Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Last week, twelve-year-old Sky found a cryptic message from her dad, who mysteriously fled the safety of their underground compound five years ago. The note said the fate of the world depended on her going topside, to a lost world that’s ruled by dinosaurs.

**Description from Amazon: Everyone loves the stories of legendary creatures that just might really exist. This book relies on the latest information from cryptozoologists, experts who study these mysterious beings, and the counter-arguments are explored from experts who strongly believe they do not exist.

**Description from Amazon: Alfred Kropp is just trying to survive high school when his guardian uncle ropes him into a suspicious get-rich-quick scheme that changes his life forever: stealing Excalibur-the legendary sword of King Arthur. But when Alfred unwittingly delivers the sword into the wrong hands, he undertakes an unl...

**Description from Amazon: Fourteen-year-old Francis Tucket is heading west on the Oregon Trail with his family by wagon train. When he receives a rifle for his birthday, he is thrilled that he is being treated like an adult. But Francis lags behind to practice shooting and is captured by Pawnees. It will take wild horses, ho...

FROM SARAH:

This delightful introduction to the life of a dragonfly is perfect for budding naturalists. I'm a fan of the whole series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ideal for reading aloud or as a first reader, the detailed, warm illustrations bring this familiar creature to life in a truly memorable way. Children who love dragonflies will learn all about their life cycles and behavior, and the witty, interactive text―beginning with the question "Are you a dragonfly?"―will encourage readers to explore the similarities and differences between themselves and these fascinating animals.

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:

Sandra Boynton, need I say more? Sandra's lively rhymes and engaging illustrations make this barnyard boogie an absolute delight.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A barnyard dance children's book

FROM SARAH:

Eric Carle's classic tale of a rooster's journey and the friends he meets along the way. As delightful as you'd expect from Carle!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A simple introduction to the meaning of numbers and sets as a rooster, on his way to see the world, is joined by fourteen animals.

FROM SARAH:

Got a kid who loves a good countdown book? Don't miss this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One by one, ten turtles splash! into the pond. It's a colorful countdown that you can be a part of.

FROM SARAH:

Denise Fleming's Caldecott Honor book is a vibrant exploration of pond life. Great for nature days...or days when you want to do nature from your couch ;).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Denise Fleming's book gives young readers a frog's-eye view of life in a pond throughout the seasons. In the Small, Small Pond is a 1994 Caldecott Honor Book.

FROM SARAH:

Mem Fox's repetitive, rhyming text and Patricia Mullins' vibrant illustrations make this a delightful read-aloud, especially for young children.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“I can see a nose and two eyes in the bushes!” cries Hattie.

But nobody is listening.
Not goose. Not pig. Not horse. Not cow.
She tries again and again to warn her friends, but nobody seems to care!

Little ones will enjoy happy shivers of anticipation as Hattie spots a fox in the bushes and the tale builds. Hattie’s friends are in for a big surprise when they realize that what she’s been saying is true!

FROM SARAH:

Clever and fun, with Pat Hutchins's unique illustration style.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Fox is after Rosie, but Rosie doesn't know it. Unwittingly, she leads him into one disaster after the other, each funnier than the last. To enjoy Rosie's walk as much as Rosie does, just look inside!

FROM SARAH:

The classic folk song, brought to life on the page. A delight!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A favorite old nursery ballad now appears in resplendent new dress. . . . Illustrator Feodor Rojankovsky somehow manages to combine quaintness with sophistication and his doughty frog, the coy mouse . . . and others make charming company.”--The New York Times Book Review

FROM SARAH:

Leo Lionni is one of those illustrators you should know! This one is especially charming, especially if you have any children who are struggling a bit with generosity. ;)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Three selfish frogs live together on an island in the middle of Rainbow Pond. All day long they bicker: It’s mine! It’s mine! It’s mine! But a bad storm and a big brown toad help them realize that sharing is much more fun. With characteristic clarity, simplicity and exuberance, Leo Lionni makes it possible for kids to see themselves through the antics of others who share our world.

FROM SARAH:

Leo Lionni's classic tale about a fish and a frog. You might remember this one from your own childhood!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Two best friends, a minnow and a tadpole, are practically inseparable until the tadpole grows legs and decides to explore the world beyond the pond. When the tadpole, now a frog, returns to tell his friend of the extraordinary things he’s seen, the minnow, now a fish, tries to follow in his footsteps, but quickly finds that land is not what he expected. Friendship truly saves the day in this imaginative tale of a fish out of water.

FROM SARAH:

Explore the hidden world beneath the pond's surface in this gem from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal. All the books in this series are fabulous!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this book, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the pond is a hidden world of minnows darting, beavers diving, tadpoles growing. These and many other secrets are waiting to be discovered...over and under the pond.

FROM SARAH:

Martin Waddell's story of a hardworking duck and the lazy farmer is a heartwarming tale of friendship and teamwork. All the makings of a fable are in here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Farmer Duck isn't your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm—all because the owner of the farm is too lazy to do these things himself. But when Farmer Duck finally collapses from exhaustion, the farmyard animals come to the rescue with a simple but heroic plan.

FROM SARAH:

Perfect read-aloud rhythm. Just try not to have fun reading this one aloud. ;)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a hungry fox sets out to make dinner out of the rabbits in the field, the rabbits scurry to their burrows, yet one remains above ground and must move quickly to escape before it's too late.

FROM SARAH:

This is one of my favorite board books to tuck into a baby shower gift! Simple and practically perfect.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This simple, funny read-aloud follows a boy’s exciting stroll through the countryside. The boy sees a black cat, then a brown horse, then a red cow, and so on, and before he knows it, he’s being trailed by the entire menagerie!

FROM SARAH:

She's the master of books that get (delightfully) stuck in your head. 😅 I love every Karma Wilson book I've ever read, but this one is a particular favorite. Listen to Karma talk about whimsy and the power of childhood reading on RAR episode #215.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

There's a small, hungry frog sitting on the log in the middle of the bog.
He flicks ONE tick off of a stick.
He sees TWO fleas in the reeds.
He spies THREE flies buzzing in the skies.
The frog is feeling pretty fine, but then...
the log in the middle of the bog starts to rise....
What a surprise!

FROM SARAH:

A tranquil tale with beautiful, realistic illustrations that capture the serene beauty of a morning at the pond. Jane Yolen wrote this as a poem to one of her favorite places.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On Bird Hill took readers on a surreal journey with a boy and his dog, as they stopped, looked, and noticed things along their path, ultimately discovering the miracle a hatching baby bird. On Duck Pond continues their journey, this time in a new place―a serene pond, filled with birds, frogs, turtles, and other creatures going about their quiet business.

FROM SARAH:

Margaret Wise Brown's classic tale, paired with Felicia Bond's warm illustrations (you know her from the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series!).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the barnyard there are roosters and cows, horses and goats, and a pink piglet who is learning to squeal. Felicia Bond's atmospheric illustrations add to the tranquil simplicity of this gentle story. Big Red Barn makes a lovely baby shower gift and is a wonderful addition to any preschooler's library.

FROM SARAH:

The quintessential classic. Mercer Mayer at his best!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A boy and his dog go walking in the swamp.They spot a frog in the water.Can they use a net to catch him?

**Description from Amazon: Brother Bear loves everything to do with model airplanes, whether it’s building, fixing, or flying them. But when he shares one of his prized planes with a younger cub will his kindness be returned?

**Description from Amazon: “Do you like green eggs and ham?” asks Sam-I-am in this Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss. In a house or with a mouse? In a boat or with a goat? On a train or in a tree? Sam keeps asking persistently. With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its pla...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.

Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

In We Are in a Book! Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?

Mama has errands to run, so it is up to Papa and big brother to stop baby sister from crying. And, as families familiar with this popular American lullaby know, they will try just about anything to convince baby to smile again. Award-winning artist Brian Pinkney's version of the classic song is an e...

Whimsical and touching images tell the story of an unexpected friendship and the revelations it inspires in this moving, wordless picture book from two-time Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee.A baby clown is separated from his family when he accidentally bounces off their circus train and lands i...

There once was a lasswith hair like a nestwho walked out in her sleepon the morn of Mayfest.      And what happens to this lass? She is pursued by a dove, and then a huntsman who fixes on the dove, a mouse who frightens the huntsman, a cat who chases the mouse, and so on—until an entire villag...

**Description from Amazon: Witty, urbane, sassy, and downright delightful, here are the first three original books of pure Garfield collected in one packed volume. They tell the story of the feisty feline's birth, adoption, and growth into general wonderfulness---just in case you've forgotten --and remind us why we loved him ...

FROM SARAH:

Eric Carle's vibrant illustrations and gentle storytelling make this tale of Hermit Crab's quest for a new home a charming and read.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hermit Crab seeks the perfect home—and learns to appreciate change—in this Ready-to-Read edition of Eric Carle’s beloved story.In this classic story from Eric Carle, Hermit Crab grows out of one house after another as he searches for the perfect home.

FROM SARAH:

I find the cadence of the Jesse Bear books to be quite irresistible to read aloud. :) This one is especially charming.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jesse Bear is admonished not to get wet under a variety of tantalizing circumstances, until finally he receives permission in his own wading pool.

FROM SARAH:

Barbara Cooney called this her hymn to Maine. It's one of her sadder books, but also partly autobiographical. Pair a reading of this with Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her World.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The youngest and quietest of 12 children, Matthias grew closest to Tibbets Island, learning its secrets through the years. And though in later years he sailed to faraway places, he always returned to the island he loved.

FROM SARAH:

Oh hello, Strega Nona. Do we want another story about you? OF COURSE WE DO!!! 😆 All of Tomie dePaola's Strega books are worth owning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lately Strega Nona has been distracted-she even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. One night Nona has a dream about her Grandma Concetta, who has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?

FROM SARAH:

Does anyone actually do rhyming better than Julia Donaldson? I don't know, but I know I love this book, and so have all my kids!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It's a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

FROM SARAH:

Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann (a married pair!) won all kinds of awards for this nonfiction picture book, and I think you'll see why as soon as you crack the pages!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave behind.An injured whale's ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid.

FROM SARAH:

A wonder-filled picture book about the ocean, but also about friendship, teamwork, and kindness. A classic from Leo Lionni!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Deep in the sea lives a happy school of fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger.

FROM SARAH:

Not too many board books are best in black and white, but this is one of them! Be enchanted by Kitten. Worth owning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kevin Henkes's acclaimed national bestseller about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk was awarded the Caldecott Medal and was a New York Times Best Illustrated Book.

FROM SARAH:

This one is for you if you loved Mercer Mayer growing up. I just loved looking for the spider on every page, and noticing the quirky, fun details in the illustrations!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Whether he and his dad are canoeing, fishing, or building a campfire, parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect gift for Father’s Day . . . or any day!

FROM SARAH:

My favorite of all of Patricia Polacco's books. This one is a story about courage- not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it. Meet author/illustrator Patricia Polacco in our Family Book Club for her book, The Bee Tree, right here. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A storm is on its way, and Grandma and her granddaughter are waiting for it by making a Thundercake.

FROM SARAH:

To say I loved Raffi as a child would be *quite* the understatement! 😁 His beloved song comes to life in this sweet picture book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Singing supports and encourages even the youngest child's speech and listening skills, which makes Baby Beluga perfect for early learning. Join this adorable baby whale in a busy day at sea, culminating in a warm mother-child bedtime ending. With its delightful illustrations, this is the ideal sing-along for a whole new generation of readers.

FROM SARAH:

I've always been a sucker for Raffi's music, and I sang his songs endlessly to my children when they were young. This is a fun (and weird) board book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Singing supports and encourages even the youngest child's speech and listening skills, which makes Down by the Bay perfect for early learning.

FROM SARAH:

Chris Van Dusen's books are delightful across the board! We love Mr. Magee.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation?

FROM SARAH:

Mr. Magee's adventures are always worth the trouble, and this one is especially good for summer days! Chris Van Dusen can RHYME, I'll tell you what!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With enough lunch for three, Mr. Magee and his dog Dee head out to the sea. But what begins as a fun day in the sun turns a bit bumpy when one playful whale decides to say hello. Soon the crew that once was floating finds themselves flying! How will they get down? Who will come to their rescue? And when will they ever get to eat lunch? Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee is a great read-aloud book, sure to provide fits of giggles.

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:

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.

**Description from Amazon: A baby who howls all night, parents at their wits' end, and a big sister who accidentally on purpose started it all. With warmth and wry humor, Marla Frazee's refreshingly unsentimental interpretation of a timeless folk lullaby will bring a smile to the face of even the most exhausted family member.

NARRATED BY: Laural Merlington, BEST FOR AGES: 9+

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Jane and her mother live in a gloomy old mansion, where their lives are ruled by her ovebearing grandmother. For most of her life Jane has believed that her father is dead. Then, one dull April morning, a letter comes. Not only is her father alive and well, but he wants Jane to spend the summer with him on Prince Edward Island.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Emily Starr and Teddy Kent have been friends since childhood, and as Teddy is about to leave to further his education as an artist, Emily believes that their friendship is blossoming into something more. On his last night at home, they vow to think of each other when they see the star Vega of the Lyre

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.

NARRATED BY: Sophie Thompson, BEST FOR AGES: 7+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The classic Newbery Honor book that inspired the hilarious Jim Carrey movie--and a childhood favorite book for generations.

NARRATED BY: Eric Michael Summerer, BEST FOR AGES: 10+

FROM SARAH:

This book is positively exquisite, but I must insist that you listen to the audio version. You won't regret it! This has got to be one of the best audiobooks I've ever heard. I recommend it for anyone age 10+. Available on Audible and Libro.FM.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.

Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.

NARRATED BY: Robert Glenister, BEST FOR AGES: 9+

NARRATED BY: Teresa Gallagher, BEST FOR AGES: 5+

FROM SARAH:

Swallows and Amazons is the first in a series about the four Walker children and their new friends, the Blacketts, who camp together on an island for a summer holiday. A quintessential summer tale.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Friendship, resourcefulness, adventures! Here’s the classic tale of two families of children who band together against a common foe: an uncle who claims he’s too busy for his nieces.

The Walker children (John, Susan, Titty and Roger) are on school holiday in the Lake District and are sailing a borrowed catboat named “Swallow,” when they meet the Blackett children (Nancy and Peggy), who sail the boat, “Amazon.” The children camp together on Wild Cat Island where a plot is hatched against the Blackett’s Uncle Jim who is too busy writing his memoirs to be disturbed. Fireworks―literally―ensue along with a dangerous contest, a run-in with houseboat burglars, and the theft of Uncle Jim’s manuscript. How all this is resolved makes for an exciting and very satisfying story. Uncle Jim ends up apologizing for missing his nieces’ adventures all summer―thankfully, readers won’t miss a thing.

NARRATED BY: Bill Wallis, BEST FOR AGES: 3-12