illustrated nonfiction adventure, you will dive into the freezing depths to uncover the secret life of this astounding ocean giant. Poetic and visually stunning, this book brings the hidden world of the deep sea right to your fingertips, letting you explore the wonders of a creature that feels like it belongs in a myth.

One by one, a series of clumsy animals falls into a very deep hole. With each tumbling creature, you can shout out the repeating refrain of Oh, no! as the pile of trapped friends grows larger and larger. Just when it seems like they will be stuck at the bottom of the pit forever, a surprisingly large rescuer arrives to save the day. This lively and irresistible story is filled with expressive, comical illustrations that capture every hilarious moment. It is a delightfully funny adventure that makes reading aloud a blast, bringing everyone together to cheer for the animals as they try to find their way out of trouble.