Ninja Nana

Beauty Is Skin Deep

Nana's a Ninja?

Nana's a Ninja lets the reader "listen in" on a discussion that takes place among four siblings as they get ready for bed. They're going to spend the day with Nana and those days are always fun. As they wonder about tomorrow's activities they try to figure out some of the jobs that Nana has held over the years. Did she really lead board meetings with 2x4s in attendance? Maybe... The English language can be difficult to understand. We use phrases that have become part of our day-to-day vernacular, but they might not make sense to one who is learning. Homophones, idioms, context, etc...all play into how words are conveyed by the speaker and processed by the one hearing. This book takes a look at a group of siblings that are trying to decipher what they've heard. More than just the cute story and fun with idioms; the book was created with purposeful interaction in mind. Too often grandkids will only get a surface-level understanding of who their grandparents are. The book includes a few pages of questions to get below that level. Papa isn't just the man you see now. Find out who he was throughout the years with some, "When you were my age..." questions. Sadly, once they're gone, they take that information with them. Are the questions all encompassing? No, but it gets the ball rolling. Fill out the questions ahead of time or while talking face-to-face. So, is your Nana a ninja? Maybe... Share a smile and get to know your loved ones a little better.

Ark

"None of us is likely to forget the 'virustime,' but feisty, funny, resourceful, creative Arden (along with her quirky family and motley crew of rescue dogs) is a comforting and inspiring reminder that the worst of times can bring out the best in us. Ark will help young readers see how they, too, kindled their own light to find their way through a dark time." —Lauren Wolk, author of Echo Mountain "Infectiously hopeful."—Kirkus Reviews Arden thinks the world has ended when her parents decide to trade their large house (where she has her own purple bedroom with a window seat!) for a small backyard guesthouse, built like a wooden boat. The worst part: it’s not big enough for their dog to come along. Things get even worse when her best friend moves away and a pandemic shuts school, leaving Arden’s family quarantined in very little space. Arden just wishes life would go back to normal. As neighbors leave town, shut themselves away, and get sick, their pets are left behind, and Arden becomes the safe-keeper of all the abandoned animals. When the pandemic touches home, Arden must use all her creativity and courage to help those she loves—family, friends, and dogs! Ark was inspired by author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta’s experience of living in a 275-square-foot tiny house with her husband and two children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like Arden, Elisabeth’s family learned to live large in a small space.