Robyn feels The Raft, the class play, is unfair because it casts only three roles to the boys known as the 3"G's. Robyn starts her own play, The Monster that Ate the World, and learns how difficult it is to organize everything by herself. With the help of some classmates Robyn pulls it off, and finds that her feelings change....

A child's-eye view of keeping it all together.

Acclaimed children's writer Hazel Hutchins explores the concept of what-goes-with-what in her new picture book for preschoolers -- whether it's buttons that keep your shirt together, or shoelaces that keep your feet in your shoes. Playful text coupled with lively illustrations will keep children engaged and encourage them to build their vocabulary.

As young children struggle, literally, with keeping it all together, here's the book to keep them from coming undone, blowing away or falling apart. From getting dressed at the start of the day to leaving school at the end, there is plenty of opportunity throughout the story to make connections.

With Together, Hazel Hutchins has created another rhythmic and imaginative tale, richly realized by Alice Priestley's vibrant illustrations.

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A stirring story about the infectious pleasures of play.

Matt is miserable. The subdivision where he now lives is surrounded by nothing but muddy fields of rocks and sticks. But when Matt ventures out, his imagination kicks in. He draws a muddy, winding line and names it Snake River. A pile of rocks becomes the Dog Tooth Mountains. Just like that, Mattland is born.

Soon a girl shows up with a handful of helpful odds and ends. Piece by piece, she and Matt expand their new world with popsicle-stick bridges and scrap-paper boats. And when a rainstorm finally threatens to wash everything away, all the neighborhood kids appear and help stave off the flood.

Evocative of childhood friendships and with sublime illustrations that brighten in color as the story progresses, Mattland is an inspiring ode to cooperative play.

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"How long is a second?" "A second is a hiccup--the time it takes to kiss your mom, or jump a rope, or turn around." The newest book by acclaimed picture-book creators Hazel Hutchins and Kady McDonald Denton explains units of time in imaginative terms children can understand: A second lasts as long as a hiccup; a week is seven sleeps; and a year is the time it takes to grown into new shoes! Any parent who's been asked, "How long is a minute?" or any kid who's wondered, "What does 'an hour' mean?" will enjoy this smart, simple, and surprising book....

Robyn feels The Raft, the class play, is unfair because it casts only three roles to the boys known as the 3"G's. Robyn starts her own play, The Monster that Ate the World, and learns how difficult it is to organize everything by herself. With the help of some classmates Robyn pulls it off, and finds that her feelings change....

A stirring story about the infectious pleasures of play.

Matt is miserable. The subdivision where he now lives is surrounded by nothing but muddy fields of rocks and sticks. But when Matt ventures out, his imagination kicks in. He draws a muddy, winding line and names it Snake River. A pile of rocks becomes the Dog Tooth Mountains. Just like that, Mattland is born.

Soon a girl shows up with a handful of helpful odds and ends. Piece by piece, she and Matt expand their new world with popsicle-stick bridges and scrap-paper boats. And when a rainstorm finally threatens to wash everything away, all the neighborhood kids appear and help stave off the flood.

Evocative of childhood friendships and with sublime illustrations that brighten in color as the story progresses, Mattland is an inspiring ode to cooperative play.

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