Larsen, Andrew

An evocative story about two brothers who are growing up (one faster than the other), an unusual summer night and a special tree house that proves childhood is not just a time but also a place.

"With themes of upcycling, anti-consumerism, love for community, and finding joy, 'Gifts from the Garbage Truck' inspires kids to think creatively and curiously about what they do (and don't) throw away! Nelson came across an oddly shaped garbage bag. It clinked and clanked and jingled and jangled. Is there something more than garbage in here? Nelson would wonder. Is there something someone might love? 'I knew it!' he'd exclaim, tearing the bag open and discovering a new gift from the trash. Nelson didn't throw the objects into the back of the truck with everything else. He had a better idea"--Publisher.

"Sally has a PAW-sitive experience during her first day at puppy school where she makes friends, tries new things and explores the world around her"--OCLC.

"A group of neighbors come together to help their much-loved apartment cat when his outside adventure goes awry"--Provided by publisher.

"'You can write about anything, as long as you write about you.' A young boy listens as Mr. Lopez explains the class's assignment: write about yourself. Marcus is going to write about his hat collection. Alia is going to write about the vampires she talks about all the time. The boy, however, doesn't have any ideas beyond a title: 'The Story of Me by Me.' His sister suggests making lists as a way to start--Thinks I Like, Things I Know. But the things all seem disconnected. Is there a way to tie them all together? Finally, a kid's-eye guide to writing! Perfect inspiration for every child to start their very own 'Story of Me'"--Publisher.

"Lenny can't get enough of baseball. He loves to play. And he loves to pore over his Big Book of Baseball Facts. He wants to be in the big leagues someday, and, he figures, the more he knows, the better his chances. The only thing is, though he tries to keep his eye on the ball as it heads his way during a game, it somehow ends up by his feet. 'You just need to practice,' his dad tells him. So they practice. And practice. Lenny doesn't give up. And it pays off. Lenny makes a game-changing catch! Now he's proven he can be great some of the time. Which, according to the facts, makes him just like the greatest Hall of Famers, right?"--From the publisher's web site.

Vincent, staying with his aunt Mimi in the city for the summer, is bored until he meets Toma. The city is ugly, especially the empty dirt lot across the street. When Aunt Mimi asks the boys to help her get rid of a box of dirt balls, their friendship blooms as they throw the balls into the empty lot. That's not all that blooms, however; those balls were made of more than dirt. Soon shoots are popping up, flowers begin to bloom, and a community comes together to care for the new garden.

Summer vacations can be magical. Especially when you go back to the same place every year. A place where you can learn to dive under the waves. A place where digging a hole to the center of the earth seems possible. A place where nothing ever changes and where each long, lazy day unfolds just as it did the year before. "See You Next Year" is the story of one such place. Only this year, something does change. And sometimes, change turns out to be a good thing.

"The story itself is simple. Boy gets up, boy goes to school, boy comes home from school, boy goes to bed. Boy seems a bit grumpy, until the end of the day when he comes home to his cat, who he clearly loves. The boys story is told in a traditional picture book style--in the meantime, the cat's story is told in graphic panels"--Provided by publisher.

A young boy doesn't want to go to bed. The hockey game is on!.