In a bovine world where success comes to those who push and shove, gentle Clarissa wonders if she will ever be anything but the last cow through the barnyard gate. She wishes that just once she could be the special cow, admired like beautiful Tessy, praised like bossy Fiona. 
Then one hot August day, Clarissa makes a brave decision and proves to herself and everybody else that she is no ordinary cow, that she too is a winner. 
Illustrator Itoko Maeno traveled to Wisconsin's dairyland to study its barns and barnyards, its fairgrounds and flowers, its chickens, pigs, Holsteins and Guernseys. In a remote pasture in Sheboygan county, she discovered the real-life model for Clarissa, grazing contentedly, unaware that her unique face was about to make her a star. 
Clarissa is a story about recognizing the unique and special qualities in each of us. It is a story for every child who has wondered about his or her own value and place in the world. It is a story for parents who want their children to cherish their worth and courageously take risks to reach their dreams.

Clarissa

Children's Books

Carol Talley

Penelope Colville Paine

Growing Up & Facts of Life

Self-Esteem and Self Respect Publications - MarshMedia

Hana is one year old- old enough to get into plenty of trouble. Especially when she falls under the bad influence of the mischief-maker Tampopo, whose favorite words are "Follow me!" 
Hana follows this rascally leader and her band of little monkeys into one misadventure after another. But when Tampopo leads Hana to betray her new friend, the boy Kenji, Hana decides that she had better learn to rely on her own judgment- even if it means being alone. 
Illustrator Itoko Maeno returned to her native Japan to study its remarkable Macaque monkeys and to visit its fields and rustic farmhouses. She has depicted in brilliant watercolors the peaceful valley where Kenji and his grandmother live and create traditional indigo-dyed kimono cloth and the wild mountainside where Hana plays and learns. 
Hana's Year begins on this mountainside among the hopeful cherry blossoms of spring and moves through the rambunctious days of summer's bounty and the wistful loneliness of autumn. It ends in the glistening snow with Hana's triumph, when it is her turn to say "Follow me!" 
As Hana's seasons unfold, young people learn a valuable lesson about resisting peer pressure and taking responsibility for their own actions. They learn with Hana that everyone makes mistakes and even a monkey may sometimes fall from a tree, but a wise little monkey learns when to say "No!"

Peer Pressure - Hana's Year Children's Book (Marsh Media Character Education)

Running away from home! How doesn't sometimes dream of it? To go someplace else, to be somebody else! 
Here is the story of a loveable mutt named Gumbo, who- longing to be SOMEBODY- abandons his watchdog duties and follows the streetcar tracks downtown to the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. There he discovers a world of new experiences and meets a colorful cast of canine characters, including a dancing poodle and self-appointed tour guide named Pompon, the blue-ribboned Champion Stella de Chateau Blanc, the fearsome Catahoula Hound and, finally, a nameless, homeless dog who visits Gumbo on the moonlit levee like a sad dream. 
On his journey, Gumbo learns that the identity he seeks is not to be found in new places, however exciting, or in new acquaintances, however distinguished. For Gumbo, the road to self-esteem leads right back home, where he loves and is loved and where he is, after all, somebody very important. 
Author Carol Talley, a former resident of New Orleans, returned to this picturesque city with award-winning illustrator Itoko Maeno, tracing Gumbo's journey down St. Charles Avenue and through the French Quarter to Jackson Square and the riverfront. From Gumbo's own shotgun house with its rose-bedecked chain-link fence to the sun-drenched Mississippi with its mighty ships and paddle wheelers, they have captured the kaleidoscopic magic of New Orleans for this classic tale of running away and returning.

Gumbo Goes Downtown

Literature & Fiction

Elephants are the largest of all land animals, but Jomo is just a little elephant. His brother Mata is four years older and twice as big. And though Jomo has a strong will and a good nose, he can't hope to match Mata at digging into the dry earth with his feet and tusks to find the underground water. 
But who needs to dig a well anyway when there's a river to drink from? Little Jomo might just as well rest in his brother's shadow and play a tune on his trunk. 
 So begins Alyssa Chase's tale of sibling rivalry, set on the East African Savannah- a magestic yet harsh landscape that will allow Jomo few such carefree moments before drought threatens the survival of the young elephant and his family. When the river goes dry and scorched leaves drop from the trees, thirsty and hungry Jomo learns that elephant wells don't dig themselves and that getting the job done is more important than besting his brother. 
In the sun-filled watercolor panoramas, illustrator Andra Chase has captured the stark beauties of Jomo's homeland- the flat-topped thorn tree and gnarled baobab, the graceful candelabra cactus and the crusty mounds of termites. And in beguiling portraits, she has depicted the inhabitants of the African grasslands- the gangly giraffe, the watchful zebra, the golden-eyed lion, and of course the elephants, large and small, so mysterious yet so human.

Africa - Jomo and Mata Children's Book (Marsh Media Character Education)

Alyssa Chase

"I'm only a burro," says Pequena. "Useless as a broken toy. Common as a washrag." With that moment of self-doubt our shaggy little heroine begins a journey of self-discovery that will speak to any child who has ever wondered, Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? 
Pequena's wise friend Sabio tells her about the strength, the steadfastness, and the capacity for hard work that were the burro's important contributions to the building of Mexico, and Pequena soon gets a chance to call upon that heritage and to prove that being a burro is a great gift. 
Mexico City is the setting for Jami Parkison's inspiring story, and the heritage of that metropolis leaps from every colorful page. Award-winning illustrator Itoko Maeno presents a grand tour of Chapultepec Park- a cultural treasure from the time of the Aztec emperors- and creates a festive grand finale for Pequena's story at the Dia de la Independencia parade in the historic heart of the capital city. 
Pequena will introduce children to the heritage of the burro and of Mexico and spark their curiosity about the "gold and silver shoes" of their own heritage.

Mexico-Pequena the Burro (Multicultural Children's Book) (Marsh Media Character Education)

Jami Parkison

Hit the sidewalks of New York with a girl names Margot--who loves anything that flies--and a dalmatian pup named Bailey. Both are on their best behavior in anticipation of their shared birthday celebration. Students will feel Bailey's keen disappointment when all he gets for his birthday is a bandanna. But then he finds that the best presents are not always gift wrapped.

New York City-Bailey's Birthday (Birthdays Children's Books) (Marsh Media Character Education)

Elizabeth Happy

Molly is a clever pig. She can dance an Irish jig, balance a tin plate on her head, and catch a ball in midair. 
But can Molly help rescue the O'Malley farm from its financial woes? That, thinks young Miles O'Malley, would take the talents of a magician. 
Molly is no magician, but her great ideas for solving problems work like magic!This is the story of how Molly conjures carloads of tourists and sends them flocking to the rescue of the O'Malley family and their Seaside Tea Garden. 
British-born author Penelope Paine has written this tale of creative thinking with humor and warmth. And Molly's story is wondrously illustrated by Itoko Maeno, who has created meticulously detailed glimpses into the rural life of western Ireland- from the cozy countryside of County Mayo. 
This story of a problem-solving pig teaches us all that adversity may sometimes be overcome with a special kind of "magic."

Ireland-Molly's Magic (Probelm Solving Children's Book) (Marsh Media Character Education)

Itoko Maeno

Mallika is a tiger with a temper. Her short fuse is ignited first by her infuriating brother Ben and then by a mischievous band of jeering moneys. Short-tempered Mallika even manages to get mad at herself! 
It takes Mallika a while to figure out that being angry is no fun and that a tantrum doesn't make things better. 
India's Ranthambhore National Park is the scene of Jami Parkison's story about managing anger. Once the private hunting grounds of maharajahs, Ranthambhore is now a wildlife sanctuary and home to the magnificent Bengal tiger. Under ancient banyan trees and among ruins of palaces and pavilions, this now endangered species rules the landscape. Ranthambhore is home to a host of exotic species, including leaping sambar deer, the regal peacock, the imposing tree-pie bird, and the revered langur monkey. Artist Itoko Maeno captures the mystery and excitement of Mallika's world in compelling watercolor illustrations. 
Journey to Mallika's world and meet an amazing little tiger who learns amazing ways to control her hot temper.

India-Amazing Mallika Children's Book (Marsh Media Character Education)

To keep the honeycomb strong, to make the very best honey, and to keep all the little honeybees safe and sound, bees must do things just so- according to bee rules. During her first days in the hive, young Beatrice is as busy as the proverbial bee learning all the rules her sisters can teach her. 
But sometimes a young bee gets tired of following rules- especially if they interfere with her plans to visit a beautiful garden- perhaps the most beautiful garden in the world. 
"No more bee rules," declares Beatrice. "I can make my own rules!"
Linda Talley's story takes us along with Bea to the Chateau of Villandry in the Loire Valley of France, where a change in the weather turns her reckless adventure into a near calamity. 
Artist Andra Chase has drawn upon her own travel in France to capture Bea's world in sparkling watercolors- her hive, inside and out, the meadow beyond the bee-master's wall, full of buttercups, anemones ans sweet violets, a colorful village market, and the famed terraced gardens of Villandry. 
When Bea sets out on her adventure, she has much to learn about the world and about how rules can help keep her safe and happy. She is like children everywhere- eager to explore and discover and break free of rules. Bea learns that luck and kindness may sometimes save the day, but that breaking the rules can be risky business. She learns, as will children who read her story, just what rules are for.

France-Bea's Own Good (Following Rules Children's Book) (Marsh Media Character Education)

Linda Talley

Animals

The Okefenokee Swamp is home to water lilies and alligators, cinnamon ferns and coachwhip snakes, swamp iris and purple gallinules. It is also home to a green treefrog named Jackson, who has learned that a new brochure is being prepared to draw tourists to the famed wildlife refuge and all its beautiful and beastly inhabitants. Jackson is determined that the diminutive treefrogs will not be left out, and he has a plan. Author Linda Talley's story tells a comic tale of perseverance in the face of obstacles. It takes Jackson on a madcap photo shoot that is also a tour of the three habitats of Okefenokee- the swampy woods, the piney woods, and the sun-drenched marshlands- all captured by artist Andra Chase in glowing watercolor illustrations. Not all problems have easy or speedy solutions. The persistent Jackson demonstrates for young people the rewards of making a plan and sticking with it.

Jackson's Plan (Perseverance Children's Book) (Marsh Media Character Education)

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