The smell of boiled crawfish filled the Louisiana kitchen, mixing with steam rising from the big silver pot. The wooden table was covered in newspaper, already stained with seasoning, and piled high with bright red crawfish, steaming potatoes, and golden corn. Gage sat on his knees, eyes wide as he stared at the mound of crawfish in front of him. His little brother wiggled in his high chair, smacking the tray while Daddy leaned back with a grin, beer in hand. Momma rolled up her sleeves. “Alright, cher, time to learn how to peel a crawfish.” Momma laughed, grabbing a fat crawfish. “Ain’t no wrong way, long as you get the meat out. But I’ll show you the right way.” She held the crawfish up. “First, grab it where the head and tail meet—right here. Now twist.” With a quick motion, she popped off the head. “Some folks suck the head for the good juices.” Gage gagged. “Ew, no way!” Daddy chuckled. “More for me, then!” Momma shook her head, smiling. “Alright, suit yourself. Now, pinch the end of the tail, squeeze a little, and pull.” She slid out the perfect piece of meat and dipped it in butter. “See? Easy.” Gage copied her, his fingers fumbling at first—twist, pinch, pull. Out came the juicy meat. “I did it!” Momma clapped. “That’s my boy! Now try it.” He dipped it in the butter and took a bite. His face lit up. “Mmm! That’s good!” His little brother babbled, reaching for the pile. Daddy laughed. “Looks like we got another crawfish lover.” The kitchen filled with laughter as they peeled and ate, passing corn and potatoes around. Gage wiped his hands and reached for another. “Momma, I think I’m getting good at this.”Momma ruffled his hair. “Told you, cher. Crawfish season ain’t just about eatin’. It’s about family.” And that night, under the warm glow of their Cajun kitchen, Gage became a true crawfish peeler.

Childrens book based on the following poem: An Unusual Egg – (A Lenten Poem) Once upon a time there was a colorful egg Who was quite unusual for it had legs. From a crack in its shell, it could see Something special was happening. For many days the world seemed dead When bursting forth came flowers of red. Out in the meadow the sheep were grazing, When the egg saw a little lamb, amazing! Looking up into a clear blue sky, The colorful egg saw a butterfly. Standing in awe of God’s creation, The egg began to feel a strange sensation. Snap, crack, jiggle and whop Out of the shell, a head did pop. Shake and twist and just as quick, The egg became a baby chick. Easter gives hope with new life all around So open your hearts and love will be found.

Page 1: Cover Title: Colors All Around Illustration: A rainbow with smiling sun and clouds in the background. Text: "Let’s explore the world of colors!" Page 2: Red Illustration: A big, shiny red apple. Text: "Red like an apple." Interactive Element: A tactile red felt apple sticker for children to touch. Page 3: Blue Illustration: A calm blue ocean with fish swimming. Text: "Blue like the ocean." Interactive Element: A wavy texture on the water to feel. Page 4: Yellow Illustration: A bright yellow sun with rays shining. Text: "Yellow like the sun." Interactive Element: A shiny, reflective surface on the sun. Page 5: Green Illustration: A leafy green tree with a bird perched on a branch. Text: "Green like a tree." Interactive Element: A crinkly leaf texture for sensory engagement. Page 6: Orange Illustration: A playful orange cat sitting in a basket. Text: "Orange like a cat." Interactive Element: A soft, furry patch on the cat. Page 7: Purple Illustration: A bunch of purple grapes hanging from a vine. Text: "Purple like grapes." Interactive Element: Bumpy, raised grape shapes to touch. Page 8: Rainbow Illustration: A rainbow with all the colors, animals, and objects from the previous pages. Text: "Colors are all around us!" Interactive Element: A pull-tab that makes the rainbow "appear" when pulled. Page 9: Back Cover Illustration: A child pointing to a rainbow. Text: "What colors do you see today?" Interactive Element: A mirror at the bottom so the child can see themselves. Key Features of the Book: Simple Text: Short, repetitive phrases to help with language development. Bright Colors: High-contrast illustrations to capture attention. Interactive Elements: Textures, pull-tabs, and mirrors to engage senses. Durable Materials: Thick, sturdy pages for little hands to turn easily. Familiar Objects: Everyday items and animals to help with recognition.

Tuffy was a great dog. he was actually part of the family. Every evening when we ate, he was always sitting beside the table waiting on his portion of the food. He was our friend and adventurer. He would go with Rusty every day and deliver newspapers and always walk Rusty and Lisha to the bus stop. When the bus came home, he came running to walk with us back home. Everyone in the neighborhood loved Tuffy. He would go to the Wertz's house and they would give him snacks. He did this all over the neighborhood. Rusty's parents had a creek in their backyard and Tuffy loved to play in the creek. Tuffy had 2 great dog friends, Flury and Clementine. They woiuld play together for hours. When Tuffy would go off for a few days and then come home, Mother would fuss at him and Tuffy acted like hje knew what she was saying. Tuffy was the best!!

My name is Aqma, and I don’t think my name is cool. Why did I have to be named Aqma? Wouldn’t Leo or Max sound much better? Today is my first day of school, and I’m so nervous. What if my classmates laugh when I introduce myself? Just like the kids in my neighborhood who teased me. Mom always said, “They only teased you because they liked you.” I wasn’t so sure. They said my name sounded strange and made up silly rhymes. I chased them until they ran away, laughing. Ever since then, I wished for a cooler name. “Aqma, let’s go! It’s time for school,” Mom called. I sighed and followed her. On the way, I thought hard. Maybe I could mumble my name, or pretend I forgot it when it’s my turn. When we arrived, Mom gave me a hug and said, “You’ll do great, Aqma. Your name is perfect, just like you.” As I walked into class, lost in thought, BUMP! I ran into a girl with curly hair. “Oops! Sorry!” I said quickly. “No, it’s okay! Hey, what’s your name?” she asked, smiling. “Oh no, this is it,” I thought. “I’m Aq... Aqma,” I mumbled. “Aqma? That’s so cool!” she said brightly. “I’m Rina.” “Wait, you think Aqma is cool?” I blinked, surprised. “Of course! Aqma sounds unique and strong,” Rina replied. “We should be friends!” Before I knew it, other kids gathered around. “Aqma is a great name!” one said. I couldn’t stop smiling. I never thought anyone would like my name, let alone think it was cool. By the end of the day, I felt proud. Mom was right all along. My name is Aqma, and I think it’s VERY cool!

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who planted seeds in four different types of soil.

My Uncle John stole a few cars and is now living behind prisons bars He tried to run and hide but got in extra trouble because he lied. Things don't look too grim since he exercises in a gym My cousin John writes him a letter to help him feel better My Uncle don't seem in too much misery since he orders commissary But Granny panics herself sick since he won't be attending the family picnic

Kristopher Cooks Gumbo

Stuti and her friends help donate her old toys to children who cannot afford to have them

Bob a 4 years old boy always wants to go to the moon with his dog.

Little girl wants a reindeer for christmas she tries out different animals until she finds her perfect pal

Dr. Dolittle, a renowned veterinarian with the extraordinary ability to communicate with animals, embarks on a daring adventure to save a group of endangered animals from poachers in the heart of the jungle. The setting is in the lush and dense jungles of a fictional tropical island. Plot Outline:* Dr. Dolittle receives a distress call from his animal friends in the jungle, informing him about the threat of poachers endangering their home. Dr. Dolittle and his animal companions embark on a perilous journey into the jungle to confront the poachers and rescue the endangered animals. - *Resolution and Falling Action:* Through courage, wit, and the help of his animal friends, Dr. Dolittle outsmarts the poachers, frees the captured animals, and ensures their safety. With the animals safe and the poachers defeated, Dr. Dolittle reaffirms his commitment to protecting and preserving the natural world, vowing to continue his adventures and defend those who cannot speak for themselves.

The story of a baby dragon who is different to all the others he breaths bubbles instead of fire

Monster has a difficult time keeping his voice at in indoor level. The kids around him don't like to have him in their group because he's too loud. The teacher teaches monster that there are times when a big voice can be used, like on the playground, but there are times when an indoor level 2 voice should be used, like during group work and classtime. Monster works hard at keeping his voice low but he has a tough time until the third try when finally he learns to keep his voice an indoor voice.

A story about a little boy who goes from place to place, finding God's presence and love by his side, always.

A gorilla lives in a zoo. Her best friend is a squirrel who stays with her in her habitat. Squirrel is feeling sad on this day. Gorilla encourages him to allow himself to feel that way and not to try to figure it out. Squirrel likes this idea and feels better already. Gorilla asks Squirrel to remind him of what she just told him then next time she is feeling sad.

Once nestled deep within the heart of an ancient temple, there lay a puzzle that had baffled the minds of scholars, mystics, and adventurers for centuries. Carved into the cold, stone walls by a long-forgotten civilization, the enigmatic symbols and intricate patterns teased those who dared to approach.

Join Lila in "The Enchanted Paintbrush," a whimsical tale of magic and imagination. When Lila discovers a mystical paintbrush, her art comes to life, turning Whimsyville into a playful paradise. As she learns to control the enchantments, readers embark on a colorful journey of creativity, friendship, and the magic within every child's heart. This captivating story, adorned with enchanting illustrations, invites young readers to embrace their creativity and believe in the extraordinary power of imagination.

"Khayla and Finn's Ocean Adventure" is a heartwarming tale set in the vibrant city of Singapore. The story follows the journey of Khayla, a kind-hearted girl with a love for exploration, who discovers a baby shark named Finn struggling in shallow waters.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Mr. Naidoo and his daughter Reshnee enjoyed a trip to the mall. Excited, Reshnee ran ahead as they entered. Inside, they found a bustling environment with various shops and helpful security. Mr. Naidoo visited a salon where Mrs. Chamunga, a Zimbabwean immigrant, and Adekola, a Nigerian, worked. Reshnee anticipated ice cream, a treat her father often bought her. After Mr. Naidoo's haircut, they checked on Mrs. Naidoo's phone being repaired by Muhammed, a Pakistani immigrant, but it wasn't ready. They then shopped for groceries. Finally, they bought ice cream, with Reshnee joyfully choosing strawberry, concluding their pleasant day out.