Illustrated by Rob Sayegh, Jr.
Published by Abrams, May 2021
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An empowering picture book about creativity, making mistakes, and changing your perspective. When Arlo decides to draw an octopus, he can't help but think that maybe he's just not an octopus drawer. His drawing has a head that looks like a hill and eight squiggly arms that look like roads. It's an octopus disaster-piece! But just as Arlo vows to never draw an octopus again, he makes a discovery that changes his perspective about his drawing . . . and much more.
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This endearing and relatable story gives readers of all ages a gentle reminder that we're better than we may think. Sometimes all it takes is a second look.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Chloe Bristol
Published by Versify, March 2020
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Edward Gorey wrote strange stories with peculiar titles like "The Abandoned Sock" and "The Grashlycrumb Tinies" and when no one else would publish them, he published them himself! In this lyrical biography of one of literature's most creepily creative authors and illustrators, kids will learn about the inspiration behind a generation of creators, from Lemony Snicket to Tim Burton.
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For educator resources, click HERE.​
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Illustrated by Kristy Caldwell
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Daring Isabella Bird, the first female member of the Royal Geographical Society, challenged society's boundaries for women and wrote 10 bestselling books about her explorations. "No man now ever says of any difficult ting that I could not do it."—Isabella Bird​
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Nina Victor Crittenden
Published by Henry Holt, March 2016
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Chicken Lily is a lot of things—a careful colorer, a patient puzzler, and a quiet hide-and-seeker (she never makes a peep!)—but brave is not one of them. When her teacher, Mrs. Lop, plans a grand slam poetry jam, Lily is terrified. She doesn't want to stand in front of everyone and sound like a birdbrain! So Chicken Lily hatches a plan. Will she find the courage to put her best claw forward? Or, will she fly the coop?
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For educator resources, click HERE.​
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Cindy Moo
Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Jeff Mack
Published by HarperCollins, May 2012
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One night on the farm, the cows overhear a fantastic tale. "Hey Diddle Diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon!"
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Inspired by this classic rhyme, a plucky cow named Cindy Moo sets out to prove that cows really can leap over the moon. The other cows laugh, but that doesn't stop Cindy Moo from trying night after night. Could a cow really jump over hte moon? This delightfully silly picture book will have readers of all ages cheering for its determined heroine.
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For educational resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Raul Allen
Published by Tricycle Press/Random House, Sept. 2010
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A sickly child, a poor student, and a medical school dropout, Leon Foucault seemed an unlikely candidate for greatness. But his ingenious experiment—simple, beautiful and stunningly original—changed how we see the world.
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Scientists knew that the earth turned on its axis. But how could they prove it? Countless experiments had been tried … and had failed. Then, one historic day in Paris, Leon Foucault gave a magnificent demonstration that offered the proof everyone had been looking for.
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Discover the improbable story of the man behind the famous Foucault's Pendulum.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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This title is out of print.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Michael Allen Austin
Published by Clarion, May 2013
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Cowpoke Clyde reckons life is sweet—until he spots his ol' Dirty Dawg! What to do? Pop him in the tub of course! But Dawg will have none of it, setting off a comical cowpoke commotion. It's not 'til Clyde is ready to throw in the towel, that he discovers the secret to bathing Dawg. Rollicking verse with page-turn surprises makes this uproarious tall tale a rootin' tootin' read-aloud.
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For educator resources, click HERE.​
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Michael Allen Austin
Published by Clarion, May 2016
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Cowpoke Clyde is plumb confused. An ad in his favorite catalog says he oughta buy a bike. But why should he do that? After all, he's got a horse. Still, a bike wouldn't buck or bite, and he wouldn't have to feed it. He orders one and when it comes he mounts up and sets right off, wibble-wobblin' down the road. Turns out learning to ride a bike is just a tad bit harder than he thought! With its rip-roaring rhyming test and turn-the-page revelations, this book is purse read-aloud fun.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Cris Arbo
Published by Dawn Publications/Random House/Sourcebooks, Mar 2009
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Here is the ideal introduction for preschoolers and early elementary children to insects that are not only amazing but also critically important to humans. Inside the hive views of a wild colony of honey bees offer close ups of the queen, the cells, even bee eggs. Simple verse will engage a young child, while sidebars with fascinating information satisfy the somewhat older child. Parents, teachers, and kids will love this picture book. The detailed art shimmers with life, highlighting each hair or grain of pollen on the bees. A wild hive in a tree in her own backyard served as a model for the artist!
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Backmatter includes:
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further information about wild and domestic hives.
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information on how to learn more about honey bees.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Published by Henry Holt, April 2018
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In this heartwarming story about friendship and imagination, a boy named Wendell dreams of getting a pet walrus. Together, they'd ride bikes, tell jokes, and have a stupendiferous, cosmically colossal time. If only he could find one! But looking for a walrus turns out to be its own adventure, with an unexpected result.
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Acclaimed author, Lori Mortensen and New York Times bestselling illustrator, Matt Phelan, have created a sweet, playful, memorable book that kids are sure to request again and again.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Published by Henry Holt, April 2018
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In this heartwarming story about friendship and imagination, a boy named Wendell dreams of getting a pet walrus. Together, they'd ride bikes, tell jokes, and have a stupendiferous, cosmically colossal time. If only he could find one! But looking for a walrus turns out to be its own adventure, with an unexpected result.
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Acclaimed author, Lori Mortensen and New York Times bestselling illustrator, Matt Phelan, have created a sweet, playful, memorable book that kids are sure to request again and again.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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Written by Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Published by Bloomsbury, May 2016
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In a castle on a hill, in a great, grand hall, mice are getting ready for the Mousequerade Ball. They dress in their finest. What a grand affair! But when an unexpected guest arrives, the mice get quite a scare. Is the evening ruined? Should they run in fright? Or, will a gallant mouse stand up and save the splendid night?
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Counting up to 10 and back again, this delightful story invites readers to the event of the season: The Mousequerade Ball.
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For educator resources, click HERE.
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