Anna Tharp sees her dogs - TEDDY AND BUDDY - as two "furry persons" with very different "personalities." They have different ways to play, to eat, to do tricks, and even to sleep. She wrote this book to illustrate how we can all learn to respect and love one another, even though we are each different, too. Anna believes that every human being is unique and that we should celebrate our diversity. This is Anna's second children's book. In her first, NEW KIDS IN AMERICA, she tells the stories of children from all over the world who have come to America, each bringing something special from their own cultures. Anna understands the magic of multiculturalism. Born into poverty in the Philippines, she came to the United States to pursue her dream to someday teach exceptional children.

New Kids in America is an illustrated children's book that introduces elementary students to young people who have come as immigrants from nine different nations across the globe. Each tells about their home country and about their new life in America. The book is loaded with over 150 photos and illustrations that give the reader a graphic view of the homeland from which the new Americans have come. New Kids in America is the perfect multi-cultural experience for primary school readers. Over 20% of the students in our schools come from immigrant families, most of them from these nine nations. Thus, the book offers a positive view of the many cultures from which new immigrants have come. They can identify with the fictional characters who tell their story of life in their old country as well as their new experiences in the USA. It offers the perfect opportunity for the "new kids in America" who are sitting in the same classroom to share some of their own personal experiences. At the same time, the book gives children born in the USA the chance to understand their foreign born classmates. It offers illustrated lessons in world geography and cultural differencese. Each story features the nation's map, flag, and sample of their money. Each child opens with his own word for "hello" and closes with the word for "goodbye." Perhaps the major effect of the book is to make American-born students more appreciative of the many advantages they enjoy as Americans that some may take for granted. As they read about some of the hardships the "new kids" have endured, they may get a new view of what it means to be an American, living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. These new kids in America have bravely traveled far to be free.

Meet Skamp. Skamp is a playful kitten who likes to explore his surroundings. Meet Anya. Skamp is Anya's kitten and Anya loves playing with Skamp. One day while playing, Skamp wanders away and Anya cannot find him. She prays for help and asks her mother to help her find him. Come along and join Anya as she searches for her lost kitten.