Books

**Description from Amazon: It’s no secret that breastfeeding is the normal, healthy way to nourish and nurture your baby. Dedicated to supporting nursing and expectant mothers, the internationally respected La Leche League has set the standard for educating and empowering mothers in this natural art for generations. Now the...

**Description from Amazon: Sara Hagerty masterfully draws from her own story of spiritual and physical barrenness to birth in readers a new longing for God. With exquisite storytelling and reflection, Hagerty guides readers to a tender place that God is holding just for them—a place where he shapes the bitterness of lost ex...

**Description from Amazon: The Sketchnote Workbook, the follow-up to Mike Rohde’s popular The Sketchnote Handbook, shows you how to take the basic sketchnoting skills you learned in the Handbook and use them in new and fun ways. You think you have fun taking sketchnotes in meetings? Try using them to record your travels....

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Discover your child's primary language—then speak it—and you will be well on your way to a stronger relationship with your flourishing child.

**Description from Amazon: This revolutionary book guides parents and teachers in implementing the beauty of a classical education with special-needs and struggling students. Cheryl is an advocate of classical Christian education for special-needs students. The love of history, music, literature, and Latin instilled in her ow...

**Description from Amazon: This comprehensive handbook assists parents, pastors, congregations, and day schools in encouraging and equipping families who seek to bring strong academics and Christian catechesis to their children through Lutheran home education. Foreword by Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison.

**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...

**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...

**Description from Amazon: * When should children start using computers? * How should schools incorporate computer use into their curriculum? * Which types of computer software programs should be avoided? * Are children who don't have computers in class and at home doomed to fall behind their peers? Few parents and educators...

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:

The true story of how Sarah Hale helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

During the nineteenth century, Sarah Josepha Hale dedicated her life to making Thanksgiving a national holiday, all while raising a family and becoming a groundbreaking writer and women's magazine editor. Sarah Hale's inspiring story, accompanied by luscious watercolor illustrations, tells the tale of one woman who wouldn't take no for an answer.

FROM SARAH:

Lovely illustrations and cutouts adorn this sweet book that shows the oak cycle, beginning and ending with an acorn.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Spectacular illustrations rendered in oil paint, and a rhyming text that describes a tree’s activities from its roots to its branches, introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web, leaves “breathing out air for all to breathe in”—everything adds up to a “busy tree” for all to “come and see.”

FROM SARAH:

A quiet celebration of a family farm, settling down for winter. I love how it highlights both the work and the rest that comes with life on a farm. Lovely.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A captivating exploration of how a family gets a farm ready for the snow of winter, Sleep Tight Farm lyrically connects each growing season to the preparations at the very end of the farm year. This beautiful and informative book paints a fascinating picture of what winter means to the farm year and to the family that shares its seasons, from spring's new growth, summer's heat, and fall's bounty to winter's well-earned rest.

FROM SARAH:

I love this whole series from Kenard Pak! Worth owning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As leaves fall from their trees, animals huddle against the cold, and frost creeps across windows, everyone knows―winter is on its way! Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season.

FROM SARAH:

Quintessential Beatrix Potter, perfect for fall. Every child's bookshself needs this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beatrix Potter's famous tale of a naughty squirrel who loses his tail is as popular today as it was when it was first published over 100 years ago. Join Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry, and all his cousins as they make their way over to Owl Island to gather nuts. See what happens when Old Brown, the terrifying owl guardian of the island decides he has had enough of silly Nutkin's cheekiness! Ouch!!

FROM SARAH:

A reminder to notice and be grateful for everyday moments—like crunchy leaves and warm pies. A cozy read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks—the question is, where to begin? From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what's most important is being able to share them with family.

FROM SARAH:

A board book ideal for toddlers, from my very favorite, Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

**Description from Amazon: Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary ramps up the humor and adventure in the second book in the Ralph Mouse series. With a motorcycle to rev and the open road to see, Ralph S. Mouse is itching to run away from his overprotective family! But once he escapes to a summer campground nearby, the h...

When barbarians invade Rome, Miranda the cat and her daughter Punka must find a safe place to hide from the chaos. They make their way through the burning city, collecting motherless kittens as they go. At last they reach the Colosseum, but even there, danger lurks!
How these fortunate felines sur...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Three Wise Cats is an inspirational tale about three cats and their journey to witness the first Christmas. The old Siamese Ptolemy was alongside his master when a star of unusual brightness was seen in the heavens, indicating an event of momentous significance, and leading to a great place and fulfill the prophecy: The three shall find the one. The three are, Abishag, a sturdy, reliable cat who has never shirked her duty; Kezia, a beautiful young tabby, delicate, a bit vain, but of good heart; and Ira, taller and stronger than the others, with a temper.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:Mma “Precious” Ramotswe sets up a detective agency in Botswana on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, making her the only female detective in the country. At first, cases are hard to come by. But eventually, troubled people come to Precious with a variety of conce...

FROM SARAH:

A haunting book that leaves you different than you were before you read it. This is a classic for a reason. I read it aloud with my older kids when they were about 17, 15, and 13. I recommend it for teens, though I think it's better to veer a bit older on this one, rather than reading it too young. Make sure to save time for discussions.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver.

An irrepressible orphan named Audacity Jones is headed on an adventure of historic proportions! The first book in a brand-new series from beloved Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson!
Audacity Jones is an 11-year-old orphan who aches for adventure, a challenge to break up the monotony of her life at ...

A poignant World War II story about a boy and his dog and his dad, and the many meanings of bravery, from Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. With World War II raging and his father fighting overseas in Europe, 11-year-old Hobie Hanson is determined to do his part to help his family and his country, ...

**Description from Amazon: A New York Times bestseller!  Return to Harlem's "wildly entertaining" family in this funny, heartwarming sequel. When catastrophe strikes their beloved upstairs neighbors, the Vanderbeeker children set out to build the best, most magical healing garden in Harlem—in spite of a locked fence, this...

**Description from Amazon: Caught in the Middle Stacy Palmer almost never thinks about being Chinese American, As far as she's concerned, she's just like everyone else.Then Hong Ch'un comes to Stacy's school from China. Stacy and Hong Ch'un don't exactly get along, but when Hong Ch'un is accused of stealing and runs away, Stac...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and taking home the Christmas tree. With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree — digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Gabriel “paced the halls of heaven” as he memorized God’s message to Mary. He wondered what she would say.The Christmas story unfolds, as never before, through the voices of those who witnessed the Messiah’s birth. Listen to Joseph’s struggle. Rejoice with Elizabeth and Zachariah. Worship with the magi. Hear the fear in Herod’s voice. Receive the blessing of Simeon and Anna. And, like the shepherds, shout for joy!

FROM SARAH:

I love this Christmas book! Told in the rhyme and meter of The Night Before Christmas, but focused on the true reason for the season. A keeper for your Christmas collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
'Twas the Evening of Christmas echoes the familiar language and rhythm of Dr. Clements' poetry, but instead of focusing on Santa, it focuses on the baby Jesus, who is, after all, the true hero of Christmas. All families will delight in this simple retelling of the most famous story ever told. With a cover that comes alive with foil and sculpted embossing, this book is sure to become a Christmas classic.

FRMO THE PUBLISHER:

Newbery Honor–winning author McKissack and Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Pinkney have outdone themselves in this heart-warming story infused with humor and the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas always comes to Nella’s house, but Santa Claus brings gifts only once in a while.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Henry, a spunky Siamese cat, always follows his family wherever they go -- and Christmastime is no exception! When The Kid takes part in the town's Christmas pageant, Henry is determined to be in it, too. After all, the manger sure makes a comfortable bed. And who says cats can't sing Christmas carols?

Of course, wherever Henry goes, adventure follows. And soon he finds he must play a shepherd offstage in order to save the pageant. But if this cat can't do it, no one can! Mary Calhoun's sparkling, amusing tale and Erick Ingraham's luminous illustrations will enchant Henry's fans at Christmastime and the whole year through.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Wondrous things are happening in this humble little stable. The animals are gathering round. Shepherds and wise men and angels are coming from afar. All of them are flocking to see the Christ child, born this night in Bethlehem.

FROM SARAH:

An illustrated version of A Christmas Carol worth seeking out. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this luminous picture book adaptation of Charles Dickens' immortal classic, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge leaps off the page to warm the soul of one and all.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street outside Frances’s apartment. When it’s quiet she can hear their music, and when she looks out her window at midnight, she sees them sleeping outside. Finally the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, but when it’s Frances’s turn to speak, all she can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until a door opens just in time, and she finds the perfect words to share. With this luminous tale, Kate DiCamillo pairs with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer a timeless holiday gift.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Pa brings a turkey poult home to fatten for Christmas dinner, he assures Ma that it will be no trouble since it can live in a box by the stove and eat table scraps--and just think of the money we'll save! But it's not quite so simple to raise a turkey in a tiny flat in a nineteenth-century New York City tenement. Can Pa and the children manage the willful and growing Alfred and keep the neighbors happy until Christmas? Pa finds a solution for every difficulty--until he encounters one that threatens to ruin Christmas completely. How the family joins together to solve this last difficulty makes for a very funny and satisfying holiday story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eleven-year-old Emma is disappointed when her mother, a doctor, has to deliver a baby on Christmas Day. But when she arrives with Mama at the house, Emma realizes she isn't the only one whose Christmas has been interrupted.

With warm pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, this story offers a glimpse of life on the prairie in the 1800s. And, like Emma, readers will be reminded that easing someone else's pain can often help ease their own.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Frances is determined to make Christmas jolly for her younger brother, even if it means joining family on the mainland and leaving Papa behind on their isolated lighthouse island. After all, would Santa even know how to find them in this faraway spot? But when Christmas Eve is ushered in on a wild storm and Papa risks his life to rescue a drowning man, the children realize that the most important thing about the holiday is being together.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Susan Jeffers, the Caldecott Honor and New York Times bestselling artist of The Nutcracker and The Twelve Days of Christmas, takes readers on an enchanted journey set to lyrics from the beloved holiday song.

FROM SARAH:

I have been drawn to this book from the moment I saw the cover! This is a lovely story about two cardinals, the tradition of the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City, home, and family. A wonderful book to make a part of your Christmas book library!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months, and once a year the people who live nearby string lights on their tree and sing a special song: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Luckily, it’s just the season for miracles. . . . From Matt Tavares comes a heart-tugging story combining the cheer of Christmas, the magic of New York City, and the real meaning of the holiday season: how important it is to be surrounded by love.

**Description from Amazon: CONNECTION PARENTING is based on the parenting series Pam Leo has taught for nearly 20 years. Pam’s premise is that every child’s greatest emotional need is to have a strong emotional bond with at least one adult. When we have a bond with a child we have influence with a child. Pam teaches us th...

**Description from Amazon: A beloved nursery rhyme classic to put your child on the road to reading!Rosemary Wells, one of America's foremost creators of children's books, will have the very youngest child turning pages and remembering the words. What better way instill a lifetime love of reading and learning?

**Description from Amazon: Illustrated by the best-selling artist, Caroline Jayne Church, finally this classic song is becoming a children's board book!You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.You make me happy when skies are gray.Lovingly illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church, the bestselling artist from I LOVE YOU THROUGH AND T...

**Description from Amazon: Fans of Thomas & Friends will have a special reading experience when they open the pages of this sturdy board with glow-in-the-dark illustrations. Train-loving boys and girls ages 2 to 5 will be intrigued to see the moon, stars, Thomas' headlight, and more brighten the night with a soft glow in thi...

FROM SARAH:

I'm not sure I've seen a Peter Spier book I didn't love. This one is a feast for young eyes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Spier's imaginative retelling, readers witness the danger and the grandeur of the terrifying flood but also the lighter moments: Noah's wife jumping on a crate to avoid the rats; Noah shooing all but two bees from a busy hive; and all the animal babies being born in the spring. It's an illustration feat that's both majestic and tender.

FROM SARAH:

Surprising and delightful! My boys especially loved this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Three children discover a magical bag of chalk on a rainy day.

FROM SARAH: 

Best for fans of Roald Dahl. I thought this book was laugh-out-loud funny. This one is a Christmas fantasy (secular) that is whimsical and optimistic. If you are looking for something reverent or historically accurate, skip this one. (But your reluctant readers will probably eat this one up!). Available on audio (Audible I Libro.FM).

Recommended for ages 9+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Before there was Santa Claus, there was a young boy who believed in the impossible. . . . Lemony Snicket meets Klaus in this cheeky, Christmas classic-in-the-making that sparkles with wit and warmth!

Also available on audio (Audible I Libro.FM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The story of Anne Shirley has endured generation after generation and catapulted L.M. Montgomery into the ethos of literature. Here, Dreamscape presents a collection of holiday stories featuring Anne and other characters.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

O. Henry wrote many stories, but this, the story of two "ultimate gifts", is his most famous.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

When Akimbo and his park ranger father accidentally capture a lion cub, Akimbo decides to name it Simba and care for it. The two soon become inseparable. But when Simba grows too big, Akimbo must make the right choice for his wild friend.

NARRATED BY: Peter Dennis

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 53 min

NARRATED BY: Mark Nelson

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 14 min

NARRATED BY: Jessica Almasy

BEST FOR AGES: 8+

LISTENING LENGTH: 1 hour, 50 min

NARRATED BY: Mark Nelson

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 14 min

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 10 min

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 12 min

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 10 min

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 8 min

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Violet's camping out too, but her friends don't want Arthur around. So Arthur decidesto collect slimy things he knows Violet wouldn't like. But he doesn't count on slippery rocks and swooping bats, or hunger pangs.