If you like stretching your students’ vocabulary, making up stories, or booing at bad puns, read this refreshing book — it’s one of my favorites! The authors have come up with 27 stories representing challenging words — from abasement to zealot — each ending in a word-defining pun. You and your students may roll your eyes, but you won’t forget the words’ meanings.

In this salute to California, you’ll find an alphabet of things — from Alcatraz to Zorro — that represent the Golden State. Each illustrated spread includes a short rhyme and an in-depth explanation of the item associated with that letter and its place in California history. With both types of text, students of all reading levels will get something out of this book. Look for other state books by the same publisher, including ones about Texas, Vermont, Alaska, and Michigan.

Vivid color photographs guide readers through an alphabetical discovery of the flora, fauna, people, and places of the Southwest. Each page also has a short, engaging paragraph detailing interesting facts about the creatures and features in the photographs. This book will inspire budding photographers and writers to create an alphabet book of their own town or region.

Here is a flippant slant on the typical ABC book. Ant characters pose to illustrate words from A to Z that contain the letters “ant.” In a rocking chair on the front porch sits an ancient “ant ique.” A “Brilliant” scientist mixes chemicals. The art is enchant ing, and observant students will come up with their own words to add to this ant hology.

“Alison acquired an Amaryllis for Beryl. Beryl bought a Begonia for Crystal. Crystal cut a Chrysanthemum for Dawn.” See a pattern? And so goes this alphabetical flower alliteration book. The full-page floral paintings and the clever girl-verb-flower text link one page to the next and keep interest blooming. This book is a vocabulary stretcher, guessing game, and flower primer all in one!

Using the letters of the Spanish alphabet, Ada has written 27 poems that appear in both Spanish and English. These poems honor the lives, experiences, and culture of the Spanish-speaking people who work the farmland of the American West. Silva’s vivid paintings reflect his Mexican heritage and his life as a child working on farms.

One of American Literature’s most loved novels, this is a story of family, of hope, of dreams, and of growing up as four devoted sisters search fro romance and find maturity in Civil-War era 19th century New England.

Everyone gets angry sometimes. But if you’re angry a lot  or stay angry for a long time  or get in trouble for getting angry or don’t like the way anger makes you act or feel . You can take the GRRRR out of anger. A hot temper isn’t cool. You have the power to overpower your anger. So don’t lose your head. Use it instead. Learn how to manage your anger — and feel great.

Narnia fans, rejoice! To celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, here are all seven books in the magical Chronicles of Narnia series — in one gorgeous, deluxe boxed set. Featuring the original illustrations, newly painted in full color by award-winning illustrator Pauline Baynes, this incredible set is a must-have for anyone who wants to step into the unforgettable world of Narnia time and time again. Collection includes all seven of the novels in the series.

Hunky Dory’s mother always told her, “You’ll be the wickedest witch wherever the four winds blow.” And why not? She’s at the top of her class in charm school. She can make flowers wilt like wet spaghetti. And she can turn any prince into a frog–but she always changes him back. That’s when she knows she has a problem. Hunky Dory’s interest in wishcraft over witchcraft gets her kicked out of charm school. Now she’s determined to follow her heart and become a fairy godmother. But how to go about …