Kathy Stinson

A fictionalized retelling of how books from around the world helped children in Germany recuperate after WWII. Anneliese and Peter will never be the same after the war that took their father’s life. One day, while wandering the ruined streets of Munich, the children follow a line of people entering a building, thinking there may be free food inside. Instead, they are delighted to discover a great hall filled with children’s books — more books than Anneliese can count. Here, they meet the lady with the books, who will have a larger impact on the children’s lives than they could have ever imagined. The place between despair and hope can often be found between the covers of a book.

A Story Inspired by the Remarkable Work of Jella Lepman

The Lady with the Books

Dusan Petricic

When Dylan hears someone playing their violin in the subway he wants to stop and listen, but his mother and other commuters ignore the violinist completely.

The Man with the Violin

Robin Baird Lewis

A little girl explains why she likes her red stockings, jacket, boots, mittens, pajamas, cup, and barrettes better than those of other colors.

Red is Best

As a young student of the violin, Joshua Bell learns about an international competition to be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chooses a piece of music, which his teacher suggests may be too difficult, but Joshua is determined. It’s a piece of music he loves. At the competition, Joshua experiences the usual jitters. Once his name is called, he strides to the stage and begins to play, but almost immediately, he makes a mistake. As he is about to walk off the stage, he asks the judges if could try again. They agree, and this time, the playing is impeccable. Dušan Petricic’s brilliant illustrations full of movement and color, capture the sounds made by Joshua’s violin, from the missed notes to the swirling, uplifting strains of the perfectly executed piece. Children will readily empathize with Joshua’s misstep, but they will also learn that there is always a second chance.

The Dance of the Violin

A book that celebrates the joy of being bare naked as experienced by the youngest of book lovers, THE BARE NAKED BOOK features endearing illustrations by veteran illustrator Heather Collins.

The Bare Naked Book

Meet Marie-Claire, who lives with her family in Montreal in 1885. Her parents are hard-working, but there is very little money to spare, and Marie- Claire worries about what will happen if one of them falls ill. Then a smallpox epidemic sweeps through the city, and it seems every family is affected-even Marie-Claire's. Her father, a fireman, has been injured and is unable to work. As a result her mother must take a job as a seamstress, and Marie-Claire has to stay home from school to help with the household chores and to take care of Emilie and baby Philippe.

Marie-Claire

It's almost Christmas, which means fresh snow, ice-skating, and delicious, festive dinners. Best of all, Marie-Claire's Tante ThErEse, Oncle Henri, and their new baby, AngElique are coming to visit from Toronto. But instead of excitement and happiness, Marie-Claire is still sad from the loss of her little sister, Emilie. She is also, for the first time, feeling jealous of her wealthy friend Laura. As she struggles with her guilt over wanting things she doesn't have, she learns that both giving and receiving are important parts of Christmas, and life.

Angels in Winter

The year is 1885 and a smallpox epidemic is sweeping the city of Montreal.

Dark Spring

"Smallpox descends ful-force upon Montreal"--

Marie-Claire : a Season of Sorrow

"As a young student of the violin, Joshua Bell learns about an international competition to be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chooses a piece of music, which his teacher suggests may be too difficult, but Joshua is determined: it's a piece of music he loves. At the competition, Joshua experiences the usual jitters. Once his name is called, he strides to the stage and begins to play, but almost immediately, he makes a mistake. As he is about to walk off the stage, he asks if he can try again. This time, the playing is impeccable. Dušan Petričić brilliant illustrations, full of movement and color, capture the sounds made by Joshua's violin, from the missed notes to the swirling, uplifting strains of the perfectly executed piece. Children will readily empathize with Joshua's misstep, but they will also learn that with perseverance, second chances are possible."--

All the steps of creating stories and how not to get discouraged by revision.

Writing Your Best Picture Book Ever

Bodies, bodies! Big and small, short and tall, young and old—Every BODY is different! The Bare Naked Book has been a beloved fixture in libraries, classrooms, and at-home story times since its original publication in 1986. Now, this revised edition is ready to meet a new generation of readers. The text has been updated to reflect current understandings of gender and inclusion, which are also showcased in the brand-new, vibrant illustrations by Melissa Cho. Featuring a note from the author explaining the history of the book and the importance of this updated edition, readers will delight in this celebration of all kinds of bodies.

Joshua Bell

Even Joshua Bell makes mistakes, but there is always a second chance. As a young student of the violin, Joshua Bell learns about an international competition to be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chooses a piece of music, which his teacher suggests may be too difficult, but Joshua is determined. It’s a piece of music he loves. At the competition, Joshua experiences the usual jitters. Once his name is called, he strides to the stage and begins to play, but almost immediately, he makes a mistake. As he is about to walk off the stage, he asks the judges if could try again. They agree, and this time, the playing is impeccable. Dušan Petricic’s brilliant illustrations full of movement and color, capture the sounds made by Joshua’s violin, from the missed notes to the swirling, uplifting strains of the perfectly executed piece. Children will readily empathize with Joshua’s misstep, but they will also learn that there is always a second chance.

Čovek s violinom

A quirky collection of stories about teens in lust and in love. From the first stirrings of same-sex desire to paternity questions around a teen pregnancy, 101 Ways to Dance reflects the spectrum of teen sexuality from the sweet to the scary.

101 Ways to Dance

Who says dogs can't fly? Meet Zora: a dog with a big dream and an even bigger personality. All Zora wants to do is learn how to fly so she can catch that pesky squirrel in her yard. But try as she might to prove to her friend Tully--a skeptical cat--that dogs truly can fly, nothing seems to work. Until Zora finds the right motivation, that is. Kathy Stinson's charming story of perseverance is beautifully brought to life by Brandon James Scott's exuberant and wonderfully expressive illustration. Touching on themes of optimism and determination in the face of failure, The Dog Who Wanted to Fly is a book anyone--even a cat--will love.

The Dog Who Wanted to Fly

Even Joshua Bell makes mistakes, but there is always a second chance.As a young student of the violin, Joshua Bell learns about an international competition to be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chooses a piece of music, which his teacher suggests may be too difficult, but Joshua is determined. It's a piece of music he loves. At the competition, Joshua experiences the usual jitters. Once his name is called, he strides to the stage and begins to play, but almost immediately, he makes a mistake. As he is about to walk off the stage, he asks the judges if could try again. They agree, and this time, the playing is impeccable. Dusan Petricic's brilliant illustrations full of movement and color, capture the sounds made by Joshua's violin, from the missed notes to the swirling, uplifting strains of the perfectly executed piece. Children will readily empathize with Joshua's misstep, but they will also learn that there is always a second chance.

Inspired by his grandchildren and by children he sees at school, Mr. Elliot, the school custodian, decides to learn how to read.

King of the Castle

David's younger sister Ivy, born with multiple disabilities, needs constant attention. She may be eleven years old, but in many ways she's still a baby. She embarrasses him in public. She takes all of their parents' focus, to the point where David wonders if they see him as anything more than a helper for Ivy. But despite it all, he loves her. The summer days are following their usual pattern of taking care of his sister, doing chores, and trips to the cottage. The one exception is Hannah, the new girl across the street. Hannah makes David feel anything but routine. He wants to be around her all the time. And, amazingly, she seems to be into him as well. Everything changes when Ivy has an accident while being looked after by her dad. As David wrestles with what happened to Ivy, he is forced to confront his own feelings of guilt, the meaning of mercy, and what can be forgiven.

Kathy Stinson

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