With a long list of activities and events to attend, cousin Thomas paints a picture of city life that makes Jessie's world seem a little dull in comparison. When her mother suggests they invite Thomas to visit their island, Jessie wonders glumly what she could possibly write in her letter that would sound as exciting as zoos, planetariums or video arcades. But as Jessie looks out over her island home, she sees a world of endless variety, from killer...

Throughout the day, April daydreams her way to her favorite place in search of elusive moonsnails. A rhythmic text and Sheena Lott's beautiful watercolors make it easy for readers to follow April into a world of misty morning fogs, sea stars, sand dollars and sideways scuttling crabs. Readers will discover hermit crabs, tidepool sculpin, sea urchins, and a moonsnail egg case made of sand and slime and a million un-hatched eggs. As the day draws to...

Written and illustrated by local best-selling children's author and illustrator team of Sheryl McFarlane and Sheena Lott (Jessie's Island), Island Santa is based on the annual transformation of philanthropist Kaare Norgaard's ship, the Blue Fjord, into a floating sleigh that delivered Christmas gifts to Gulf Islands children in need. The story links the historical philanthropy of Kaare Norgaard to the current day philanthropy of Jeneece Edroff, who...

We all love rain-until we are ready for some sun! This joyful ode to rain for kids 2 to 6 explores a child's many emotions when it comes to wet weather. In this charming picture book, a young child's conversation with the rain poetically captures the ever-shifting feelings we have when it comes to drizzles and downpours. She thanks the rain for helping the strawberries and carrot seeds to grow, and delights in splashing in the puddles with her little...