Böcker utgivna av August House Publishers

Children of all ages love hearing stories. Many parents, though, freeze when their children ask them to tell a story rather than read one, or panic when they begin to lose their attention mid-story.

The American experience in stories that young and old love to tellIn the introduction to his latest August House collection, Pleasant DeSpain writes, "Working as a professional storyteller, I travel in every state in this country, and I have found stories worth hearing and telling again in each". Sweet Land of Story shows the proof is in the pudding with a compilation of stories from every part of the nation -- from the frozen tundra of Alaska to the lush green hills of Virginia; from the sweltering bayous of Louisiana to the windswept prairie of South Dakota.Each story is told in DeSpain's signature gentle, simple style, ensuring this collection's roles as a handy classroom tool and an "on-my-own" read for children in upper elementary and middle grades. Every child will surely find something of interest -- the stories range from practical and wise ones such as "Old Joe and the Carpenter" and "Pulling the Rope" to silly and scary ones such as "The Haint that Roard" and "The Big, Smelly, Hairy Toe". According to the author, the stories' variety represents not only the diversity of the United States, but "a storyteller's portrait of our nation's character".Sweet Land of Story embodies almost thirty years' worth of traveling, telling, and -- just as importantly -- listening for Despain. Each story is a microcosm of American culture: our various values, beliefs, and customs that differ from region to region yet retain a fundamental allegiance to the importance of passing that culture on through story. "After all", DeSpain writes, "it's our stories that tell us who we are".

The contributors comprise a "Who's Who" of country music in this book of anecdotes, funny songs, and a tribute to the late Chet Atkins.

Another Maynard Moose Tale from the award-winning author, Willy Claflin. If you love Maynard Moose tales from the Northern Piney Woods, then be forewarned, this book might just be the funniest yet. The fourth installment in the Maynard Moose series, provides the back story for the Maynard Moose tales. In this whimsical telling of how Little Moose struggled with going to sleep each night, you'll meet Little Moose (Maynard's youngest cousin and his favorite kin), her parents Mr. and Mrs. Moose, the sheep, and most importantly, you'll learn the legend of Mother Moose and her kitchen. You'll also visit Moose Academy where young moose go to learn proper posture, Woodland Skills and counting to three over and over again. Follow Little Moose as she flies through this story. Young readers will relate to her struggle to fall asleep. Little Moose resorts to the tried and true trick of counting sheep, but one those sheep lands right in her room, and off they go!This whimsically illustrated story also includes a CD along with a Moose to English dictionary. This whimsical addition to the Maynard Moose chronicles will teach readers the importance of caring, respect and responsibility.