On an island populated (almost) entirely by happy, flightless birds, Red, a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck, and the volatile Bomb have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it's up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.

Violinist Hilary Hahn saw a need for new encores, so she commissioned, premiered, toured, and recorded these "tiny pieces with a big attitude" (The Times UK). Written by composers with musical identities as distinct as their backgrounds, the 27 encores meld an already beloved genre with the creative impulses of our time.

"Lend Me Your Ears collects, in one immensely rich compendium, some two hundred of history's outstanding instances of oratorical eloquence. They are selected, arranged, and introduced by William Safire, one of America's most influential political columnists, himself a former speechwriter and language scholar. From Demosthenes mounting an angry defense against his attackers in one of his immortal philippics, to Abraham Lincoln consecrating the memory...

"When the egg in Giraffe's tree first hatches, he is excited and eager. But the baby bird grows quickly, and he soon learns how to make Giraffe angry and annoyed. It doesn't take long for Giraffe and Bird to start fighting over their tree. When danger forces them to work together, the two not-quite-friends realize they might not be able to share their home at all"--Amazon.com.