FROM SARAH:

This is a pricier collection, but the illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger are gorgeous. Includes 11 fairy tales.

Recommended for ages 5+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This handsome edition from the well-known collection of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm contains 11 popular stories. Old favorites such as “Hansel and Gretel” and “The Bremen Town Musicians” are included as are some lesser-known stories such as “The Seven Ravens” and “Hans My Hedgehog.” Lisbeth Zwerger’s evocative and exquisite illustrations perfectly capture the mood of these enduring tales.

From SARAH:

The Magic Treehouse series is perfect for newly independent readers, with a delightful mix of fantasy and facts that inspire kids to keep turning the pages. Vivid illustrations and predictable plot lines make it a wonderful first chapter-book series for kids who are ready for the next step in their reading journey!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Where did the tree house come from? Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark…or will they become a dinosaur’s dinner?

The Magic Tree House series has been a beloved favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!

FROM SARAH:

I adore this picture book biography about E.B. White, the author of some childhood favorites, including The Trumpet of the Swan, Charlotte's Web, and Stuart Little.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A lyrical biography of E. B. White, beloved author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Caldecott honoree Lauren Castillo. When young Elwyn White lay in bed as a sickly child, a bold house mouse befriended him.

**Description from Amazon: They eat sand and gravel for breakfast and a stew of sticks and stones for dinner. No one says "please" or "thank you." Instead, they kick and yell and punch and shove. Then one day everything changes, when Baby Brute happens upon "a little wandering lost good feeling in a field of daisies." When he...

FROM SARAH:

All of the historical American Girl books are excellent (yep, even my boys enjoy them, and we all learn a whole lot while reading). Highly recommend! Available on Audible and Libro.FM.

Recommended for Ages 6+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

I met the author of these books at a conference years ago. I love that they are like Bob Books, but with better illustrations (in full color!)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

10 Books plus a Parent Guide Book. Phonics based lesson page in each book followed by a 10 page story your child will love. 

FROM SARAH:

See Wilson Bentley's real photographs up close in this collection! Excellent for older kids and teens, especially in tandem with Snowflake Bentley. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

An inexhaustible source of design inspiration for artists, designers, and craftspeople, these graceful patterns are ideal for use in textile and wallpaper design, as well as a host of other creative projects. These images will also appeal to anyone intrigued by the intricacy and beauty of design in the natural world.

NARRATED BY: Peter Dennis

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 53 min

**Description from Amazon: Elle Best Books of 2017Kirkus Best Books of 2017The best-selling novelist and memoirist delivers her most intimate and powerful work: a piercing, life-affirming memoir about marriage and memory, about the frailty and elasticity of our most essential bonds, and about the accretion, over time, of both...

FROM SARAH:

Rich and warm in illustration style. I read this one to my kids just about every year.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the rich, warm colors of autumn, here's a slice of American history as we watch Anna and her extended family help with the town's traditional fall apple harvest. Now available in paperback.

FROM SARAH:

You may recognize Gossie from some of your little ones' board books, and now they are also available as early editions. Delightful!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Gossie is a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots—every day. But one morning she can't find them!

This sweet story models social-emotional growth for the youngest children using simple language and adorable illustrations of baby farm animals. A family library essential that makes a perfect gift for babies and toddlers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

If you are going to buy only one book on grief, this is the one to get! It will validate your grief experience, and you can share it with your children. You can leave it on the coffee table so others will pick it up, read it, and then better appreciate your grieving time.

FROM SARAH:

I saw this book at a book conference and had to pull it off the shelf and read it for myself. It's absolutely stunning and is a perfect winter read to share with your littlest readers who are still afraid of the dark.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On an island at the edge of a silvery sea, when the moon rises and night falls, a girl spins a story for her worried cousin to help him find comfort in the wintery dark. She invites him to see moonlight glittering in the forest, bioluminescence sparkling by the shore, and northern lights blazing in the sky. In the dark of the night, the whole world sings.

FROM SARAH:

A gorgeous Advent/Christmas devotional from one of my favorite artists. This book is a feast for the eyes and the soul.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

From the bestselling author and artist behind GraceLaced and Beholding and Becoming comes this gorgeous exploration of what it means to intimately experience God’s presence in our daily lives. Ruth Chou Simons welcomes you and your family to partake in a season of surrender as you discover the true miracle behind Christmas: that while we journey to grow in our relationships with Jesus, He has already come so He can be with us forever.

FROM SARAH:

For those who aren't quite ready to leave the world of the feechies after reading The Wilderking Trilogy. This one feels slightly more sophisticated to me, so I usually recommend it for 12+. Mama will enjoy in, in particular!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Welcome to Corenwald, where you'll meet an ugly boy named Grady and the circus huckster Floyd as they tramp through villages tricking folks into falling for their mythical feechie act. When business slows, Floyd drums up a grand scheme that has some surprising results for both the people in Corenwald and for Grady himself.

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 THE PUBLISHER:

Frog and Toad are always together. Here are five wonderful stories about flowers, cookies, bravery, dreams, and, most of all, friendship.

Also available on LibroFM.

Meet Bertie Wooster and his precise, capable valet, Jeeves. First published in 1919, this delightful series is an example of some of the finest humorous writing found in English literature. And 100% fun to listen to! Especially fun for fans of Downton Abbey.

FROM SARAH:

An imaginative take on what a treehouse can be. Check it out from your library!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Treehouses are for wonder.
Treehouses are for snacks.
Treehouses are for whispers and snickers and echoes.
Treehouses are for everyone.
This magical work of art from acclaimed picture book creators Carter Higgins and Emily Hughes celebrates the universal wonder of treehouses and all the adventure that live among branches.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Getting this baby dressed is not going to be easy!

This is the diaper, often a mess,
that goes on the baby who hates to be dressed.
"No! No! Nooo!"

Take one toddler who can't stand getting dressed. Add a mother who is determined to dress baby. The result is a laugh-filled struggle as this mommy uses all her ingenuity and powers of persuasion to get baby into diaper, T-shirt, sweater, and many layers of winter clothing. But just when she thinks she's succeeded, baby peels everything off and happily struts, naked once again. Yes! Yes! Yes!

FROM SARAH:

Everyone loves Little Nutbrown Hare "to the moon and back."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

How much does Little Nutbrown Hare love his daddy? And how much does Big Nutbrown Hare love him back? The cherished tale of boundless affection is ready for boundless sharing in a durable board-book edition for the younger set.

FROM SARAH:

A delightful audio collection that brings together some of the best-loved Christmas stories, great for cozy evenings by the fire or long  car rides.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here is a collection of some of the best-loved Christmas stories from around the world, accompanied by the magical singing of the Cardigan Choir school.

Also available on (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, not even Twain could have known that when he introduced readers to the inhabitants of the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, he would also be introducing two characters - one a clever and mischievous scamp, and the other a carefree, innocent ragamuffin - whose stories would ultimately shape the course of American literature. But whereas its sequel and companion piece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, would harken an end to childhood, the story of Tom Sawyer is one that depicts the excitement and adventure of boyhood along the Mississippi.

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...

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 Voyage: a collection of short storiescontains charming, beautifully illustrated stories.

FROM SARAH:

Here's the deal: if it's illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger, I'm probably going to love it! I think this collection might be the best place to start. You can move on to Zwerger's collection of Grimm fairy tales afterward.

Recommended for ages 4+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lisbeth Zwerger is one of the world’s preeminent children’s book artists, and one of the most original interpreters of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytales. This handsome collection, originally published in 1991 now returns in celebration of Hans Christian Andersen’s 200th birthday. It includes eleven favorite stories, such as "The Princess and the Pea" and "The Emperor’s New Clothes," as well as lesser-known but equally wonderful stories, all featuring Ms. Zwerger’s distinctively elegant, witty illustrations. This superb anthology is bound to become a treasured part of every child’s library.

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, what a delight! The perfect book to read aloud when you've got a child complaining that the weather isn't just right for playing. ;) A fabulous read-aloud!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The morning begins like any other. Albert reaches out the window to check the weather. But from the moment a twig lands in the palm of his hand, life is never the same.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng--and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees.

FROM SARAH:

One of my twins carried this book around him for weeks when he was about 3. He couldn't get enough of it! Told through a set of clever panels, this board book comic will delight whoever is currently grumpiest at your house.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish and the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a new comic board-book series about feelings! Eisner Award winners Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. In I’m Grumpy, a grumpy cloud upsets his friend Sunny and must make amends. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on those around you.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

After playing in the snow, Olivia and Mei are ready for cocoa. There's one marshmallow for Olivia and one marshmallow for Mei. But what will they do with the third marshmallow? How can two friends share three things fairly?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A stunning and sensitive portrait of the strength within each of us and the nourishment we receive from the natural world, by the creator of the acclaimed My Heart and The Book of Mistakes.

DESCRIPTION FROM PUBLISHER: From the land of fantastical castles, vast lakes and deep forests, the Brothers Grimm collected a treasury of enchanting folk and fairy stories full of giants and dwarfs, witches and princesses, magical beasts and cunning children.

FROM SARAH:

A classic fairy tale read. Edith Nesbit's books are loads of fun! This book happens to be mentioned in both Kate Albus's A Place to Hang the Moon and Sarah Arthur's Once a Queen.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Experience the magical and enchanting world of E. Nesbit's The Enchanted Castle in this beautifully designed edition. This captivating children's novel takes readers on a magical adventure filled with mysterious castles, hidden treasures, and extraordinary powers. Join the young protagonists as they navigate the realms of fantasy and imagination in this timeless tale.

FROM SARAH: 

A heartfelt story about the German invasion in France as told by a Muslim girl, shedding light on the bravery and generosity of the Paris Mosque in sheltering Jews and helping them escape. The publisher recommends it for ages 8-12 but I would recommend for 10 or 11+. This is WWII Paris, after all, and it’s heavy and heartbreaking. But the hope and courage celebrated makes it a lovely story! I didn’t love the audiobook narration. Heads up for a few incidences of using God's name in vain.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Safiyyah loathes the brutal Nazi occupation of Paris, even though her Muslim identity keeps her safe—or, at least, safer than her Jewish neighbors. Violence lurks in the streets, her best friend has fled, and even her place of refuge—the library—has turned shadowy and confusing, as the invaders fear the power of books.

Safiyyah longs to fight back and hates feeling powerless to help her Jewish friends. Worse yet, her father—who taught her to always do the right thing—is acting strangely and doing nothing to help them either.

Or is he?

Unravelling the mystery of her father’s odd behavior draws Safiyyah deep in the heart of the perilous underground resistance to the Nazis, where her bravery is put to the ultimate test…

FROM SARAH:

I really wanted to like this (and the companion to it, The Tempest) more than I did. The story itself left a lot to be desired--so many missed opportunities to use Shakespeare's real text! The illustrations, however, are quite lovely. This isn't a top recommendation from me, but we're lacking in great picture book versions of Shakespeare's tales, so if your library has it, you can check it out to see what you think.

Recommended for ages 4-8.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Retold for a picture book audience, the Bard’s mischievous take on love run amok in fairyland meets its match in luminous illustrations by Jane Ray.

**Description from Amazon: A mouse's-eye-view of Emily DickinsonWhen a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry!...

FROM SARAH:

What might you see on a summer walk? This book would be ideal to read aloud before heading out on a walk of your own.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ramble through the woods, as you join Grammy and her favorite grandkids on a summer walk. Beautiful illustrations and clever rhymes will guide readers as they learn to identify twenty-six different bugs, from grasshoppers to moths, snails to katydids. At day’s end, discover how to create a caterpillar habitat; observe over time as your caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly you can then release on your next summer walk.

FROM SARAH:

One of my new tippy-top favorites. There is everything to love about this short graphic novel! Of special import is the focus on Emily as a girl with lots of interests—not just about her poetry. Highly recommended.

Recommended for ages 6+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Emily Dickinson is one of America’s greatest and most original poets of all time. When you hear her name, you may imagine the famous recluse whose withdrawal from society became legendary. But it’s time to meet a new side of Emily, one that is powerful, adventurous, and joyful.

Follow along as we delve into Emily Dickinson’s childhood, revealing a young girl desperate to go out exploring―to meet the flowers in their own homes. Wade through tall grasses to gather butterfly weed and goldenrod, the air alive with the “buccaneers of buzz.” And, don’t forget to keep a hot potato in your pocket to keep your fingers warm.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Imagine microscopic worms living in the soil. They enter your body through your bare feet, travel to your intestines, and stay there for years sucking your blood like vampires. You feel exhausted. You get sick easily. It sounds like a nightmare, but that's what happened in the American South during the 1800s and early 1900s.

FROM SARAH:

I loved this book so much, I made it a Book of the Week! One of Aesop's fables retold. (And honestly? I think Corey Tabor outdid Aesop himself with this one!) Delightful from start to finish.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him. And that dog has a bone just like his, only better! How will Simon ever get him to trade, when the other pup knows all the same tricks…?

FROM SARAH:

Playful and minimalist. I can't get enough of the expressions on the bear in this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Destined to become a contemporary classic, this book has spare text and sweet illustrations but contains only five words: apple, pear, orange, bear--and there. Emily Gravett creates clever variations on this theme by rearranging the words--on one spread, a brown bear juggles an orange, apple, and pear; on another spread, there is an orange-colored apple and a pear-shaped bear.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Written and edited by leading Tolkien experts Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, The Art of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien showcases the complete artwork created by the author for his story—including related pictures, more than one hundred sketches, drawings, paintings, maps, and plans.

**Description from Amazon: Full of magic and appealing characters, this classic novel takes readers on a remarkable adventure.It's Omri's birthday, but all he gets from his best friend, Patrick, is a little plastic Indian toy. Trying to hide his disappointment, Omri puts the Indian in a metal cupboard and locks the door with ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A steady best-seller and The Invisible String is reaching all over the World! OVER 250,000 copies sold! "That's impossible", said twins Jeremy & Liza after their Mom told them they're all connected by this thing called an Invisible String.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the second installment of the award-winning, critically acclaimed Lightfall series, Bea and Cad continue their quest to stop Kest, the mythic bird who stole the sun. Perfect for middle grade fans of Amulet and Avatar the Last Airbender, Lightfall: Shadow of the Bird is another breathtaking journey into the magical world of Irpa, where epic battles and powerful creatures abound.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

No matter how far behind Miller's students might be when they reach her 6th grade classroom, they end up reading an average of 40 to 50 books a year. Miller's unconventional approach dispenses with drills and worksheets that make reading a chore. Instead, she helps students navigate the world of literature and gives them time to read books they pick out themselves.

**Description from Amazon: Claire, Bill, and even Parson Henry discover that asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?" helps them live better lives.

FROM SARAH:

The third in the Wilderking trilogy by Jonathan Rogers. This series is one of my most highly recommended read-alouds. Start with The Bark of the Bog Owl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

King Darrow sends Aidan Errolson on an impossible quest, hoping he will never return, and although Aidan has enough friends to succeed on the journey, even he might not be able to defeat the powerful enemy that awaits him at its end.

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.

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

**Description from Amazon: Great Expectations is Charles Dickens's thirteenth novel and his penultimate (completed) novel; a bildungsroman which depicts the personal growth and personal development of an orphan nicknamed Pip. It is Dickens's second novel, after David Copperfield, to be fully narrated in the first person. The ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish and the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a new comic board-book series about feelings! Eisner Award winners Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. In I’m Sunny, the cheerful sun upsets his friend and must make amends. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on those around you.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A popular bestseller since its publication in 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the great page-turning thrillers of all time. Set against the tumultuous years of the post-Napoleonic era, Alexandre Dumas’s grand historical romance recounts the swashbuckling adventures of Edmond Dantès, a dashing young sailor falsely accused of treason. The story of his long imprisonment, dramatic escape, and carefully wrought revenge offers up a vision of France that has become immortal.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This enthralling modern fairy tale from Caldecott and Newbery Honor winner Tomie dePaola and debut illustrator Doug Salati celebrates the greatest power of all: love.

FROM SARAH:

It seems silly to even put this book on our lists...but if you can pair a reading of any Dr. Seuss book with a visit to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, Massachusetts for an extra dose of fun.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A rainy day turns into a wild romp when the Cat in the Hat and his troublemaking friends, Thing One and Thing Two, unexpectedly appear! A favorite among kids, parents, and teachers, this story uses simple words and basic rhyme to encourage and delight beginning readers.

**Description from Amazon: Ranger travels to San Francisco and meets Lily Chen. She was sent from China to America to work as a young servant, but she dreams of studying to be a doctor. When the Great Earthquake hits, Ranger arrives in time to rescue Lily from falling beams in the mission house where she lives.

FROM SARAH:

A classic! This is a nostalgic story inspired by the author's childhood.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Young Mark spends a busy, noisy day helping out at Gram's seaside hot dog stand. After the last customer is served and the grill is scrubbed to a silvery shine, Mark sails off with Gram for a promised surprise, and finds a nighttime sea full of shimmering moonjellies.

FROM SARAH:

The board book version is just as good as the full-size, and toddlers love Olivia's antics.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's everyone's favorite pig...it's OLIVIA!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

From Christina Soontornvat, the visionary and versatile author of three Newbery Honor Books, comes a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world.