An African-American youngster is determined to become the best chicken chaser ever, although Big Mama repeatedly asks her to leave the animals alone. Despite the girl's best efforts her favorite chicken, Miss Hen, always manages to escape. One summer day finally she catches up with Miss He. She discovers her prize surrounded by chicks, and the girl instantly reforms. Meet one smart chicken chaser. She can catch any chicken on her grandmother's farm except one - the elusive Miss Hen. In a hilarious battle of wits, the spirited narrator regales readers with her campaign to catch Miss Hen, but this chicken is "fast as a mosquito buzzing and quick as a fleabite." Our chicken chaser has her mind set on winning, until she discovers that sometimes it's just as satisfying not to catch chickens as it is to catch them. A fresh voice full of sass and inventive, bold collage illustrations full of surprises create a childlike escapade brimming with funny high jinks that leads the reader on a merry, memorable chase. Parents Choice Award (Spring) (1998-2007) | Winner | Gold | 2007 - 2007 ; Monarch Award | Nominee | Grades K-3 | 2009 - 2009 ; Black-Eyed Susan Award | Nominee | Picture Book | 2008 - 2008 ; Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children | Recommended | Up to Seven | 2008 - 2008 ; Volunteer State Book Awards | Nominee | Grades K-3 | 2009 - 2010 ; Delaware Diamonds Award | Nominee | Grades K-2 | 2007 - 2008

A young girl moves back and forth between her divorced parents' homes along with her dog Fred,who has several bad habits that neither parent appreciates. The girl is adamant that she will never let him go and helps to work out solutions for his naughty behavior. Shown from the girl's viewpoint, the pictures do not include the grown-ups. Told from the point of view of a young child whose parents are divorced, this story follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parents house to the others. With a simple text and childlike language, the story expresses and addresses a childs concerns. Full color.

Levine recounts the true story of Henry Brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom. His journey took just over one full day, during which he was often sideways or upside down in a wooden crate large enough to hold him, but small enough not to betray its contents. He is delivered to the friends of an abolitionist doctor in Philadelphia on March 30, 1849. In this powerful story, Levine weaves together the extraordinary events in the life of Henry "Box" Brown, who as a young boy hid in a wooden crate in one of the most amazing escapes using the Underground Railroad. Full color. Caldecott Medal | Honor Book | Picture Book | 2008 - 2008 ; North Carolina Children's Book Award | Nominee | Picture Book | 2009 - 2009 ; Virginia Readers Choice Award | Nominee | Elementary | 2009 - 2009 ; South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award | Nominee | Picture Book | 2008 - 2009 ; Red Clover Award | Nominee | Picture Book | 2009 - 2009 ; Keystone to Reading Book Award | Nominee | Primary | 2008 - 2009 ; Black-Eyed Susan Award | Nominee | Picture Book | 2007 - 2008 ; Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children | Recommended | Seven to Ten | 2008 - 2008 ; Colorado Children's Book Award | Nominee | Picture Book | 2009 - 2009 ; Delaware Diamonds Award | Nominee | Grades K-2 | 2007 - 2008 ; West Virginia Children's Book Award | Nominee | Children's | 2009 - 2009 ; Buckaroo Book Award | Nominee | Children's | 2008 - 2009

As a boy, Takeboki becomes a "Flower Keeper" at a Zen temple, and his work shaping the monks' garden becomes a lifelong occupation. His family objects: shouldn't he find a more lucrative, prestigious job? Even the monks withhold praise. But Takeboki listens only to the profound joy his work brings. When he grows too old to rake, the monks finally realize his contribution. They rush to thank him, but they find that he has already passed on to heaven, where he joyfully sweeps a celestial garden of clouds and stars.

Also: Parents Choice Award (Spring) (1998-2007) | Winner | Silver | 2007 - 2007 ; Lupine Award | Honor Book | Picture Book | 2007 - 2007 ; Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children | Recommended | Seven to Ten | 2008 - 2008

A young girl and her grandfather look for a barn owl night after night. Will a distinctive heart-shaped face appear at the window? An award-winning author and a noted illustrator take young readers into the wondrous world of the barn owl in this book filled with lush, full-color illustrations and lyrical text with intriguing facts about the bird with the heart-shaped face.