Barbara Joosse

Renée Graef

True Tales of Tragedy, Mystery, and Bravery from the Great Lakes' Most Dangerous Waters

Death's Door

Ziva, a "wind-wild" young sled dog, decides whether to stay with the man who has trained her or to run free with the wolves and wind. What will Ziva choose, her love for the Man or the freedom of the wild? What will Ziva choose, her love for the Man or the freedom of the wild? Ziva heard the call of the wild. Most mushers believed that Ziva's eyes of different colors made her half wild, so no one wanted her. But one man took a liking to her. As Ziva begins to trust the Man, she learns to use her wild energy to pull his sled, but she's torn between her love for the Man and the wolf's call. Will she stay . . . or go?

Wind-Wild Dog

Young Lester Smith is part of a fishing family on Lake Michigan. He loves playing on the beach with his little sister, helping Mama with chores, and watching the neighbor’s big horse pull Papa’s fishing boat onto shore. But Lester understands that the lake can be “soft as a kitten one day and terrible as a sea monster the next.” On the autumn equinox of 1895, a wicked storm rolls into Port Washington, damaging a schooner on the lake and putting the lives of its two crewmen in danger. Will Lester, his family, and the horse save the day? This beautifully illustrated children’s book based on a true story recounts a dramatic rescue on Lake Michigan and introduces young readers to Lester Smith and his family, who founded Port Washington’s long-running and beloved Smith Bros. Fish Shanty. Educational materials including definitions, an illustrated map of Lake Michigan, and short biographies of the story’s featured characters supplement this engaging story for elementary-age readers.

The Fishermen, the Horse, and the Sea

Randy Cecil

Here, Barbara Joosse tells another lyrical tale of friendship between a little girl and a loveable dragon - who decide to play a game of Hide-and-seek.

Evermore Dragon

From the bestselling author of Mama, Do You Love Me?— and finally available in a board book format—this classic read-aloud provides a poetic and comforting answer to a universal question: Who do you love more? In this warm celebration of unconditional love, a wise mother reassures her children that each of them has a very special place in her heart, making this a perfect gift for the whole family.

I Love You the Purplest

Anneke Lisberg

In Better Together,each spread starts with a single animal, all alone. Then a gatefold opens to reveal that the single animal is actually one of many animals working together to comfort, feed, and protect one another. At the end, we see how human families come together in similar ways to care for their little ones. Careful readers will be delighted to see that every animal mentioned in the book is hidden somewhere in the last image. The final spread offers interesting facts about the animals in the book, including the collective nouns for each. Jared Andrew Schorr's bright, lively cut-paper illustrations and an unexpected freshness round out a very satisfying package.

A Book of Family

Better Together

In Better Together, each spread starts with a single animal, all alone. Then a gatefold opens to reveal that the single animal is actually one of many animals working together to comfort, feed, and protect one another. At the end, we see how human families come together in similar ways to care for their little ones. Careful readers will be delighted to see that every animal mentioned in the book is hidden somewhere in the last image. The final spread offers interesting facts about the animals in the book, including the collective nouns for each. Jared Andrew Schorr’s bright, lively cut-paper illustrations and an unexpected freshness round out a very satisfying package.

Mama, do you love me? Yes I do Dear One. How much? In this universal story, a child tests the limits of independence and comfortingly learns that a parent's love is unconditional and everlasting. The story is made all the more captivating by its unusual Arctic setting. The lyrical text introduces young readers to a distinctively different culture, while at the same time showing that the special love that exists between parent and child transcends all boundaries of time and place. The story is beautifully complemented by graphically stunning illustrations that are filled with such exciting animals as whales, wolves, puffins, and sled dogs, and a carefully researched glossary provides additional information on Arctic life. This tender and reassuring book is one that both parents and children will turn to again and again.

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Lulu and her cousin Rocky are visiting the city of Milwaukee. There are so many fun things to see and do, like canoeing, visiting a lighthouse, riding surrey-bikes, going to a fish fry, and even gearing up and burning rubber at the Harley-Davidson Museum! Written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by Renée Graef, this first book in the Our City Adventures series explores the city of Milwaukee, visiting well-known sites and attractions as well as unexpected gems.

Barbara Joosse

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