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.

When two hungry travelers use a "magic" stone to start a soup, they inspire a stingy village to come together and contribute their own ingredients.

Discover a heartwarming collection of stories about growing up in the rural Midwest during the 1950s.

Big Doc's Girl is a classic coming-of-age story set in rural Arkansas, following a young woman named Mary as she balances her dreams of becoming a concert pianist with her family responsibilities.

Maybe it’s a king who spills a drop of honey and refuses to clean it up—until that tiny mess grows into a giant problem. Maybe it’s some sandpipers and whales who start a silly argument that nearly destroys the place they all call home. Or maybe it’s a man who thinks a weapon will make him powerful, or a troop of monkeys who follow their leader into water that’s far too deep.

The hills and small towns of western North Carolina in the 1950s come to life in this collection of stories by master storyteller Donald Davis. He’s shared his tales everywhere—from the World’s Fair to the Smithsonian to the National Storytelling Festival—and now he invites readers into the adventures of his own childhood. His stories follow him from his earliest school days all the way to the moment he begins to understand the big changes happening in the world, including the loss of friends during the Vietnam War.

Italian Americans make up one of the largest cultural groups in the United States. You may have seen Italian-American characters in books or movies, but those stories don’t always show the real lives of the people who came here from Italy and built new communities. This book shares traditions and tales collected directly from Italian-American families living in both big cities and small towns.

Discover the magic of kindness in The Drum, a heartwarming Indian folktale about a poor boy who dreams of owning his own musical instrument. After his mother brings home a "magical" stick, the boy embarks on a journey where his selfless choices lead to unexpected rewards.

Conejito: A Folktale from Panama is a lively children's picture book that follows a small but clever rabbit on his school holiday adventure to visit his Auntie Monica. Along the way, the brave Conejito must use his quick wit to escape hungry predators like Mr. Fox, Mr. Tiger, and Mr. Lion.

Set during the exciting and dangerous time of the Hundred Years’ War, this story introduces a brave thirteen‑year‑old girl from a small French village. In just a few years, she would help lead her country to freedom from English rule and become a powerful symbol of France’s pride.

This fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast shows that being kind is more important than how someone looks.

Can one small act of kindness change someone’s day? In this grocery store, it just might. Catching Kindness is a heartwarming picture book that shows how compassion can ripple through everyday moments.