Paul R. Gagne

Learn and celebrate African-American history through this a collection of stories based on popular children's books.

Giving Thanks: This native American good morning message, known as the Thanksgiving Address, is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift - from the moon and the stars to the tiniest blade of grass. The Pilgrims of Plimoth: The arrival of the Pilgrims in the new world is told in a re-enactment of their daily activities during those first trying years in the colony they called Plimoth.

Corduroy: Corduroy tries to find his lost button, so that someone will finally take him home from the department store. Yo! Yes?: Two boys become friends and they no longer have to play alone. Here comes the cat!: A village of mice is about to be visited by a cat.

Hot hippo: Hippo was hot. He longed to live in the water like the fishes instead of on dry land. But such a change required permission from Ngai, the god of Everything and Everywhere. Possum magic: An Australian possum named Hush used to think that the magic used by Grandma Poss to make her invisible was fun - until, one day, Hush wants to know what she looks like. Together they must find a way to make Hush's wish come true. Tikki Tikki Tembo: What's...

Harry the dirty dog: Harry runs away before bath time. When he returns home covered in mud, his family doesn't recognize him. Officer Buckle and Gloria: When Officer Buckle tries to share his safety tips, nobody listens - until he's partnered with a police dog named Gloria. Angus and the ducks: A curious Scotch terrier decides to investigate the strange noise coming from the other side of the hedge.

Owl moon. On a winter's night under a full moon, a father and daughter trek into the woods to see the Great Horned Owl -- Mirette on the high wire. Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear -- Drummer Hoff. Told in lively folk verse, several soldiers each bring a different part for a cannon, but...

"The Little Drummer Boy" joins the procession to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the Christ Child. Buddy McGee eagerly awaits a promised visit from his friend, so he can wish him "Merry Christmas, Space Case." "Sam and the Lucky Money" examines the dilemma of how one young boy spends his Chinese New Year's gift. On a crisp, cold, snowy, still winter's night, "The Tomten" of a humble farm homestead goes about on his secret rounds doing his caretaker duties...