Special Collections
Into Reading Texas Grade 2 (NIMAC)
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Violet the Pilot
by Steve BreenNIMAC-sourced textbook
By the time she's two years old, Violet Van Winkle can engineer nearly any appliance in the house. And by eight she's building elaborate flying machines from scratch—mind-boggling contraptions such as the Tubbubbler, the Bicycopter, and the Wing-a-ma-jig. The kids at school tease her, but they have no idea what she's capable of. Maybe she could earn their respect by winning the blue ribbon in the upcoming Air Show. Or maybe something even better will happen—something involving her best-ever invention, a Boy Scout troop in peril, and even the mayor himself!
Uncommon Traveler
by Don BrownNIMAC-sourced textbook
Mary Kingsley spent her childhood in a small house on a lonely lane outside London, England. Her mother was bedridden, her father rarely home, and Mary served as housekeeper, handyman, nursemaid, and servant. Not until she was thirty years old did Mary get her chance to explore the world she’d read about in her father’s library. In 1893, she arrived in West Africa, where she encountered giant Xying insects, crocodiles, hippos, and brutal heat. Mary endured the hardships of the equatorial country—and thrived.
The Important Book
by Leonard Weisgard and Margaret BrownNIMAC-sourced textbook
Margaret Wise Brown, the New York Times bestselling author of the perennial classics Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny, asks children to think deeply about the importance of everyday objects, from apples to spoons. With lyrical words and vivid illustrations by Caldecott winner Leonard Weisgard, The Important Book shows children just how important everyday objects can be.
What is the most important thing about a spoon? The fact that you can eat with it? What about an apple? Or a shoe? This book helps curious preschoolers notice important details about their everyday surroundings, like daisies are white, rain is wet, and a spoon is used for eating.
Rabbit's Snow Dance: A Traditional Iroquois Story
by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac and Jeff NewmanNIMAC-sourced textbook
Vr-oo-m!
by Diana Noonan and Wayne BryantNIMAC-sourced textbook
Miss Griffin is a mystery! Each day, the roar from the engine of her little red car wakes everyone in Eliza’s street. Then, just when everyone has decided they have had enough of Miss Griffin’s noise, they see a big news van outside her house.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
by David Catrow and Patty LovellBe yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do.
Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.
But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.
The Great Kapok Tree
by Lynne CherryNIMAC-sourced textbook
The author and artist Lynne Cherry journeyed deep into the rain forests of Brazil to write and illustrate her gorgeous picture book The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest (1990). One day, a man exhausts himself trying to chop down a giant kapok tree. While he sleeps, the forest’s residents, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, whisper in his ear about the importance of trees and how "all living things depend on one another" . . . and it works. Cherry’s lovingly rendered colored pencil and watercolor drawings of all the "wondrous and rare animals" evoke the lush rain forests, as well as stunning world maps bordered by tree porcupines, emerald tree boas, and dozens more fascinating creatures.
I Wonder… Reasons Why You Sneeze and More
by Maureen Mecozzi and Lisa ChestersNIMAC-sourced textbook
Have you ever wondered why you sneeze or get the hiccups? To find out, read these questions and answers about the body.
The Name Jar
by Yangsook ChoiNIMAC-sourced textbook
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey.
The William Hoy Story
by Nancy Churnin and Jez TuyaNIMAC-sourced textbook
Winner - 2017 Storytelling World Resource Award Honor Book Finalist - 2017 North Texas Book Festival Best Children's Books
All William Ellsworth Hoy wanted to do was play baseball. After losing out on a spot on the local deaf team, William practiced even harder—eventually earning a position on a professional team. But his struggle was far from over. In addition to the prejudice Hoy faced, he could not hear the umpires' calls. One day he asked the umpire to use hand signals: strike, ball, out. That day he not only got on base but also changed the way the game was played forever. William “Dummy" Hoy became one of the greatest and most beloved players of his time!
Three Hens and a Peacock
by Henry Cole and Lester LaminackNIMAC-sourced textbook
This hilarious book reveals what happens when some foolish farm animals decide to trade roles—and discover just how hard it is to do someone else’s job.
The Tuckers’ farm is a peaceful place. Everyone has a job and no one complains. That is, until a hapless peacock falls off the back of a passing truck and stirs things up. Soon, customers are flocking to the farm to see what all the fuss is about. But the hens don’t like the newcomer getting attention while they do all the hard work. The wise old hound sees the problem and helps orchestrate a job swap. What follows is the hilarious tale of three hens who get in way over their feathered heads, and one very distressed peacock who just can’t figure out how to lay an egg.
Lester L. Laminack has created a comical look at what happens when we underestimate the value of others’ work. Henry Cole’s delightful illustrations heighten the story’s humor and will have readers of all ages laughing out loud.
Exercise for Everyone
by Sally Cowan and Lindsay EdwardsNIMAC-sourced textbook
Exercise is important for everyone. Regular exercise, such as running, team sports, yoga, or playing with the dog, keeps us fit and healthy. It helps us to think clearly and do well at school, and it is a great way to make new friends. Follow the step-by-step instructions for how to do a fitness workout.
Freddy the Frogcaster™
by Janice Dean and Russ CoxNIMAC-sourced textbook
Freddy the Frogcaster loves learning about the weather, and he’s known for having the best predictions in town. But what happens when the town picnic is almost ruined by a storm that catches the local frogcaster by surprise? Freddy has to step in to save the day! Well-known Fox News broadcast meteorologist Janice Dean pens this exciting and hilarious tale about an aspiring weathercaster who can’t keep his eyes off the sky. Children and adults will love the charming frog world Freddy lives in and the fun science lessons he shares. (With an activities section in the back.)