Alfie can't stay out of messy trouble! Alfie tries to stay clean but he is forever making a mess! But wait a second . . . who is Alfie? In this sweet, humorous story, award-winning author Frieda Wishinsky celebrates the value of harmless mischief, the joys of getting dirty, and the bond between a boy and his dog. Kids will delight in a fun twist that makes it clear just who is making the mess! Highlighting the value of friendship, imagination and outdoor play, this fun tale will ring true to the young and the young at heart.

After gaining weight over the summer, Eve has trouble fitting in at her new high school, and starts to feel bad about herself, until she finds someone to help her accept herself as she is.

Charlotte Summers is sure that summer camp is going to be a disaster. And she's right. But it's not as disastrous for her as it is for her counselor, Abby. Abby has no control over the girls in her charge. The control is held by the cabin's mean girl. Charlotte realizes that she could tip the balance of power and unseat the bully, but does she have the courage to go for it?

Discover why each of these 12 intrepid explorers risked everything to conquer the great unknown. Explorers have transformed the world with their curiosity. But with great knowledge comes great responsibility, and thriving on adventure has often lead to great danger. The explorers profiled here will give younger readers a fascinating survey of the history of this most dramatic of pastimes. The themes that are explored are: what motivated these explorers? What were they looking for, and what did they actually find? How did their journeys change their lives and the lives of the people they met? The explorers included are: Samuel de Champlain Marco Polo Henry Hudson Christopher Columbus James Cook Hernán Cortés Lewis and Clark John Franklin Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson Roald Amundsen

In a tranquil but moving journey through the garden, celebrate the relationships between flowers and the birds, insects, and four-legged friends with which they share their world

Kate and Jake have always been best friends; always, that is, until Jake's cousin, Lionel, moves nearby and Jake starts spending time with him instead. Kate struggles with his abandonment and her own loneliness as she seeks new friends that share her likes and dislikes. And, perhaps there is a place in her life for her old best friend after all.

"Maggie feels so nervous reading in front of the class! Even though her knees shake like jelly and she can't utter a sound, she is determined to forget her fears" Cf. Our choice, 2003.

The Brooklyn Bridge, the iconic suspension bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, was completed in 1883. It is thanks to Emily Warren Roebling that the bridge was finished at all. Emily was not an engineer, but she was educated in math and science. She married Washington Roebling, the chief engineer of the famous bridge. When Washington became ill from decompression sickness, Emily stepped in, doing everything from keeping the books, to carrying messages for her husband, to monitoring the construction of the bridge. She was the first person to cross the Brooklyn Bridge when it opened. Emily, who went on to study law among many other accomplishments, is an inspiration to all, as demonstrated through Frieda Wishinsky's informative and engaging text and Natalie Nelson's distinctive collage illustrations. Speech bubbles revealing imagined dialogue add a playful note to this historical account, which includes fascinating facts about the Brooklyn Bridge and a further reading list.

The story of Olmsted who designed some of North America’s most famous public spaces When the great cities of North America were being built, little thought was given to the idea of creating “green spaces.” But these oases from the dirt, gravel, and noise of the crowded city streets were exactly what were needed. One of the few people to recognize this fact was Frederick Law Olmsted, North America’s first landscape architect. Combining his love of nature with his admiration for the structured beauty found in the great public parks of London and Paris, Olmsted turned neglected, swampy acres on the edge of New York City into one of the most acclaimed parks in the world: Central Park. But Olmsted’s success was not earned overnight. He spent many years wandering from job to job, searching for the perfect career. And when he finally discovered his passion, few people were confident in his abilities. But Olmsted fought for the preservation of areas like Yosemite in the USA, and his perseverance would be rewarded: he went on to design some of the most famous public spaces in North America.

It takes more than one person to bring about change. Profiles: Freedom heroines focuses on six of the most courageous and revolutionary women in history. With background information, family life, education, accomplishments, and more for: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells, Alice Paul, and Rosa Parks. Includes a timeline and glossary.

When Renata is chosen to play the lead role in the school musical, students who used to ignore her start saying hello and congratulating her in the hall. She is happy until it becomes evident that Karin, a wealthy girl who expected to get the lead role, will go to great lengths to ruin Renata's reputation.

Bouncy rhymes chronicle a little girl's musing as to just what exactly is inside the queen's purse. the purse made Kay wonder What would a queen need? A bag full of money? A good book to read? Award-winning picture book author Frieda Wishinsky brings her gift of humour to this adorable tale of curious young Kay who can't help but wonder what the Queen might carry in her purse. Whimsical artwork by Loufane complements and enhances the wit and charm of this royal send-up, as Kay rhymes off all of the outrageous items that just might be contained in that mysterious purse, until - oops! - the purse springs open and Kay finds out what's really inside!

From avalanches to shipwrecks, this brand-new fiction series hurtles its characters into dangerous situations, leaving them with only their wits and courage to survive! Eleven-year-old Alex Mason has just moved from Toronto to Glory, British Columbia, and he's having a tough time. Friendless, he is teased by his classmate Owen for being from "out East", and for his lack of skill on the ski slopes. But when a new boy, Ben, moves to town, the boys bond over their love of building and quickly make plans to construct an epic snow fort together. When a freak avalanche strikes and traps Alex, Ben and Owen in deep, immobilizing snow, Alex must keep it together enough to free himself and save the other boys. Will they survive?

From avalanches to shipwrecks, this brand-new fiction series hurtles its characters into dangerous situations, leaving them with only their wits and and courage to survive! At 1:55 AM on the morning of May 29, 1914, two young friends, Grace and Albert stand on the deck of the Empress of Ireland, a ship sailing from Canada to Liverpool, England. But excitement soon turns to terror, as the friends feel a sharp jolt. The ship begins to tilt. People scream. Stewards order passengers to head for the lifeboats. It is a full-on nautical disaster, and only one question remains. Will they survive?

The world knows Albert Einstein as one of the greatest thinkers and scientists of all time. What's the Matter with Albert? introduces young readers to the life and character of this famous figure, telling his story from childhood through to the end of his life. Seen through the eyes of a young boy sent to interview him for the school paper, Einstein vividly comes to life in these pages. The immediacy and gentle humor of Frieda Wishinsky's writing humanizes the subject. Not only do readers learn of the amazing accomplishments of a Nobel-prize-winning scientist, but they also find out that Albert Einstein was slow to learn to talk, sometimes temperamental, and a poor student. From his childhood and through to his great scientific achievements and work for peace in his adult life, a full portrait emerges. This magical meeting will resonate with young readers, introducing them to Einstein the person, as well as Einstein the great scientist and teacher. Jacques Lamontagne's richly evocative artwork, based on archival photographs, transports the reader back in time to the periods and places where Einstein lived and grew up. The introduction, Who Was Albert Einstein? helps give a clear understanding of the incredible impact of Albert Einstein's ideas, which revolutionized the way we see the world. A straightforward chronology at the end of the book rounds out Einstein's story, highlighting the important events in his life and giving a comprehensive summary of his achievements.

In Where Are You, Bear?, Sophie and her best friend Bear discovered Canada from A to Z. Now, they’re off to explore New York City through nearly twenty pairs of opposites!  Sophie can’t wait to see New York, while Bear would much rather they just stay home. Sophie loves speeding around in a taxi cab, but Bear wishes the driver would slow down. Up and down, stop and go, tall and short, and many more opposite pairs are illustrated using iconic New York experiences, buildings, and landmarks. Then, when Sophie spies a window full of new bears in a toy store, Bear begins to worry he is too plain and old to compete with all the city has to offer. He’s proven right temporarily when Sophie forgets him in the toy store, but a helpful young boy and his mother find Bear and return him to Sophie at her hotel. The reunion is a happy one, and Sophie and Bear realize they love each other — no matter where they are!     

Four-year-old Sophie is about to leave her home in Newfoundland on a cross-Canada trip with her dad to visit her grandma in British Columbia. She’s so excited, except for one little problem — she can’t find Bear anywhere! Forced to leave Bear behind, Sophie sets out to travel across the country without her beloved companion. But when Bear emerges from under the bed and finds Sophie gone, he sets off on his own adventure — chasing after Sophie! The cat-and-mouse, or rather bear-and-girl, game that ensues is a madcap ABC adventure that takes the separated pals through all 13 provinces and territories. Some of the unique places that Sophie and Bear visit include: Cape Spear Lighthouse in Newfoundland, the Notre-Dame Basilica in Québec, the Toronto Island Ferry in Ontario, and Canada Olympic Park in Alberta. Along the way, they encounter many more of the iconic animals, people, sights, sounds, and tastes of Canada. From a bowl of chowder in Nova Scotia to a polar bear in Nunavut, the whole country is in on the trip!

Sisters Sandy and Carly always play together, but when Lily Jean moves in next door and joins them, everything changes. Now Lily Jean is calling the shots and ordering Carly to be a baby when they play house and a dog when they play king and queen. Although Sandy defends her littler sister, Carly buckles and accepts her roles. But she doesn't like it, and finally finds a way to combat Lily Jean's bullying ways, and turn the tables on her behaviour.