Books published by Mims House

Follow Angel Persian as she tries to follow in her parents' footsteps and become a KittyTube star.

When the dust storms of the 1930s threatened to destroy U.S. farming and agriculture, Hugh Bennett knew what to do. But he needed the government's help. How do you convince politicians that the soil needs help? Hugh Bennett knew what to do. He waited for the wind.

It's the first day of school.Howie is worried. Will he find a friend?With high hopes, Howie goes to robotics club.But no one chooses him as a partner.Then Lincoln bounds into the room.The strange new bird is too big and fluffy.Howie hides!The teacher, however, puts the unlikely pair together.Will they be able to accept each other's wonky ideas and become friends?For STEM classes, this story emphasizes the discussion of form v. function. It encourages divergent thinking as Lincoln and Howie design a robot. For kids who are rigid and inflexible, they'll see the value of considering different options, and accepting those who are different. "e;. . .offbeat and clever. . . With pages filled with animals and robots, this tale will certainly appeal to kids. . . ."e; Kirkus ReviewsWHAT THEY ARE SAYING"e;A delightful story of friendship and teamwork."e; Dori Hillestad Butler, Theodore Geisel Honor Award for King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats, and Edgar award for The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy"e;Charming. . .Pattison's storytelling skills give readers a look into the give-and-take of friendship."e; Carla Killough McClafferty, author of The Many Faces of George Washington"e;What's WONKY? The heart-warming story of an unlikely friendship between Robot Club partners, told in Darcy Pattison's classic, charming voice. WONKY is a good reminder that friendships are often found with a heart that's open to the unexpected."e; Lynn Rowe Reed, illustrator of Punctuation Takes a Vacation"e;WONKY is a delightful mixture of a story about new friends and a robot club--honestly, what could be more fun? I adoredHowie and Lincoln, Darcy Pattison's endearing animal characters, and Nathaniel Gold's colorful illustrations just pop off the page!"e; Monica Clark-Robinson, author of Let the Children March

FOR THOSE WHO DARE THE IMPOSSIBLELaurel could stay home and watch her future crumble.Instead, she risks everything.Searching for a better future, she enters a mysterious stone world where everything is backward. Pretty is ugly and ugly is pretty. Unless Laurel completes the quest in three days, she may be trapped.You'll be drawn into the medieval world of stone masons and cathedral builders, entertainers and herbalists. And gargoyles. This haunting tale will become a legend in your heart and mind.MIRACLES COME AT A HIGH PRICEWill Laurel succeed? Impossible. She needs a miracle. Or two. This is a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing historical tale of gargoyles, and those who carve the creatures from solid stone. There's darkness in this cautionary tale for teens, that nevertheless pulls off not one, but two miracles, and brings Laurel home to stay. An apt, if unexpected ending. A brilliant coming of age, sword & sorcery tale.BUY NOW to follow Laurel's harrowing journey toward miracles.

Dennis and Mellie, cousins, celebrate Grandma's birthday and then write informative or expository essays.

Jake Rose joins the courageous crew of the Eagle 10 as they streak across the galaxy to Rison, the other blue planet. Their goal is to find the umjaadi starfish, the host of an organism that is deadly to the Phoke, the water people of Earth. The mission is foolhardy because Rison will soon implode-the catastrophe is mere days away-from a science-gone-wrong scenario. Forced to enter the Risonian society at its darkest hour, the team struggles against local politics and races against time to find the starfish.Utz Seehafer, the son and heir-apparent, of the southern Bo-See coalition is assigned to help the Earthlings' search. He battles his own demons of a lost brother, a grieving father, and the urgency of escaping a dying planet. Will he be able to save his beloved Derry, and their pet project, the great white shark named Godzilla?Pilgrims is the exciting conclusion of an epic science fiction trilogy that pits Risonians and Earthlings against inevitable implosion of a planet. In a rush against time, they must deal with the politics of desperate men and the tricks of a dying planet. Will they find the cure and escape in time?

THE BLUE PLANETS WORLD SERIESEarth finally receives a message from space:"e;You only live on land. Allow us to live in the seas."e;Rison will implode soon. They desperately need a new blue planet, a water planet. But Earth is crowded. Will humans be able to open their hearts to an alien race?SLEEPERS, Book 1A rogue militia.A diabolical sabotage.Is an alien teen is the only hope for either blue planet?A test-tube baby, fifteen-year-old Jake Rose is half human and half alien; he has both lungs and gills.He's been raised on the "e;other blue planet,"e; Rison. However, in a horrifying science-gone-wrong scenario, Rison will soon implode. He evacuates to Earth to live with his human father's parents on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound. His mother, Dayexi Quad-de is Rison's ambassador to Earth. She's tasked with finding Risonians a new home on Earth in a peaceful manner.Jake accidentally discovers that Earth's elite ELLIS forces are trying to sabotage Mt. Rainier by starting an eruption so that they can blame it on the Risonian aliens. Working to thwart them, Jake suddenly realizes his mother--the ambassador--is missing.Sleepers is the first novel in the action-packed science fiction The Blue Planets World series. This classic teen novel of finding your place in society combines with thrilling science fiction that delivers a punch. If you like the intrigue and excitement of Ender's Game or I Am Number Four, you'll love Darcy Pattison's science fiction series of survival among the galaxies.ALSO IN THE BLUE PLANETS WORLDSee the series page at amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B074Y28FGWSirens, Book 2 is the continuing story in a science fiction trilogy. When aliens beg refuge on Earth, they ask only for a home in the seas. But what if Earth's oceans aren't empty? The Phoke, the mer men and mermaids of Earth have remained hidden for centuries. But a Risonian water-borne illness forces them to come out of hiding and take a place at the negotiation table.Pilgrims, Book 3 is the exciting conclusion of an epic science fiction trilogy that pits Risonians and Earthlings against inevitable implosion of a planet. A small courageous team from Earth travels to Rison to find the cure for a water-borne disease that threatens the Phoke, the mermen and mermaids of Earth. But Rison's implosion is pending. In a rush against time, they must deal with the politics of desperate men and the tricks of a dying planet. Will they find the cure and escape in time?ENVOYS, PrequelEnvoys, Prequel is the short story of the first contact with the Risonians on their Cadee Moon Base. The ambitious naval officer Blake Rose joins the team as the comparative biology specialist. He's the first to shake hands with a Risonian, Dayexi Quad-de, who immediately captures his heart. Still, he has a job to do: protect Earth from aliens.Interested in the origin of the Blue Planets World series? This is the short story for you.

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTIONDo you believe everything you read in the newspaper?Early in August 1937, a news flash came: a sea monster had been spotted lurking off the shore of Nantucket Island. Historically, the Massachusetts island had served as port for whaling ships. Eyewitnesses swore this wasn't a whale, but some new, fearsome creature. As eyewitness account piled up, newspaper stories of the sea monster spread quickly. Across the nation, people shivered in fear.Then, footprints were found on a Nantucket beach. Photographs were sent to prominent biologists for their opinion. Discussion swirled about raising a hunting party. On August 18, news spread across the island: the sea monster had been captured. Islanders ran to the beach and couldn't believe their eyes. This nonfiction picture book is a perfect tool to discuss non-political fake news stories. Back matter discusses the freedom of the press guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Quotes from Thomas Jefferson make it clear that fake news has always been one of the costs of a free press. A Timeline lists actual events in the order they occurred. A vocabulary list defines relevant words.

THE BLUE PLANETS WORLD SERIESEarth finally receives a message from space:"e;You only live on land. Allow us to live in the seas."e;Rison will implode soon. They desperately need a new blue planet, a water planet. But Earth is crowded. Will humans be able to open their hearts to an alien race?Sirens, Book 2He's an alien. She's not quite human. Can they survive an epic battle under the sea?Jake Rose's girlfriend, Em Tullis, has mysteriously disappeared, leaving only a one-word clue: "e;Phoke."e; His search takes him around the world to fabled Aberforth Hills in the North Sea, home of earth's native aquatic people, the Mer-who are now known as Phoke. They've remained hidden for centuries, only emerging now in a desperate search for a cure to a Rionian water-borne illness.The intergalactic negotiations have just become impossibly complicated. Rison needs a refuge for thousands of their people before their planet implodes in a science-gone-wrong scenario. Originally, they asked Earth, "e;You only live on land. Allow us to live in the seas."e; But Earth's seas aren't empty! With the Phoke at the negotiation table, Rison's hope look bleak. Even worse, when Jake finds Em, she's infected with a Risonian water-borne organism that threatens her life.For fans of Ender's Game or I Am Number Four comes a new character-driven science fiction series, The Blue Planet's World series. Sirens, the second novel, follows Jake and Em as they fight for survival of their species, both in space and under the sea.ALSO IN THE BLUE PLANETS WORLD SERIESSLEEPERS, Book 1A rogue militia. A diabolical sabotage. Is an alien teen is the only hope for either blue planet?Sleepers is the first book of an exciting science fiction series that forces a dying world to beg for refuge on Earth. A test-tube baby, fifteen-year-old Jake Rose is half human and half alien. After living with his mother on Rison for most of his life, he finally comes to Earth to live with his human father's grandparents on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound. His mother, Dayexi Quad-de is Rison's ambassador to Earth. She's tasked with finding Risonians a new home on Earth in a peaceful manner. Jake accidentally discovers that Earth's elite ELLIS forces are tying to sabotage Mt. Rainier and make it explode so that they can blame it on the Risonian aliens. Can Jake stop them in time or will they ruin the Risonians chances at a refuge on Earth?Pilgrims, Book 3A deadly microbe. A race against time. Who will survive?Pilgrims is the exciting conclusion of an epic science fiction series that pits Risonians and Earthlings against inevitable implosion of a planet. A small team from Earth travels to Rison to find the cure for a water-borne disease that threatens the Phoke, the mermen and mermaids of Earth. But Rison's implosion is pending. In a rush against time, they must deal with the politics of desperate men and the tricks of a dying planet. Will they find the cure and escape in time?

THE AMAZING VOYAGE OF NEFERTITI, THE SPIDERNAUTThis nonfiction picture book for elementary kids chronicles the amazing voyage of Nefertiti, the Spidernaut to the International Space Station and back. She's a Phiddipus johnsonii, or Johnson jumping spider, native to western United States. Her colorful anatomy-red, black and teal-made for stunning photography and video. In 2012, Nefertitti clocked a record-breaking 100 days in space, during which time she circled Earth about 1584 times, traveling about 41,580,000 miles.

My STEAM Notebook is an elementary science interactive workbook that brings the past into the future in a powerful way. Primary source documents from 150 years of American scientists provide an amazing look into the practice of keeping a science notebook. Featuring notebooks from ten scientists, students learn how to write and draw in ways that help develop their understanding of science. The workbook helps teachers implement the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards for ELA, and the STEAM initiative. Historical documents are interspersed with notebook pages for students to use in recording observations. Historical documents will: Emphasize the importance of writing in science and model effective writing and drawing to record observations Introduce students to eleven American scientists who have made lasting contributions Introduce students to a variety of scientific fields Demonstrate the importance of notebooks across a wide variety of science specialties including ornithology (birds), behavioral evolutionary biology, malacology (mollusks), botany (plants), entomology (insects), zookeeper, epidemiology (infectious diseases), agrostology (grasses), ichthyology (fish), and taxidermy (preserving specimens).Using the interactive notebook pages, students will learn to: Record observations through writing and drawing Develop explanations and arguments based on evidence Write narrative and informative essays Understand the interconnections between drawing and writing to provide informationThe notebook pages are deceptively simple in their organization. Headers encourage careful recording of important information, and a Table of Contents keeps everything at the student's fingertips. Odd-numbered pages provide a grid for math or handwriting help. Even-numbered pages are for free-form writing, drawing, or gluing in teacher-provided worksheets. Each scientist inspires suggestions for how to work in the notebook.Sample STEAM questions-Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math-are included for each scientist. This is a nuts and bolts interactive STEAM notebook that will help elementary science come alive for students.

What Happens When a Pirate Captain Can't Sleep?Captain Whitney Black McKee is a rowdy pirate!After traveling the seven seas and fighting sea monsters, it's time to come back to homeport for a rest. But the Captain's sleep has gone all awry. She desperately closes her eyes, but cannot find sleep.Sleepless. What's a rowdy captain to do? She sends her crew a'thievin for a simple lullaby. But the rowdy heart doesn't always know what it wants or needs. It's not till Pappy appears that she finally finds her rest.

Liberty - A ROUSING TALE OF DANGER ON THE HIGH SEAS-- When Santiago is thrust into the farm's pigsty, Penelope is captivated by Santiago Talbert's boast, "e;I plan to sail the Seven Seas."e; Together, these extraordinary pigs escape the farm and cross into the land of Liberty, a parallel world where an intelligent human or animal can get ahead. They follow their dream to Boston Harbor, where they try to convince sea captains that pigs can sail. First, though, Santiago learns mapmaking, while Penelope works on the docks loading ships. Eventually Penelope signs onto the Ice King's crew as he cuts and packs ice to ship to the far-flung corners of the world.When the fleet of ice ships sails, Penelope and Santiago join the crew of the flagship, captained by Captain Kingsley, the Ice King himself. A massive polar bear, he harbors dark secrets, and the pigs face the shocking truth: they alone can save the friendly sea serpents from the Ice King's clutches. From the fascinating world of tall ships comes this unlikely tale of humble pigs who follow their dream. Come and join the Talberts on their journey.

WHAT MAKES A CANDLE BURN? Michael Faraday's legendary lecture - now beautifully illustrated and cleverly rewritten for grade school aged children! Solid wax is somehow changed into light and heat. But how? Travel back in time to December 28, 1848 in London, England to one of the most famous juvenile science Christmas lectures at the Royal Institution. British scientist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) encouraged kids to carefully observe a candle and to try to figure out how it burned. Known as one of the best science experimenters ever, Faraday's passion was always to answer the basic questions of science: "e;What is the cause? Why does it occur?"e;Since Faraday's lecture, "e;The Chemical History of a Candle,"e; was published in 1861, it's never been out of print. Oddly, till now, it's never been published as a children's picture book. Faraday originally gave seven lectures on how a candle burns. Pattison has adapted the first 6000-word lecture to about 650 words for modern elementary students."e;Good, simple explanation of a complex chemical process. Great enrichment possibilities for teachers. I loved the illustrations, the science, and the British tone. Overall, thumbs up!"e; Deb Thrall, President, New Mexico Science Teacher's Association"e;With this delightful book, Darcy Pattison brings one of Michael Faraday's famous scientific lectures for children to a whole new generation of young learners. Peter Willis' colorful artwork illustrates Faraday's own explanations in a scientific, yet kid-friendly style. This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to this extraordinary scientist and to teach them about changes in matter with a familiar, yet remarkable, object - a candle."e;Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan, Authors of Picture-Perfect Science LessonsABOUT THE AUTHOR:Darcy Pattisonis the author ofAbayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub, which was named a 2015 National Science Teacher's Association Outstanding Science Trade Book.Desert Bathswas named a 2013 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book. For more, see darcypattison.com/book.ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:Peter WillisWith over 20 years' experience in illustration and design, illustrator Peter Willis continues to be as enthusiastic and passionate about his work as ever. His illustrations have palpable character, bringing them to life through his craft and quirky approach. He lives in North East England with his wife and daughter. This is his debut picture book. Peter Willis brings humor to the story, but he also manages to convey accurate information about matter and its physical properties.

Writing teacher and children's book author, Darcy Pattison explains the craft of writing children's picture books. Why format matters, how to appeal to kids and parents, writing a read-aloud friendly book, and more. Tips on marketing your manuscript to publishers. Pattison is the author of 11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph, Winner of "e;The Help"e; Children's Story Contest.TABLE OF CONTENTSPICTURE BOOK BASICSPicture Book Structure: Why 32 Pages?Does EPUB Change the 32-page Illustrated Picture Book?Dual Audience for Children's Picture BooksPicture Book Settings: Exotic v. FamiliarChildren's Picture Book Characters: Folk Tale or Modern StoryPICTURE BOOK GENRESHow to Write a Children's ABC BookHow to Write a Read Aloud Friendly BookHow to Write a Rhyming Picture Book, Part 1How to Write a Rhyming Picture Book, Part 2Rhyming Picture Book BibliographyHow to Write a Poetry Collection Picture BookHow to Write a Picture Book MysteryHow to Write a Humorous Picture BookHow to Write a Children's Picture Book BiographyHow to Write a Creative Non-Fiction Picture BookHow to Write a Metafiction Picture BookWRITE A PICTURE BOOKGood Writing: The BasicsPlotting a Picture BookPlan Your First Draft17 Picture Book Topics to Avoid10 Suggested Directions for TitlesDid You Write a Picture Book or Magazine Article?Let's Make a Dummy or a Mock-up of Your Picture BookFrom Shakespeare: 2 Ways to Look at Picture Book StructureRevising Your Picture Book Text5 Ways to Make the Reader Turn the PagePhonics for Picture Book WritersCreate a Compelling Voice for a Picture BookPage 32: The Last Page of a Picture BookSUBMIT YOUR PICTURE BOOKThe Self-Publishing QuestionThe Biggest Mistake You Can Make in Submitting a Picture BookThe Illustrator Doesn't Tell YOU What to DoTitles and Subtitles Sell Your WorkHow Do I Find an Editor's Name for Submission? RESOURCESAPPENDIX: BONUS WORKSHEETS