FROM SARAH:

Everything Jane Yolen writes has a touch of magic to it, including this simple story about a girl and her father going “owling.” A beautiful tale to warm your winter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world.

FROM SARAH:

A 1963 Caldecott Medal-winner, The Snowy Day is simple and beautiful. Explore the city as it is blanketed in snow. Perfect for winter, of course.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keats’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season.

FROM SARAH:

You might remember this one from your own childhood, and it still holds the same appeal! A fabulous read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster.

FROM SARAH:

This book is amazing in its simplicity and beauty, both in the text and the pictures. Listen to my special edition episode about the illustrator, Barbara Cooney, on the RAR Podcast.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thus begins a lyrical journey through the days and weeks, the months, and the changing seasons in the life of one New Englander and his family. The oxcart man packs his goods - the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his daughter knitted, and the linen they wove.

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time winter favorites. This gorgeous book tells the true story of Wilson Bentley, the man who took the first pictures of snowflakes and forever changed our understanding of snow. This book is featured in our RAR Premium Family Book Club lineup for 2023-2024.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful.

FROM SARAH:

Perhaps my favorite work from Jerry Pinkney (and that's saying something!). The illustrations in this one are jaw-dropping and worth staring at for a good long while. Cozy up on the couch for a read of this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted.

FROM SARAH:

This book is out of print, but it's one of my all-time favorites, so hunt it down if you can! Your library might have it, or it's worth a little splurge on a used copy online.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A hilarious tale about a tricky fox who can outsmart any human except a teacher! "Cleverly paced repetition and an unexpected ending make this droll caper a winning choice." - Publishers Weekly

FROM SARAH:

Beth Krommes' scratchboard illustrations, punctuated by droplets of gold make this a stand-out book. Worth owning for your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beside the house are nighttime things both comforting and intriguing--a bed, many books--and outside, too, there are sources of light and joy--the moon, the sky--that reveal a reassuring order in the universe.

FROM SARAH:

This book is a masterpiece. Truly. Buy it. Keep it forever. And note the masterful use of circles all throughout. RAR Members, don't miss the Family Book Club on this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Be transported to the seaside in this timeless tale of life inside a Lighthouse. This book won the 2019 Caldecott Award for good reason. Spend some time enjoying the lush illustrations.

FROM SARAH:

Robert McCloskey's triumph. This is lauded by many as his best work, and each page turn will show you why. Just buy it for your permanent collection. You'll be glad you did.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"Out on the islands that poke their rocky shores above the waters of Penobscot Bay, you can watch the time of the world go by, from minute to minute, hour to hour, from day to day . . ." So begins this classic story of one summer on a Maine island from the author of One Morning in Maine and Blueberries for Sal. The spell of rain, the gulls and a foggy morning, the excitement of sailing, the quiet of the night, the sudden terror of a hurricane, and, in the end, the peace of the island as the family packs up to leave are shown in poetic language and vibrant, evocative pictures.

FROM SARAH:

Brian Floca's picture books can hardly be matched. Come listen to him talk about this one in particular (and give us a little painting demonstration) at his Author Access replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.

FROM SARAH:

The rollicking picture book biography about a pioneer in children's books: John Newbery himself. While most children's books in the 18th century contained lessons and rules, John Newbery imagined them overflowing with entertaining stories, science, and games. Nancy Carpenter's (hilarious) illustrations make reading this book pure delight.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The rollicking picture book biography about a pioneer in children's books: John Newbery himself. While most children's books in the 18th century contained lessons and rules, John Newbery imagined them overflowing with entertaining stories, science, and games. Nancy Carpenter's (hilarious) illustrations make reading this book pure delight.

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time favorite read-alouds. You'll find yourself enjoying this one every bit as much as your kids! What will grandfather do when his coat becomes all worn out? Well, you'll have to read it to see! Highly recommended for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When my grandfather came to America he made himself a handsome coat!Then he wore it and he wore it and he wore it--until it was all worn out!So what did he do? He snipped and he clipped-- and he stitched and he sewed. . . and out of the still-good cloth of his coat--he made himself a smart jacket!How many things can Grandfather makeout of that old frayed coat? Jim Aylesworth's satisfying retelling and Barbara McClintock's heart-warming pictures celebrate the clever recycling of a beloved coat that lasts four generations -- until it becomes this story!

FROM SARAH:

My now-21yo art student names this one the best book of her childhood. Set in 19th century France, this is a story of a bold girl, a fearful man, and a friendship forged during hard times. Beautiful. Worth owning!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at the boardinghouse where Mirette lives with her mother, and her life is never the same. This remains my teenage daughter Allison's very favorite picture book.

FROM SARAH:

Is it possible that you don't already love this book from your own childhood? it's a classic for a reason, and many picture books in recent years have attempted to achieve what this little beauty has. Marvelous. Worth owning, and perfect to tuck into a baby shower gift basket.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Seventy-five years ago, Virginia Lee Burton created the Little House, and since then generations of readers have been enchanted by the story of this happy home and her journey from the pleasures of nature to the bustling city, and back again.

FROM SARAH:

I think this is Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman's very best book, and that's saying something! I'd skip the library and just buy a copy of this one for your permanent collection. Older kids enjoy it, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This breathtakingly illustrated adaptation of a classic story is a must-have addition to any collection of folklore and fairy tales. Saint George and the Dragon dramatically retells the epic episode from Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene "in which George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings joy to the land.

FROM SARAH:

While this treasure of a treasury is quite expensive and difficult to come by in hardcover, anyone can read and enjoy Caldecott’s illustrations for free online in the public domain! You can view the book here.

FROM SARAH:

This is the version of The Gingerbread Man that Sarah remembers from her own childhood! It still holds up. :) Barbara’s illustrations make you want to look longer than necessary. (Also worth finding, if you can get a used copy, is this Jim and Barbara’s version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Run! Run! Fast as you can! You can't catch me! I'm the Gingerbread Man! I've run from a husband! I've run from a wife! I've run from a butcher with a carving knife! I've run from a cow, and a muddy old sow, and I'll run from you, too! I can! I can!Jim Aylesworth's fresh, spirited tale --- to be read LOUD out loud --- and Barbara McClintock's expressive, exquisitely drawn characters combine to create a glorious new rendition of the favorite story about that sassy but delicious little cookie.