Sara O'Leary Boeken

When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways -- but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One is full of stepsiblings, and another has a new baby. As one by one, her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them -- family of every shape, size and every kind of relation -- the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special. A warm and whimsical look at many types of families written by award-winning author Sara O'Leary, A Family is a Family springs to life with quirky and sweet illustrations by Qin Leng.

Each letter of the alphabet introduces a quirky and lesser-known fact about various animals, creating an engaging and educational experience. This delightful collection invites readers to explore the fascinating world of wildlife through unique insights, making it perfect for animal lovers and curious minds alike.

'When you were small you used to have a pet ant that you would take out for walks on a leash,' reads the first spread of this light, funny title. The first of the Henry series (Simply Read) to be issued in paperback.

Ruby is curious about her world and has big ideas about how it works. A delightful picture book celebration of science and creativity, and a welcome companion to Sara O'Leary's beloved This Is Sadie.Ruby is a little girl with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm that's too big to contain! Ruby is always busy -- she loves to make things, watch things grow and figure out how things work, with her dog Teddy by her side. And Ruby has lots of ideas about what she wants to be: maybe an animal conservationist? Or an archaeologist? She's great at excavating (i.e. digging holes). Or maybe an inventor? She's already invented a book with smells instead of words (so dogs can read it) and a time machine (the dinosaurs did have feathers after all, and the future is looking wild). This is Ruby, and this is her world.

This sweet story captures the singular experience of a visit with Grandma, especially when you share a name - a perfect gift for Mother's Day! Here is a celebration of the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Maud loves the weekends when she stays at her grandma's house. There's always breakfast for supper, matching nightgowns, black-and-white movies, and--best of all--someone to listen to her dreams for her life as a grown-up. But what makes the visits extra special is what Grand-Maud has hidden in an old chest under Maud's bed. She may find a paint set, a toy, homemade cookies, or hand-knit mittens or sweaters. Best of all is when Maud finds something that belonged to Grand-Maud when she was a little girl. In this story of family togetherness, Maud wants to be just like Grand-Maud when she grows up.

Focusing on the significant milestones of a baby's first year, this charming board book captures precious moments and memories. Designed for young readers, it offers a delightful exploration of early experiences and growth, making it a perfect keepsake for parents and caregivers.

An exquisite new picture book from the author of the beloved This Is Sadie about a little doll whose worldview is about to get a whole lot bigger. Gemma has always lived in a very nice little house, always slept in the same room and always worn the same clothes. A doll in an old forgotten dollhouse, Gemma wonders if she will ever grow up, but her parents tell her she will always be their little girl. Until, one day, the dollhouse is opened by a GIANT, and Gemma's whole life changes. New things are introduced into the little house -- and Gemma finally has an opportunity to leave what's familiar and see the enormous world beyond. A story that evokes children's classics, Gemma and the Giant Girl is a gorgeously illustrated and poignant tale of what it feels like to be small in a big world and how even the smallest among us can take charge of our own destinies.

A delightful book of curious, little-known "facts" about animals--one for each letter of the alphabet! Did you know that chipmunks love to stay up past their bedtime? Or that dragons cry at happy endings? I bet you'd never have guessed that iguanas sometimes get homesick at sleepovers. Sara O'Leary pulls back the curtain on the animal world and gives us an absolutely charming little one-line "fact" about one animal for each letter of the alphabet. Kids will love to see their own quirks reflected in these adorably rendered creatures, and perhaps will be comforted to know that--just like them--narwhals can be perfectly happy all on their own and quail also get tired of being told to be quiet. This is more than just an alphabet book. It's a charming, hilarious, and touching look at the diversity of personalities in the world--worth many, many rereads.

A baby's second year is full of important achievements. Walking, running, understanding more words, speaking their names, and forming first memories are all exciting moments. You Are Two picks up where You Are One left off and celebrates these moments and more, inviting little ones and their parents to celebrate how much they have grown and discovered in the last year.The second in a three-book series, You Are Two is the perfect gift for toddlers or caregivers who will enjoy looking back at the joys, challenges, and love in the second year of life.

"What if you found out that there was a ghost haunting your home? What if you found out that you were the ghost? In the middle of her life, Fay wakes up on the top of her piano with a strong intuition that something is not right. To all appearances everything is perfect: married to a man she loves, living in the house she dreamt of as a child, her life is full of possibility. Except--for reasons not immediately clear to Fay--she is now haunting her own once-happy home. Everything that should be familiar is suddenly altered. But furniture in the wrong places and walls the wrong colour are nothing compared to the fact that there is another woman in the house. A woman who is sharing Fay's husband's bed. There is also a strange, wan girl roaming the house and claiming that she has "brought Fay back." Somehow her husband has moved on and made a new life without her and now he finds himself in the unenviable position of sharing a house with two wives, one of whom harbours thoughts of revenge. As Fay begins to come to terms with the reality of her situation, she must confront all of the choices she has made, as well as those she hasn't--and now never will. This glimmering and darkly comedic novel explores both the domestic and the existential, delving into the dark heart of marriage and the meaning of a life. The Ghost in the House strips away all that seems less than essential, leaving behind a story that is raw and polished and as close to true as fiction can be."-- Provided by publisher