Michael Garland – illustratör

Packing themselves into an old jalopy—with Daddy, Uncle Vern, and Mama in the front seat and Cassie and her two brothers in the back—they joined the Great Migration from the impoverished Deep South to Chicago, where there was work to be had in the stockyards. Across the kids’ laps lay Daddy’s prized possession, a six-string guitar. Daddy worked hard to put food on the table, but what he really loved was playing the blues. This evocative tale of the African-American odyssey in search of a better life is also a homage to the uniquely American music that developed from African music and American spirituals, work songs, and folk ballads.In the book’s backmatter, Garland relates how he first heard and fell in love with blues music, beginning a lifelong fandom. Portraits and thumbnail biographies of great blues musicians and landmark songs complete this tribute to the great American music and the yearnings that produced it.Fountas & Pinnell Level S

70 Years of NORAD Tracking Santa Claus!*Perfect for military families!* "Ingenious . . . Cleverly rhymed . . . Digitally produced illustrations have a cinematic quality with a 3-D effect that makes the characters stand out, augmented by dramatic lighting and varied perspectives. Children with parents serving in the armed forces will be especially fond of this version of the beloved poem.” —KirkusEvery Christmas millions of kids and adults track Santa on the NORAD Santa Tracker. Now, author Michael Keane brings to life this fun tradition with his children's book Operation Santa Claus. Written in the iconic style of “The Night Before Christmas,” Operation Santa Claus begins on a blustery and treacherous Christmas Eve as Santa sets off to deliver toys to good little boys and girls everywhere. As always, NORAD is faithfully tracking him to make sure no harm comes his way. But when Santa disappears from their radar screen, NORAD’s skills and resources are put to the test as they scramble to find Santa and save Christmas. Entertaining and educational, Operation Santa Claus will delight parents and children alike while teaching kids about our military, team work, and the true spirit of Christmas.

*Special edition perfect for military families!* Every Christmas millions of kids and adults track Santa on the NORAD Santa Tracker. Now, author Michael Keane brings to life this fun tradition with his children's book The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas. Written in the iconic style of “The Night Before Christmas,” The Night Santa Got Lost begins on a blustery and treacherous Christmas Eve as Santa sets off to deliver toys to good little boys and girls everywhere. As always, NORAD is faithfully tracking him to make sure no harm comes his way. But when Santa disappears from their radar screen, NORAD’s skills and resources are put to the test as they scramble to find Santa and save Christmas. Entertaining and educational, The Night Santa Got Lost will delight parents and children alike while teaching kids about our military, team work, and the true spirit of Christmas.

Herman Jiggle is excited about making some new friends. But first he needs to work out how to stop his tummy from doing flip-flops and his words from getting stuck in his mouth! He can't seem to introduce himself or talk to others without getting nervous. Mum, eager to help Herman overcome his nerves and learn to make a good impression, teaches him some new skills like how to introduce himself and how to begin a conversation. Award-winning author, teacher and parenting expert, Julia Cook, pens a new book series that is sure to have kids laughing out loud as you empathise with Herman as he tries his new skills. Follow Herman as he fumbles along the way to growing comfortable while speaking with others. With exceptional illustrations by accomplished artist, Michael Garland, coupled with entertaining stories that teach important skills and tips for parents and teachers included at the end, this new series is sure to be a hit!

It's the nightmare of babysitters and parents everywhere! Being asked countless off-the-wall questions as you put a child to bed. And every answer only causes more silly questions and more delays. This is the dilemma Herman Jiggle's mum confronts as she tries to coax her son to wash his face, brush his teeth and go to bed. But Hermie is a curious kid who wants answers to the great mysteries of life, such as why do we have bubble gum and how do cows see in the dark, before he'll even think about falling asleep. HERMAN JIGGLE, GO TO SLEEP! is author Julia Cook's comical take on bedtime routines and how a good night's rest is key to every child's success.

Mr. Smith's colourful garden and perfectly manicured lawn are his pride and joy. So when he eyes the neighbourhood kids traipsing through his garden and trampling his flowers, he roars “Get off my lawn!” The thunderous scolding sends all the kids sprinting home and blaming “mean” Mr. Smith for ruining their fun. But one mum knows exactly where the blame really belongs and helps the children understand why they need to make amends for their damaging and disrespectful behaviour. New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Michael Garland uses evocative illustrations and crisp writing to introduce young and beginning readers to the skills of asking permission and making an apology.

Stunning visuals and poetic text combine to tell the inspiring story of Lewis Hine (1874–1940), a teacher and photographer who employed his art as a tool for social reform. Working for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), Hine traveled the United States, taking pictures of children as young as five toiling under dangerous conditions in cotton mills, seafood canneries, farms, and coal mines. He often wore disguises to sneak into factories, impersonating a machinery inspector or traveling salesman. He said, "If I could tell this story in words, I wouldn't need to lug a camera." His poignant pictures attracted national attention and were instrumental in the passage of child labor laws. The Traveling Camera contains extensive back matter including a time line, original photos, and a bibliography.