Ripple Grove Press Titles

<div>Can empathy be taught? The importance of empathy and its impact are explored in <em>A Girl Named October</em>. The title character, October, is ever present as the narrator navigates a life without realizing how even the smallest memories, interactions, and expressions can impact a very large, and often imposing, world. Touching the world is no longer an abstract idea, but a concrete action that reveals how everything we do affects everyone around us. Lighthearted in its approach, but powerful in its message, this book tells a story that will spur conversations with children and adults alike.</div>

<div>In a world filled with many wonderful things, Miki only sees cats. Until one seemingly unspectacular day, something special arrives. Miki&#39;s imagination leads her to seeing cats where ever she goes all the while believing that her parents don’t notice her obsession. Readers will enjoy following Miki as she goes throughout her day finding cats in the park, in the classroom, and even at the dinner table.</div>

<div>Through illustrations, the book shows a day in a life of a girl who takes the actions of others and grows something beautiful. The story delivers a simple but powerful message that sometimes great things can sprout from the most unlikely circumstances.</div>

<div>Grandmother Thorn treasures her garden, where not a leaf, twig or pebble is allowed out of place. But when a persistent plant sprouts without her permission, Grandmother begins to unravel. “Her hair became as tangled as the vines on her fence. Her garden fell into disrepair. One morning, she did not rake the path.” A dear friend, the passage of seasons, and a gift only nature can offer help Grandmother Thorn discover that some things are beyond our control, and that sweetness can blossom in unexpected places.</div>

From a factory rooftop, Iver and his good friend Ellsworth (a rooftop bear) are content to watch the busy world below. “Everyone’s going somewhere,” Iver says. “We can see the whole world from up here. That’s enough somewhere for me.” But after Iver retires, the friends must venture out in search of a new somewhere. Of course, the very best views are those you share with an old pal.

<p>“This just will not do!” says Lizzy, flinging a rock from her shoe.</p><p>A simple matter—getting a rock in your shoe—but what is small to one may be large and looming to another. After encountering a number of characters and situations, the rock continues its tumbling excursion of what goes around comes around . . .</p><p>The illustrations by Kathryn Carr are hand-cut paper silhouettes. Designs are cut from white paper and arranged in a diorama. The stage is illuminated from behind and below and the scene is photographed. The result captures the warmth and depth of the art and invites the viewer to explore this creative story.</p>

<p>Mae and the moon love to play together. Their favorite game is hide and seek. But when the moon disappears one evening and cannot be found, Mae wonders what happened and begins to worry. Determined to find her glowing friend, Mae takes matters into her own hands and sets off on a wonderful and curious voyage through her imagination.</p><p></p><p>This charming book, beautifully illustrated in soft moonlit hues, will capture the hearts of moon gazers everywhere. </p>

<p>In this timeless story from a time not so long ago, Annie and her sister help Mama with washing the clothes on Monday morning. From gathering and sorting the clothes, to washing and hanging them outside to dry, to folding and putting them away, the family works together to get the job done.  </p><p><i>“First we work and then we play.” Mama smiles but walks with purpose to the porch.</i></p><p></p><p>Tessa Blackham’s warm, hand-painted cut-paper collages bring the reader to a time in the Midwest when doing the laundry was an all-day family chore.</p>

<div>Mr. Tanner runs a dry cleaning shop in Dayton, Ohio, where he spends his days greeting his customers with his beautiful baritone voice. His friends and neighbors encourage him to sing professionally instead of cleaning clothes. He eventually takes a chance and travels to New York City to be heard by a concert agent and critics, only to find they weren’t hearing what he was feeling. Harry Chapin’s song “Mr. Tanner” is brought to book format through beautiful illustrations. The song was released in 1973 off Chapin’s <em>Short Stories</em> album and was inspired by a mediocre review about a baritone singer in <em>The New York Times</em>.</div>

Not all who wander are lost, sometimes they’re just searching for a new song.Paul was given a present. “A guitar?” said Paul. “It’s a ukulele.” said his parents.Paul loved his ukulele and spent all his time crafting his own song. As he got older, Paul knew it was time to head out in search of something new.When his travels took him to one small town, the unexpected happened. But from unexpected circumstances can come new friendships and new experiences. And maybe that new song he’s been looking for.

Rabbit, Hare, and Bunny are roommates. But sometimes roommates don’t get along.Rabbit and Hare finally have enough of Bunny’s eccentric behavior and ask him to move out. But they soon realize a good roommate is hard to find. And when Bunny moves back in with his parents, Bunny realizes being more aware of how his actions affect others might not be the worst thing he could do.

<p>There is nothing sweeter than arriving at the playground, seeing it empty, and knowing you have it all to yourself-the silent comfort of playing alone.</p><p>Maggie is overjoyed to have that solitude to make her Salad Pie. But then Herbert saunters over and wants to play too.</p><p>"I'm making salad. Salad Pie. And don't you touch it!"</p><p>Herbert just wants to help, even though Maggie makes it clear she won't let him.Then her imaginary pie takes a spill, and she realizes Herbert's intentions are not so bad after all.</p>

<div><strong>Nominee, Ezra Jack Keats Award</strong><br /><br />Seb is determined to find some light for his sleepy coastal town. It is so far north, the sun does not shine in winter and the days are cold, dreary, and dark as night. So Seb embarks on a mission to find the sun. Along with his friend Walrus, he makes a plan, collects supplies, and rows far out to sea. Will Seb be able to find the sun and bring its light and warmth back to his town?</div>

Santa’s workshop is a very busy place—even for Sophie, who is in charge of tying bows on every present.But when she starts taking selfies with her handy-dandy camera phone, everyone in the workshop easily gets distracted...Until Santa’s Big Night Delivery Suit goes missing! In this fun and whimsical Christmas story, can the reader find the trail to Santa’s suit? Will Sophie’s selfies save the day?

The Full House and the Empty House are very good friends— when they dance they admire in each other the qualities they lack within themselves. Even though the houses are different on the inside, it doesn't reflect how they feel on the outside. The bathroom of the full house was full of many bathroom-y things. There was a big bathtub with gold clawed feet, a sink shaped like a seashell, a hairbrush and comb made of bone,and cakes of lilac soap. In the bathroom of the empty house was just a toilet and a sink. In the evening when the two houses grew tired of dancing, they would rest on the hillside and look out at the world together.