Maybe it’s a king who spills a drop of honey and refuses to clean it up—until that tiny mess grows into a giant problem. Maybe it’s some sandpipers and whales who start a silly argument that nearly destroys the place they all call home. Or maybe it’s a man who thinks a weapon will make him powerful, or a troop of monkeys who follow their leader into water that’s far too deep.

This book gathers exciting stories from almost every continent, offering short, fast‑moving tales that grab young readers right away. You’ll find funny adventures, clever trickster tales, tall tales, and stories about families—perfect for both middle‑grade readers and younger kids who love a good yarn.

Italian Americans make up one of the largest cultural groups in the United States. You may have seen Italian-American characters in books or movies, but those stories don’t always show the real lives of the people who came here from Italy and built new communities. This book shares traditions and tales collected directly from Italian-American families living in both big cities and small towns.

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain describes in rhythmic, read-along verse how Ki-pat a resourceful...