Buddy and his mother are spending a relaxing day at Pete’s Pond. As Mama tells Buddy about the animals, bugs, and plants they see, Buddy sketches them on his drawing pad. Ducks! Whirligig beetles! Lily pads! Buddy is curious about everything, but most of all, he hopes to see a turtle. And he does—but not the kind he expected! This book, illustrated with photographs and cut-paper artwork, is a perfect introduction to environmental science and biology, but will also be useful to all enthusiastic pond goers. A make-a-rock turtle craft activity is included.

It's Grandpop's birthday, and all he wants is one little thing: for Sophie to change the world. He wants Sophie to do a mitzvah - something kind for others. But what exactly does that mean? As Sophie shares, teaches, helps her friends, takes care of birds, and picks up litter, she wonders which of these acts, if any, might change the world. By performing this sequence of poignant mitzvahs with an open heart, unending empathy, and a big imagination, Sophie's about to discover that what sounds like an impossible task just might be the best way to live life. In this exploration of an essential part of Jewish traditional teaching, Sophie's efforts to grant Grandpop's wish show that the smallest acts of kindness are what truly change the world.

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace has done it again with her adorable three-dimensional artwork created with cut paper, scissors, and a glue stick. She invites children to enter an alphabet house and join a family of bunnies as they look for familiar objects starting with the letters A to Z. If they miss anything, an easy-to-follow answer key is provided at the back. An almost wordless text makes Alphabet House a great introduction to visual literacy, and the paper quilts on the endpapers add another colorful way to look at the alphabet.