The Bible tells us that the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:11). Born into captivity in Egypt, Moses was hidden among the bulrushes of the Nile River to escape the sentence of death upon Hebrew infants. Discovered by the Pharoah's daughter, he was adopted by her and brought up in the royal palace. The Lord, however, would later instruct Moses to lead his people the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, across the Red Sea, and into the Sinai Desert. And it was on Mount Sinai, amid thunder and lightning, fire and clouds of smoke, that the Lord would speak to Moses and reveal the Ten Commandments, which were written with the finger of God (Exodus 31:18) upon two tablets of stone. After wandering with his people in the desert for forty years, Moses would finally die on Mount Nebo, within sight of Canaan, the Promised Land. Award-winning author, Demi, recounts the dramatic story of Moses--prophet, liberator, and lawgiver to his people the Israelites.

The Knight, the Princess & the Magic Rock beautifully brings to life the enchanting story of Bijan, a brave young knight from the ancient land of Persia, and his star-crossed lover, Manijeh, princess of an enemy kingdom. Originally written over a thousand years ago, the story has been rendered into films, operas, and plays. Rich in symbolism, and filled with acts of heroism, secret potions, and the king's all-knowing golden cup, the tale will delight children everywhere.

Young Roblay runs through his Somali village practicing for the big race, where only the fastest runners will be declared men. He turns for advice to his grandfather, who tells Roblay of the mighty Shabelle River, which is strong and swift like a cheetah. Roblay must capture that spirit if he is to finish among the winners of the race and become a man. Inspired by her father's storytelling, Khadra Mohammed joins Karen Lynn Williams in retelling this Somali coming-of-age tale, beautifully illustrated by artist Julia Cairns. The story of a proud people who once lived together peacefully and drew wisdom from the animals, it is sure to generate enthusiastic discussion in the classroom. An appendix provides further information on the cheetah--the fastest land animal on earth and now an endangered species.

Barnaby is a poor juggler who goes from town to town performing tricks to earn his daily bread. But when winter comes, the crowd disappears and so does his work. Cold, hungry, and alone, Barnaby is taken in by the friendly prior of a monastery. There the monks make beautiful works in dedication to the Virgin Mary: books, paintings, statues, and hymns--all are composed to honor her. But simple Barnaby is saddened that he has nothing to offer to the Virgin Mary--until one day, he realizes that he, too, has a special gift to honor the Virgin Mary and rushes to the cathedral to show her. What follows is a miracle for the pure of heart. Adapted from a beloved old French legend by award-winning author, Demi, this is the heartwarming story of how faith can lead us to use our talents in God's service.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was one of the most remarkable and influential women of her time. Blessed with an astonishing array of talents, she was at once a mystic, theologian, scientist, doctor, nutritionist, composer, writer, linguist, and artist. Born to a noble family in Mainz, Germany, Hildegard entered a Benedictine monastery and went on to become abbess of a thriving community near Bingen. From a young age she received extraordinary lights or visions of Heaven, which she described in a book called Know the Ways (of God). Hildegard's collection of imaginative music and poetry includes seventy-seven songs for the liturgical year and a morality play, making her the most prolific composer of early music in Europe. Her pioneering scientific work formed the basis for the study of natural history in Germany, while her holistic medical studies helped to provide cures for numerous diseases. Hildegard was also the author of a cookbook recommending nutritional foods of joy and she even invented a new language! Such was Hildegard's fame and influence that bishops, popes, and kings, as well as humble peasants, sought out her wise counsel. Today, Hildegard of Bingen is recognized as a saint and doctor by the Catholic Church and is also revered by many Lutherans and other Protestants. Find out more about her life in this beautifully illustrated book by award-winning author, Demi.

Lavishly illustrated by award-winning illustrator, Demi, this magical and inspiring story of the adventures of a flock of wayfaring birds in search of their king will delight children with its tales of overcoming fear, physical hardship, and inner limitations. Based on an 800 year old classical parable, and retold by mother of three, Alexis York Lumbard, it will provide parents with a unique opportunity to teach moral and spiritual development to their children.

In this delightful rendering of a whimsical Asian fable about looking beyond appearances, award-winning author, Demi, retells the story of monkey mountain, an idyllic land where the monkeys frolic and play under the light of the full moon. One evening, a monkey notices the moon at the bottom of the well. Help! Help! The moon has fallen into the well! he says. The other monkeys also see the moon and decide that they must rescue it by forming a chain down into the well. But when the bottom monkey tries to scoop the moon out of the water, it breaks into many pieces! Find out how the monkeys eventually rescue the moon in this timeless fable, which teaches us that things are seldom what they seem.

The League of the Iroquois was a true representational democracy--so much so that the United States Constitution is said to have been modeled on some of its tenets. But how, perhaps a thousand years before the time of Columbus, did the Five Iroquois Nations (the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, and Seneca) come to end the bitter eye-for-eye warfare among them? What brought them together in an alliance based on the Great Law of Peace? And how was it that a system of Clan Mothers was instituted in which women are seen as the center of the nation and still today choose the 50 royaners, or peace chiefs, who speak for their respective communities in meetings of the League? In A Peacemaker for Warring Nations, renowned Native author Joseph Bruchac draws from the teachings of both contemporary and past Iroquois tradition bearersin telling the inspiring story of how the Peacemaker, a divine messenger sent by the Creator, helped to bring reconciliation to warring nations. The book is beautifully and accurately illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden, a respected Mohawk artist whose work honors his deep indigenous roots.

Raven has flown down from his world above the sky and has filled the Earth with creatures. But when he sees that the people have forgotten to respect what he has created, Raven angrily rips the shining sun from its place in the sky, leaving the Earth to freeze with just the moon for light. Life becomes hard for the people below. Little Darkness is an ordinary Inuit boy, except that he has been born with a special gift. But he will only discover it when he finds a strange object on the ice and hears the haunting lullaby his mother sang to him when he was a little baby. In deciding to pick up the object, his adventure will begin, taking him into a vast world beyond imagination. His journey will change him, the Earth, and all its inhabitants forever. Song of the Raven offers an Inuit message of hope and healing for children, parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to cherish and sustain our beautiful Earth.

A good king is looking for the right words to help his people, rich or poor, deal with life's challenges. Ezra, a humble servant boy, wants to help the king solve his problem. Finally, through a series of mishaps, Ezra hands the king a strange gift--and the perfect words. Many cultures around the world have told versions of this story for centuries. President Abraham Lincoln even included one in a speech. This lively version is adapted from a Jewish source, and it is the great king Solomon who is searching for those precious words to help his people. Author Simpson and illustrator Bernhard once again invite children into the mystery and excitement of another faraway world.

The hunter had quickly fallen in love with the mysterious woman, and together they had become their own little family. But when spring arrived and it was time to return to the village, she disappeared just as suddenly as she had arrived. Would he ever see his love again? The hunter didn't know, but he was sure he would keep his promise and never forget her. That is, until one day the chief's daughter cast a spell on him!

World-renowned storyteller Joseph Bruchac retells this traditional story of love, loyalty, trust, and magic, which can be found in various forms among many of the indigenous nations of the northeast, both Iroquoian and Algonquin. Join him and award-winning illustrator Bill Farnsworth, as they recount this ancient and unique Abenaki tale of keeping a promise to one's family and of the proper relationship of humans to the natural world.

In this beloved Zen Buddhist allegory, a boy is searching for his missing ox--his true self. And once he finds it, he struggles to tame and train it. For the journey of the young ox herder is also the story of our journey toward enlightenment. Award-winning author, Demi, presents the story of the herd boy and his ox with all the simplicity and beauty of the traditional Zen Buddhist representations. An appendix provides further details on the history and meaning of the oxherding pictures and on the special branch of Buddhism called Zen, which flourished in China, Korea, and Japan, and was later introduced to the West in the early 20th century.

In this beautifully illustrated book of short prayers from major world religions, award-winning author Demi shows children the great value of talking to God. Here they will find many time-honored favorites, including prayers of praise, prayers of petition, prayers of gratitude, and prayers of blessing. Taking readers on a fascinating journey across the globe, Demi's stunning illustrations celebrate the life of prayer shared by all the world's religions. Moving from King Solomon's Temple and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem to St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice to the Delhi Mosque and the River Ganges in India; from North America to Central Africa to China and Japan--each exciting new illustration transports readers to a holy destination where they can experience the religion's life of prayer directly at its source. Religions featured are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, American Plains Indian, and Central African. Also included are an author's preface and an informative appendix with helpful notes on the prayers and illustrations.

In this beautiful holiday story by award-winning author Martha Simpson, and brought to life by the imaginative illustrations of award-winning illustrator D. Yael Bernhard, the happiness and joy of the Hanukkah miracle will warm the heart of young and old alike with its simple message: wonders still occur for those who are ready for them. Included is a useful appendix that explains Hanukkah, and an explanation on how to play the dreidel game.