Showing results by narrator "Natalie Budig" in All Categories

What if your phone truly helped you connect with the people more than disconnect with those around you? Author and youth-culture expert, Jonathan McKee, and his daughter Alyssa McKee, uncover 40 random realizations they've discovered over the last five years. Screens provide fun platforms to connect with faraway friends; and sometimes the people we love the most are the people we ignore all day. Jonathan and Alyssa help young adults navigate face-to-face communication in a screen-to-screen world.

Spend the day in the life of a detection dog! Tucker the beagle is more than just a friendly face at the airport. As part of the “beagle brigade”, he helps keep out invasive species that could hurt the environment. It’s a job that would be almost impossible for humans - but for the beagle brigade, it’s all in a day’s work. Told from the dog’s perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

When the Phantom's wild colt is burned in a brushfire, both his body and mind are scarred. His healing begins when a teenage boy, partly paralyzed in a car accident, meets the young horse. Can they support each other on their road to recovery?

Samantha would be thrilled to be helping drive cattle to the Darton Rodeo, but she's worried. A strange horse shows up at the rodeo, and the mare's definitely tame. But who is her owner? Sam is determined to solve the mystery, even when she starts being threatened by someone...who will do anything to stop her.

When a lightning storm strikes the wild horse sanctuary and sets the pasture on fire, all the mustangs panic - including the Phantom's herd. Then, in the midst of the fire, a terrible accident injures the Phantom, and Sam is terrified that he might not recover. If he doesn't, can he survive in the wild? Or will Sam's wild horse need to be captured?

When a friend needs Samantha's help with his new colt and its mother, she's torn. Sam wants what's best for the horses, but her friend's plan could put them in danger. So when the two horses go missing, Sam feels responsible. She's sure the mare has run away with the Phantom, but what will happen to the colt? Can Sam bring him home before it's too late?

When a pack of vicious hunting dogs is found running loose on the range, Samantha is worried they might attack the Phantom Stallion's new foals. But the Phantom is busy protecting his herd from New Moon, a rival stallion and the Phantom's fully grown son. If Sam can't help the horses, will the stallions learn to band together in time?

When a hard-luck horse named Jinx comes to River Bend, everyone thinks he's a curse. Samantha knows he's not, but he is unruly, skittish, and the fastest horse she's ever seen. Then there's a runaway in the middle of the night, and someone gets a snakebite. Is the bronco really a jinx? Or could he be the good luck charm Sam needs to save the day?

The Phantom Stallion's new foal is ready to be born, and River Bend Ranch's own Dark Sunshine is the mother. Samantha couldn't be more excited, and she's sure she can handle the new baby while everyone is gone on the annual cattle drive.

Samantha discovers a plot to wipe out the wild horses near her family's ranch, but she can't convince anyone else that the Phantom's herd needs help. When her insistence that the mustangs are in danger pits her against her family, her classmates, and the local sheriff, her only friend left is the Phantom Stallion. Can he help her solve the mustang mystery before her dad sends her out of harm’s way, back to San Francisco?

When Sam rescues an abused mare from outlaw horse rustlers, she knows she's done the right thing. But the ranch already has a full corral, and a long drought means the cattle are running out of grass. Of course her dad refuses to allow her to adopt another mustang. The frightened and dangerous mare is just beginning to trust Sam when the rustlers learn Sam is the one who told the authorities about their illegal wild horse trap. Now, it's up to Sam to keep the mare - and herself - safe.

Sammy the golden retriever has a big job. Because his owner is visually impaired, Sammy needs to keep a constant watch of their surroundings. And in the city, there is a lot to notice - and a lot of potential distractions, too. Told from the dog's perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

There's a lot a girl needs to know as she grows up and makes her way in the world. Having a reference guide of practical how-to life skills and character traits can empower her to become a confident and capable woman. Coauthors Erica and Jonathan Catherman offer this collection of step-by-step instructions on 100 things girls need to succeed.

Spend a day in the life of an avalanche rescue dog! Ava is a chocolate Labrador retriever with a big job. She and her handler have trained for years to be ready to help people at their ski resort if an unexpected avalanche hits. But Ava quickly finds out there's much more to being an avy dog than daring rescues. Told from the dog's perspective, this riveting story also includes back matter about the breed and the role of the working dog.

The transition from elementary school to middle school skirts the borders of traumatic for many girls. Their bodies are changing, their moods are shifting, their friendships are tested, and boys can become a big distraction. Girls may begin to struggle with grades, behavior, and relationships with family and friends. How do they know what to do and what not to do in this new environment with new expectations? Erica and Jonathan Catherman offer girls ages 10 to 12 the practical help they need to make the move to middle school as painless as possible.

Spend a day in the life of a livestock guardian dog! Jax the Great Pyrenees has a big job. After the Texas sun goes down, it's up to him and two other LGDs to protect their ranch from predators. But when the lead dog gets hurt, Jax and a young pup are the only ones left to protect the flock through the night. Told from the dog's perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

Darby Carter loves horses, even though she's never actually ridden one. Darby's grandfather is an expert rider—in fact, he owns a horse ranch in Hawaii. So when he agrees to take her in–along with the beautiful mustang Darby saved on the range in Nevada–she knows she can't refuse, even if she is a little terrified! But Darby's filly arrives in bad shape, and Darby's grandfather wonders if the wild horse will ever trust a human again. Can Darby take the reins and save her horse–or has she lost the mustang forever?