** Description from Amazon: When Louise Smith started racing cars, most girls weren't even allowed to drive. From her first wild adventure behind the wheel of her daddy's Ford to the dangers and thrills of stock-car tracks across the country, Louise fearlessly paved the way for women in racing and became a NASCAR legend!

FROM SARAH:

I love this collection of the original Curious George stories! Of special note is the short biography on H.A. and Margaret Reyes, who created Curious George and have a fascinating story of their own.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This handsome hardcover collection includes complete editions of all seven of the original Curious George titles in one complete volume. Perfect for sharing and gifting—this is a book that belongs on every little monkey's shelf.

Books included in this collector’s edition are Curious George, Curious George Takes a Job, Curious George Rides a Bike, Curious George Gets a Medal, Curious George Flies a Kite, Curious George Learns the Alphabet, and Curious George Goes to the Hospital. This edition also includes an original illustrated map of Curious George’s world, as well as a new scrapbook biography of H. A. and Margret Rey’s creative journey written by the historian Louise Borden.

FROM SARAH:

My own kids aren't exactly hands-on when it comes to creepy crawlies... so they were fascinated by this story of The Bug Girl. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sophia Spencer has loved bugs ever since a butterfly landed on her shoulder--and wouldn't leave!--at a butterfly conservancy when she was only two-and-a-half years old. In preschool and kindergarten, Sophia was thrilled to share what she knew about grasshoppers (her very favorite insects), as well as ants and fireflies... but by first grade, not everyone shared her enthusiasm.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Help boil the greens, flip the fish, and slice the pie for a mouth-watering family meal in I Smell Honey, then join the fun as a baby boy discovers the unique features that make his face so special in Pretty Brown Face. In Shake Shake Shake and Watch Me Dance, explore the joys of rhythm and movement. These spirited board books celebrate the loving closeness of an African American family.

FROM SARAH:

An absolute delight to read aloud, this rollicking tale of that sleepy bear and his friends is sure to please your small reader. Karma Wilson's text is just perfect!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bears's cave fills with animal friends as he sleeps in this classic book from New York Times bestselling team of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.

**Description from Amazon: Twelve mysteries featuring Father Brown, the short, stumpy Catholic priest with "uncanny insight into human evil."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A life of the Genoese weaver's son who sought to prove the world is round, telling how he studied map-making in Portugal, waited long years for financial and material support from Isabella of Spain, and finally made four voyages to the New World.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Raising a boy, also known as being a “boy mom,” is tough in today’s culture. We want our sons to grow into strong men who will stand up for what’s right and take care of those they love, but we also want them to share their thoughts, show their feelings, and express emotions in appropriate ways. At its core, we need to teach our boys empathy. That’s where emotional intelligence comes in. Boys need to understand what they’re feeling in any given situation and be able to regulate themselves accordingly.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Discover the truth about the world's most fascinating and magical creatures that have been featured in legends and tales for centuries. Includes maps and information boxes describing the background of the fiery creatures and their incredible stories. Features ancient legends, mythological dragons, and media dragons, all illustrated with stunning artwork.

**Description from Amazon: Paul Bunyan has a BIG problem. He's in love but the lady who has caught his eye will have nothing to do with him. What's a giant lumberjack to do? When Paul Bunyan meets pretty Lucette, he knows she's the gal for him. After all, she's so tall she can't fit into an ordinary cabin. She can churn butte...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This impeccably researched volume is not only a necessary addition to the bookshelf of any David Macaulay or architecture fan, but will delight readers of all ages who are experiencing his work for the first time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This gorgeous, fully illustrated handbook tells the story of sketchnotes--why and how you can use them to capture your thinking visually, remember key information more clearly, and share what you've captured with others.

FROM SARAH:

Oh, how I love this book. Every bit of it is insightful and practical, helping us be a genius about what truly matters, and lazy about the rest. Highly, highly recommended. We'll be reading this in Mama Book Club, Fall 2021.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover a better way to approach your relationships, work, and piles of mail. Be who you are without the complication of everyone else’s "shoulds". Do what matters, skip the rest, and be a person again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this black-and-white picture book highlighted with robin’s egg blue, the reader will follow two robins as they build a nest with twigs and grass. Then mother robin lays four beautiful blue eggs and will keep the eggs warm in the nest until they hatch into four baby robins.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

A gentle story that follows a young boy's interactions with turtles in a city park. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A young girl longs to play the violin in this lyrical story that shows it’s never too late to pursue your dream.More than anything, Elva wants a violin—but her parents say no. So she pretends. When she should be brushing her teeth, Elva rehearses for recitals. When she should be learning subtraction or going to sleep, she imagines playing all the music in the world. The years pass, but Elva never forgets her childho978-0152254834od wish, and so one day she takes a deep breath and follows her heart . . .

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

All living things must one day die, and Earth’s largest creature, the majestic blue whale, is no exception. But in nature, death is never a true ending. When this whale closes her eyes for the last time in her 90-year life, a process known as whale fall is just beginning. Her body will float to the surface, then slowly sink through the deep; from inflated behemoth to clean-picked skeleton, it will offer food and shelter at each stage to a vast diversity of organisms, over the course of a century and beyond.

FROM SARAH:

As the perfect introduction to Wendell Berry’s books, Hannah Coulter is like taking a deep breath; it’s a long pause, a moment of quiet in the midst of a world that can be filled with so much noise. We are thrilled to include it in our Mama Book Club library, knowing it will bring so much encouragement and peace to everyone who reads it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hannah Coulter is Wendell Berry’s seventh novel and his first to employ the voice of a woman character in its telling. Hannah, the now-elderly narrator, recounts the love she has for the land and for her community. She remembers each of her two husbands, and all places and community connections threatened by twentieth-century technologies. At risk is the whole culture of family farming, hope redeemed when her wayward and once lost grandson, Virgil, returns to his rural home place to work the farm.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A companion novel to Finding Langston.

Behind every bad boy is a story worth hearing and at least one chance for redemption. It's 1946 and Lymon, uprooted from his life in the Deep South and moved up North, needs that chance.

Basic information about stars and constellations.

FROM SARAH:

This adorable lift-the-flap picture book is filled with vivid illustrations and plenty of surprises that celebrate Christmas traditions from all over the world! I'd recommend it for ages 4 and up since there are lots of little flaps to lift! Age Rec: 4 and up

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover the unique ways children across the world celebrate Christmas in this captivating festive guide with 144 flaps to open.

FROM SARAH:

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

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

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

FROM SARAH:

52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens is a unique and easy way to help your kids navigate the social situations they may encounter as they begin to grow up. Written by Brooke Romney, these books are chock-full of helpful tips and practical tidbits to help your children grow into delightful adults

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens is a simple, inexpensive solution that guides parents and adds connection to your family so your teens can live a more successful life.

This book doesn’t teach old school manners, but the more current, nuanced manners that set people up for fulfillment in relationships, school, work, and life. Things like: Nothing online is private, the way you smell matters, don’t leave just one person out, pitch in, introduce yourself, and so many more.

The innovative design is a stand-up, flip calendar with the main manner on the front and more details on the back. It serves as a visual reminder all week of how to interact or allows more stubborn teens to learn casually on their own. The manners are short, direct, and to the point, and include the why behind each one.

FROM SARAH:

At Grandma’s table, every dish tells a story. This vibrant, lively picture book is a perfect compliment to When Alexander Graced the Table, also illustrated by Frank Morrison. Every image is full of life, sound, movement and joy. Just like your family’s favorite foods, this is a story you’ll reach for over and over again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the award-winning author and illustrator of Standing in the Need of Prayer comes a joyous picture book about an intergenerational Black family cooking a delicious feast and appreciating their quality time together.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sketcher, adventurer, disguiser, and sneaker Ollister B. Pembrick roamed all of Skree with a sketchbook and pen, searching behind every tree stump and under every stone, in every river and on every hill, to discover and document the endless living wonders of the Maker's world. He risked life and limb—quite literally—to compile sketches and details of the creatures of Skree, usually from the cover of a hollow log, a hedge, or a pile of leaves.

From SARAH:

A fascinating and beautiful book about the redwoods in Redwood National Forest, by the inimitable Jason Chin. An excellent picture book for ages 6-9, especially.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Jason Chin's Redwoods tells the story of a boy who discovers a book about redwoods and finds himself in their midst as he turns the pages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The beloved, worldwide bestselling creator of The Dot and I Am Human inspires readers of every age to find their own unique path to happy, and to always follow their dreams.

Picture book and creativity guru Peter H. Reynolds's inspirational book is a wonderful gift for graduations, new babies, milestone moments, and any happy occasion throughout the year. Discover a universally poignant celebration of the colorful spectrum of what it means to dream and the many ways to find happy!

FROM SARAH: 

Young readers can peek through the wardrobe in this beautiful picture-book edition of one of our most beloved stories. It has a healthy amount of text on each page, so it might be enjoyed in sections if you have wiggly listeners.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis's classic story The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, abridged for the youngest fans! Introduce them to the magic of Narnia with this picture book featuring illustrations by Tudor Humphries.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Help boil the greens, flip the fish, and slice the pie for a mouth-watering family meal in I Smell Honey, then join the fun as a baby boy discovers the unique features that make his face so special in Pretty Brown Face. In Shake Shake Shake and Watch Me Dance, explore the joys of rhythm and movement. These spirited board books celebrate the loving closeness of an African American family.

FROM SARAH:

A fun combination of Mother Goose and I Spy, this book is one your child won't tire of hearing you read time and time again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Each Peach Pear Plum is a timeless picture book classic from the bestselling illustrator/author team Janet and Allan Ahlberg, creators of Peepo! Each beautifully illustrated page encourages young children to interact with the picture to find the next fairy tale and nursery rhyme character.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
This upbeat collection of poems (compiled by the wonderful Jack Prelutsky) will last a family for years and years!

FROM SARAH:

Perfect for your kids who love real stories like the Little House on the Prairie series. Set in the American pioneer west.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Cora loves riding through the wild prairie with her doctor father on his house calls. One day, they have a bigger adventure than they bargained for. Prairie Fire! Their old horses will never outrun the flames that are galloping right toward them!
What will Cora and Papa do to save their lives?

**Description from Amazon: From the strange case of 'The Red-Headed League' to the extraordinary tale of 'The Engineer's Thumb', Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr Watson grapple with treachery, murder, and ingenious crimes of all kinds. But no case is too challening for the immortal detective's unique power of deduction.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this charming and lavishly illustrated edition, Leif is a sturdy, adventurous Viking boy who crosses uncharted seas to arrive at “a beautiful land with forests of strange trees growing all the way down to the shores.” Leif wrestles with polar bear cubs, watches the fierce Norse gods race in the glow of the Northern Lights, and becomes a strong and courageous hunter.

**Description from Amazon: Located in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, the Nordic Countries/Territories are comprised of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Aland. And while they may share a region and some traditions, each has its own distinct geography, history, and heritage. ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farm and farmer. He particularly loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. The two become great friends, romping in the fields, leaping bales of hay, and playing ring-around-the-rosy by Mud Pond.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Read This Comic and Start Drawing Today! Nominated for a 2017 Eisner AwardFor the first time ever, drawing instructor and graphic novelist Mark Crilley brings his easy-to-follow artistic instruction to aspiring artists in the form of a comic book, providing you with a one-of-a-kind how-to experience.

These gripping texts and dramatic images bring you the exciting stories of some of the Church's greatest saints. Along with them, you'll embark upon the adventure of holiness, learning from their example how to embrace wholeheartedly God's unique mission for your own life.In this spectacular graphic...

FROM SARAH:

Celebrate the joys of summer with this vibrant book that captures the essence of the season. I especially love Jaime Kim's illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A joyful, sun-drenched tribute to the anticipation and adventures of the warmest season of the year.When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When this book begins, the trombone is playing all by itself. But soon a trumpet makes a duet, a french horn a trio, and so on until the entire orchestra is assembled on stage. Written in elegant and rhythmic verse and illustrated with playful and flowing artwork, this unique counting book is the perfect introduction to musical groups. Readers of all ages are sure to shout “Encore!” when they reach the final page of this joyous celebration of classical music.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kaya knows in her heart that her beautiful Appaloosa mare, Steps High, is the fastest horse in the herd. But when boasting leads to a daring bareback race, Kaya pushes Steps High too hard. She puts herself and the horse in danger and earns a terrible nickname for being untrustworthy. Kaya vows to be a girl her horse and her people can trust. When enemy raiders storm Kaya's village, she tries to save Steps High but gets taken captive herself, along with her sister. All Kaya can think of is escape, but how?

**Description from Amazon: The bestselling author of The Cloister Walk reflects on the sanctifying possibilities of everyday work and how God is present in worship and liturgy as well as in ordinary life. Definitely not "for women only."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The final novel in the award-winning Finding Langston trilogy.

Clem can make anybody, even his grumpy older sisters, smile with his jokes. But when his family receives news that his father has died in the infamous Port Chicago disaster, everything begins to fall apart. Clem's mother is forced to work long, tough hours as a maid for a wealthy white family. Soon Clem can barely recognize his home--and himself. Can he live up to his father's legacy?

FROM SARAH:

This one might be my favorite of all of Barbara Lehman's. Wordless storytelling at its best!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It can be lonely sometimes on a rainy day in a big house with no one else around and there’s only the quiet to keep you company. But if you find a key, a mysterious key, that leads you to an unexpected place . . . chances are your afternoon is about to get a lot more interesting.

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 ...

FROM SARAH:

I think all of the early readers from All About Reading are worth owning. They were some of my younger kids' favorite books to practice reading on! Well written and illustrated. Easy to use either with All About Reading or on its own.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A phonics-based reader, Run, Bug, Run!: a collection of short stories contains charming, beautifully illustrated stories.

FROM SARAH

The updated and expanded version of the awesome original, this book can absorb a child for hours as they learn - you guessed it - how stuff works, from jackhammers to digital cameras.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From levers to lasers, from cameras to computers, this 384-page volume is a remarkable overview of the machines and inventions that shape our lives, amusingly presented with a large dose of Macaulay's wit and personality.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

How do you knit a pair of mittens? The first step is to get a sheep of course! In this playful story, a girl follows 18 steps to knit mittens--from bringing home a sheep to carding, spinning, and dyeing the wool to knitting the mittens. But along the way, her mischievous sheep creates chaos and wins her heart.

FROM SARAH:

Theo of Golden came to me recommended by just about everyone — I think three different friends recommended it in the same week, and I can take a hint, you know? So I read it, and I get it. Filled with genuine heart and hope, it's the kind of book that feels wise without being heavy-handed.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.

FROM SARAH:

Sense and Suitability is a regency romance from Pepper Basham that pays tribute not only to Austen's original tale, but to her bravery in writing as a female novelist in her time. From a lively heroine and a reluctant hero to a precocious child that brings comic relief, Basham's characters are always a delight. I love how she writes sibling and cousin relationships, and this title is no exception—but it also boasts enough opinionated aunts to make P.G. Wodehouse proud! If you're looking for a sweet clean romance with a dash of humor to enjoy on your own, this one's a favorite of mine.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Filled with lively banter, adorable children, a frog named Blast, and swoony kisses, Sense and Suitability is the sweet Regency romance you've been looking for. Basham brings her signature humor to the Regency era where social strictures keep the tension tight in this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance.

FROM SARAH

This book had a profound impact on my life and my views of education. I’m tremendously grateful to Elizabeth Foss for writing this book. I love it so much, I wrote the foreword for the new edition. Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A new edition of a beloved classic! Answering the many requests to bring back her original homeschooling book, Elizabeth Foss has updated Real Learning to let readers know how it all turned out. Mostly, readers will gain insight into what lessons Elizabeth learned and how she would should tweak the very good thing that was the original vision. This book is not about "school at home"--it is about something better.

Foreword by Sarah Mackenzie.

**Description from Amazon: Originally published in 1935, this beloved Bible storybook is still a favorite with todays children, parents, and teachers (including Ruth Bell Graham). More than 200 stories from the Old and New Testaments are retold in simple language appropriate for 4

FROM SARAH:

For birders and historical enthusiasts who also have a soft spot for storybook rodents (⬅️ that's me!). This is a delightful novel with Henry Cole's marvelous illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white drawings, A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice.

FROM SARAH:

Astrid, an RAR favorite author and illustrator, lives in Massachusetts and set this particular story on a small island off the coast of New England. Enjoy her beautiful illustrations!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Everyone gets homesick. And Nic is no different. She's so excited about spending the entire summer on a small New England island with her grandparents that she counts down the days through winter and spring. But when the grand adventure finally begins, she finds tears and loneliness instead of joy and freedom. Astrid Sheckels' picture book Nic and Nellie is a gorgeously illustrated, heartwarming story of a girl and her beloved dog, Nellie, who slowly learn that new places really aren't so scary, and that often friends can be found around every corner, even in old row boats, tidal ponds, and stinky mud flats.

FROM SARAH:

An enchanting bedtime story. And who can resist such woodland creatures as these?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's time for these little squirrels to go to bed! Mick, Mack, and Molly, the three adorable squirrel siblings, are back in action—but not when they should be. This time, they are up and out in the middle of the night. After all, the owl children are wide-awake and playing. So why can’t squirrel children stay up late and play, too?

FROM SARAH:

Beautiful, one-page poems about the ocean, from the shore to the depths, accompanied by Emily Sutton's whimsical and bright illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ours is a blue planet. The oceans cover more than two-thirds of its surface and constantly calls to us to play, explore, and dream. Our fascination with the sea is as endless as our means of enjoying it — whether building sand castles, navigating by the stars, or observing strange and beautiful marine creatures. In a volume brimming with information, Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton capture the magic and majesty of the ocean with stunning words and pictures. Poems about manta rays, flying fish, and humpback whales mingle with verses about harbors, storms, and pearl divers. Glimpses of life in the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans flow into spreads about tropical islands, coral reefs, and ancient shipwrecks on the seabed.

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

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time favorite read-alouds. The spin on "Little Red Riding Hood" that you didn't know you needed!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A wily fox, notorious for stealing eggs, meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Designed to introduce poetry to young people, this collection offers a wide variety of poems compiled by Laura Berquist of Mother of Divine Grace School.

**Description from Amazon: This collection of humorous essays by renowned author G. K. Chesterton perceptively examine the various wrongs of society and the world. The topics discussed in this book's three parts range between social commentary, a discussion of humankind and its nature, the impact of spirituality and the incr...