Whether she’s up or down, whirling or twirling, dressing or bathing, snacking or snoozing, the busy raccoon in this story enjoys each moment of the day. But like many toddlers, she can’t decide if she’d rather explore on her own or climb back into her mama’s arms. Thank goodness Mama Raccoon loves to snuggle. With a lively, rhyming text and lush illustrations, this book is just right for the scores of little ones who waver between wanting to be carried by a grown-up and yearning to toddle about on their own two feet.

A spirited homage to the ups and downs of toddlerhood, Pick Me Up, Mama! is now available for the first time as a board book—perfect for story time! Whether she’s up or down, whirling or twirling, dressing or bathing, snacking or snoozing, the busy raccoon in this story enjoys each moment of the day. But like many toddlers, she can’t decide if she’d rather explore on her own or climb back into her mama’s arms. Thank goodness Mama Raccoon loves to snuggle! With a lively, rhyming text and lush illustrations, this story is just right for the scores of little ones who waver between wanting to be carried by a grown-up and yearning to toddle about on their own two feet.

Librarians and educators can shake up storytimes, help children stay healthy, and encourage a lifelong love of reading with Dietzel-Glair’s easy-to-use resource. Demonstrating exactly how to use children’s books to engage preschool-age children through movement, it’s loaded with storytimes that will have children standing up tall, balancing as they pretend to walk across a bridge, or even flying around the room like an airplane. Presenting hundreds of ideas, this all-in-one book is divided into six sections: “Art” spotlights titles that are natural hooks for art or craft activities alongside ideas on how to create art just like the character in the story, while an appendix includes art patterns that can be used as coloring sheets; “Games” includes searching games, follow-the-leader games, and guessing games to enhance the books in this section; “Movement” features books that kids can jump, stomp, clap, chomp, waddle, parade, wiggle, and stretch with; “Music” chooses books perfect for activities like shaking a maraca, singing, dancing between the pages, and creating new sound effects; “Playacting” lets kids pretend along with the characters in these books, whether it’s washing their face, swimming with fish, or hunting a lion; “Props” encourages storytime leaders to bring out their puppets, flannelboard pieces, and scarves—these books have enough props for everyone in the program to have a part. Each chapter includes as much instruction as possible for a wide range of motions. Pick and choose the amount of movement that is right for your storytime crowd, or do it all!

A collection of strange-but-true crime tales featuring cops, lawyers, and some very unusual suspects . . . The fact-finding folks at Bathroom Readers’ Institute have rounded up the best cops-and-robber articles we’ve ever done, plus a rogues’ gallery of new offenders. You’ll read about dumb crooks and criminal masterminds, mafia henchmen and low-level goons, ancient warriors and Old West gunslingers, crazed cops and jovial judges, and even a few loony lawyers and crooked Wall Street types. Find out about . . . * New York City’s “Mad Bomber” * The Biddle Brothers and the Queen of the Jail * Law and Order: Special Pants Unit * Dopes who hide their dope in the strangest places * America’s first private eye * NASCAR’s bootlegging beginnings * The real pirates of the Caribbean * Why CSI makes the cops’ job even harder * Billy the Kid and other outlaws who died with their boots on * George Luger, Samuel Colt, and other fathers of guns * The greatest train robberies * Arrested for farting * And much more!

Encouragement to Pray What You Really Feel In the everyday battle of raising kids who love Jesus while living in a world that doesn’t, God invites you to come to Him. No cleaning up, no pretenses, no fancy words—all you need is to tell Him what’s truly on your heart and then ask for the wisdom, encouragement, and protection that only He can provide. From the bestselling team behind Mama Bear Apologetics® comes a one-of-a-kind book of prayers gathered from mamas just like you, speaking to the spectrum of seasons, concerns, and needs faced throughout Christian motherhood. You will become more vulnerable and intentional in your conversations with God as you pray in specific and timely ways for your family, your community, and even for yourself. Honest Prayers for Mama Bears puts words to the cries of your heart as you seek clarity and truth in today’s confused culture. Through these praises, confessions, thanksgivings, and petitions, you’ll lay your burdens at your heavenly Father’s feet and experience His comfort and hope as you entrust Him with your unedited thoughts.

Lewis' debut novel, Cottonwood Flowing, is the coming of age story of Eva Kelly, who at the tender age of 17 watched with anguish as her brothers were sent to fight in World War II. Back home in New Ulm, Minn., Eva found herself living not far from the camp where some 200 enemy prisoners of war were being held, and one of them had been sent to work on her family farm. Some 60 years later, Eva's granddaughter, Claire Beaudine, learns of forbidden love through a series of letters found in an old trunk. At the same time, Claire finds herself caught up in a dangerous affair of her own. Interwoven between Eva's journals and Claire's memories are the stories of young men sent off to war, the loved ones they left behind, and the secrets that have been locked away for six decades. When Eva is hospitalized, Detective Chris Bruening finds himself investigating the case, and the people in her life, including Eva's beautiful and haunted niece, Lyneah Hamilton. Does Lyneah's involvement with a drifter, Hank Beaudine make her an accomplice? As he gets closer to the truth, past and present collide, and the Cottonwood River gives up her secrets.

Page-turning novel of a Mennonite girl caught in a soul-shaking dilemma. A story of the triumph of the human spirit by an award-winning author.