Cari Best

In the spring when trees unfreeze and grass grows green and pansies say, “Please plant me!” Nell and her dog, Rusty, can’t wait to dig in dirt just right for digging. But Norman, their neighbor, says “Ewww!” to digging and dirt. Until Nell and Rusty begin to dig up unexpected treasures: a pretty striped marble, the mini stegosaurus that Nell lost last summer, and most intriguing of all—part of a tiny china doll. Who played with it? Is there more? Norman wonders. Now, even Norman can’t resist. He rolls up his sleeves, picks up the extra trowel, and starts to dig in his own careful way—in the process discovering all the simple joys of digging, dirt, and the fun of trying something new. Words and pictures brimming with humor and exuberance capture one of the true rites of spring: Hooray for dirty digging!

In this bouncy, playful picture book for very young listeners, follow two baby friends who live in facing buildings through their day--playing, singing, and napping--till they meet in the park Somewhere in the big, big citytwo happy babies look out their morning windowsat the very same time. Just what will these two babies do today? Well, this baby meows like his cat, and that baby barks like her dog. This mellow baby listens to a story, and that rambunctious baby sings a song. Soon enough, both babies get hungry...and a bit cranky. How will this Mama and that Papa help them feel better? Perhaps a play date in the park will help Critically acclaimed and award-winning creators--author Cari Best and illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh--team up for this delightful read-aloud that will have listeners clapping and giggling right alongside this baby and that baby.

In this bouncy, playful picture book for very young listeners, follow two baby friends who live in facing buildings through their day--playing, singing, and napping--till they meet in the park Somewhere in the big, big citytwo happy babies look out their morning windowsat the very same time. Just what will these two babies do today? Well, this baby meows like his cat, and that baby barks like her dog. This mellow baby listens to a story, and that rambunctious baby sings a song. Soon enough, both babies get hungry...and a bit cranky. How will this Mama and that Papa help them feel better? Perhaps a play date in the park will help Critically acclaimed and award-winning creators--author Cari Best and illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh--team up for this delightful read-aloud that will have listeners clapping and giggling right alongside this baby and that baby.

It's bedtime but Sasha can't fall asleep because of the scary things she sees in her room. Luckily, she uses her imagination to battle her fears until she's finally ready for sleep. Sasha has had Mama's stories and Papa's jokes and coffee kisses on both her cheeks, but she's not tired. So she makes a star with her flashlight, a car with one headlight, and a lighthouse that blinks on and off. She checks out the noises outside her window and sees the moon--it is like a giant eye staring right at her But when she closes her curtains, there are shadows and more noises and scary faces. Instead of calling to her parents, Sasha handles each situation herself because she's brave, she's strong, she's five--and then finally, she's ready for sleep. This energetic, gorgeously-illustrated bedtime book is perfect for young readers learning to conquer bedtime fears by themselves.

Mabel Beecher loves Kindergarten. And she loves her teacher, Mrs. Ampersand, because she's funny and smart and makes the class work hard, but brings Popsicles every Friday if everyone really tries. But then Mrs. Ampersand announces that she's leaving for the rest of the year because she's going to be having a baby. Mabel is not happy. Especially because her new teacher, Mrs. Windbag, is so boring. And she doesn't bring the right snacks. And she's not very good at reading out loud. So Mabel thinks about what Mrs. Ampersand would do. And she starts leading the class. There's a lot to learn in Kindergarten, even for Mrs. Windbag. And by the end of the year, Mabel is certain she's going to be a great future teacher! Cari Best's delightful new picture book introduces a clever, determined new heroine, and celebrates the power of learning, however old you are.

Zulay and her three best friends are all in the same second grade class and study the same things, even though Zulay is blind. When their teacher asks her students what activity they want to do on Field Day, Zulay surprises everyone when she says she wants to run a race. With the help of a special aide and the support of her friends, Zulay does just that.

In the spring when trees unfreeze and grass grows green and pansies say, “Please plant me!” Nell and her dog, Rusty, can’t wait to dig in dirt just right for digging. But Norman, their neighbor, says “Ewww!” to digging and dirt. Until Nell and Rusty begin to dig up unexpected treasures: a pretty striped marble, the mini stegosaurus that Nell lost last summer, and most intriguing of all—part of a tiny china doll. Who played with it? Is there more? Norman wonders. Now, even Norman can’t resist. He rolls up his sleeves, picks up the extra trowel, and starts to dig in his own careful way—in the process discovering all the simple joys of digging, dirt, and the fun of trying something new. Words and pictures brimming with humor and exuberance capture one of the true rites of spring: Hooray for dirty digging!

Wendy and her exuberant family of walkers discover new things on Rambling Road every day in all kinds of weather. No one keeps the things they find except for Wendy: numbers and letters, ribbon and string, a bucket, a ball, a wheel from a wagon. But what will she do with all this stuff? One snowy day when no one can go walking, Wendy uses her treasure trove of found objects to create her own special version of Rambling Road for her family to share and celebrate. Full of surprises on every page, this is a book that will inspire young readers to walk, discover and create on their own.