FROM SARAH:

I love Chris Van Dusen's picture books, and this one is just good old fashioned fun.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hattie McFadden is a born explorer. Every morning she grabs her life jacket and paddles out in her canoe to discover something new on the lake, singing a little song on her way. When her singing draws up from the depths a huge mysterious beast, everyone in town is terrified — except Hattie, who looks into the creature’s friendly, curious eyes and knows that this is no monster. So Hattie sneaks out at night to see the giant — whom she names Hudson — and the two become friends. But how can she make the frightened, hostile townspeople see that Hudson isn’t scary or dangerous at all? Chris Van Dusen brings his colorful, perspective-bending artwork to this satisfying new story about acceptance, friendship, and sticking up for those who are different.

FROM SARAH:

Richard Peck was a beloved and award-winning author. His books have mixed results in my home, so give this one a try (I usually recommend for 10+) and see if your family are fans!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

What happens when Joey and his sister, Mary Alice—two city slickers from Chicago—make their annual summer visits to Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town?

FROM SARAH: 

A beautiful gardening book that is unique and heartwarming. I love multigenerational stories like this.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every summer, Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, and they tend the garden together. Raking the gravel is her favorite part. Afterward, the two of them sit on a bench and enjoy the results of their efforts in happy silence. But then one summer, everything changes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Immerse yourself in a land of bomnubbles and quarreling cousins, sea dragons and book publishers, thieves and Fangs and secret maps. Here within these pages lie seven stories of the distant past, lost adventures, forgotten songs, and heartbreaking histories. The Shining Isle is restored, but Aerwiar is vast—and these authors have tales yet to tell.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Illustrator Ralph Masiello shares his love of robots in this newest addition to his popular drawing series. Step-by-step diagrams show young artists how to use simple shapes and lines to create basic robots. Challenge steps and a visit to the "spare part warehouse" encourage kids to customize their designs with dials, switches, and antennae. Bonus challenge steps show how to add claws, armor, and other fantastic features.

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:

“Once upon a time there was a sweet little maiden who was loved by all who knew her . . .” So begins this classic tale about Little Red Riding Hood and her encounter with the wolf one day when she is on her way to visit her sick grandmother.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

HAND IN HAND presents the stories of ten men from different eras in American history, organized chronologically to provide a scope from slavery to the modern day.

FROM SARAH:

A sweet story with gentle text and charming illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A nativity play that tells the real Christmas story! Told to you by those who saw it--a donkey, a star and some shepherds. Based on the best-selling audiobook, "A Christmas Surprise," this script is designed to capture young minds with the nativity story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary--and they didn't think women should be scientists.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bruno Bettelheim was one of the great child psychologists of the twentieth century and perhaps none of his books has been more influential than this revelatory study of fairy tales and their universal importance in understanding childhood development.

Analyzing a wide range of traditional stories, from the tales of Sindbad to “The Three Little Pigs,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “The Sleeping Beauty,” Bettelheim shows how the fantastical, sometimes cruel, but always deeply significant narrative strands of the classic fairy tales can aid in our greatest human task, that of finding meaning for one’s life.

FROM SARAH:

Frog and Toad, need I say more? Worth owning. Obviously. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Celebrate the power of friendship with all four of the beloved Frog and Toad I Can Read stories by Arnold Lobel—now in one volume! This treasury includes the complete art and text from four classics: Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year, and Days with Frog and Toad.

FROM SARAH:

I think this may be one of Mem Fox's most famous books. She joined me on RAR #162: How Reading Aloud Can Change Your Children's Lives Forever.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Darkness is falling everywhere and little ones are getting sleepy, feeling cozy, and being tucked in. It's time for a wide yawn, a big hug, and a snuggle under the covers--sleep tight!

FROM SARAH:

The author/illustrator of this book was homeschooled himself! This book (my favorite of his) tells the true story of his own family's adventure building... well, their house. A family favorite.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A family tale of building a new house. Kids will love all the details about how a house is made, parents will enjoy the nods to the (exhausting) work of parenting, all while celebrating that beauty that is a family in its own place in the world. Your kids can meet the (homeschooled!) author/illustrator Jonathan Bean at his Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

FROM SARAH:

A simple and profound story of the cart and donkeys that were a part of MLK's funeral procession. Includes back matter and a photo of the cart. Lyrical prose and lovely illustrations. Can be read with a variety of ages.

Recommended for ages 6+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eve Bunting focuses on the funeral procession of Dr. King, beginning with the two men who found the cart to carry him through the streets of Atlanta. After painting it green, two mules named Belle and Ada are hitched to the cart where Dr. King’s coffin is placed. Tens of thousands of mourners gather as the cart makes its way to Ebenezer Baptist Church, and then past the Georgia state capitol to Morehouse College. All the while, crowds of people pay their respects by singing songs of hope.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Amy Grant narrates this endearing story about two Christmas presents, a dog and a cat, who fall out of Santa's sleigh. By working together, something that doesn't always come naturally, they find their way to their new home. And, through their example of love for one another, they bring harmony to an entire household. Musical accompaniment by Chet Atkins. Ages four and up. Part of the award-winning Rabbit Ears series, Holiday Classics.

**Description from Amazon: Both Maggie Fortini and her brother, Joey-Mick, were named for baseball great Joe DiMaggio. Unlike Joey-Mick, Maggie doesn’t play baseball—but at almost ten years old, she is a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Maggie can recite all the players’ statistics and understands the subtl...

FROM SARAH:

I am a big fan of Joyce Sidman's lyrical writing style and also a big fan of Beth Krommes's unique picture book art! This book feels especially good to pair with While Everyone Is Sleeping.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

There are planes to fly and buses to catch, but a child uses the power of words, in the form of an invocation, to persuade fate to bring her family a snow day — a day slow and unhurried enough to spend at home together. In a spare text that reads as pure song and illustrations of astonishingly beautiful scratchboard art, Sidman and Krommes remind us that sometimes, if spoken from the heart, wishes really can come true.

**Description from Amazon: Babushka lives on her own in a cottage where everything is as neat as a pin. But she is so busy cleaning and polishing that she hardly notices the miraculous events going on around her. Then a mysterious dream leads her to put her daily worries aside and venture out to find a special baby. On her jo...

**Description from Amazon: The New York Times praised this best-selling picture book as "adorable, original, well-illustrated and fabulous." In this first book in the How-To Series (which includes How To Get Married and How to Get a Job), the know-it-all big sister narrator tells it like it is: When you're a baby you don't r...

FROM SARAH:

A wordless book and a kind of seek-and-find, all in one. And with Henry Cole's pitch-perfect storytelling, to boot!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Simple and stunning images tell the story of a cat named Spot as he weaves his way in and out of a city in this wordless picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Henry Cole.Through this gorgeous visual narrative, Henry Cole shows us a day in the life of a cat named Spot.

**Description from Amazon: Join a group of underwater archaeologists as they search for a long-lost caravel in the reefs of the Caribbean Sea. A combination of drawings, maps, and diagrams details the ship's recovery, and as clues to the past are pieced together, a story emerges.

**Description from Amazon: Benjamin Pratt’s school is about to become the site of a new amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true! But lately, Ben has been wondering if he’s going to like an amusement park in the middle of his town—with all the buses and traffic and eight dollar slices of pizza. It’s going to c...

**Description from Amazon: Vibrates with encouragement for women who want to explore and enjoy the world of books Gladys Hunt, long-time advocate of reading and author of the cherished Honey for a Child’s Heart, has written this new book for busy women who want a wider worldview and stimulus for intellectual and emotional g...

**Description from Amazon: A rich and engrossing thread of Romance runs through this tale of the motherless son of a valiant robber baron of Medieval Germany. Young Otto, born into a warring household in an age when lawless chiefs were constantly fighting each other or despoiling the caravans of the merchant burghers, is rais...

FROM SARAH:

An unusual story set in a lovely wordless picture book. Older kids may also enjoy this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jenn’s beloved dog was lost sometime ago. Long enough that she has given up the search. But she still misses her friend. One day she finds a lost dog. She takes him in and despite a rocky start, she grows to love him. Until she spots his picture on a missing poster.

**Description from Amazon: "Hest simply and faithfully holds a mirror to the milestone event for millions of turn-of-the-century immigrants." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)When a young girl from a poor eastern European village learns that she must leave her beloved grandmother for a new life — and a new love — i...

FROM SARAH:

All of the Little House picture books are worth owning, treasuring, and passing on to children and grandchildren! Beautifully done. Laura herself would love these, I'm sure of it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With this illustrated adaptation from the beloved Little House series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classics. 

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime. Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside.

FROM SARAH:

I adore these! They are such a lovely introduction to to our beloved Anne. There are illustrations (done by the talented Abigail Halpin) on every page with lots of white space around the text, making them inviting for developing readers. These books were featured on a Book of the Week.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
The charming first book in a new early-reader series, starring the spirited -- and outspoken -- Anne Shirley as she first arrives at Green Gables.

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert need help on their farm, so they've adopted what they hope will be a sturdy, helpful boy. Instead, Matthew finds Anne awaiting him at the train station -- imaginative, brash, redheaded Anne-with-an-e. With her place at the Cuthberts' at risk -- particularly if nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde has anything to say about it -- Anne will have to learn patience, understanding and what it takes to make Green Gables her true home.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Lawrence Fox's teacher announces that students will be presenting their collections at show-and-tell, Lawrence realizes he doesn't have anything to share. Luckily, Papa knows just what to do to help! Together, they venture into the woods.

FROM SARAH:

My favorite from Ann Patchett. Everyone I know who has read this book absolutely loved it, which makes it very easy to recommend! Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

Recommended for ages 16+, I think, though I'm not sure a teen will enjoy it as much as you will, and it wasn't written for young adults. Strong language warning, discretion advised. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.

FROM SARAH:

This is a powerful YA historical fiction about a young Japanese-American girl and her family in a small town in Western Washington, where they've carved out their lives through hard labor and loss. Then the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 happens, and everything changes. I was absolutely riveted by this powerful and inspiring story.

I appreciated the author's note about her own family's history and how the internment of Japanese-Americans in the 1940s impacted them. This book was clean, though deals with mature topics, particularly regarding racism and assault, discretion advised.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Stunning, devastating, poignant: Debut author Emily Inouye Huey paints an intimate portrait of the racism faced by America's Japanese population during WWII. Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Sharon Cameron.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they're really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.

In order to survive, the Igibys must flee to the safety of the Ice Prairies, where the lizardlike Fangs of Dang cannot follow. First, however, they have to escape the monsters of Glipwood Forest, the thieving Stranders of the East Ben, and the dreaded Fork Factory.

But even more dangerous are the jealousies and bitterness that threaten to tear them apart. Janner and his siblings must learn the hard way that the love of a family is more important than anything else.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Emerging on the fertile banks of the Nile River over five thousand years ago, ancient Egypt was a place of mummies and pharaohs, pyramids and temples--a place that sparks the imagination. Young artists can dive into the underworld with Anubis, jackal god of the dead; creep past a sentinel sphinx with the body of a lion and the head of a falcon; bow down to the beautiful Queen Nefertiti; or give praise to the murdered god Osiris, all while learning to draw the symbols of the mysterious and ancient civilization of Egypt.

**Description from Amazon: When their father's business fails, the six Bastable children decide to restore the family fortunes. But although they think of many ingenious ways to do so, their well meant efforts are either more fun than profitable, or lead to trouble...

FROM SARAH:

Anything by Paul Galdone is worth adding to your permanent collection. I've read this book more times than I can count!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A humorous retelling of a Jataka tale from India, featuring the artist's characteristic vivid hues and expressive figures.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
It's Christmas eve and Clara and Fritz's parents are throwing their annual holiday party. The mysterious guest, the toymaker Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives with life-size dancing dolls to entertain the family and their guests, but he saves his most special gift for his god-daughter Clara, a nutcracker doll. That night, the tree begins to grow, the toy soldiers and the Mouse King have a battle, and Clara's nutcracker turns into a handsome prince.

FROM SARAH:

Susan Meissner is my all-time favorite author, and this is my favorite of her books so far. A historical fiction novel set during WWII that you won't forget. Especially delightful on audio. (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden—one that will test her convictions and her heart.

FROM SARAH:

Such a great book! You'll discover how a young woman became one of the first to develop actual recipe formats. Delightful in every way. Especially great for ages 7-10.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Fannie Farmer learned to cook in the late 1800s, recipes could be pretty silly. They might call for “a goodly amount of salt” or “a lump of butter” or “a suspicion of nutmeg.” Girls were supposed to use their “feminine instincts” in the kitchen (or maybe just guess). Despite this problem, Fannie loved cooking, so when polio prevented her from going to college, she became a teacher at the Boston Cooking School. Unlike her mother or earlier cookbook writers, Fannie didn’t believe in feminine instincts. To her, cooking was a science. She’d noticed that precise measurements and specific instructions ensured that cakes rose instead of flopped and doughnuts fried instead of burned. Students liked Fannie’s approach so much that she wrote a cookbook. Despite skepticism from publishers, Fannie’s book was a recipe for success.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely book to celebrate everyday beauties, ideal for a springtime read-aloud. Especially good for younger kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This lovely book illuminates all the possibilities a day offers—the opportunities and chances that won’t ever come again—and also delivers a gentle message of good stewardship of our planet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Christmas has come, and with it a sparkling white winterfrost over the countryside. But 12-year-old Bettina's parents have been called away unexpectedly, leaving her in charge of the house, the farm, and baby Pia. In all the confusion, Bettina's family neglects to set out the traditional bowl of Christmas rice pudding for the tiny nisse who are rumored to look after the family and their livestock. No one besides her grandfather ever believed the nisse were real, so what harm could there be in forgetting this silly custom? But when baby Pia disappears during a nap, the magic of the nisse makes itself known. To find her sister and set things right, Bettina must venture into the miniature world of these usually helpful, but sometimes mischievous folk. A delightful winter adventure for lovers of the legendary and miraculous.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Right now, all around us, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things: wasps are building nests, ants are collecting food, and dragonflies are readying for the hunt. But it's not always easy to catch sight of these six-legged creatures; you have to know where to look. Guided by this book, readers will happily become insect detectives and find out just what those bugs are up to.

**Description from Amazon: A collection of essays relating to the author's experience as a writer of novels for children, and her ideas on children's literature in general.

FROM SARAH:

The first book in the faith-based "Spirit Flyer" series takes readers on a high-flying adventure through the skies with an unlikely hero and an old, rusty bike. There are some elements that depict spiritual darkness and could be a little frightening to young readers, so you might give it a pre-read!

FROM PUBLISHER:

"Once there was a magic bicycle that found a boy," begins this tale of adventure and suspense. When John Kramar comes across an old, rusty Spirit Flyer bicycle, he finds it is far from ordinary. First, the bike helps him save a neighbor's barn from burning. Then it brings him into conflict with the boys in the Cobra Club, a representative of Goliath Toys and other forces that not only want John's bike, but want it destroyed. While John learns about the magic in the bicycle, every reader will be delighted as they join him for this fantastic ride.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the fall of 1775, General George Washington was struggling to find a way to fight the British so that the colonies could be free from England. Phillis Wheatley, and African American poet who herself had struggled to gain freedom, decided to write Washington a poem of encouragement. Ann Malaspina's inspiring story shows the life and times of these two brave people who did so much to lay the foundation of our country.

FROM SARAH:

Told from the perspective for 4-year-old Bonnie (the youngest in the family), this cute series of stories features a look at family life in Kentucky in the early 1900s. Happy Little Family is the first in the series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bonnie is more than ready to join her older sisters and brother in the many adventures she sees come their way, whether it be sliding along the ice, searching for arrowheads, or going on that journey of all journeys-across the swinging bridge to school. Winter or summer, something is always happening in the Fairchild house, tucked amidst the pine trees of the Kentucky hills one hundred years ago or more.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Tending the Heart of Virtue, Vigen Guroian illuminates the power of classic tales and their impact on the moral imagination. He demonstrates how these stories teach the virtues through vivid depictions of the struggle between good and evil, while he also unveils components of the good, the true, and the beautiful in plot and character. With clarity and elegance, Guroian reads deeply into the classic stories. He demonstrates how these stories challenge and enliven the moral imaginations of children.

FROM SARAH:

A perennial favorite. Both fun and fanciful, and littles and adults alike love it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza, looking for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Their fun adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky.

FROM SARAH:

This is a lesser-known book from Don Freeman, author and illustrator of Corduroy. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A small boy imagines what it would be like to have his own rainbow to play with.

**Description from Amazon: A man I helped to settle here taught me a saying from Africa. I'll bet you would like it: A cow is God with a wet nose. Kek comes from Africa where he lived with his mother, father, and brother. But only he and his mother have survived. Now she's missing, and Kek has been sent to a new home. In America,...

FROM SARAH:

I love the smallness of this book, from its square shape to its carefully crafted little drawings. Jonathan Bean is a favorite around here, and this book is not to be missed!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On some nights, a snug bedroom is a hard place to fall asleep. On some nights, it's better to get away from slumbering, snoring family members and curl up alone with one's thoughts in the cool night air, under wide-open skies. In this charming bedtime fantasy, a sleepless city girl does just that, finding her surprising way to a serene rooftop version of a backyard campout. With captivating ink-and-watercolor illustrations and a simple, lyrical text, newcomer Jonathan Bean has created a soothing bedtime story that is sure to charm children and parents alike.

FROM SARAH:

A luminous book that captures the life of a family of owls through haiku. Definitely worth tracking this one down!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Watch as a pair of great horned owlets peep and squeak in their feathered nest. Mama and Papa hunt for food and fend off predators while the chicks grow strong enough to hop and flap between the branches of their tree, then leap and fly away, ready to explore the wild world around them.

FROM SARAH:

A sweet book, especially for any cat-lovers in your family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Two cats lead the way as young readers learn how to choose seeds, dig holes, and water their plants to create their own peaceful garden. From carrots and lettuce to sunflowers and daisies, this is a garden that children will be eager to plant and tend.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Toast a marshmallow, be a tree in winter, read braille — Paul B. Janeczko and Richard Jones invite you to enjoy an assortment of poems that inform and inspire.

*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Sigourney Weaver

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 27 min

FROM SARAH:

Oh my, this book is so much fun! Your kids will be giggling all the way through. Get the Family Book Club Guide for this title in RAR Premium, and watch Lita Judge talk about the makings of this book (and her unconventional nature-based childhood) in the lovely WoW Writers on Writing: Journaling and Sketching for Story Ideas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child's sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects.

FROM SARAH:

Brian Wildsmith’s vibrant and colorful illustrations make this retelling of the Nativity story a visual feast.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Rebecca, a young girl living in Nazareth, accompanies a small donkey searching for his mother to a stable in Bethlehem where they both witness a special event.

**Description from Amazon: From Jago and Sally Lloyd-Jones, the creators of the bestselling Jesus Storybook Bible, comes this gorgeous and innovative collection of 101 simple-yet- profound thoughts on faith. Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing shares profound spiritual truths from the Bible told in a conversational tone—drawin...

FROM SARAH:

A wordless book that's ideal for a Civil War study. Inspiring. Heartfelt.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A young girl's courage is tested in this haunting, wordless story.When a farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in the barn, she is at once startled and frightened. But the stranger's fearful eyes weigh upon her conscience, and she must make a difficult choice.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

But does Little Otter listen? Oh, no! No. No. No. Little Otter thinks he's a big otter now, big enough to take care of himself. But watch out, Little Otter, because no matter how big you get, it's good to have loved ones looking out for you.