Sarah Vacchiano

"The West Wing for kids " --Aaron Sorkin Isabelle and her friends explore community involvement and learn how to be an active, engaged citizen in this chapter book series that combines modeling civics, social activism, and social emotional learning in a warm kid-friendly way. On a trip to the Owltometrist to get her new friend Henry's eyes checked, Isabelle meets night owl Lucy who's having trouble adjusting to school day hours. Lucy's parents think she needs to take a break from yoga, her favorite activity, to concentrate on her schoolwork, but the yoga is the one thing that makes her feel better. When Lucy invites Isabelle and her friends to a Sunday Snowga in the park, they discover the shed where the mats are kept has been blocked by an avalanche caused by unseasonably warm temperatures. In fact, there's been a lot natural disasters and weather-related problems recently. Wanting to understand why and what they can do to make the Mountain safer now and in the future, the Animal Ambassadors work together to come up with simple sustainable actions to save energy and help protect their home In Lucy Needs A Break, the second book in the Isabelle's Mountain chapter book series, the Animal Ambassadors tackle environmental sustainability, problem solving, and solutions that bring communities together.

"The West Wing for kids " --Aaron SorkinIsabelle and her friends explore community involvement and learn how to be involved, engaged citizens in this chapter book series that combines modeling civics, social activism, and social emotional learning in a warm kid-friendly way. Isabelle loves how everyone works together in her mountain home. But when a mudslide impacts another mountain, some members of the community aren't so sure they want to let outsiders in. The choice sits with the Mountain Assembly, and it's not looking good. After hearing about a young racoon whose family has been displaced, Isabelle isn't taking no for an answer. She rallies her friends, and together they learn how to be activists. They form a club, write and collect signatures for a petition, organize, and even get celebrity help, determined to win support for their position. But when Isabelle has the chance to go before the Mountain Assembly to make her argument, will she have the courage to speak up and change the members' minds? The first book in the Isabelle's Mountain chapter book series, A New Home for Henry, introduces a determined new heroine who shows that active citizenship isn't just for grown-ups.