Christmas Eve at Grandmother's House

Join three excited girls as they visit their grandmother’s house on Christmas Eve. The air is filled with laughter and chatter as they decorate, discussing who’s been naughty or nice. The warm, inviting scent of holiday smells from the kitchen, where Grandmother is busy preparing holiday dinner and treats.

The girls look so beautiful in the PJs Grandma has bought them for Christmas, a heartwarming tradition they cherish. Earlier that day, Grandma visited the MDPLS Library and has chosen a special story to read to her granddaughters tonight.

To find out how this enchanting Christmas Eve unfolds, you’ll have to read the book!

Close Friends' Cathedral Adventure

Peat, a toad, and Paul-Paulette, an earthworm, live in the woods beneath the roots of their friend, Christy, a Christmas fern. One day they are dug up and carried away. Christy is replanted in a pot large enough to hold Paul-Paulette, but Peat is too big to get in and cannot completely hide. He stays under Christy’s fronds, but can’t disappear.

Together with their wild flower friends, they are taken to the Washington National Cathedral to participate in the annual Festival of Flowers. While the plants are being carried into the cathedral, Peat is discovered, picked up and left in the Garth – the small, enclosed garden near the base of the stairs.

This is the story of the little toad’s adventure as he tries to find his plant and animal friends in the huge building. It is a tour of the cathedral and an introduction to cathedral architecture inside and out. A short glossary of architecture terms is included.

Crystal Palace

In 1910, Charles Francis Richter was a very curious 10-year-old boy. His curiosity would one day lead to the creation of a way to measure the size of an earthquake. As a boy though, Charlie’s curiosity leads him on an adventure that introduces him to Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble, Robert Koch, Rudolf Diesel, and Joseph Tyrrell.

Travel with young Charlie Richter to Crystal Palace, in England, for a historical re-imagining of the greatest scientific exhibition of the 20^th century that never actually happened, and explore some of the ideas that launched the modern world.

Daddy Said I Need a Parachute

Funny things happen every day. Just stand and stay quiet for a full minute and listen to the things around you - the sounds and the voices. There are instances when you believe you've heard someone say one thing and the person actually said something very different.

In this story, you will find that although Andrew is planning to enjoy his day at school, he has heard his dad say something to the teacher. Now, Andrew's day is full of wondering, imagining and excitement! He cannot wait to get home to get his surprise from his dad.

What do you think Andrew heard his dad say to the teacher?

This is a fun read about a great way to ask questions and be clear in what we believe we have heard others say. Read on to see what happens.

Dream the Green

Every night five brightly colored sheep called Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Pink help Ruby fall asleep.

But tonight, it seems Green is in trouble, and it is Ruby’s turn to help them this time. Green is fading away, and only Ruby has the key to saving Green!

The sheep and with the help of hidden forces reveal to Ruby the secret and everything she needs to save Green.

Earl: The Christmas Tree Spider

Erin Rafanello Ferguson wrote this story about little Earl after becoming frustrated with the furry spiders that invaded her home when she cut down a living Christmas tree from a Christmas tree farm. She was shocked, but after a few years of having the same issue, she decided she didn’t want herself or her family to be afraid of them any longer. She decided to name one of the spiders Earl, and her family giggled about him all throughout the Christmas season. A story was born and a tradition of accepting the spiders was found in Earl: The Christmas Tree Spider.

This story takes you through Earl’s journey from the forest to a loving home he gets to call his own. With Christmas cheer throughout, and even Santa Claus, this book brings the warmth of the season home to its readers.

Emily Fisher - Word Maven

Emily Fisher - Word Maven introduces an engaging and imaginative child who takes it upon herself to find out as much as she can about words and how to use them. Emily's fascination with words, how they sound, and what they mean, lead to her determination to pursue a career as a "word maven," a term she has invented from listening to those around her, most notably her grandmother. Determined and focused on the task at hand, Emily embarks on her quest with sometimes humorous and always delightful results.

Esha of Oak

In the charming village of Treetown, Esha’s enormous oak tree grows so large that it begins to overshadow the village’s beloved ash grove. Faced with this challenge, Esha must find a way to keep her shimmer happy while maintaining harmony within her community.

Esha of Oak is a heartwarming tale of kindness and acceptance. Through Esha’s journey, readers learn that even when we are different from those around us, we can still extend the hand of friendship and welcome one another with open hearts.

Fairy and Gnome Tales - Book Four

Ah! Welcome back! I have been waiting for you! So, you would like to hear another story! Well, get comfortable, and I will tell you one. You have found the path that leads back to a secret place I know deep in the great Northwoods, where the magical trees whisper tales of fairies and gnomes. Open the story and continue your journey.

Autumn has arrived in the Northwoods. In this fourth Fairy and Gnome Tale, you will meet some magical creatures including Quinn, a young gnome who struggles with reading, and is quite distraught as the new school session begins, and Quinn’s friend, Fletcher the Owl. You will discover magical trees of the forest including, The Owl Tree, The Story Teller, The Word Collector and The Weaver who help Quinn to learn the important virtues of patience, perseverance, and determination.

Well now, let us begin this new adventure! You are certain to discover a magical place where anything is possible!

Fairy and Gnome Tales - Book One

Ah! Welcome! I have been waiting for you! You have found a path that leads to a secret place I know deep in the great Northwoods, where magical trees whisper tales of fairies and gnomes. Open the story and begin your journey. In this first tale, come meet the Grandfather Tree, who always has a story to tell, and Joshua, a special gnome who learns the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

Fairy and Gnome Tales - Book Three

Ah! Welcome back! I have been waiting for you! So you would like to hear another story! Well, get comfortable, and I’ll tell you one. You have found the path that leads back to a secret place I know deep in the great Northwoods, where the magical trees whisper tales of fairies and gnomes. Open the story and continue your journey. In this third tale, meet some magical creatures, including Sage, the hedgehog – a rather overwhelmed orchard garden caretaker and baker, and her fleet-footed friend, Fraser Fox, who, along with Sage’s Special Magical Tree and a host of Northwoods gnomes and fairies, work magically together to help the little hedgehog harvest the orchard bounty and prepare for the Autumn Harvest Celebration. Come along on this magical journey where you will meet creatures who learn the value of gratitude and responsiveness. You are certain to discover a magical place where anything is possible and encounter a little fun along the way.

Fairy and Gnome Tales - Book Two

Ah! Welcome! I have been waiting for you! You have found a path that leads to a secret place I know deep in the great Northwoods, where magical trees whisper tales of fairies and gnomes. Open the story and continue your journey.

In this second tale, come visit with the Grandfather Tree, who always has a story to tell, and Joshua Twillaby, a special fairy who has been feeling alone, rather glum, and stuck in a slump. Discover what happens when Joshua decides to stop feeling sorry for himself and do something different.

Journey with Joshua, as he sets off for a visit with Grandfather Tree and experiences unexpected adventures along the way.