FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's blowing up a storm, and a boy and his grandad decide it's the perfect weather for kite-flying. There's just one problem - first they have to find the kite. Their search brings up lots of wonderful memories of previous adventures together, but when they finally make it outside, their adventure really takes off!

FROM SARAH

A marvelous picture book biography about shy Peter Mark Roget, who loved words and loved order ... and changed the world with his own combination of the two! Excellent – especially for older kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

The third book in Suzanne Collins's phenomenal and worldwide bestselling Hunger Games trilogy is now available in paperback."My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead."Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. There are rebels. Ther...

FROM SARAH:

This short chapter book is a lot of fun (and contains lots of hilarious ilustrations along the way). Short chapters and quick pacing make it an ideal first novel to read aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This lighthearted story about loyalty, problem solving, friendship, and independence is divided into short, action-packed chapters and has the cozy feel of a modern classic.

FROM SARAH:

A classic for a reason. I love how the format of this book does part of the storytelling, with its long, tall shape. Your library probably has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Trees are beautiful. They fill up the sky. If you have a tree, you can climb up its trunk, roll in its leaves, or hang a swing from one of its limbs. Cows and babies can nap in the shade of a tree. Birds can make nests in the branches. A tree is good to have around. A tree is nice.

FROM SARAH:

An excellent entry into graphic novels by RAR favorite, Ben Hatke. Highly recommended for ages 5+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Written in rhyme and stunningly illustrated with full-page watercolors, this is the second volume in the award-winning Snowman Paul picture book series. This adorable story will delight young children, parents and grandparents alike. It is a perfect bedtime story, and it is ideal for beginner readers. It makes a great Christmas gift, and it is fun to read again and again with your entire family.

FROM SARAH:

I love Mother Goose the way other people love fairy tales. They filled my childhood with enchanting language! The illustrations in this collection are particularly sweet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From bestselling artist Sylvia Long comes an enchanting collection of over seventy-five classic Mother Goose rhymes. Imbued with the artist's love of nature and overflowing with charming details, this spectacular compilation includes such timeless favorites as Old Mother Hubbard, Mary had a little lamb, and Rock-a-bye baby. Sylvia Long's Mother Goose is a perfect gift that, like the rhymes themselves, will be passed from one generation to the next.

FROM SARAH:

"Holy places are dark places," writes Lewis in this incredible retelling of a classic Greek myth. I'd recommend it for readers 15 and up, perfect for lingering conversations around faith, envy, and the search for truth.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Haunted by the myth of Cupid and Psyche throughout his life, C.S. Lewis wrote this, his last, extraordinary novel, to retell their story through the gaze of Psyche’s sister, Orual. Disfigured and embittered, Orual loves her younger sister to a fault and suffers deeply when she is sent away to Cupid, the God of the Mountain. Psyche is forbidden to look upon the god’s face, but is persuaded by her sister to do so; she is banished for her betrayal. Orual is left alone to grow in power but never in love, to wonder at the silence of the gods. Only at the end of her life, in visions of her lost beloved sister, will she hear an answer.

FROM SARAH:

Soothing words and charming illustrations have made this Margaret Wise Brown book a classic. Say goodnight with Bunny to the great green room, the light and the red balloon

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

FROM SARAH:

Written by a speech pathologist and an expert in early language development, this stunning board book is a tribute to friendship. I love the watercolor illustations and the full story arc, not to mention the adorable woodland creatures! Age Rec: Birth and up

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Celebrate the magic of the season with Our Little Adventures at Christmas, a heartwarming Christmas board book for babies and toddlers from author and illustrator Tabitha Paige

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed.

FROM SARAH:

The number of boys who have told me they love this series astounds me. Or maybe it doesn't, because it's Brandon Sanderson, after all. Fast-paced.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry gets a bag of sand in the mail-his only inheritance from his father and mother. He soon learns that this is no ordinary bag of sand. It is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians who are taking over the world by spreading misinformation and suppressing truth. Alcatraz must stop them, using the only weapon he has: an incredible talent for breaking things.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: The great epic of Western literature, translated by the acclaimed classicist Robert Fagles   Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, presents us with Homer's best-loved and most access...

FROM SARAH:

Widely used and read in homeschool circles, though I tend to prefer other books on this list. Still, these stories are retold well, and some good audiobook versions are available.

Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover Shakespeare's best-loved plays! These tales are the perfect introduction to Shakespeare's greatest plays. Charles and Mary Lamb vividly bring to life the power of Hamlet and Othello, the fun of As You Like It and the drama of Pericles. They never lose the feel of his beautiful language and humanity and convey all of his wit and wisdom. These tales are classic literature in their own right.

FROM SARAH:

A playful story, perfect for a summer afternoon.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On a perfect day, the hours stretch endlessly ahead. Scribbling with chalk, running with kites, digging for shells . . . paddling, climbing, dreaming. Hour unfolds upon hour, with reassuring comfort and sleep beckoning at the end.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Arabians, Pintos, Morgans and Clydesdales: jumping, bucking, rearing, grazing and kicking -- all are in this collection of 50 drawings.

**Description from Amazon: Since Half Magic first hit bookshelves in 1954, Edward Eager’s Tales of Magic have become beloved classics. Now all seven cherished stories by Edward Eager about vacationing cousins who stumble into magical doings and whimsical adventures are available in updated paperback editions. The original l...

FROM SARAH: 

Equal parts witty and whimsical, this fantasy blends satire and suspense with a dash of nonsense to create a captivating read. I'd recommend it for readers 12 and up who love quirky fairy tales full of lively characters.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The hands of all thirteen clocks stand still in the gloomy castle on a lonely hill where a wicked Duke lives with his niece, the beautiful Princess Saralinda. The Duke fancies he has frozen time, for he is afraid that one day a Prince may come and win away the hand of the Princess—the only warm hand in the castle. To thwart that fate, he sets impossible tasks for Saralinda’s suitors. But when the bold Prince Zorn of Zorna arrives, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and helped by the enigmatic Golux, the cold Duke may at last have met his match.

FROM SARAH:

May becomes abandoned 15 miles from home on the Kansas Prairie. Fans of Little House will enjoy this fast-paced story and the strong heroine. (A novel in verse.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

May is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May's memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she's determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose's fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

FROM SARAH:

This collectible version of fairy tales put out by Barnes & Noble is beautiful and contains tons of stories. Great for reading aloud with a wide range of ages. Worth adding to your home library!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For most children, reading the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm is an essential experience when growing up. Grimm's Fairy Tales collects fifty-five of the best-known fairy and folk tales set down by the Brothers Grimm.

**Description from Amazon: It's the summer of AD 79 and Flavia Gemina and her friends, Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus, set sail for the Bay of Naples where they are going to stay with Flavia's uncle near Pompeii. Once they arrive, they are soon absorbed in a quest to solve a riddle that may lead to treasure. But then tragedy strik...

FROM SARAH:

A new favorite! This delightful story is hilarious, charming and so much fun. It's perfect for kids who love chickens and belive strongly in "important rock work". Don't miss the sequel!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Skunk plows into Badger’s life, everything Badger knows is upended. Tails are flipped. The wrong animal is sprayed. And why-oh-why are there so many chickens?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Look What I Did with a Leaf! will show young art and craft lovers how to use nature's bounty to create fanciful animals and natural scenes. Readers will develop their artistic eye and soon learn to see the artistic possibilities that surround them.

FROM SARAH:

Ben Hatke, what else do I need to say? This twist on Jack and Beanstalk is told in graphic novel form. Heads up for mild language. I typically recommend it for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jack might be the only kid in the world who's dreading summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever.

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.

**Description from Amazon: "A-huff-and-a-puff-and-a-huff-and-a-puff-and-a-huff-and-a-puff" "WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Tacky the penguin wants to know. The Winter Games, that's what's happening. And Tacky and his fellow penguins Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect have to work hard to get in shape so they can represent Team Ni...

This book provides an entertaining and humorous introduction to the famous artist, Claude Monet. Full-color reproductions of the actual paintings are enhanced by Venezia's clever illustrations and story line. With primary sources, maps, timelines, photos and illustrations, this engaging content helps students learn about notable artists of the past

**Description from Amazon: Illustrates forty-five traditional nursery rhymes, including "Little Bo Peep," "Jack Sprat," "Pat-a-Cake," and "The Man in the Moon."

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
This irresistibly charming bedtime classic explores all the different quiets that can fill a child's days from morning until night. Sweet, beautifully rendered bears, rabbits, fish, birds, and iguanas propel the story far beyond words.

FROM SARAH:

Explore habitats from around the world, or in your own backyard, with books from this series. Some of the titles are out-of-print but can still be found used online and make great additions to your nature and science bookshelves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The African grasslands stretch across the continent below the Sahara. In a swuare of land about the size of a living room, children will see animals they might have encountered only at the zoo. . .discover the rewards and dangers of their natural home. . .and observe how these creatures live with each other in a changing, endangered environment. It's an exciting journey of discovery, coming to you from the One Small Square series of interactive science and nature books. . .where the next stop could be as near as your backyard or as far as half a world away.

**Description from Amazon: From N. D. Wilson, bestselling author of the 100 Cupboards series, comes this funny and adventurous picture-book debut. It’s time for kindergarten, and a young boy is prepared for the task, thanks to his unflinching ninja skills. The challenges of school are no match for a ninja, with his quick re...

FROM SARAH:

A YA fantasy with a totally unique magical system is hard to come by, but Jeffrey Overstreet delivers brilliantly in this epic adventure. The series opener is poetic and suspenseful, perfect for readers 14 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When thieves find an abandoned child lying in a monster’s footprint, they have no idea that their wilderness discovery will change the course of history. Cloaked in mystery, Auralia grows up among criminals outside the walls of House Abascar, where vicious beastmen lurk in shadow. There, she discovers an unsettling--and forbidden--talent for crafting colors that enchant all who behold them, including Abascar’s hard-hearted king, an exiled wizard, and a prince who keeps dangerous secrets. When Auralia’s gift opens doors from the palace to the dungeons, she sets the stage for violent and miraculous change in the great houses of the Expanse.

FROM SARAH:

How will a hungry little mouse manage to guard his strawberry from the big, hungry bear? From the wonderful husband/wife team, Don and Audrey Wood.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Little Mouse loves strawberries, but so does the big hungry bear. . . How will Little Mouse stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red ripe strawberry? This classic story is beloved for its humor, expressive illustrations, and surprise ending—pure read-aloud fun!

**Description from Amazon: Sequel to the popular Father Brown Reader: Stories from Chesterton. Includes adaptations for young readers of four of Chesterton's Father Brown murder mysteries: The Inivisible Man, The Mirror of the Magistrate, The Eye of Apollo, and The Perishing Pendragons. In these stories, the notorious crimina...

FROM SARAH:

If you love the original Mr. Willowby as much as I do, you are going to delight in this new Christmas story based on a lost-then-found manuscript by Robert Barry! A delightful Christmas romp, this one is filled with many of the same characters as the original, and maintains the rhythm and rhyme of Barry's original work. Age Rec: 4 and up

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree has been a holiday favorite since 1963. Now, its generations of fans can read a new Mr. Willowby story, thanks to the discovery of a long lost manuscript and sketches by the creator Robert Barry, lovingly brought to life in a thrilling new picture book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Young Lentil wants to learn to sing, but no matter how hard he tries he can’t sing on key, so Lentil learns to play the harmonica instead. When Old Sneep stops the welcoming parade in its tracks, Lentil’s music turns out to be just what the city of Alto needs.

FROM SARAH:

I loved this memoir about a dad who read aloud to his daughter every single day until she completed high school. Need a little fire underneath you to prioritize read-alouds? This book oughtta do it! You can hear Alice Ozma talk about it on the RAR Podcast right here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Alice Ozma was in 4th grade, she and her father decided to see if he could read aloud to her for 100 consecutive nights. On the hundreth night, they shared pancakes to celebrate, but it soon became evident that neither wanted to let go of their storytelling ritual.

**Description from Amazon: Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show you that a fossil today was a creature much long ago, perhaps in a completely different environment. Complete with a spectacular double gatefold, an intricate map and extensive back matter.

**Description from Amazon: Since Half Magic first hit bookshelves in 1954, Edward Eager’s Tales of Magic have become beloved classics. Now all seven cherished stories by Edward Eager about vacationing cousins who stumble into magical doings and whimsical adventures are available in updated paperback editions. The original l...

FROM SARAH:

The newest Sea Dog story from Astrid Sheckels, featuring her classic lush illustrations and an engaging story. A joy!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Walter the baker (and brave sea dog!) discovers his friend Big Boris is being blamed for sinking a village fishing boat, he knows something's not right. Together with Mira, a merpup, Walter must swim through clues and uncover the truth before his friend's reputation is sunk forever.

FROM SARAH:

A clever sixteen-year-old heroine is out to uncover some buried family secrets in this Young Adult historical novel. Romance is a key plot point, but it's innocent and charming, appropriate for readers 15 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Newly orphaned Peggy Grahame is caught off-guard when she first arrives at her family’s ancestral estate. Her eccentric uncle Enos drives away her only new acquaintance, Pat, a handsome British scholar, then leaves Peggy to fend for herself. But she is not alone. The house is full of mysteries—and ghosts. Soon Peggy becomes involved with the spirits of her own Colonial ancestors and witnesses the unfolding of a centuries-old romance against a backdrop of spies and intrigue and of battles plotted and foiled. History has never been so exciting—especially because the ghosts are leading Peggy to a romance of her own!

**Description from Amazon: Jonathan goes on a secret quest to Rome, and Flavia, Nubia and Lupus set out to find him. Their dangerous mission takes them to the Golden House of Nero where a deadly assassin is rumoured to be at work - and they learn what happened to Jonathan's family during the terrible destruction of Jerusalem ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Frog and Toad, those famous pals, are beloved by generations of children. Their every adventure is filled with the magic of true friendship, whether they're telling ghost stories, searching for a lost button, or eating too many cookies. This captivating audio collection features all four of the Frog and Toad books, read with humor and charm by award-winning author Arnold Lobel.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

First published in 1947, this picture book classic has remained one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring books. This story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale.

**Description from Amazon: In this steampunk satire about freedom of speech and religion, two men, a devout Catholic and an atheist, become unwilling allies when they vow to fight a duel to the death over their beliefs, and discover to their astonishment that an unbelieving world won't let them. An abridged reprint of Cheste...

**Description from Amazon: Letters of E. B. White touches on a wide variety of subjects, including the New Yorker editor who became the author's wife; their dachshund, Fred, with his "look of fake respectability"; and White's contemporaries, from Harold Ross and James Thurber to Groucho Marx and John Updike and, later, Senato...

**Description from Amazon: What kind of cat would go sliding off on skis, and who'd believe it anyway? When the family accidentally leaves Henry, their sassy Siamese, behind at the ski lodge, he takes matters into his own paws in this beguiling adventure.

When a young girl meets the famous Claude Monet in his garden at Giverny, she learns the importance of staying true to your own vision. As Ella sketches, Monet talks about his life, career, and his technique. And he explains the idea of Impressionism in a way that will make children not only understand the genre, but also want to imitate it themselves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

The Loud Book presents all these kid-friendly noises in a way that is sure to make readers CHEER! Now in a padded board edition just perfect for little hands. Pair this with its equally entertaining (but quieter) The Quiet Book.

FROM SARAH:

A delightful collection of stories to share about this dear, charming, marmalade-loving bear, Paddington. As you read, of course, "Please look after this bear. Thank you." (Because he does take a bit of looking-after!) ;)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Join Paddington as he meets the Browns, visits the palace, goes to the zoo, and much more.The hardcover treasury includes the complete text and art of the following beloved picture books: Paddington, Paddington at the Palace, Paddington at the Zoo, Paddington in the Garden, Paddington and the Marmalade Maze, and Paddington the Artist.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

While searching for a place to rest for the night, Dr. Elwin Ransom is abducted by a megalomaniacal physicist and his accomplice and taken to the red planet of Malacandra (Mars) as a human sacrifice for the alien creatures that live there. Once on the planet, however, Ransom eludes his captors, risking his life and his chances of returning to Earth, becoming a stranger in a land that is enchanting in its difference from Earth and instructive in its similarity.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Berries, apples, melons, and grapes; oranges, grapefruits, bananas -- yum! This scrumptious picture book, a companion to The Vegetables We Eat, offers youngsters an inviting, information-packed cornucopia of favorite fruits. Gail Gibbons combines a clear, simple text with her signature illustrations to present fruit facts galore: the parts of fruits, where and how they grow, harvesting, processing, where to buy them, and how to enjoy them as part of a healthy diet.

FROM SARAH:

If you loved The Father Brown Mysteries, then be sure to add this cozy British mystery to your TBR. Part spy-novel, part allegory, this totally unique read is a Chesterton classic you'll be pondering for a long time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Man Who Was Thursday - A Nightmare is about an eccentric Scotland Yard detective named Syme who infiltrates a dangerous underworld anarchist group in London with the help of a poet he befriends. The taut adventure story that ensues is a unique blend of espionage and mystery - told in that inimitable Chesterton wit.

FROM SARAH:

If you are ever in the area, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Northampton, Massachusetts is worth every minute you can spare to visit!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Perhaps Eric Carle’s best-known picture book, a very hungry caterpillar eats his way through the pages and makes the grandest transformation of all.

FROM SARAH:

Combine the masterful storytelling of Caroline Starr Rose and the emotional punch of a novel in verse, and you have this stunning historical fiction that’s perfect for readers who are fascinated by early colonial life. I’d recommend it for readers 9 and up, but it also makes a fantastic read-aloud for younger listeners. We are thrilled to welcome Caroline to the Waxwing family as she releases her picture book with us in 2026, Books Up the Mountain.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Alis and her parents make the long journey from England to settle the New World. But it doesn't go as planned and Alis, her parents, and the others of their small community soon find themselves at odds with the Roanoke tribe. As tensions rise between the settlers and the Native peoples, twelve-year-old Alis forms an impossible friendship with a Roanoke named Kimi. Despite language barriers, the two become as close as sisters, risking their lives for one another until Alis makes a decision that will change her life forever.

FROM SARAH:

I stumbled on this collection and am so happy I did! Lovely illustrations. The book has heft and is worth adding to your permanent library.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This sumptuously illustrated collection of essential Grimm classics includes stories every childhood needs: The Princess and the Frog, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin and dozens more. Each tale is brought to life with radiant, faithful pictures from Daniela Drescher, one of Germany's best-loved illustrators, which are sure to fire any child's imagination.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this timely and enlightening book, the bestselling author of Deep Work introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.

**Description from Amazon: This is a love story. But it is also a detective story. And best of all, it is a true story, told here for the the first time. Gilbert Keith Chesterton was a romantic, a writer of detective tales, and a teller of the truth. His own story and the stories he told are becoming better and better known. ...