Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Newbery medalist Patricia MacLachlan and Caldecott Honor and Newbery Honor winner Tomie dePaola have joined forces to create a stunning and lyrical new bedtime picture book that’s sure to become an instant classic.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Bursting with heart and brimming with charm, this is a joyful, hilarious ode to the family we love best. And oh my MOPS--Meeting of Penderwick Siblings--does Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks at Last crescendo to one perfect Penderwick finale.

**Description from Amazon: A hilarious picture book from New York Times bestselling author of The Penderwicks Jeanne Birdsall and New York Times bestselling illustrator Harry Bliss about one child's outrageous school essay on his "pet" sheep.   Things to know about sheep: Sheep live outside. Sheep have wool. Sheep will not l...

**Description from Amazon: Lucky and Squash are next-door neighbors and best friends. But there's a locked gate between them, so they can never play together. If only their owners fell in love and got married, Lucky and Squash would be brothers. . . . Unfortunately, Miss Violet and Mr. Bernard have never even said hello to ea...

**Description from Amazon: The room fronted the west, but a black cloud, barred with red, robbed the hour of twilight's tranquil charm. Shadows haunted it, lurking in corners like spies set there to watch the man who stood among them mute and motionless as if himself a shadow. His eye turned often to the window with a glance ...

**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...

**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:

I adored Amelia Bedelia as a child, and so do my own kids! These easy-to-read editions are excellent companions for your budding reader.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her to do. If things get a bit mixed up, well, that's okay. When Amelia Bedelia is involved, everything always turns out perfectly in the end!

**Description from Amazon: Snuggle up at bedtime or anytime with Biscuit, the very first book about everyone's favorite little yellow puppy.It’s time for bed, but Biscuit doesn’t want to sleep! Before Biscuit gets into bed he wants one more snack, one more story, one more kiss. Will he ever go to sleep? Woof, woof!This fa...

**Description from Amazon: New from the creator of Captain Underpants, it's Dog Man, the #1 New York Times bestselling, crime-biting canine who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!George and Harold have created a new hero who digs into deception, claws after crooks, and rolls over robbers. When Greg the police dog and his cop...

**Description from Amazon: Nancy's mom says Nancy has too many tutus! But what happens when her class hosts a swap-and-shop and Nancy finds the perfect tutu?

**Description from Amazon: Who Is Geronimo Stilton?That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!Lost Treasure ...

**Description from Amazon: Barbara Park’s New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty years. Over 60 million copies in print and now with a bright new look for a new generation!   Meet the World’s Funniest ...

**Description from Amazon: Don't miss the first and bestselling book in the beloved Pete the Cat series! Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes...

**Description from Amazon: PreSchool-Grade 2-Pinkalicious eats so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. The color just won't wash off, and the doctor diagnoses her with Pinkititis and tells her to eat green food to get better. Still, when her parents aren't looking, she sneaks just one...

**Description from Amazon: A harrowing adventure inside enemy territory. Heather and Picket are plunged into the darkness of Morbin's shadow, fighting to bear the flame of the cause and light the way for rabbitkind's upright insurrection.

**Description from Amazon: A Green Ember story set during Heather and Picket's arrival at Cloud Mountain, The Last Archer follows the journey of Jo Shanks. Jo is a gifted archer with a burden on his back and a fire within. Eager to see the Longtreaders receive justice, he travels from his Halfwind Citadel home to a Cloud Moun...

FROM SARAH: 

Jonathan Auxier is one of my very favorite storytellers- don't miss his episode on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. He's also a favorite WOW: Writers on Writing presenter in RAR Premium! This is my favorite of his books and also one of my all-time favorite reads. I learned so much, and my heart grew five sizes. Recommended for ages 10+. Or just read it yourself!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eleven-year-old Nan Sparrow is quite possibly the best climber who ever lived. With her wits and will, she's managed to beat deadly odds time and time again. But when Nan's Sweep disappears suddenly and then she's caught in a chimney fire, everything changes. It starts with a black piece of coal.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely Chinese folk tale about an honest schoolboy and an Emperor's challenge. Beautifully illustrated in Demi's iconic style.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.

FROM SARAH:

With dazzling illustrations and a surprising math twist, this clever tale is perfect for kids who love stories where the smallest hero outsmarts the biggest problem.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Long ago in India, there lived a raja who believed that he was wise and fair. But every year he kept nearly all of the people's rice for himself. Then when famine came, the raja refused to share the rice, and the people went hungry. Then a village girl named Rani devises a clever plan.

FROM SARAH: 

If you want math to feel like an adventure, this picture book biography is the perfect "addition" to your library. Julie Ellis’s playful storytelling and Phyllis Hornung’s warm illustrations invite readers ages 6 and up to explore Ancient Greece and experiment with hands-on math in a way that's fun and accessible.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Children can test their math skills and learn the Pythagorean Theorem alongside young Pythagoras in this STEM adventure. Pythagoras' curiosity takes him from Samos to Alexandria, where he meets a builder named Neferheperhersekeper, who introduces him to the right angle.

FROM SARAH:

This adorable read-aloud combines music, math, and bright illustrations to deliver a story full of humor and heart, proving that a little practice can create something magical—especially when you’re rocking out with friends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Pythagoras and his cousins want to win a music contest, but first they must figure out how to play their instruments in tune, something that's never been done before.

FROM SARAH:

One of several picture book retellings of Cinderella from around the world. Read several of these and then discuss what makes them similar and different for a lovely read-aloud week!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Presents the life of a Egyptian woman who lived in fifth century Alexandria and became a respected scholar in mathematics and philosophy.

FROM SARAH

MESOPOTAMIA- The story of Gilgamesh is said to be one of the oldest stories every recorded. This is the first picture book in a trilogy, retelling the epic of Gilgamesh for children.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. In answer, another kind of man, Enkidu, is sent to earth to live among the animals and learn kindness from them.

FROM SARAH:

A gorgeous picture book that captures the heart of Christ's mother beautifully! Highly recommend.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In sharing events from Mary's birth to her crowning as the Queen of Heaven, these fifteen stories will inspire a lifelong love for and devotion to Mary. They will draw children closer to her son and invite them, like Mary, to say Yes to the presence of Jesus in their lives.

FROM SARAH:

A collection of fables first told by the Greek slave & philosopher Aesop, combined with lush, rich illustrations by Jerry Pinkney.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this elegantly designed volume, more than sixty of Aesop's timeless fables have been carefully selected, humorously retold, and brought gloriously to life by four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Jerry Pinkney.

FROM SARAH

EGYPT- a nonfiction look at the process of mummification; this one gets a little gruesome-- don't say I didn't warn you!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Aliki describes and illustrates the techniques and the reasons for the use of mummification in ancient Egypt.

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time favorites to recommend to mamas. This book makes me glad to be alive, and glad to be a mama. We chose this book as a Mama Book Club pick at RAR Premium for the summer of 2024!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mothers, it’s time to view the unconditional trust that you see in your children’s eyes when they take your hand or find your face in a crowd as a mirror of your own wonder and worth. You are the light that shines in their lives, the beacon that guides them. By implementing the key strategies in Dr. Meeker’s book, you can be happy, hopeful, and a wonderful role model. You can teach your children to be the very best they can be—and isn’t that still the most precious reward of motherhood?

**Description from Amazon: Perfect for Father’s Day, a critical read for all dads seeking to connect with their daughters and raise confident young women in today’s increasingly complicated world.It’s often difficult for parents to connect with their daughters–and especially so for fathers. In this unique and invalua...

**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: "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...

**Description from Amazon: In Boys Should Be Boys, one of our most trusted authorities helps parents restore the delights of boyhood and enable today’s boys to become the mature, confident, and thoughtful men of tomorrow. Boys will always be boys–rambunctious, adventurous, and curious, climbing trees, building forts, play...

**Description from Amazon: Celebrating 75 years, The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, beloved children’s book author of Goodnight Moon, in a sturdy board book edition, perfect for little hands.“If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”A little bunny keeps running aw...

FROM SARAH:

A funny, moving tale from one of today's very best authors for young adults. What would you do if an English butler just showed up at your house one morning during the before-school frenzy? Absolutely delightful to read aloud (especially if you can pull off the butler's English accent!) Meet the author in his Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Carter Jones is astonished early one morning when he finds a real English butler, bowler hat and all, on the doorstep--one who stays to help the Jones family, which is a little bit broken.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a literary environment dominated by men, the first American to earn a living as a writer and to establish a reputation on both sides of the Atlantic was, miraculously, a woman. Hannah Adams dared to enter―and in some ways was forced to enter―a sphere of literature that had, in eighteenth-century America, been solely a male province.

**Description from Amazon: Describes the weight clock and the spring clock and how they work.

**Description from Amazon: ‘Before the zoo opens each day a small army of keepers, vendors, and maintenance workers perform the daily tasks of cleaning and setting up. Then the crowds flock in. . . . The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative.’ —SLJ. Outstanding ...

**Description from Amazon: All the wild gorillas live in Africa. They are peaceful and intelligent, and live in family groups called troops. Here are descriptions of the physical characteristics of these primates as well as information about how they live, including how they eat, raise their young, and adapt to their environm...

FROM SARAH:

We just love Gail Gibbons's nonfiction picture books around here! This is one of her best—a lovely look at flowers. Your library likely has this and many other books by Gail. You can listen to Sarah's interview with Gail on the RAR podcast #103.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With her signature combination of clearly-labeled diagrams, infographics, and accessible language, Gail Gibbons introduces the basics and life cycle of flowers. Sweet-smelling violets, delicate roses, vibrant tulips-- and many more-- come alive on the profusely illustrated pages.

Some planets have many moons. Earth has one. Because it is so close to Earth, our moon is the brightest and biggest light in our night sky. Here is information about our moon, including how the oceans' tides are affected by it, why the same side always faces Earth, why there are different phases of ...

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...

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.

FROM SARAH:

Another favorite from the wondrous Gail Gibbons! Her nonfiction picture books are a go-to resource at my house. Hear my chat with Gail about how she makes these outstanding books for kids on the Read-Aloud Revival, in episode 103. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Get the buzz on bees in this classic nonfiction picture book by Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award winner, Gail Gibbons! With detailed illustrations and diagrams, Gail Gibbons offers a classroom-ready nonfiction picture book that makes complex scientific concepts understandable and entertaining for young readers.

Everyone talks about the weather, but not everyone understands all the words used. Where fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, and other weather-related phenomena come from is explained here. Common terms that are not commonly understood are clearly defined. A list of curious ...

FROM SARAH:

Gail Gibbons is a perpetual favorite around here, and this book is both informative and captivating, filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating owl facts. Your library very likely has it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With their striking appearance and distinctive hoot, hoot, owls are one of the most recognizable birds in the world.  But did you know there are more than 140 types of owls living in the world

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.

Sharks first lived more than 400 million years ago, 200 million years before dinosaurs walked the earth. From the dwarf shark to the great white shark, here is information on the physical characteristics of these animals, how they differ from other fish, how they are born (some hatch from eggs, othe...

Basic information about stars and constellations.

A board book guide to tools and what they do from beloved nonfiction author Gail Gibbons.What are tools? How do they help us make things? For busy toddlers keen on building, Gail Gibbons presents the answers to those questions in this cheerful board book introduction to tools and what they do. From ...

Their amazing abilities and how they fit into the natural world.

The alarm sounds. Fire! Fire! Big trucks roll out of the firehouse and race to the scene. Out come the soft hoses and aerial ladders. Whether the fire is in the city or in the country, on the waterfront or in a deep forest, firefighters are on the scene in moments, ready to attack the blaze.Fire! Fi...

Tornadoes are funnel-shaped clouds that can cause massive destruction on the ground. Their winds can swirl faster than 260 miles per hour! Using her acclaimed combination of clear text and detailed illustrations, Gail Gibbons explains how tornadoes form, the scale used for classifying them, and what...

Imagine a force that can toss boats around like toys, wash away bridges, and create waves as high as 18 feet. With fierce winds and torrential rains, hurricanes can do all of these things. For centuries people did not know when a hurricane was coming. Now we have new methods to predict when and wher...

Planet Earth is in the Milky Way Galaxy, the cloudy band of light that stretches clear across the night sky. How many galaxies are there in the universe? For years astronomers thought that the Milky Way was the universe. Now we know that there are billions of them. Gail Gibbons takes the reader on a...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In words and pictures, Gail Gibbons captures all the excitement and adventure of cowboy life. Her colorful watercolors re-create cowboys' clothing, equipment, and lifestyle, and the lively text includes descriptions of famous cowboys and cowgirls, as well as historical facts. True to Gail Gibbons's fine reputation as a nonfiction author for kids, Cowboys and Cowgirls will delight, excite, and inform any young buckaroo.

Do you ever mail a letter and wonder what happens to it after you drop it in the box? Read all about the post office and learn how letters are weighed, sorted, transported, culled, canceled, coded, binned, boxed, and sorted once again. Find out how people and machines work together to deliver the le...

Their tadpole beginnings, noises they make, body parts and how they live.

FROM SARAH:

Another winning series from master author Cynthia Rylant. The Henry and Mudge books delighted my twin boys, especially. We couldn't get enough of them!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The first book in the acclaimed Ready-to-Read series from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant featuring Henry and his lovable 180-pound dog, Mudge.Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge.