INSIDE THE STORY: The Creation of Paddle-to-the-Sea: Imagine a young Indian boy, wielding a carving knife like a master sculptor, sitting by the edge of a river or a quiet lake. Instead of crafting a mere wooden figure, he’s busy creating a miniature canoe with a tiny wooden man inside. This isn’t just any little […]
Book Summary: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
INSIDE THE STORY: Peter’s Snowy Awakening: One frosty morning, little Peter woke up to a city blanketed in snow. His eyes widened in amazement as he saw the rooftops and trees dressed in fluffy white. With a heart full of excitement, Peter hurried to get dressed, his red mittens becoming the stars of a quick […]
Book Summary: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
INSIDE THE STORY: Mary Lennox: The Little Princess of Whining: Mary Lennox starts off as a truly disagreeable child. Born to wealthy parents in India, Mary’s life is a string of complaints and tantrums. When cholera strikes and wipes out her parents, Mary is shipped off to her uncle Archibald Craven’s gloomy estate in Yorkshire, […]
Book Summary: The Wind in the Willows By Kenneth Grahame
INSIDE THE STORY: The Adventures of Mole and Rat: Willows, the story kicks off with Mole, a sweet but somewhat clueless creature, deciding he’s had enough of his underground life. Imagine Mole as the animal version of someone who’s tired of the office grind and is yearning for some fresh air and adventure. He ventures […]
Book Summary: Charlotte’s Web Story written by E.B. White
INSIDE THE STORY: The Farmyard Setup: interrupted by a date with the dinner plate. It’s a tough break for a pig who’s still figuring out the difference between a tasty snack and a real threat to his bacon! Charlotte’s Web of Wonders: Enter Charlotte, the spider with a knack for web design and an even […]
Book Summary: The Call of the Wild by Jack London
INSIDE THE STORY: The Pampered Life of Buck: Buck starts off living a pretty cushy life in California. He’s a big, strong dog, enjoying the warm sun and the endless pampering from Judge Miller’s family. Buck’s biggest concern is whether he’ll chase a rabbit or nap under a tree. Life is good, but it’s about […]
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
INSIDE THE STORY: The Walker Family’s Holiday Adventure: In the stunning Lake District of England, where emerald hills kiss the sky and lakes sparkle like diamonds, the Walker family is about to embark on a holiday like no other. The Walker children—John, Susan, Titty, and Roger—are gearing up for a summer filled with sailing, camping, […]
Matilda written by Roald Dahl
INSIDE THE STORY The Misunderstood Genius: Matilda Wormwood is not your average five-year-old. She is extraordinarily intelligent, teaching herself to read by the age of three and gobbling up books like they’re chocolate. Her favorites? The likes of Dickens and Hemingway. Imagine a toddler with a vocabulary that could put some adults to shame. But […]
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
INSIDE THE STORY: Introduction to Pippi’s World: Imagine a nine-year-old girl who’s like a whirlwind of imagination and joy. That’s Pippi Longstocking for you. Created by Astrid Lindgren, Pippi is not your typical child. She lives in a fantastically peculiar house called Villa Villekula, where her wild red hair and mismatched stockings set the tone […]
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
INSIDE THE STORY Inside the story: in. This wasn’t because he was a particularly naughty or troublesome duckling, but because he simply didn’t look the part. He was a bit gangly, his feathers were all out of sync, and his quack sounded like a honking hiccup. Unlike his fluffy, adorable siblings and the rest of […]