Popular culture helps construct, define, and impact our everyday realities and must be taken seriously because popular culture is, simply, popular. Communication Perspectives on Popular Culture brings together communication experts with diverse backgrounds, from interpersonal communication, business and organizational communication, mass communication, media studies, narrative, rhetoric, gender studies, autoethnography, popular culture studies, and journalism. The contributors tackle such ...

On the first day of kindergarten in September, Ms. Bradley says, “Each day of school I will add a jelly bean to this jar. When there are 100 jelly beans we’ll have a party to celebrate 100 days of kindergarten.” What will Henry and his classmates do until the big day? In October, they share special things at show and tell. In November, they remember what they are thankful for. December brings a day to play in the snow, and in January, Henry discovers a favorite library book. Before they kn...

From the author of The Magic Circle, Zel, and Stones in Water.Who is that handsome green stranger? None of the pond dwellers has ever seen the peculiar new frog before. They found him sitting in a pile of human clothes outside the hag’s house. What a strange frog he is! He gets his feet tangled when he tries to jump, he refuses to eat bugs, and he can’t tell a toad from a frog. He calls himself “De Fawg Pin,” and he’s about to turn pond l...

In this Caldecott Medal-winning tale set in Old Japan, a lively little woman who loves to laugh pursues her runaway dumpling—and must outwit the wicked three-eyed oni when she lands in their clutches.“The pictures are in perfect harmony with the humorous mood of the story. . . . It’s all done with a commendable amount of taste, imagination, and style.”—School Library Journal (starred review)“A beautifully convincing tale.”—The New York Times Book Revie...

We all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round. Your body is your own, and you need to take care of it. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or simply time for a change, this audiobook is the perfect catalyst to get listeners moving. Vibrant, fun-filled illustrations and an encouraging narration explain the many great reasons to exercise, from making new friends to going new places, or just because it’s good for your body. Nancy Ca...

The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can't wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he's not so sure he's ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he's not ready for is how much fun he's going to have at school! This gently humorous, encouraging story will give children about to enter kindergarten an extra boost of confidence."Perfect for parents to share with their children, an...

Some families look alike, some don't. Some families are formed through birth, and some families are formed by adoption. But as the little girl in this heartwarming book makes clear, being a family isn't about who you look like or where you were born—it's about the love that binds you together. Adoptive families are sure to delight in the special story of the narrator's adoption—from her parents' excited preparations and long journey by airplane to meet her, to their life together as a fami...

In this inventive take on the traditional Cinderella tale, Fanny Agnes is a sturdy farm girl with a big dream. Someday, she believes, she will marry a prince. When the town mayor announces he is throwing a grand ball, Fanny is convinced her time has come. She puts on her best calico dress and goes out to the garden so that she'll be ready when her fairy godmother arrives. As the seconds tick by, Fanny waits and waits. Finally, she hears a voice. It isn't her fairy godmother-but it is someo...

Everyone at Lassie Lower School is busy getting ready for Grandparents' Day-everyone except Arnie. He doesn't have any grandparents to bring. But he has many other special grownups in his life. There is Mrs. Childs the school librarian, Coach Ed who is always ready for a game of catch, and Bill and Dottie who work at the bakery. Too bad none of them can be his grandparents. Or can they?

Henry loves first grade - except for reading. When called on in class, Henry freezes. His teacher discovers it's not that Henry doesn't like to read, it's that he can't. With extra help, Henry begins to feel more confident about words and letters. And when he and his little brother desperately want to know the ending to a book, Henry saves the day!