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.

Have you ever stopped to really look at a spider’s web? If it’s only meant to catch flies, why does it shimmer with such delicate, beautiful patterns? Have you ever wondered what makes thunder rumble, why the ocean tastes salty, or how tigers came to wear their bold stripes? This collection gathers delightful “why” stories from many cultures and time periods—tales that imagine how animals, plants, and natural wonders came to look or behave the way they do.

Experience the legendary American folktale of John Henry, a powerful steel-driving man who became a symbol of courage and strength.

When a surprise visit from a Spanish Viceroy sends a monastery kitchen into a panic, a young boy named Carlos accidentally helps create a culinary masterpiece.

The true tale of a little girl and the amazing prehistoric creatures she discovered!

Experience the vibrant energy of Hispanic culture in FIESTA!: A Celebration of Latino Festivals, a colorful month-by-month guide to traditional holidays. This engaging picture book uses bold illustrations and spirited poetry to introduce children to diverse Latin American traditions and celebrations.

The Dancing Turtle is a vibrant children's picture book that retells a classic indigenous Brazilian folktale about a music-loving turtle captured by a hunter. To escape becoming turtle stew, the clever protagonist must use her wit and the help of the hunter's children to find her way back to the rainforest.

Discover hilarious world folktales in Noodlehead Stories, a perfect book for children who love funny...

This book features 20 clever riddles about nature and wordplay that will challenge your brain. It is the perfect choice for anyone who loves to solve mysteries and share silly jokes with friends.

Through unhurried and wise animal characters, these adventure tales illustrate natural phenomena and timeless moral lessons for readers of all ages.

In this fractured fairy tale, a bully goat with "Random Hostility Syndrome" is outsmarted by a resourceful baby troll using only a pillow and bed sheets.

Experience the laugh-out-loud brilliance of Holes in My Underwear: Over 100 Poems That Will Knock Your Socks Off, a side-splitting collection of funny and thoughtful poems by New York Times bestselling author and middle school teacher Matthew Eicheldinger.

Follow eleven-year-old Matt as he navigates the perils of sixth grade and a mysterious hometown myth in this heartwarming, illustrated middle school comedy.