A young girl from Puerto Rico dreams of studying the stars but begins to lose her eyesight in college. Instead of giving up, she learns to use sound to "hear" data from space and makes incredible scientific discoveries.

A young boy named Junior moves to North Carolina in 1959 and discovers a hidden log cabin library for Black residents.

Twelve-year-old Will and his father travel from Texas to Oklahoma to claim their own land during the 1889 Land Rush.

Two siblings spend a hot July day in the city waiting for a special celebration.

Little Albert gets a cool gift – where do you think it will lead him?

The true story of a boy who had to catch them all – insects, that is!

Oprah Winfrey’s story follows her journey from a childhood marked by poverty and hardship to becoming a groundbreaking media leader and global icon, showing how determination, empathy, and big dreams can change a life.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s story follows her journey from a determined young skier in Colorado to a record-breaking champion, showing how perseverance, family support, and resilience helped her overcome personal loss and become one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time.

When two siblings move in with an aunt they barely know, they slowly discover that love can grow in new places, even during hard changes.

A Japanese story about a strong little boy and the adventures he has with his animal friends.

Farrokh was a shy and quiet boy – but then he discovered the power of music!

Kid Olympians: Winter shares true, inspiring childhood stories of Winter Olympians and Paralympians from around the world.

When Mr. Magee and his dog Dee set out to learn how to ski, their snowy day takes a wild turn after an unexpected encounter with a moose sends them soaring into trouble.

Dream Big, Little Pig by Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi is an inspiring story about a little pig named Poppy who dreams of becoming a star.

Virginia Oliver was over 100 years old—105 to be specific. And she was still out on the water catching lobsters! People all over Maine admired her, and locals lovingly called her the “Lobster Lady.” Virginia grew up in Rockland, Maine, and she hauled lobster traps for more than 93 years.

Have you ever played the game “Telephone,” where one person whispers a message and it travels around the circle until it comes back sounding completely different? Stories work the same way. As they’re passed from person to person—and from place to place—they stretch, twist, and grow into new versions. The stories in this book show just how powerful that “story grapevine” can be. Many of these tales have been traveling for hundreds of years. Some appear in different countries all over the world, each with its own special twist. All of them are fun to read aloud, and even more fun to tell in your own voice.

Anyone who teaches, lead, or speaks in public has had the experience of needing to fill short...

People everywhere tell stories. It’s something humans just do. We share stories that make us laugh, make us think, or simply sound wonderful when spoken aloud. Stories seem to pop up wherever people gather, and some are so powerful and meaningful that they travel far beyond the place where they were first told.

Scary stories have always been a favorite with kids. It makes sense—listening to spooky tales wakes up our imaginations, adds excitement to everyday life, and lets us practice being brave while knowing we’re completely safe.

People all around the world tell stories that teach us about wisdom and fairness. These tales help us remember that when people use good judgment and treat each other kindly, everyone can live together in peace. Wisdom tales show us how important it is to listen, think carefully, and do what’s right.

Tricksters are some of the most exciting characters in stories from all over the world. They’re clever, playful, and full of surprises. Sometimes they act a little foolish, sometimes they’re amazingly wise—and often they manage to be both at once. Their adventures remind us that using our wits can help us stand up to bullies, solve problems, and even have a little fun along the way.

Every culture on Earth has its own lovable fools—people who mean well but somehow manage to mix things up anyway. Even though they often choose the wrong thing to do, their hearts are usually in the right place. By listening to their stories, we learn how to make better choices ourselves… and how to laugh when we have a silly moment, too.

Insects have been part of our world since the very beginning. Sometimes they buzz in our ears or give us itchy bites, and sometimes they amaze us with their bright colors, clever tricks, and tiny superpowers. People everywhere have watched insects closely enough to imagine what their lives might be like, giving them stories, personalities, and even heroic moments.

People all around the world celebrate special days called holidays. These are moments when ordinary life feels a little brighter, a little more exciting, and full of extra spirit. Sometimes that spirit feels like kindness and love. Other times it feels like starting fresh, or even a tiny bit spooky in a fun way.