Kathleen Olmstead – författare

Doctor Dolittle is a very special vet—because he knows how to talk to the animals! So when he hears that there’s a terrible sickness hurting all the monkeys in Africa, the good doctor knows he must go and help them. Soon he’s off on an exciting adventure across the seas in this superb retelling of Hugh Lofting’s beloved classic.

Call me Ishmael. These three famous words begin one of America’s most epic novels, a tale of one obsessed captain, his doomed crew, and an elusive white whale named Moby-Dick. The massive original, however, can be very hard for young readers to navigate. This beautifully abridged and adventure-filled version will thrill children and whet their appetite for the complete work—when they are ready to tackle it.

Many Books, Many Stories aims to provide both the rationale for engaging in work with inclusive children’s and young adult literature and the resources necessary for teachers, counselors, librarians and school administration to incorporate diverse literature into the classroom or into school-wide contexts. The authors provide multiple perspectives and examples of texts that open conversations about powerful topics and ideas that arise in many children’s and young adult books. Indeed, it is not enough to just have access to many stories; teachers must consider the ways in which they can engage in discussions around books and their importance. This volume serves to prepare both teacher candidates and in-service teachers to become reflective practitioners who embrace responsive literacy instruction and who work to ensure equity in literacy education. Therefore, this book serves as a resource to guide educators with both pedagogy and curricular content—embracing stories and amplifying voices with children’s and young adult literature. "The collection of chapters in this volume is inspiring. Striking a perfect balance between theory and classroom practice, this volume provides a convincing reason as to why the use of children’s literature is critical and necessary in today’s universities, schools, and classrooms. The editors have done an excellent job in collecting a diverse set of engaging and insightful chapters to discuss matters of race, identity, inequality, and diversity."—Bobbie Kabuto, Professor of Literacy Education, Queens College, CUNY"This thoughtfully edited collection brings together a powerful collection of educators to discuss a crucially important topic in classrooms today. The authors push the reader to question and critically reflect on how they can use literature to facilitate important conversations about diversity. The chapters challenge thinking but also provide multiple examples and the resources that will enable educators to provide spaces in the classroom for children to see their lives reflected in literature."—Sinead Harmey, Associate Professor in Literacy Education, IOE, University College London’s Faculty of Education and Society

Many Books, Many Stories aims to provide both the rationale for engaging in work with inclusive children’s and young adult literature and the resources necessary for teachers, counselors, librarians and school administration to incorporate diverse literature into the classroom or into school-wide contexts. The authors provide multiple perspectives and examples of texts that open conversations about powerful topics and ideas that arise in many children’s and young adult books. Indeed, it is not enough to just have access to many stories; teachers must consider the ways in which they can engage in discussions around books and their importance. This volume serves to prepare both teacher candidates and in-service teachers to become reflective practitioners who embrace responsive literacy instruction and who work to ensure equity in literacy education. Therefore, this book serves as a resource to guide educators with both pedagogy and curricular content—embracing stories and amplifying voices with children’s and young adult literature. "The collection of chapters in this volume is inspiring. Striking a perfect balance between theory and classroom practice, this volume provides a convincing reason as to why the use of children’s literature is critical and necessary in today’s universities, schools, and classrooms. The editors have done an excellent job in collecting a diverse set of engaging and insightful chapters to discuss matters of race, identity, inequality, and diversity."—Bobbie Kabuto, Professor of Literacy Education, Queens College, CUNY"This thoughtfully edited collection brings together a powerful collection of educators to discuss a crucially important topic in classrooms today. The authors push the reader to question and critically reflect on how they can use literature to facilitate important conversations about diversity. The chapters challenge thinking but also provide multiple examples and the resources that will enable educators to provide spaces in the classroom for children to see their lives reflected in literature."—Sinead Harmey, Associate Professor in Literacy Education, IOE, University College London’s Faculty of Education and Society

This high interest/low vocabulary retelling of The Iliad introduces young readers to Homers thrilling epic tale. Set during the siege of Troy, and complete with duels, battles, larger-than-life characters like Achilles, and the famed Greek gods, The Iliad is truly the ultimate adventure story.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Oliver Twist, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Dickens’s timeless novel transports young readers to a colorful Victorian England filled with mistreated orphans, grim workhouses, and gangs of thieving children. The hero finds himself in dire circumstances after he dares to ask for more food in the orphanage. Determined to make his way in the world, he escapes to London, where he becomes involved with criminals . . . and finally finds a real home. The Classic Starts® series has sold more than 8 million copies since it launched in 2004. These abridged, kid-friendly editions are the perfect way to introduce beloved stories to the next generation. Each book includes discussion questions by early childhood educator Arthur Pober, EdD.

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of White Fang, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Half wolf, half dog, White Fang fully understands the cruelty of both nature and humans. After nearly starving to death during the frigid Arctic winter, he’s taken in first by a man who “trains” him through constant whippings, and then by another who forces him to participate in vicious dogfights. Follow White Fang as he overcomes these obstacles and finally meets someone who offers him kindness and love.

“One thing’s for certain, no house that Anne’s in will ever be dull.” That’s what Marilla Cuthbert says about Anne, the lively red-headed orphan she and her brother Matthew adopt. For decades, girls have agreed, eagerly reading every book in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s series that chronicles Anne’s coming of age.