FROM SARAH:

A good, solid story (and a pretty quick read!) set in the days of King Arthur. A young boy's suspicious uncle shows up at his father's castle, and then his father mysteriously and supposedly dies. The boy and his mother flee the castle to save their lives. The young boy makes his way to Camelot to plead their case before King Arthur.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long-lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and unhappiness.

It was then that Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.

Shan was surprised by bearded robbers in the woods. He met noble knights in plumed helmets, and eventually he even made a trip to high-towered Camelot. His story is filled with the pageantry and color of England in King Arthur's time. It creates a vivid picture of the Knights of the Round Table and the wisdom of King Arthur himself.

**Description from Amazon: The enduring and engaging guide to educating yourself in the classical tradition.Have you lost the art of reading for pleasure? Are there books you know you should read but haven’t because they seem too daunting? In The Well-Educated Mind, Susan Wise Bauer provides a welcome and encouraging antido...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this exuberant Thanksgiving story, a little girl goes on a last-minute errand for her mother. Along the way, she thanks all the familiar things she loves—her warm boots, the song of the birds, the pretty clouds in the November sky. And when she gets home from her errand, her family thanks her for what she has brought.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Take a trip to the farmers' market in this playful story about spatial sense. Olivia is searching for something just the right size to fill her basket. The apple is so small that it rolls around. The zucchini is so long that it sticks out. What will fit just right?

**Description from Amazon: In 1914 crew members of the lighthouse tender Hyacinth rescued a stray puppy from the Milwaukee River and named him Sport. For the next twelve years, this charming Newfoundland-retriever mix lived the life of a ship dog, helping the Hyacinth crew as they carried supplies to lighthouses and maintaine...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies, war. As thousands desperately flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom. But not all promises can be kept...

FROM SARAH:

Especially good for kids age 3-6, these books have nice illustrations and just enough text. Excellent for nature study or simply an afternoon read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Did you know that a grasshopper makes its distinctive sound by rubbing its bristly hind legs together? Amazing discoveries abound in Backyard Books: Are You a Grasshopper? by Judy Allen with illustrations by Tudor Humphries, an intriguing tale of a day in the life of a grasshopper.

Experience the rousing adventures of some of history's greatest saints. Their lives, depicted here in spectacular graphics, demonstrate that living our faith is never dull but demands heroic courage and tireless strength.In these thrilling stories of saintly men and women, you ll meet:St. Willibrord...

**Description from Amazon: JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . .ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to fi...

FROM SARAH:

One of the most inspiring books I've read about mothering. Reading it reminds me to save the small things and enjoy the beauty and light that children bring wherever they go. Read this when you want to fall back in love with motherhood.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mothers are pulled in a million different directions while trying to give their kids fulfilling, productive, joyful childhoods. They mistake activity for happiness, and fill their kids' heads with information when they ought to be feeding their souls instead. This is a book for mothers who yearn to find a balance in their own and their children's lives.

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, The Runt Pig: a collection of short storiescontains charming, beautifully illustrated stories.

**Description from Amazon: With the same wit and perception that distinguished his stylish books on Paris, London, and Rome, M. Sasek pictures fabulous, big-hearted New York City in This Is New York, first published in 1960 and now updated for the 21st century.  The Dutchman who bought the island of Manhattan from the Native...

FROM SARAH:

A historical fiction story for your kids who like stories about the world used to be. Lovely storytelling, with an illustration or two that's reminiscent of Barbara Cooney's Ox-Cart Man.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Papa will not allow Clara to learn to read—he says "Farm people like us do not have time to read." But when the traveling bookwagon, with persuasive Miss Mary at the reins, arrives at their farm, Papa realizes he must change his mind. Based on the true story of America’s first ‘bookmobile.’

FROM SARAH:

A gentle read-aloud filled with simple illustrations and lyrical text make this one perfect for your littlest listeners. Age Rec: all ages

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Song of the Stars, written by bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones, takes children on the journey of Advent and the anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. All of creation comes together in this poetic and majestic telling of the Christmas story. Join every creature as they celebrate the arrival of Jesus!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide use their impressive backgrounds in neurology and education to debunk the standard deficit-based approach to dyslexia. People typically define “dyslexia” as a reading and spelling disorder. But through published research studies, clinical observations, and interviews with dyslexic individuals, the Eides prove that these challenges are not dyslexia’s main features but are instead trade-offs resulting from an entirely different pattern of brain organization and information processing that has powerful advantages.

FROM SARAH:

My heart was so encouraged and strengthened through this book. Andrea is an avid gardener, but it's not the garden she's focused on—it's on the ways the garden reveals more to her about the Lord through His creation and seasons. Each chapter is raw, honest, full of beautiful prose and poetry, and ends with a "Cultivate" section meant to help you cultivate your own garden, and even more so, your walk with the Lord.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In A Bit of Earth, Andrea G. Burke looks at the seasonal practice and common grace of gardening through a devotional lens. Part memoir, part prayer book, A Bit of Earth weaves care and intent through moments of ordinary living. This book is a lifelong resource of Scripture, poetry, and prose on the life of faith for contemplatives, gardeners, and believers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Reginald loves to create beautiful music on his violin. But Papa, manager of the Dukes, the worst team in the Negro National League, needs a bat boy, not a “fiddler,” and traveling with the Dukes doesn’t leave Reginald much time for practicing.

Soon the Dukes’ dugout is filled with Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach—and the bleachers are filled with the sound of the Dukes’ bats. Has Reginald’s violin changed the Dukes’ luck—and can his music pull off a miracle victory against the powerful Monarchs?

FROM SARAH:

Written in the style of "The House that Jack Built," the book shares details of how the White House was initially built. Alternate pages of the continuing poem, with more historical detail. Love this, and the illustrations are sketchy and fantastic!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The House That George Built takes readers through the process of how the president’s house came to be—starting with the contest George held to choose the perfect design for this legendary landmark, all the way to President John Adams’s move into the grandiose home. Cleverly written in the familiar format of "The House That Jack Built," author Suzanne Slade supplements her rhyming verse with lively conversational prose, describing how George was involved in this project from beginning to end, from selecting the location to figuring out how to get the thousands of heavy bricks to the construction site. Rebecca Bond’s watercolor illustrations help readers follow the steps to what became the White House as we know it

FROM SARAH:

A little like Jane Austen, a little like Mitford, a little like Anne of Green Gables. I listened to this while walking my dog and lost count of how often I burst out laughing. The characterization alone is enough to keep you riveted! Highly recommended for mamas who need to get swept up into a good story. (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Barbara Buncle is in a bind. Times are harsh, and Barbara's bank account has seen better days. Maybe she could sell a novel . . . if she knew any stories. Stumped for ideas, Barbara draws inspiration from her fellow residents of Silverstream, the little English village she knows inside and out. To her surprise, the novel is a smash. It's a good thing she wrote under a pseudonym, because the folks of Silverstream are in an uproar!

FROM SARAH:

It's no secret I'm a Jason Chin fan. I even have some original Jason Chin artwork on my walls! This is a lovely, light book for Independence Day.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A picnic, a beach, a pie cut into pieces and shared with good friends. Pie is for sharing.

**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 ...

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

FROM SARAH:

Perfect rhythm to read aloud. This one can be read aloud over and over, and never gets old.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

FROM SARAH:

Oh my goodness, I just don't think read-alouds get much funnier than Mercy Watson. 😂 These are definitely a taste thing, because my husband is not a fan. I could read them aloud over and over all day! The entire series is loads of fun. Excellent for reading aloud with a wide range of ages from 3-12.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she's a porcine wonder. Welcome to the wry and endearing world of Mercy Watson — an ebullient character for early chapter-book readers in a series that's destined to be a classic.

A terrific way to introduce kids to specific poets, their lives and their work. We especially recommend these in the series: Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Robert Louis Stevenson, Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

How is this book unique? Font adjustments & biography included Unabridged (100% Original content) Illustrated About The Complete Father Brown Mysteries by G. K. Chesterton Father Brown, one of the most intelligent and attractive characters to emerge from English detective fiction, first made ...

FROM SARAH:

What do you know about Fibonacci's life? If you're anything like me, your answer is, "very little." This book will fix that, while also allowing for a rather lovely read-aloud at the same time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As a young boy in medieval Italy, Leonardo Fibonacci thought about numbers day and night. He was such a daydreamer that people called him a blockhead.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
In Journeys of Faithfulness, author Sarah Clarkson explores their paths of faith while challenging today's young woman to reach higher and go deeper in her relationship with Jesus Christ by choosing well and staying the course in her walk with God. A wonderful gift for mothers and their daughters!

**Description from Amazon: The citizens of Cranberryport need to raise money for a new dock after theirs is destroyed in a storm. Almost everyone volunteers to help, with Mr. Whiskers offering to keep the money that's raised in his grandfather's moneybox. Cranky Mr. Grape refuses to contribute and insists it's a mistake to tr...

FROM SARAH:

I really enjoyed this steampunk fantasy novel!

Recommended for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Boundless, the greatest train ever built, is on its maiden voyage across the country, and first-class passenger Will Everett is about to embark on the adventure of his life!

When Will ends up in possession of the key to a train car containing priceless treasures, he becomes the target of sinister figures from his past.

In order to survive, Will must join a traveling circus, enlisting the aid of Mr. Dorian, the ringmaster and leader of the troupe, and Maren, a girl his age who is an expert escape artist. With villains fast on their heels, can Will and Maren reach Will’s father and save The Boundless before someone winds up dead?

**Description from Amazon: Lulu and her cousin Rocky are visiting the city of Detroit, the Motor City! There are so many fun things to see and do, like visiting Campus Martius to make sand castles, eating cherries at the Eastern Market, riding the carousel at the Riverfront, and seeing the works of Diego Rivera at the Detroit...

FROM SARAH:

I love how this collection of picture book classics allows you to "sample" some of the most iconic picture books out there. You just may discover a new family favorite! Currently out-of-print, but check your local library or secondhand bookstore for a copy!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This large, oversized collection assembles twelve of the greatest picture books ever published: Goodnight Moon, Caps for Sale, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Crictor, A Baby Sister for Frances, Leo the Late Bloomer, William's Doll, A Chair for My Mother, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Chrysanthemum, From Head to Toe, and Pete's a Pizza.

A perfect book for parents excited to read their children the books they themselves grew up with, this collection is a wonder-filled opportunity for families to own and share "the best of the best."

**Description from Amazon: Presented as a thoughtful, poetic exchange between two characters -- who don't realize they are thinking and asking the very same questions -- this beautiful celebration of our humanity and diversity invites readers of all ages to imagine a world where there is no you or me, only we.If the first ste...

FROM SARAH:

I reread this book every few years, whenever I feel hungry for a slower, saner pace. It always inspires me to slow down, make life beautiful, and delight in the world just as it is.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Drawing inspiration from the the shells on the shore, Lindbergh's musings on the shape of a woman's life will bring new understanding to readers, male and family, at any stage of life. A mother of five and professional writer, she casts an unsentimental eye at the trappings of modern life that threaten to overwhelm us -- the timesaving gadgets that complicate our lives, the overcommitments that take us from our families -- and by recording her own thoughts in a brief escape from her everyday demands, she guides her readers to find a space for contemplation and creativity in their own lives.

**Description from Amazon: It is spring in the valley and the Moomins are ready for adventure! Moomintroll and his friends Snufkin and Sniff find the Hobgoblin's top hat, all shiny and new and just waiting to be taken home. They soon realize that his is no ordinary hat; it can turn anything―or anyone―into something else!

FROM SARAH:

This series covers a lot of territory for young readers! They are at a bit more advanced level than other books on this list, so maybe save them for when your child isn't slogging through the decoding process quite as much. An excellent way to get in a little delightful history!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Nine-year-old Kate Purdy is traveling from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train, and she’s worried. She isn’t worried about how long the trip will be or the hardships she’ll have to suffer. She’s worried about Snuggs—the pretty little cat who took a shine to her and decided to come along for the ride, even though there are no pets allowed on the wagon train. So no matter what happens, Snuggs the cat has to stay a secret!

FROM SARAH:

This is an audio performance by award-winning storyteller (and friend of RAR), Jim Weiss, that also comes with a companion reader for your child to follow along. Jim's storytelling is absolutely captivating and excellent for all ages. This is one of my top recommendations on this list. Want to introduce your kids to King Arthur? Start here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a time of fear and danger, will Merlin's magic, Lancelot's bravery, and Arthur's wisdom be enough to unite the kingdom and bring peace? Beloved storyteller Jim Weiss brings tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table to life with action, wonder, and humor. Gorgeous paintings and whimsical medieval-style illuminated illustrations by Rebecca Sorge will fascinate and delight young readers.

FROM SARAH:

Got a kid who loves a good countdown book? Don't miss this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One by one, ten turtles splash! into the pond. It's a colorful countdown that you can be a part of.

FROM SARAH:

You know I love a picture book biography! Bernette Ford tells the true story of visiting her uncle’s tiny garden tucked away in a big city, and she discovers the magic hidden inside every seed. Together with her family, she learns that sometimes there’s nothing better than watering, weeding and waiting for love to grow.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

How does this city garden grow? With help from L’il Sissy and her siblings--and love, love, love! A celebration of nature, family, and food.

**Description from Amazon: In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. "You'll do," Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits th...

Gilbert du Motier became the Marquis de Lafayette at a young age, but he was not satisfied with the comforts of French nobility—he wanted adventure!   A captain at eighteen and a major general by nineteen, he was eager to prove himself in battle. When he heard about the Revolution going on in Ame...

FROM SARAH:

A favorite read-aloud about the bravery of a young girl left to care for her siblings and sick mother in an unexpected storm. Their father goes out to get medicine for their mother just before a storm strikes, so Abbie must keep the lights burning to help him get home.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Abbie was afraid.

She had never had to keep the lights burning by herself. But many lives depended on the lighthouse, and Papa was depending on Abbie. This is the exciting true story of Abbie Burgess, who in 1856 single-handedly kept the lighthouse lamps lit during a tremendous storm off the coast of Maine.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In winter, spring, summer, and fall, Frog and Toad are always together. From sledding in winter to eating ice cream on hot summer days, these two friends have fun the whole year round!

Also available on LibroFM.

FROM SARAH:

The tale of a possum and a summer storm, perfect for a rainy summer day.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Possum calls his children out of the summer storm—but what can he do when their home is swept away by rising water? The possum family must rely on their friends to construct a new house. At first it seems that no other animal's home is suited for a possum, but they come up with something spectacular!

FROM SARAH:

A lovely first taste of Heidi. My second daughter fell in love with Heidi by reading an abridged version, before deciding she had to have the whole thing for herself. More on reading abridged versions of the classics is in RAR #183: Should we Avoid Abridged Versions of Classics?

**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...

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...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sophie lives with Mama and Daddy and Grandpa, who spends his days by the window. Every day after school, it's Grandpa whom Sophie runs to.

"Here I am, Grandpa!"
"Ah, Sophie, how was your day?"

As Sophie and her grandpa talk, he asks her to find items he's "lost" throughout the day, guiding Sophie on a tour through his daily life and connecting their generations in this sweet, playful picture book from Richard Jackson, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist and Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner Jerry Pinkney.

FROM SARAH:

I once interviewed the author of this book, and she told me something surprising—that's not a DAD in the pictures, it's an older brother! Makes you want them to get away even more now, doesn't it? 😉

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beloved for more than 30 years, this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury celebrates the joys of an afternoon outdoors with family.

Endorsed by Jim Trelease (The Read-Aloud Handbook), this collection is wonderful for littles.

**Description from Amazon: G. K. Chesterton was one of the most well-known and beloved writers of his time. Yet he has been strangely neglected today. This book is the perfect introduction to Chesterton. Ahlquist is an able guide who takes the reader through twelve of Chesterton’s most important books as well as the famous ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Florence Nightingale revolutionized the world of medicine by emphasizing cleanliness, food that was hot and nutritious, and organization in hospitals. What began as an attempt to make army hospitals safer and more effective became a lifelong mission, and remains relevant today.

**Description from Amazon: One of the 20th Century's most beloved novels is still winning hearts! I Capture the Castle tells the story of seventeen-year-old Cassandra and her family, who live in not-so-genteel poverty in a ramshackle old English castle. Here she strives, over six turbulent months, to hone her writing skills. ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This book outlines a unique and revolutionary program with a phenomenally high success rate in helping dyslexics learn to read and to overcome other difficulties associated with it. This new edition is expanded to include new teaching techniques and revised throughout with up-to-date information on research, studies, and contacts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Old Cyrus Grape doesn't like children. And he insists that the skating pond is 'his.' Mr. Whiskers knows this isn't true, but since he can't prove it, there'll be no skating...not even on Christmas Day! That is...unless cleaning Mr. Whiskers' house uncovers some important information.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This exhuberantly illustrated story about every kid’s favorite part of a Chinese meal also includes a brief history of the fortune cookie.

**Description from Amazon: Lulu and her cousin Rocky are visiting the city of Milwaukee. There are so many fun things to see and do, like canoeing, visiting a lighthouse, riding surrey-bikes, going to a fish fry, and even gearing up and burning rubber at the Harley-Davidson Museum! Written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by...

**Description from Amazon: This twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Stephen Covey’s cherished classic commemorates the timeless wisdom of the 7 Habits.One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of Presi...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The book follows a ladybug through its life cycle from an egg to getting its wings.