Brian Floca

The combined talent of three geniuses — Martha Graham’s choreography, Isamu Noguchi’s art, and Aaron Copland’s music — brought the ballet “Appalachian Spring” to life in October 1944. Graceful illustrations combine with poetic, highly detailed narrative for a riveting account of this achievement. Notes and sources are included.

Most elephant seals live in the ocean but one prefers the Avon River in Christchurch, New Zealand. Though the townspeople try to relocate Elizabeth, the huge seal finds her way back three times to the delight of many, especially a boy named Michael. Based on a true story, this well-told fictionalized account is expressively illustrated.

Early morning and a ruffle of feathers, a shadow gliding through the backyard. High above your house Father Hawk circles, sharp eyes searching for prey. A father red-tailed hawk hunts prey for his family in a suburban neighborhood in this thrilling nonfiction picture book.

Marty would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty’s absolutely, positively sure that there’s been a huge mistake! But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her own plan to improve the play. Maybe a princess in muddy sneakers can live happily ever after, after all! This is the first title in the Marty Maguire chapter book series.

A small mouse named Poppy overcomes a stronger adversary – an owl named Ocax – through determination and inner strength in this first installment of the popular Tales from Dimwood Forest series.

Can a poem capture the excitement, exhilaration, or anguish of defeat when playing sports? The poems here do all that and more! It’s an easy-to-read collection that’s illustrated with just the right light touch.