FROM SARAH:

This is always my first chapter book read-aloud (or at least, it was with all six of my own kids!), but it's also a perfect choice for a developing reader. It tells the story of a young boy who saves a baby dragon, has adventures after their escape, and reunites the dragon with its family. I've yet to meet a kid who doesn't love this story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Elmer Elevator tells a stray cat about his dream of being able to fly, he learns of a captive dragon on Wild Island. The dragon has been forced by the jungle residents to serve as their shuttle across a wide river—and anyone who rescues the dragon from its cruel captors might be entitled to a free ride.

FROM SARAH:

A short story from the author of The Wind in the Willows, and just as beloved, read aloud by the inimitable Jim Weiss (Audible). This is a wonderful audiobook for kids of all ages. It's only an hour long, so it's a quick (and worthwhile) win. A gentle, funny fantasy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The people call for that famous dragon-slaying knight Saint George to defeat the monstrous beast. But when one smart little boy actually meets the dragon, he finds a harmless, friendly creature who would much rather write poems than burn villages.

Can the boy find a way to make peace before the knight and the dragon have to fight?

FROM SARAH:

The third in the Wilderking trilogy by Jonathan Rogers. This series is one of my most highly recommended read-alouds. Start with The Bark of the Bog Owl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

King Darrow sends Aidan Errolson on an impossible quest, hoping he will never return, and although Aidan has enough friends to succeed on the journey, even he might not be able to defeat the powerful enemy that awaits him at its end.

FROM SARAH:

The third in the Wilderking trilogy by Jonathan Rogers. This series is one of my most highly recommended read-alouds. Start with The Bark of the Bog Owl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Aidan Errolson, recently returned home to Corenwald, learns of a new party of Aidanites who believe he is the destined king to overthrow the tyrant King Darrow.

FROM SARAH:

For when you need a page-turner. This one will make you ignore the laundry and all of your household duties, so don't say I didn't warn ya. 😆

Recommended for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince.

FROM SARAH:

Can you spot the gator in the swamp? This book is sure to delight! See if your library has it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Under the algae that carpets the swamp, near the duck who paddles in ooze, close to the turtle who takes a snooze . . . hides a gator! Still as a log, only his watchful eyes can be seen. But when gator moves, he really moves! What happens to the duck, the turtle, the egret, the deer, and the many other critters of the swamp when gator makes his move?

FROM SARAH:

When it comes to nonfiction picture books, few do it better or more clearly than Gail Gibbons!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Introducing, the wetlands: unique ecosystems that are not only a home for an extensive amount of wildlife, but also a vital storage place for one of Earth's most precious resources, water. What lives there? Find out in this simple yet extensive exploration of marshes and swamps and what they are, why they're important, and the birds, fish, and wildlife that make it their homes.

FROM SARAH:

I read this aloud to my 10, 9, and 9, and they all loved it. It's quite long so it took us a few months (reading a few chapters each week). I love that my kids were able to understand the allegory so easily, and we've used the language we picked up from reading this together in our daily life plenty of times, since! ("Why don't you lay down that pack, Little Christian?" ❤️). Oh, and the illustrations? GORGEOUS.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this fresh, imaginative new edition, bestselling illustrator Joe Sutphin portrays the characters of Bunyan’s tale as furry creatures living in a woodland realm. This book will help children see the trials and triumphs of faithfulness with fresh eyes, leading them to declare along with Christian, “I am going to the King!”

FROM SARAH:

Another fabulous nonfiction picture book by the inimitable Gail Gibbons. Informative and clear. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here is a fascinating journey through those dark, mysterious hollow places on earth--sea caves, lava caves, ice caves, and more. Caves and Caverns also includes information on where to go, what to bring, and how to have a safe, exciting spelunking adventure of your own. “This title will be enjoyed by budding scientists and explorers.”--School Library Journal

FROM SARAH:

I'll admit it—I'm an easy sell on any book by Leo Lionni! I loved this book as a child and have enjoyed revisiting it with my own children.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's an extraordinary day on Pebble Island for three frogs when one of them discovers a beautiful white egg. They've never seen a chicken egg before, but they're sure that's what this must be. So when the egg hatches and out crawls a long green, scaly creature, they naturally call it . . . a chicken! From award winning-artist Leo Lionni, here's a hilarious case of mistaken identity that children are sure to delight in.

FROM SARAH:

Another gorgeous book in one of my favorite picture book series! This one was inspired by the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, part of the Western Everglades.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Over the swamp, the barred owl hoots, and the great egret swoops down on snowy wings. The slow mazes of waterways are quiet with the shush of reeds and grasses. But under the swamp’s soft shadows, there’s a whole hidden world of panthers and orchids, red-bellied turtles and raccoons, lurking alligators and singing frogs. This beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book reveals all the fascinating creatures living just out of sight in the branches and depths over and under the wetland.