Thanksgiving – Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.

Holiday Gift Guide: Books for the Family

Peachtree Publishing Company — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Here at Peachtree, we know there’s nothing more important than family, especially during the holidays. So whether your family gatherings are happening in person this year, or you’re planning some virtual reunions, we picked some of our favorite stories for you to share with all of your loved ones. Check out these heartwarming book picks below!

Going Down Home with Daddy
by Kelly Starling Lyons
illustrated by Daniel Minter

★ “A warm, loving, necessary reminder of the power in families coming together.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do?

Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text explores the power of history and family traditions, and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor- and Caldecott Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multi-generational family.

Buy Going Down Home with Daddy today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

The Story Blanket
by Ferida Wolff & Harriet May Savitz
illustrated by Elena Odriozola

“A sweet tale of a close-knit community.” —School Library Journal

Babba Zarrah lives in a tiny village in the snow-covered mountains. The children love to visit her. They settle down on her big, old story blanket and listen to her imaginative tales. One day Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but she has no yarn. After the children leave, she unravels part of her story blanket and knits him some nice warm socks. As villagers start receiving mysterious gifts to keep them warm, the story blanket gets smaller and smaller until the children have nothing to sit on at story time. When the villagers finally discover Babba Zarrah’s secret, they decide to give her a surprise of their own. This touching story of generosity makes for a wonderful read aloud experience.

Buy The Story Blanket today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

William Still and His Freedom Stories
The Father of the Underground Railroad
by Don Tate

★ “Brings deserved attention to the life of a man who dedicated himself to recording the lives of others.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

William Still’s parents escaped slavery but had to leave two of their children behind, a tragedy that haunted the family. Motivated by his own family’s experience, William began collecting the stories of thousands of other freedom seekers. As a result, he was able to reunite other families and build a remarkable source of information, including encounters with Harriet Tubman, Henry “Box” Brown, and William and Ellen Craft.

Award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate brings to life the incredible true story of William Still, a man who dedicated his life to recording the stories of enslaved people fleeing to freedom, in this first-ever picture book biography of the Father of the Underground Railroad.

Buy William Still and His Freedom Stories today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog
by Lisa Papp

★ “This intergenerational story of love and acceptance is an important addition to library collections for young elementary-aged readers.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Madeline Finn and Star are off to Walker Oaks, a retirement community where Star will take his tests to become a Therapy dog. They make their way through a variety of challenges and meet several new friends, but Madeline Finn can’t stop thinking about an elderly man in a wheelchair who never smiles. Is there something she and Star can do to help?

Author-illustrator Lisa Papp’s heartwarming, empathetic story explores the therapy dog training process and provides a realistic and appealing example of a young person making a difference in her community.

Buy Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

Holiday Gift Guide: For Sharing with the Whole Family

Peachtree Publishing Company — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 17:00:47 +0000

The holidays are fast approaching, and as we gear up to spend more time cozying up by the fire and feasting on delicious food, we also take this time to remind our families how much we appreciate all they do for us. This time of year can be hectic, but it also gives everyone a chance to reunite with those loved ones who live hours, states, and even countries away. Just in time for those special family gatherings, we’ve chosen a few Peachtree titles for you to share with someone you love. After all, there is nothing more important than family.

Going Down Home with Daddy
Written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Daniel Minter

Down home is Granny’s house. It’s where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to hear stories of their ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history.

Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text and Daniel Minter’s stunning illustrations create a rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual that explores the power of family traditions, just in time for holiday celebrations with extended family.

Buy Going Down Home with Daddy through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

My Dadima Wears a Sari
Written by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi

Every day, Rupa’s grandmother wears a beautiful sari around the house and around the town. Some are made of cotton and some are made of fine silk. Each is brightly colored and very beautiful. Dadima shares with her granddaughter all the wonderful things that saris can do, and soon Rupa’s imagination is sparked as she envisions saris protecting her in the scary Gir jungle, bandaging up an injured knee, and holding a special secret for her and Dadima to share.

Author Kashmira Sheth provides young readers with a unique view of Indian culture and tradition, and illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi’s fanciful watercolor illustrations capture the extraordinary bond that unites families across generations despite cultural differences.

Buy My Dadima Wears a Sari through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Saturdays and Teacakes
Written by Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet

“When I was nine or ten years old I couldn’t wait for Saturdays.”

In this poetic memory, a young boy rides his bicycle every Saturday up and down country roads past farms, a graveyard, and a filling station, until he reaches his beloved Mammaw’s house. He helps her make teacakes from scratch, breaking the eggs and stirring the batter. But the best part, he remembers, is eating the hot, sweet cakes fresh from the oven.

Lester Laminack’s richly detailed prose perfectly portrays the special relationship of a young boy and his grandmother and the tender simplicity of their weekly tradition. Award-winning illustrator Chris Soentpiet’s images beautifully capture the simplicity of an earlier time.

Buy Saturdays and Teacakes through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey
Written by Bill Harley
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

It’s Thanksgiving in the Bumpers’ household and Charlie has to be the perfect host to his annoying little cousin, Chip. Chip makes everything hard for Charlie―gets him in trouble, ruins his things, and generally makes a nuisance of himself. On top of that, for homework, Mrs. Burke has assigned Charlie the task of writing what a family is to him. How will Charlie be able to see past his “turkey” of a cousin to understand the real meaning of family?

Grammy Award-winning author Bill Harley continues his fun series for young readers using humor to get across some important values such as learning to appreciate family no matter what and making the best of a bad situation. For more on this series, visit the Charlie Bumpers website.

Buy Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Books to Celebrate the Fall Season

Peachtree Publishing Company — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 18:30:32 +0000

Fall is such a wonderful season full of changes and celebrations! Children (and parents) are establishing their school routines, and the weather and nature around us begins to change as leaves turn color and fall. And then of course there is always Halloween and Thanksgiving to look forward to!

Whatever kind of fall mood your readers are in, we’ve got the perfect recommendations! Learn more about the autumn season, tap into your spooky, witchy side, or embrace the warmth and love (and stress) that comes with Thanksgiving with these great books to enjoy these next few months!

Fall season

Autumn Babies

Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful fall day. Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, this board book encourages an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

In the Woods

By playing, fishing, toasting, and listening to music by the firelight, one boy and his father enjoy the great outdoors. It’s a well-crafted introduction to the fun of being in the woods, exploring the many things to do outside, and enjoying nature’s beauty. Soft colors and beautiful scenery will excite the explorer in every child!

In the Woods is a charming board book about a boy and his father camping together. Each page brings a new rhyme and a new sight for any child to enjoy. A perfect addition to your family’s reading experience!

Little One

This wonderful story captures the love between Big Bear and Little One. Beginning with the first buds of spring, Big Bear teaches Little One all about life in the forest. The two enjoy eating, playing, and swimming as the seasons change from one to another. As winter returns, Big Bear and Little One also return home, where they can wait for the next spring.

Young readers will love exploring alongside Little One and connecting their own experiences with one who is also seeing the world for the first time. Cuddle up and enjoy reading such a heartwarming picture book with your little one!

The Scarecrow’s Hat

Chicken likes Scarecrow’s hat and Scarecrow will glad hand it over, but for a walking stick in return. Clever as Chicken is, she embarks on a quest to find a walking stick amongst her farm animal friends. Presented with a fun problem, one chicken seeks a solution that will have children fully engaged!

With bright watercolor pictures and a beautiful setting, children will love joining Chicken in search of a walking stick to swap for Scarecrow’s straw hat! A delightful page-turner that’s sure to be a favorite!

The Wheat Doll

In the vast expanse of Utah, Mary Ann lives with her family and her special friend: a wheat-filled doll named Betty. Mary Ann knows that Betty watches over her while she does her daily tasks; she even listens to all of Mary Ann’s secrets. One day, a storm rolls in and Mary Ann is unable to save Betty from the winds and rain. Determined to find her lost friend, Mary Ann continues to search for Betty even when it seems that Betty is truly gone. Time passes, winter melts into spring, and Mary Ann spots a familiar face growing in the grass!

Set in the 1800s, this classic tale of childhood friendship and devotion shares a beautiful lesson of never giving up. It’s the perfect book to read alongside your child and their favorite toy!

Butterfly Tree

One late afternoon in early September, Jilly sees something. It looks like it’s raining black pepper from a clear blue sky. Then the black rain becomes a wispy mist. And then a shimmering orange cloud. What can it be?

This imaginative description of monarch butterfly migration from author Sandra Markle reminds us that a loving parent can empower a child to discover the mysteries of the natural world—and to enjoy that discovery again and again.

Halloween

Hansel & Gretel

Deep in the forest lives a witch named Willow, a good witch who only uses good magic―until she meets Hansel and Gretel. Willow never used to worry about messy breadcrumb trails. Or entire portions of her gingerbread house being devoured. Or anyone fiddling with her spells and magic books and causing a ruckus. But Hansel and Gretel are two very naughty and very rude children, and they are trying Willow’s patience.

This subversive and deliciously wicked retelling of “Hansel & Gretel” from Bethan Woollvin, as well as her other fractured fairy tales Little Red and Rapunzel, are perfect for Halloween storytimes (and for costume inspiration)!

Old Tom, Man of Mystery

Overworked, Angela decides that it’s time for her mangy cat Old Tom to help out a bit around the house. But Old Tom has other ideas. So while Angela is busy dusting and scrubbing, Old Tom gets busy too…changing into the Man of Mystery! Angela bakes some cakes and notices fur on her freshly scrubbed floor. Later she finds crumbs on the carpet that has just been swept. And when Angela is awakened by strange footsteps, she decides it is time to investigate. Soon she is off on her own adventure, shadowing the Man of Mystery!

This humorous story with an air of mystery is a great read for the whole family and perfect for Halloween.

Trick or Treat on Monster Street

A boy’s dread of things that go bump in the night fills his head with monstrous thoughts. So when he is separated from his older brothers on Halloween night and finds himself alone on Monster Street, he fears the worst! Lightning flashes. Bats flap overhead. Doors squeak open. Hairy arms and tentacles drop spiders into his sack. The boy is relieved when he finally meets up with another trick-or-treater. That is, until his new friend removes his mask…

The ghoulishly entertaining illustrations capture the playful mood of the clever verse. Children will love the surprising twists and turns of the plot, especially how the young hero conquers his fears…with a little help from his new fiendish friends.

The Monster Who Ate My Peas

What do you dread eating the most? For the hero of this story, it’s peas. A young boy thinks he’s discovered a way to avoid eating his peas—he makes a bargain with a fiendishly funny monster. First the deal is simple: the monster will eat the boy’s peas in exchange for his soccer ball. But with each new encounter, the monster’s demands escalate. Eventually, our hero faces a daunting decision—can he conquer his loathing for peas or will he lose his most prized possession?

Readers who enjoy monster stories (and maybe don’t enjoy certain foods) will find the imaginatively disgusting monster in this humorous rhyming tale delightful.

The Monster Who Did My Math

A math-phobic boy faces another dreaded evening of multiplication when a monster suddenly appears in his room and offers him a deal he cannot refuse. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy’s problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day. At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy’s math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply. What did the fine print on that contract read?

Author Danny Schnitzlein brings another monster to life in this hilarious cautionary tale about taking responsibility.

13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided

Come along with Professor LeGrand as he warns readers about the outrageous habits and appalling behavior of thirteen mischievous monsters whom the creature teacher hopes the readers never have to meet. There’s the Scarce Sissyfoos, Mess Monsters, and the Hedge-Standing Snit, just to name a few!

This laugh-out-loud picture book includes entertaining rhymes, creative monster names, and amusing and colorful illustrations that can get any reader in the mood for trick-or-treating.

Clatter Bash!

At dusk on the holiday known as Day of the Dead, a Mexican family has set out fiesta offerings in the graveyard in hopes that departed loved ones may return to visit. Graveyard skeletons shake, rattle, and roll in this spirited Day of the Dead celebration. Author-illustrator Richard Keep’s rollicking rhyme―sprinkled with Spanish words―captures the bone-rattling sounds and fun of the evening. An illustrated afterword gives information about the customs associated with el Día de los Muertos, a Mexican celebration of honoring relatives who have passed on.

Claude in the Spotlight

Claude and Sir Bobblysock join a dance troupe and head to the theater to perform their act. But being backstage gives them the heebie-jeebies! It’s so dark and spooky…could the legend of the theater ghost be true? This quirky book from the delightful Claude series is great for readers looking for a hilarious thrill with a hint of mystery. And maybe even a ghost!

Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull

Charlie and Tommy have big plans for Halloween. They’re going to trick-or-treat and sleep over at Alex’s house. But when Charlie finds out that the entertainment at the party will be the “Scariest Horror Movies Ever,” he is struck by panic. Charlie loves candy, he loves sleepovers with his friends, but he absolutely hates horror movies. Can Charlie face his fear of horror movies and enjoy Halloween?

The Candy Mafia

When notorious candy gangster Eddie de Menthe asks for her help to find a missing teddy bear, Nelle Faulkner is on the case. But as soon as the teddy turns up, Eddie himself goes missing! As a seemingly innocent investigation unravels into something more sinister, Nelle and her friends quickly find themselves swept up in a shady underworld of sweets smugglers, back alley deals, and storefront firebombs. If Nelle has any hope of tracking down her missing client, first she’ll have to unmask the true faces behind the smuggling ring. Can Nelle and her friends find a way to take the cake? Or will they come to a sticky end…?

Giving Up the Ghost

Davia is afraid of many things, and everything about her elderly great-aunt Mari and her spooky-looking plantation home terrifies her. And when she encounters Emilie, the tortured ghost of a well-to-do adolescent girl from the nineteenth century, she is even more frightened. Davia gradually begins to learn from Aunt Mari secrets about Emilie and about her own family’s past—stories of premature endings and regrets. As Aunt Mari’s health deteriorates, she and Davia become closer. Together, they hope to release Emilie’s spirit from the mansion and the world of the living.

Part psychological realism, part supernatural thriller, this YA novel about living in the present and conquering fear is a great page-turning read for those interested in ghost stories.

Thanksgiving

Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey

It’s Thanksgiving in the Bumpers’ household and Charlie has to be the perfect host to his annoying little cousin, Chip. Chip makes everything hard for Charlie—gets him in trouble, ruins his things, and generally makes a nuisance of himself. On top of that, for homework, Mrs. Burke has assigned Charlie the task of writing what a family is to him. How will Charlie be able to see past his “turkey” of a cousin to understand the real meaning of family?

This story really captures the essence of family get-togethers during the Thanksgiving holiday. For some Bumpers-approved activities and crafts to do with the family, check out this blog post!

Find these books and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble.

A Bumpers Thanksgiving

Peachtree Publishers — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:30:00 +0000

What’s the best part of Thanksgiving? The food, of course! The creamy mashed potatoes, the savory crescent rolls, and not to mention the delicious golden turkey! At least, that’s what I thought growing up. When I got older, I began to realize how the holiday brought loved ones together, and I was reminded the importance of spending time with family. Luckily, Charlie Bumper learns this important life lesson much earlier than I did, but his adventure toward this discovery is one crazy ride!

In Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey—the fourth installment of Bill Harley’s Charlie Bumpers series—middle-schooler Charlie should be spending his Thanksgiving break without a care in the world, watching superheroes on TV. Instead, Charlie has to deal with not only his stubborn big brother and his bothersome little sister, aka the Squid, but also the 10 people invited to dinner, including his annoying “turkey” of a cousin, Chip. On top of that, he has homework to do: a paper about his definition of family. But this Thanksgiving, Charlie gets into all sorts of trouble while ultimately learning how cool it is to have your family by your side.

Want to see what mess Charlie gets into this Thanksgiving? Check out Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. It’s a book the whole family will enjoy!

Speaking of family, Charlie and his family recommend creating these awesome crafts and crazy cool experiments together this Thanksgiving.

The Hand Print Turkey

*Squid Approved*

Via: http://lizoncall.com/

You can’t let this Thanksgiving pass without making the classic turkey craft. All you need is colorful construction paper, empty toilet paper rolls, scissors, and some glue. With these ingredients, you can make some creative and unique place settings for your dinner table. You can find the step by step guide at Liz on Call.

The DIY Bottle Rocket Launcher

*Charlie Approved*

This experiment will make your family fun time rocket sky high! With parental supervision, kids can build their rocket out of a soda bottle and some cardboard, and use a pump to create water pressure, just like Charlie, Chip, and Uncle Ron. The water pressure will send the rocket soaring! To get the complete directions and learn the science behind it all, head on over to Science Sparks.

The Indoor Bottle Rocket

*Mom Approved*

Via: livewellforless.sainsburys.co.uk

To avoid a similar fiasco like Charlie Bumpers’, this indoor rocket can get anyone’s imagination fired up, without destroying the living room or your Thanksgiving feast. Using a soda bottle, paint, and a few other items you can find around the house, building this rocket is all about creativity, and it’s a creation you are going to want to keep for years to come. Find everything you need at Sainsberry’s Live Well For Less.