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

Join OOPA in her colorful world of words, and explore the power of language to shape emotions.

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

Through powerful photography and engaging storytelling, the book captures unforgettable moments from the Winter Olympics.

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.

Traditional stories have been told aloud for hundreds of years. Even though they aren’t meant to be taken literally, they stay with us because they share timeless truths about what it means to be human.

This book gathers fifty folktales and parables from many different cultures—Sufi, Zen, Taoist, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, African, and Native American. Even though these stories come from far‑away places and different times, they all share simple truths, gentle humor, and the idea that we can learn from the wisdom of people who lived long ago.

A humorous Irish folktale-inspired read-aloud about Jamie O’Rourke, the laziest man in Ireland, who magically grows an enormous potato after meeting a leprechaun.

Reading a story quietly to yourself feels like a private adventure. But hearing someone tell a story out loud is something we experience together. Just like music on a page becomes real when someone plays it, a story becomes richer when it’s shared with a group.

Across North and South America, Native peoples have shared stories for generations—tales told aloud long before they were written down. In this collection, more than forty myths from thirty different tribes, from the far northern Arctic to the tropical forests of Guiana, invite readers to explore a powerful idea: all living things are connected by the same spirit.

The author's stories take place in places kids know well. There are school hallways where locker doors slam like a noisy song between classes. There are county fairs with bright lights and whirling rides. There are cozy homes where parents send kids to bed with milk and cookies.

People of all ages love watching tricksters get into trouble—and wriggle right back out again. Today we laugh at characters like Bugs Bunny, the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, Ace Ventura, and even Bart Simpson. But tricksters have been around much longer than cartoons and movies. Every culture in the world has its own clever mischief‑maker. In Africa, there’s Anansi the Spider. In the American Southwest, Coyote causes chaos. In the Pacific Northwest, Raven stirs things up. In the American South, Rabbit is always ready with a trick. Ireland has the leprechaun, and South America has the sly Fox. Josepha Sherman gathered forty of these wonderful stories from around the globe.

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.

Medford McGee was born on January 1, 1900, on his family’s farm tucked high in the mountains of North Carolina. As he grows up, he watches the world change faster than anyone ever imagined. Every week, his Aunt Louise sends the Sunday Nashville Banner, and Medford listens as his father reads it aloud on the front porch. Through those stories, Medford learns about faraway countries, big world problems, and amazing new inventions—like cars that start with the push of a button and airplanes that can fly across whole continents.

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.