Even young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God’s goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances.

In this beautiful, full-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister’s death.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

With short, exciting chapters, reflections for family devotions, and advice for making Lent a meaningful experience, Amon’s Adventure will help families discover anew the spiritual power of the resurrection story.

** Description from Amazon: (Revised 9/2015 - 175+ Larger (HD) Printable Children's illustrations with annotations and introduction. Formatted for all Kindle devices, Kindle for iOS and Android Tablets.)JESSIE WILLCOX SMITH Art Book contains 175+ Reproductions from Heidi and Little Women, An Old Fashioned ABC Book, The Princes...

**Description from Amazon: From New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli, an uproarious early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog.The Lady and Rex have a baseball game against the Big City Brats. Jack is not allowed to swing the ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this charming companion to Mouse Paint, Ellen Stoll Walsh introduces the concept of counting forward and backward in a suspenseful story that will keep young readers guessing. “The rhythm follows the illustrations in a glissando; one can almost hear the background music.”--The Horn Book

FROM SARAH:

It's easy to forget that Shakespeare's plays aren't just stories--they're poetry! This collection includes favorite poetic collections from several plays.

Recommended for ages 6+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This wonderful, fully illustrated book introduces children to the Bard and more than thirty of his most famous and accessible verses, sonnets, and speeches. From “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” to “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” and “All the world’s a stage,” the words and poetry of the greatest playwright and poet spring to life on the page.

FROM SARAH:

A book by Gary D. Schmidt, Phyllis Root, and Melissa Sweet? YES, PLEASE. I loved this beautiful picture book biography. Perfect for fans of Miss Rumphius.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Celia Thaxter grew up on a desolate island off the coast of Maine, where her father worked as lighthouse keeper. This picture book biography tells the true story of when Celia’s family moved to nearby Appledore Island, where her father built a large hotel, and Celia planted a bigger, ever-growing garden with nearly sixty types of flowers, from asters to wisteria.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

To some, he was "Professor Nuts Peterson" because of his dedication to his craft. Yet Roger Tory Peterson went on to create the immensely popular Peterson Guides, which have sold more than seven million copies, and which birders everywhere appreciate for their simple text and exquisite illustrations. Working closely with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, author Peggy Thomas and artist Laura Jacques have created a fascinating portrait of this great naturalist.

Why is there winter in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time there is summer in the Northern Hemisphere? Here is an explanation of how the position of the Earth in relation to the sun causes seasons, and the wonders that come with each one of them. Summer. Autumn. Winter. Spring comes again. Year...

**Description from Amazon: Shawn McDaniel's life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. He is glued to his wheelchair, unable to voluntarily move a muscle—he can't even move his eyes. For all Shawn's father knows, his son may be suffering. Shawn may want a release. And as long as he is unable to communicate his t...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
In this heartfelt and universal story, a mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong--ruining storytime, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they'd been looking forward to going to all week. Mom is nearing a meltdown...until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Growly’s adventure has taken him far from home in search of C.J., his grandfather’s long-lost friend who disappeared over The Precipice. Now, the desperate quest continues as Growly, Chippy, and Tully find themselves facing a journey across the Ocean. In a makeshift sailboat, Growly and his friends embark on their greatest adventure yet. It is a journey that will take them to far-off lands and mysterious cities—into the unknown … across the wide, wide water.

**Description from Amazon: In this story about identity and independence, the gutsy girl from the bush tries being a farmer, a man, a teacher, and a pirate—all with dire consequences!Audrey is a 1930s outback girl with a lot on her mind. Her dad has gone away to work; her brother Price thinks he's too old for games; and l...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

An inspiring picture-book biography of Louis Braille—a blind boy so determined to read that he invented his own alphabet.

FROM SARAH: 

The compelling picture book biography of Louis Braille. My own 7 year-old asked me to read this one again and again. Discover the story of a boy who loses his sight and finds a gift for the world.

FROM SARAH:

The very first books I ever owned about homeschooling I purchased at a homeschooling convention in Western Washington. It was this title and For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macauley that really formed me in those early years of teaching my kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Now you can realize the joy filled homeschool of your dreams! This modern classic is written by the homeschool mom who first carried Charlotte Mason's writings to America in her suitcase in 1987.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What's the best time of day for reading? Well, for Baby Bear it's all day long. From the first wild wake-up book to the last gentle sleepy-time book – and all the adventures in between – each book takes Baby Bear somewhere new and exciting.

By day, the library lions Patience and Fortitude guard the iconic New York Public Library. But when the sun goes down, and the library closes, their work is done, and it is time for fun. This debut wordless picture book brings the reader along on a late-night subway trip to the wild and wonderful Co...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every single morning, the overseer of the plantation rings the bell. Daddy gathers wood. Mama cooks. Ben and the other slaves go out to work. Each day is the same. Full of grueling work and sweltering heat. Every day, except one, when the bell rings and Ben is nowhere to be found. Because Ben ran. Yet, despite their fear and sadness, his family remains hopeful that maybe, just maybe, he made it North. That he is free.

**Description from Amazon: In the companion to Coyote Moon, follow a father red-tailed hawk in his hunt to feed his family in a suburban neighborhood in Hawk Rising, a lyrical, fierce, and gorgeously illustrated picture book from Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Caldecott medalist Brian Floca.A father red-tailed hawk hunts p...

**Description from Amazon: N. K. Sandars's landmark translation of one of the first and greatest works of Western literatureGilgamesh, King of Uruk, and his companion Enkidu are the only heroes to have survived from the ancient literature of Babylon, immortalized in this epic poem that dates back to the third millennium BC. T...

FROM SARAH:

This zany short novel (or long picture book? it's hard to say what it is!) is the first in the Fabled Stables series. It's an excellent read-aloud for all ages, featuring a human boy who takes care of a stable of mythical creatures. Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Auggie is the caretaker at the Fabled Stables, a home for one-of-a-kind creatures. Auggie is one-of-a-kind, too. He’s the only boy on the island, which can get a little lonely. Luckily, he’s got Fen, his trusty stick-in-the-mud. But, being a stick-in-the-mud, Fen can get more-than-a-little grumpy.

**Description from Amazon: If you give a child a box, who can tell what will happen next? It may become a library or a boat. It could set the scene for a fairy tale or a wild expedition. The most wonderful thing is its seemingly endless capacity for magical adventure, a feature imaginatively captured in cardboardesque art by ...

*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Bob Hoskins

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 24 min

**Description from Amazon: A timely and empowering book featuring “solid, practical advice for women on how to properly nurture their sons” (Kirkus Reviews).   From the moment a mother holds her newborn son, his eyes tell her that she is his world. But often, as he grows up, the boy who needs her simultaneously pushes he...

**Description from Amazon: Originally published in 1907, Birds Every Child Should Know is a collection of storyline descriptions of more than one hundred birds commonly found in the United States. Neltje Blanchan's detailed descriptions of birds—their physical attributes, calls, nesting and mating habits, and other beha...

FROM SARAH:

Gorgeous illustrations bring the classic myths to life. Full of rich detail and wonderful language!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here are the greats of ancient Greece—gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters—as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today.

No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come.

Right before the start of their freshman year, Emma's family unexpectedly moves to England. The book club is stunned, but thanks to videoconferencing, they can keep the club alive. They decide to tackle Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, a particularly fitting choice. In England, Emma deals with a n...

From the publisher: A landmark achievement as expansive, erudite, and passionate as its renowned author, this book is the culmination of a lifetime of reading, writing about, and teaching Shakespeare.

**Description from Amazon: From New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli, an uproarious early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog.Jack and the Lady take the train West to visit a dude ranch. One night, there's a bank robbery next...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary charms readers with yet another lovable character—Socks, a jealous cat who must learn to share his owners with their new baby.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Filled with lyrical language that captures the majesty of the natural world, coupled with a fun narrative, this spirited picture book tells the story of the girls' friendship—and their tribulations and triumphs in the great outdoors.

FROM SARAH:

There are a few author/illustrators who nail their wordless books every time. Bill Thomson is one of them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a boy and his dog go for a hike, the boy trips on a fossil, and it comes to life, revealing an ancient plant. The boy is so intrigued that he breaks two more fossils that come to life—a dragonfly and a pteranodon.

FROM SARAH:

Jonathan Auxier's fantastical tale of Peter, the blind orphan who lives a life of thievery. Around the time Peter finds himself in possession of three pairs of magical eyes, he realizes he is being sent on a quest to the dangerous Vanished Kingdom. Don't miss the author's interview on the RAR podcast.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Gardener, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is the utterly beguiling tale of a ten-year-old blind orphan who has been schooled in a life of thievery. One fateful afternoon, he steals a box from a mysterious traveling haberdasher--a box that contains three pairs of magical eyes.

The Citadel stands unconquered as the last great summit of the Alps. Only one man has ever dared to approach the top—Rudi Matt's father. At sixteen, Rudi is determined to pay tribute to the man he never knew, and complete the quest that claimed his father's life...

**Description from Amazon: Growly, Chippy, and Tully have braved the Ocean and a mysterious ruined city to find C.J., the elder bear who disappeared many years before. Now, with time running out, the friends must search for clues to find a way back up The Precipice. As their journey takes them into places unknown, Growly is ...

**Description from Amazon: Konos Curriculum, Volume 1 with Lesson Plans --- From the Reader's Note on page iv: "Each volume is a manual for parents (or teachers) to use with any subject with any student(s) from kindergarten through eighth grade although it is also used as a supplement for younger and older children. All eleme...

**Description from Amazon: Pinky and Rex are going to camp for the first time. Rex keeps telling Pinky how much fun they're going to have, but Pinky just wants to stay home where he belongs. Can the "Dear Arnie" column in the newspaper help Pinky figure out what to do? Arnie give Pinky some good advice, and so does Pinky's m...

FROM SARAH:

A playful rainforest adventure filled with animal antics and an oh-so-delightful plot, The Umbrella has a full‑circle, folktale‑style structure that is rhythmic and satisfying for readers of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the spirit of Jan Brett's The Mitten and The Hat, this cheerful tale of escalation will have readers poring over every illustration for the world of details Jan packs in. With its classic story, exotic jungle setting, and brilliantly colorful menagerie, The Umbrella is sure to take its place among Jan's many family favorites.

**Description from Amazon: A picture book about the making of Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring, her most famous dance performanceMartha Graham : trailblazing choreographerAaron Copland : distinguished American composerIsamu Noguchi : artist, sculptor, craftsmanAward-winning authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan tell the s...

**Description from Amazon: Is today's fast-paced media culture creating a toxic environment for our children's brains? In this landmark, bestselling assessment tracing the roots of America's escalating crisis in education, Jane M. Healy, Ph.D., examines how television, video games, and other components of popular culture com...

FROM SARAH:

Set in 1989 Romania, while the Soviet Union is crumbling. This is one of Ruta Sepetys's best. I'd save it for the 16+ crowd. Heads-up for a bit of bad language (though it's appropriately placed), and mature themes. I suggest reading the Redeemed Reader review here.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.

Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?

FROM SARAH:

Chances are good that you loved Frances when you were a child... and she's still just as delightful to read about today!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Frances and Thelma are friends -- most of the timeThelma always seems to get Frances into trouble. When she tricks Frances into buying her tea set, it's the last straw. Can Frances show her that it's better to lose a bargain than lose a friend?

**Description from Amazon: Dragons are trained to fight to the death, and two determined teens help free them in this spellbinding saga.Training a dragon to be a fighting champion is the only way to freedom for fifteen-year-old Jakkin.

FROM SARAH:

Laura Martin is (hands-down) my go-to author for any kids age 10-14 who say they don’t like reading. This newest from her is perfect especially for fans of The Edge of Extinction books (I love those!) (and I’m not even a science fiction person!).

I tend to think Laura’s books make better read-alones than read-alouds… only because they are page-turners, and your kids aren’t going to want to stop once they start. But if you have a reluctant reader, try reading aloud the first chapter or two and then “running out of time” so they have to keep reading on their own to see what happens! 😎

Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Berkeley and her best friend, Garth, live on an old cruise ship, scavenging for supplies from the drowned cities left behind on the ocean floor after the sea swallowed up all the land. They think they've seen every kind of aquatic creature, but they never expected to find sea monsters...

After awakening a Hydra, Berkeley and Garth are sent to live on a submarine, where they study and hunt sea monsters. But the Hydra wants revenge on their home ship--and if it succeeds, their families will go down with it.

Berkley, Garth, and their crew must find a way to save the ship. But monsters aren't the only deadly things lurking in the ocean's depths.

**Description from Amazon: "Your go-to gift for new fathers." — Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and radio hostWhether you know it or not, if you're a dad, you’re a hero— that's the message of bestselling author and pediatrician Meg Meeker. Even if you're struggling with all the dema...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Introduce young readers to the fascinating process of how catepillars become butterflies.

Follow the transformation from a tiny white egg laid on a leaf to a brilliantly colored butterfly in this kid-friendly introduction to metamorphosis.  With detailed, bright watercolors, Gail Gibbons illustrates the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, stage by stage, as it grows, changes, and takes flight.

The mother-daughter book club is back! This year the mothers have a big surprise in store for Emma, Jess, Cassidy, and Megan: They've invited snooty Becca Chadwick and her mother to join the book club! But there are bigger problems when Jess finds out that her family may have to give up Half Moon...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

No one pitched like Leroy "Satchel" Paige. Fans packed the stands to see how many batters he could strike out in one game. He dazzled them with his unique pitching style, and he even gave nicknames to some of his trademark pitches -- there was the "hesitation," his magic slow ball, and the "bee ball," named because it would always "be" where he wanted it to be.

**Description from Amazon: A daring dog takes a whirlwind tour of Rome in search of freedom in new picture book from beloved storyteller Mac Barnett and masterful illustrator Claire Keane   Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. Paolo...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With a cleverly simple rhyme and playful, vibrant artwork, Cheryl B. Klein and Tomie dePaola lovingly paint the picture of a baby bird’s first flight—overcoming stings and dings along the way to soar triumphantly.

FROM SARAH:

An activity book that will extend your exploration of the bard with hands-on experiences. Handy for co-ops or groups.

Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kids can experience William Shakespeare’s England and get their first taste of the Bard’s sublime craft with this lively biography and activity book. Staging swordplay, learning to juggle, and creating authentic costumes like a flamboyant shirt with slashed sleeves or a lady’s lace-trimmed glove bring the theater arts to life. Making a quill pen and using it to write a story, binding a simple book by hand, creating a fragrant pomander ball and a dish of stewed apples show what daily life was like in Elizabethan times.

FROM SARAH:

Among my tippy-top favorites! The mice of Brambly Hedge are easy to love, and the illustrations are so detailed and enthralling. All eight of their classic picture book tales are brought together in this single, lovely, volume.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Explore the natural world with the mice of Brambly Hedge, who made their first appearance in 1980 when the four seasonal stories were published. Ever since, readers have loved exploring the miniature world of the hedgerow and meeting the families that live there.

In this collection the mice have many adventures, but they always have time for fun and relaxation too. Whatever the season, and whether they are by the sea, in the hills, or simply at home by the fire, there is always someone ready to lend a helping hand.

Contains: Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, Winter Story, Poppy’s Babies, Sea Story, The High Hills, The Secret Staircase.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Spunky Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a luxury few small towns can afford. Her runaway imagination leads her to bleach a horse, hold a very scary sleepover, and feed the hogs an unusual treat. But can she use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For the first time, Madeline L'Engle's classic sci-fi / fantasy series is being offered as a Quintet (Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time) in a beautifully designed box set featuring art by Taeeun Yoo.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Torben Kulhmann's stunningly illustrated, nearly wordless tale offers a fascinating window into an imaginary, yet hauntingly familiar world under our feet, where a mole suddenly recognizes the precarious balance between progress and preservation

FROM SARAH:

Bill Thomson's wordless books have been a big hit in my home, especially with my boys!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Using just nine words, the award-winning creator of Chalk takes readers on another unforgettable journey. When three children discover a typewriter on a carousel, they are transported on an adventure of their own creation—complete with a giant beach ball and a threatening crab.

NARRATED BY: Mary Sarah

BEST FOR AGES: 6+

LISTENING LENGTH: 2 hours, 32 min

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

When devoted Anglophile Helene Hanff is invited to London for the English publication of 84, Charing Cross Road—in which she shares two decades of correspondence with Frank Doel, a British bookseller who became a dear friend—she can hardly believe her luck. Frank is no longer alive, but his widow and daughter, along with enthusiastic British fans from all walks of life, embrace Helene as an honored guest.

FROM SARAH:

Our dear friend Jonathan Auxier returns to the world of Peter Nimble with another masterpiece! Atmospheric and unforgettable, this tale explores greed, grief and the power of storytelling to shape our lives. Don't miss our incredible conversation on the RAR Podcast!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This much-anticipated follow-up to Jonathan Auxier’s exceptional debut, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, is a Victorian ghost story with shades of Washington Irving and Henry James. More than just a spooky tale, it’s also a moral fable about human greed and the power of storytelling.

FROM SARAH:

The three tales of Elmer Elevator and a flying baby dragon together in one collection!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Rediscover the classic fantasy trilogy beginning with Newbery Honor winner My Father's Dragon in this 50th anniversary edition that includes three timeless tales in one, with original illustrations!