*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Jack Nicholson

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 23 min

FROM SARAH:

From the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. All year long Lily and Liam look forward to the holidays at their grandparents’ farm. It’s always the perfect trip, but this year it's different than any other... Also available on audio (Audible I Libro.FM).

Recommended for ages 7+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This holiday classic from a beloved author rings in the season by celebrating the joys of family, community, and true giving.

**Description from Amazon: The fifth book in the Rose Years series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.Little Town In The Ozarks continues the story of Rose, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter, as hard times on the farm force Rose and her family to move to the town of Mansfield....

FROM SARAH:

Oh my, what an adorable (and funny!) wordless story!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Set sail with a lovable Penguin in this wordless picture book about friendship, home, and the high seas. A unique approach to reading that encourages imagination and improves verbal skills in children of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An inspiring picture book biography of storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, who championed bilingual literature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"What good shall I do today?" How Ben Franklin answered that question -- through his work as a writer, printer, statesman, and inventor -- forever established him as one of America's greatest figures.

FROM SARAH:

The perfect introduction to The Odyssey, by the author of The Magic Treehouse series! Don't miss Part Two in our "Books about Ancient Greece and Rome" list. An excellent choice for younger readers, ages 6 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Brave Odysseus is far from home, tossed by stormy seas, and cursed by an angry one-eyed giant. If he ever wants to see his family again, he will have to face hungry cannibals, outwit a beautiful witch, and sail past a six-headed serpent. His journey is the ultimate test of endurance and courage.

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, I'm willing to bet that your kids will erupt in giggles when you read it aloud. You just have to try it for yourself to see what I mean. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian.You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . .here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .

BLORK. Or BLUURF.

Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.

FROM SARAH:

Jan Brett is more famous for her winter Scandinavian tales, but this is one of my favorite springtime picks of hers! I love all the Hedgie books. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jan Brett's beloved character Hedgie stars in this charming story about a little Tomten who gets tired of porridge for breakfast and starts stealing Henny's eggs. But Henny wants a brood of chicks and she needs her eggs...

**Description from Amazon: Who's it going to be?Spencer's the smart kid. Shelly's the diva. Miranda's the scaredy-cat. Matthew's just average (so far). In fact, there's nothing about any of the nine middle-schoolers on Mrs. B's bus route that screams "fame." But before the end of the year, somebody on this bus is going to be ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One of the most beloved writers of our time presents seven short stories exploring the vital ties between fathers and sons.

FROM SARAH:

My favorite novel in verse. This book makes me want to write poetry, but mostly it just leaves me gobsmacked with what a good story and beautiful language can do to the heart. Especially wonderful on audio. (Audible | LibroFM)

Recommended for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jacqueline Woodson, one of today's finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child's soul as she searches for her place in the world.

FROM SARAH:

Susan Meissner is my favorite author, hands-down. If she writes it, I read it! This is one of my favorites. Best for ages 16+, I think.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Los Angeles, 1938. Violet Mayfield sets out to reinvent herself in Hollywood after her dream of becoming a wife and mother falls apart, and lands a job on the film-set of Gone With the Wind. There, she meets enigmatic Audrey Duvall, a once-rising film star who is now a fellow secretary. Audrey’s zest for life and their adventures together among Hollywood’s glitterati enthrall Violet...until each woman’s deepest desires collide.

**Description from Amazon: A New York Times bestseller!  Return to Harlem's "wildly entertaining" family in this funny, heartwarming sequel. When catastrophe strikes their beloved upstairs neighbors, the Vanderbeeker children set out to build the best, most magical healing garden in Harlem—in spite of a locked fence, this...

FROM SARAH:

This book won the Caldecott medal, and I think you'll know why when you read it! An unusual and satisfying tale, great for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home? Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts.

**Description from Amazon: Remember how the Gingerbread Boy is eaten by the fox? Well, not this Gingerbread Baby in a delicious twist to a favorite old tale.It all begins when Matti opens the oven too soon and out jumps a cheeky little Gingerbread Bay. He leads Matti's mother and father, the dog and the cat. And a whole color...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Henry Huggins’s adventures are finally all in one location! Come join Henry on Kilckitat Street as he gets into hijinks – usually with the help of Ribsy and none other than Ramona Quimby.

Also available on LibroFM.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

The inspiring true story of mathematician Katherine Johnson--made famous by the award-winning film Hidden Figures--who counted and computed her way to NASA and helped put a man on the moon!

FROM SARAH:

Arguably the best wordless book on this list—read the whole trilogy of wordless picture books by Aaron Becker!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Open your ears to the wonderful concert happening every warm day and night in our yards, fields, and woods nearby. Who are making those sounds? Can you sing along?

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

The most cantankerous and skilled fisherman in Higgins Bend, Simon Henry, meets his match in a mischievous, stinkbait-stealing catfish named Oscar, in a funny, not-quite-epic tale of man and fish.

FROM SARAH:

This picture book biography is one of my favorites. Learn the story behind William Carlos Williams's most famous poem, and get inspired to delight in the ordinary beauties of your daily life, besides.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This simple nonfiction picture book about the beloved American poet William Carlos Williams is also about how being mindful can result in the creation of a great poem like "The Red Wheelbarrow" – which is only sixteen words long.

FROM SARAH:

A perennial favorite that you'll enjoy every bit as much as your kids. I recommend it for teens+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.

**Description from Amazon: Keeping this volume close at hand is like having a child's librarian for a best friend. A great book spurs the imagination in childhood, inspires our dreams in adulthood, and nourishes the soul with depictions of life fully and courageously lived. Among the greatest gifts you can bequeath to a child...

FROM SARAH:

We love a stunning picture book biography, and master-illustrator Matt Tavares hits a home run in this incredible story of baseball legend Babe Ruth. With vivid illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, Matt traces Babe Ruth’s journey from mischievous child to beloved sports icon, capturing his rise to fame and the legacy he left behind.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Matt Tavares sheds light on an icon who learned early that life is what you make of it — and sends home a message about honoring the place you come from. Back matter includes an author’s note, Babe Ruth’s career statistics, and a bibliography.

**Description from Amazon: Considered the innovator of "horizontal history," Genevieve Foster became frustrated when her two school-aged children complained about the boring presentation of history in their school texts. This frustration led to Foster's first book, George Washington's World (1941). In her unique approach, Fos...

**Description from Amazon: Something extraordinary is about to happen to Charlotte Mielswetzski. It's not the very cute kitten that appears out of nowhere. It's not the arrival of her cousin Zee, who believes he's the cause of a mysterious sickness that has struck his friends back in England. And it's not the white-faced, y...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park, this is a captivating fantasy-adventure about a boy, a bat, and an amazing transformation. The first book in an enchanting trilogy, Forest of Wonders richly explores the links between magic and botany, family and duty, environment and home.

FROM SARAH:

This absolutely delicious novel in verse will make anyone want to grab their tent and head to the woods. The easily decodable text and short chapters make it perfect for early readers, and the charming story and spirited characters make it a fantastic read-aloud for kids of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
A "playful, delightfully illustrated verse narrative" (Kirkus) about two siblings who take on the great outdoors with their young-at-heart grandfather. Exuberantly illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Matthew Cordell and filled with a variety of poetic forms, this camping romp is packed with family humor and adventure.

FROM SARAH:

Funny and sweet. Get this one from your local library!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Minerva Louise is enjoying springtime on the farm . . . until she finds some very peculiar eggs. Blue eggs, pink eggs, striped and spotted eggs. And they’re in the strangest places—which hen is laying her eggs on top of fence posts and under the picnic table? Minerva Louise solves the mystery, and fans will delight in the hilarious and triumphant return of their favorite daffy chicken.

FROM SARAH:

Part of Jennifer Nielson's absolutely astounding Ascendence series. Highly recommended for ages 12+ (and for mamas who need to get sucked into a book!).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya.

**Description from Amazon: Chimps don't wear glasses And zebras don't cook And you won't see a kangaroo reading a book. So begins the sequel to Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers in which we find more animals in preposterous, hilarious situations. Laura Numeroff's understated text, combined with Joe Mathieu's vibrant art, creates a non...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A little girl's urban neighborhood becomes a discovery ground for all things round, square, and rectangular in this lyrical picture book. Most items are Asian in origin, others universal: round rice bowls and a found pebble, square dim sum and the boxes that the pizzas come in, rectangular Chinese lace and a very special pencil case. Bright, whimsical art accompanies the narrative rhyme, and a short glossary adds cultural significance to the objects featured in the book. Perfect for read-alouds or one-on-one sharing.

Ralph Masiello makes a splash with the latest addition to his popular drawing series. Easy-to-follow steps and clear diagrams show kids how to draw aquatic flora and fauna from clams to seaweed to sharks. Extra challenge steps are included for more experienced artists.

FROM SARAH:

What a joy-filled book! I loved everything about this funny, endearing story with simple text, bright pictures, and so much heart.

Recommended for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a little boy wakes up to see a blanket of snow covering the world outside, there’s only one thing to do: make a snowman, and not just any snowman—he wants the best snowman ever. But when his perfectly packed and powdery dreams clash with cold, slushy reality, he realizes the best snowman ever may be out of reach…but he can make his best snowman yet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Here are two hilarious Jamaican folktales about the original story spinner himself, both read by Denzel Washington.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sometimes we’re all cranky, and that’s okay! Cranky Right Now shows kids how to deal with those cranky days.

FROM SARAH:

This series is hands-down my favorite collection of folk tales. Anything by Paul Galdone is worth adding to your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Late one night, a very poor shoemaker cuts his last two pieces of leather and goes to bed, worried about how he will support his family. He wakes to find two exquisitely made shoes in place of the leather. But how did they get there?

FROM SARAH:

The 4th book in Arnold Ytreeide's fantastic Advent series. This is one of Sarah's favorites. Preview for sensitive readers, as these stories get quite intense. They are also rich and beautiful and unforgettable.

Recommended for ages 7+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A new Advent family devotional from the author of Jotham’s Journey! Fourth in a set of Advent adventure books for families, Ishtar’s Odyssey follows the ten-year-old son of a Persian wise man as their caravan follows a star across the desert. Ishtar would just as soon stay in the comfort of the palace, but slowly he learns that there’s much to see, do, and learn in this world that can’t be experienced in school. He eventually meets Jotham, Bartholomew, and Tabitha as he follows his father and uncles in their search for a newborn king.

**Description from Amazon: The sixth book in the Rose Years series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.It’s a time of new beginnings, and a big year for thirteen-year-old Rose Wilder and her family as they witness the turn of the century and, after years of hard work, experie...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On a stormy night two hundred years ago, a young woman sat in a dark house and dreamed of her life as a writer. She longed to follow the path her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, had started down, but young Mary Shelley had yet to be inspired.

FROM SARAH: 

Part Two of the epic story, retold by Mary Pope Osborne! An excellent choice for younger readers, ages 6 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

After twenty years of fighting monsters, angering gods and goddesses, and surviving against the odds, Odysseus is more desperate than ever to return to his family. But first he will have to explore yet another strange land. And when he finally does return home, he will have yet more dangerous enemies to face.

**Description from Amazon: Yanking cat by tail: no NO. Gentle pat on back: yes YES. And it’s funny how dumping a bowl of food gets a very different reaction from mastering the use of a spoon. An expressive baby demonstrates familiar behaviors — and their predictable responses — in an amusing toddler-friendly offering th...

FROM SARAH:

A magic train full of witty, charming animals and boxcars filled with candy and swimming pools? All aboard for an action-packed fantasy adventure, perfect for readers 8 and up. Just a note that our main character is a bit sassy at the beginning, but her character arc is truly beautiful. This one is also delighful as an audiobook!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Magicians comes a must-read, wholly original middle-grade debut perfect for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia and Roald Dahl.

FROM SARAH:

Am I allowed to say this is one of Jan Brett's best? I'll say it anyway. Don't miss this lovely springtime read-aloud by one of RAR's very favorite illustrators.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Choose any book by Jan Brett, and you'll have a great reading experience... but here's a great place to start! Mossy is an amazing turtle with a gorgeous garden growing on her shell and a story that will keep your readers turning pages.

**Description from Amazon: This brilliant, New York Times bestselling novel from the author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me explores multiple perspectives on the bonds and limits of friendship. Long ago, best friends Bridge, Emily, and Tab made a pact: no fighting. But it’s the start of seventh grade, and eve...

** Description from Amazon: Here are a few things that sometimes happen: HAPPY THINGS An unpopular Black Crayon proves to a Little Girl how useful he really is. SAD THINGS On a very hot day, an Ice-Cream Cone waits...and waits...to be eaten. EXCITING THINGS A Papa catches cold, so his Little Boy gets to go to work instea...

FROM SARAH:

A delightful (and funny) book. You may just enjoy this one as much as your kids do!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s a big day up in the tree that Mama bird shares with her baby. Mama bird thinks Baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest and learn to fly so he can migrate south with the rest of their flock. But Baby bird isn’t so sure. Can’t his mother keep bringing him worms in their nest? Can’t he migrate in a hot air balloon instead? Or perhaps a car?

FROM SARAH:

Buffalo Fluffalo has had enuffalo! Little baby Puffalo is loud and demanding and disrupts everything about Buffalo Fluffalo's life. As Buffalo Fluffalo tries to adjust to all the new changes, he is suprised to discover that little baby Puffalo might just have something to teach him! If you have a new baby in the house, or your young children are struggling with the addition of a new sibling, this book is an absolute must-read. Written by Bess Kalb and illustrated by Erin Kraan, Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo is a hilarious and touching picture book that kids of all ages will enjoy reading aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every day, Buffalo Fluffalo goes about his usual routine. He munches all the grass he can eat, frolics and rollicks with his friends, and at noontime, lies down for a nap in the shade. But one morning, Fluffalo wakes up to a loud wailing cry and, to his surprise, finds a little buffalo named Puffalo with the tiniest, shiniest eyes!

At first, Fluffalo does not like Puffalo. “What does it need?” he huffs in alarm. But Crow wisely explains that Puffalo doesn't need much—just time to learn and grow. Slowly, Fluffalo watches as Puffalo learns to trip, slip, gallop, and trot. He teaches Puffalo to eat plants and to keep away from red ants. Together, the two take long strolls and snuggle for naps. And even though Puffalo sometimes slows him down, Fluffalo realizes that life is much better with Puffalo by his side.

FROM SARAH:

The truth of the matter is that if Eliza Wheeler illustrated it, then I adore it and want to add it to my home collection. 😍 This one is perfect for a baby shower gift or a toddler's birthday.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With a loving mama, a trumpeting herd, curious cousins, and even some dancing peacocks heralding this little one’s arrival, it is apparent that the joy and wonder a new baby brings is shared by all!

FROM SARAH:

A fun (and funny!) interactive book that will have your child grabbing the book from your hands to give it a shake, a twirl, or a tilt. For kids who love books like Press Here by Herve Tullet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Time to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? Bringing grins and guffaws with each turn of the page, readers will find Claudia Rueda's innovative bookmaking as entertaining as the twists and turns of a ski slope—and as satisfying as a cozy cup of hot cocoa.

**Description from Amazon: That popular little character is back looking for friends, in an adventure he'll never forget.Confident and cocky, the Gingerbread Baby happens upon a bakery, where he dances and prances in front of a sugar cookie girl, trying to make friends. But she just stares and doesn?t say a word, like all the...

Beverly Cleary has been a part of America's childhood for over 50 years. Now enjoy this rare collection of some of your favorite characters and their funny, heart-warming stories. In this audio collection you'll find: Ellen TebbitsOtis SpoffordEmily's Runaway ImaginationMitch and AmySocksMuggie Magg...

A gorgeous introduction to the twelve brave men who have left footprints on the moon, just in time to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the first lunar landing.On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took one small step and made history. Over the course of the next three-and-a-half years, twelve lunar ...

FROM SARAH:

Who eats bugs? This is a fun picture book that will keep curious kiddos' attention.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover the variety of bug-eaters—animal, plant, even human—in this exploration of both poetry and the natural world. Facklam’s playful rhymes mixed with Long’s vivid illustrations introduce young readers to an array of creatures as they munch on lunch. From a mantis perched and ready to prey on ladybugs, a spider trapping a fly, to the honey-drenched fur of a big brown bear chewing on a hive full of bees,

FROM SARAH:

I love this series by Laura Purdie Salas and Violeta Dubija. Do you know how many things water can be? So many!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Water can be a ...
• Thirst quencher
• Kid drencher
• Cloud fluffer
• Fire snuffer

Find out about the many roles water plays in this poetic exploration of water throughout the year.

FROM SARAH:

I devoured this book in a single evening, and loved it every bit as much as the original The Hiding Place (also highly recommended). I think Corrie's story is best appreciated by teens and adults who are ready to discuss the weight of what happened to Jews and sympathizers during Hitler's time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's World War II.

No one feels safe. But on a city corner in Holland one woman fights against injustice and darkness. In a quiet watchmaking shop, Corrie ten Boom and her close-knit family risk their lives to hide hundreds of Jews and others hunted by the Nazis in a secret hiding place they built into the old building. Until one day when Corrie and her family are betrayed. They're captured and sent in cattle cars to the notorious Nazi concentration camps to die. Yet even in that darkest of places, Corrie still fights.

This is her incredible true story, now a visually stunning graphic novel. With more than 1,500 engaging full-color illustrations, this real-life heroine comes to life--showing how even in the most desperate, loneliest, and darkest of times, faith, hope, and love will ultimately triumph.

This short book is unforgettable. Watch the Danish resistance through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johansen, just as the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark. Your kids can meet author Lois Lowry in her Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

**Description from Amazon: One of Time Magazine's Top Five Books of the Year.A Christian Science Montor,Denver Post, and Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year."Once in a great while, a book comes along that has such wonderful characters and marvelous prose, that you read it as much for the pure joy it offers on every page a...