Margi Preus

Living in a lighthouse on the rocky shores of Lake Superior means everyone in Sophie's family has an important job to do. While her family bakes bread, hangs laundry, and fishes for dinner, Sophie pays close attention to the natural world around her. She knows that flowers, insects, and even the birds can whisper secrets about the weather. When Sophie spots a closed dandelion bloom, a hurried spider, and seagulls flying low, she realizes what these clues mean. A terrible storm is brewing. She quickly scurries across the property to spread the warning to her family. Most importantly, she must reach Papa in time. As the lighthouse keeper, he must ensure the foghorn and lights are ready to guide passing ships safely through the dark and dangerous waters.

Many years ago, a beautiful temple bell rang out over a small Japanese town, bringing joy to everyone who heard it. But during the war, Yuko's grandmother watched in sorrow as the beloved bell was taken away to be melted down for scrap metal. She believed her town would never hear its wonderful music again. However, the bell's journey was far from over. After the war ended, an American Navy crew discovered the abandoned bell in a shipyard and brought it all the way across the ocean to the United States. In a truly amazing gesture of friendship and forgiveness, the bell was eventually returned to Japan. Based on the inspiring true story of the American-Japanese Friendship Peace Bell, this moving tale shows how a simple object can help heal old wounds and celebrate lasting peace between nations.

Some trees do much more than provide shade and fresh air. They stand as silent witnesses to history, living through centuries of incredible events. A massive baobab tree in Australia once served as a temporary prison, while a legendary oak in England is said to have hidden the famous outlaw Robin Hood and his merry men. In California, a bristlecone pine tree has managed to survive for nearly four thousand years, outliving entire human civilizations. This fascinating exploration introduces fourteen of the most famous and historic trees from around the globe. From trees that have grown to towering heights to those that have played vital roles in human survival, these quiet giants have earned their celebrity status. Discover the amazing true stories and cultural legends behind these remarkable plants, and learn what their long lives can teach us about the history of our world.

It is 1792, and Jean Pierre Petit Le Rouge has a dream that is much larger than his tiny, furry body. This highly enthusiastic red squirrel desperately wants to be a voyageur, paddling massive canoes and exploring the wild rivers. Unable to resist the call of adventure, he sneaks aboard a canoe departing from Montreal. His voyageur crewmates are less than thrilled to discover a stowaway who eats their food, refuses to paddle, and possesses a truly terrible singing voice. Despite his lack of wilderness skills, Jean Pierre is having the time of his life. But when the canoe finally reaches the faraway trading post, the little squirrel makes a horrifying discovery. The brave men he admires so much have traveled hundreds of miles just to collect the pelts of his fellow woodland creatures. Heartbroken but determined, Jean Pierre teams up with a brilliant flying squirrel named Monique. Together, they rally the forest animals to stage a hilarious and daring ambush, hoping to convince the fur traders to find a much friendlier line of work.

Lily is a small but incredibly sturdy sailboat living in a very busy harbor. Every day, she shares the water with massive cargo ships, zooming fishing boats, and bossy tugboats. Because she is so little, the bigger vessels constantly honk their loud horns and tell her to get out of the way. But today, Lily has an important place to be. A fleet of beautiful, silent tall ships is arriving, and they need to pass under the harbor's lift bridge. Because the tall ships do not have horns, they cannot ask the bridge to rise. Lily knows she must help! Braving the choppy waves and the booming blasts of the giant ships, Lily uses her own little horn to signal the bridge. Through plucky persistence and courage, the littlest boat saves the day and proves you do not have to be big to be a hero.