""I wonder if Judy Blume really knows how many girls' lives she affected. I wonder if she knows that at least one of her books made a grown woman finally feel like she'd been a normal girl all along. . . .""
-- FROM
Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from
Judy Blume
Whether laughing to tears reading "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great" or clamoring for more unmistakable "me too " moments in "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," girls all over the world have been touched by Judy Blume's poignant coming-of-age stories. Now, in this anthology of essays, twenty-four notable female authors write straight from the heart about the unforgettable novels that left an indelible mark on their childhoods and still influence them today. After growing up from "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" into "Smart Women," these writers pay tribute, through their reflections and most cherished memories, to one of the most beloved authors of all time.

From the author-illustrator of The Eye of the Whale (Tilbury House, 2013), this nonfiction picture book tells the story of Lawrence Anthony and the deep bond he forged with the matriarch of the herd he saved at his animal reserve in South Africa. When Lawrence died, the matriarch led all the elephants from remote parts of the reserve in a procession to his home, where they gathered to mourn him. They returned on the same day at the same time for the next two years -- because elephants remember. This moving story of human-elephant mutual love and respect will inspire readers of all ages.

This merry treasury of stories will warm every heart with holiday tales of sharing, caring, and bearing good tidings of Christmas cheer. With flocked, padded covers, this collection includes "Once There Was a Christmas Tree" by Jerry Smath, "Ten Timid Ghosts on Christmas Night" by Jennifer O'Connell, and "Merry Christmas, Stinky Face" by Lisa McCourt.