Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A child and his beloved best friend go on a grand sea adventure in this magical picture book by the author and artist who created If I Had a Little Dream.You just never know what a new day will hold if you are brave enough to find out.

FROM SARAH:

This is a timeless story about a girl's imaginative adventure on the sea. Cozy, delightful, and worth reading and rereading (which is good, because your kids will likely ask for many re-readings!).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a beautifully constructed story, a little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her" with someone nice for company" comes true.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On peaceful days on his barge in New York Harbor, Captain Barnacle loves to spin salty yarns about his life on the Seven Seas and the shipwrecks he's been in.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One of the most beloved children's stories ever—the classic Little Golden Book tale of Scuffy, an adventurous little tugboat. Meant for "bigger things," Scuffy the Tugboat leaves the man with the polka-dot tie and his little boy and sets off to explore the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From opals to orchids and tapirs to toadstools, this beautiful collection brings more than 100 incredible items from the natural world to life. Perfect for all the nature-loving readers on the planet we call home.

FROM SARAH:

In general, when you see a Jim LaMarche book, you should just buy it. This one is no exception! You'll love the pictures as much as your kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Inspired in part by his own childhood, this gorgeous picture book from Jim LaMarche, the beloved illustrator of A Story for Bear and The Elves and the Shoemaker, tells the story of one stubborn boy’s unexpectedly wonderful summer on the river.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As they wait for the arrival of a new baby, Maita tells her great-grandniece the story of her remarkable childhood. Living sheltered on a lighthouse island with only her parents for company, Maita always longed for a sibling-longed not to be the only child the ragged island knew.

FROM SARAH:

Something about the way the ocean meets the sky enlivens the imagination, and the Fan brothers catch that mystery beautifully in this lush picture book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the creators of the gorgeous bestseller The Night Gardener comes a stunning new picture book about a young boy who sets sail to find a place his grandfather told him about the spot where the ocean meets the sky.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this luminously illustrated and poetic picture book, a little girl and her father and mother journey by foot and by boat together through the fairy tale wonders of the world they share.

FROM SARAH:

Lovely illustrations that make you pine for the ocean. Don't miss my conversation with author, Max Lucado, on the podcast - RAR #240: Nourishing a Child's Heart with Books.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Best-selling author Max Lucado helps young children grasp the unending love of God in this beautifully illustrated story of discovery and wonder in exploring the amazing world that God has made.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Life with only the sea can be lonely. Just ask Pandora and Seabold—they've lived most of their lives with the sea,  and they're each quite used to being alone. Or they were. But one day, something extraordinary happens... (this book is the beginning of a series)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The fight for women's suffrage between women's rights leader Alice Paul and President Woodrow Wilson is creatively presented as a four-round boxing match in this energetic nonfiction picture book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this inspiring tribute, award-winning author Barb Rosenstock and New York Times bestselling artist Elizabeth Baddeley tell the true story of one of America's greatest founding mothers: Abigail Adams.

FROM SARAH:

I just adore this book. It's a feast for the eyes (and that pun is most definitely intended). One of the top recommendations on this list, for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The king is coming to visit! The lord and lady of Camdenton Manor must work quickly to prepare fo his arrival. It will take weeks to ready rooms, set up tents, and prepare the feast itself. Everyone is busy hunting and hawking, brewing and churning. This will be a feast to remember!

FROM SARAH:

Oh my, what a visual treat this book is. This story is clever, funny, and lavishly illustrated by one of my favorites, S.D. Schindler.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A clever tale that will charm book lovers Brother Hugo can't return his library book -- the letters of St. Augustine -- because, it turns out, the precious book has been devoured by a bear! Instructed by the abbot to borrow another monastery's copy and create a replacement, the hapless monk painstak...

FROM SARAH:

Barbara Cooney's Caldecott Award-winning book. This Chaucer retelling is among my all-time favorite picture books. Perfect for a Middle Ages study, a farmyard study, or when you just want to snuggle in with a darn good story. This is an RAR Premium Family Book Club pick for spring 2024.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

King of the barnyard, Chanticleer struts about all day. When a fox bursts into his domain, dupes him into crowing, and then grabs him in a viselike grip, Chanticleer must do some quick thinking to save himself and his barnyard kingdom.

FROM SARAH:

Saint books are what Demi does best, I think, and this gorgeous picture book about St. Joan of Arc is worth spending time poring over. Inspiring.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As a young girl in a small village in France, Joan prayed daily that France would be delivered from the English and Burgundian invaders who were ravishing the country. When Joan was thirteen, she had a life-changing experience.

FROM SARAH:

Demi's light-filled illustration style is perfect for stories of the saints, and this book about St. Francis looks like it could have been taken straight from a stained glass window.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved and inspirational figures in the history of Christianity. The stunning illustrations of award-winning author, Demi, bring to life the story of this son of a rich merchant, who abandoned all his worldly goods in order to follow the teachings of Jesus.

FROM SARAH:

I love the illuminated style of illustrations in this lovely picture book. If your library doesn't carry it, ask them to, or get a copy for your home collection!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

C.M. Millen’s charming story of a young monk who defied the discipline of the monastery and found his own way to express the beauty of the world will inspire young readers to explore their own world and find their own voices.

FROM SARAH:

Josephine Nobisso writes some of the best Catholic picture books for kids, and this is one of my favorites. The illustrations by Maureen Hyde are moody and perfect.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

While other children’s religious titles focus on Saint Francis of Assisi as an adult, few, if any, have concentrated on the early life of the patron saint of animals and the environment. Stunning illustrations punctuate this beautifully told story of Saint Francis as a boy.

FROM SARAH:

Another delightful story about saints by Tomie dePaola, this one set in Italy during the Middle Ages. This is a book worth owning for your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Offers the tale about two amazing twins, Benedict and Scholastica, and their experiences as children in northern Italy that influenced their great accomplishments in their adult lives.

FROM SARAH:

One of my tippy-top favorites on this list! Beautifully told with gorgeous illustrations, this is truly a book you want to look at longer than necessary. I love the factual information included on each page, as well, which can be read or skipped without disrupting the story. Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Gentle verse and sweeping, majestic artwork set imaginations soaring in a handsome and illuminating ode to the ancient art of falconry.

FROM SARAH:

The glorious story of St. Joan of Arc, told by Diane Stanley. Stanley's picture books tend to be on the longer side, so I like to recommend them for ages 8+, or for younger kids with an especially strong attention span.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Against the fascinating tapestry of France's history during the Hundred Years' War, Diane Stanley unfolds the story of the simple thirteen-year-old village girl who in just a few years would lead France to independence from English rule.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Acclaimed author-illustrator Bonnie Christensen adopts the voice of Galileo and lets him tell his own tale in this outstanding picture book biography. The first person narration gives this book a friendly, personal feel that makes Galileo's remarkable achievements and ideas completely accessible.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Was Pippo the Fool really Pippo the Genius? The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was a marvel of art, architecture, and engineering. But it lacked a finishing ornament, a crown--a dome! The city fathers had a solution: to invite the finest masters to compete for the chance to design a dome.

FROM SARAH:

One of my very favorite books on this list. It shows the step-by-step process of making illuminations during the middle ages, as seen by a young girl named Marguerite. This one is a joy to read aloud!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Paris in the 1400s. A young girl named Marguerite delights in assisting her father, Jacques, in his craft: illuminating manuscripts for the nobility of France. His current commission is a splendid book of hours for his patron, Lady Isabelle, but will he be able to finish it in time?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

With her thoroughly researched, lively narrative and superbly detailed illustrations, Diane Stanley has captured the life of an artist who towered above the late Renaissance--and whose brilliance in architecture, painting, and sculpture amazes and moves us to this day.

**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...

**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 book has a vintage feel, and captures the story of a little leaf that isn't quite ready to let go.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This is a story for anyone who has ever been afraid of facing the unknown--and a celebration of the friends who help us take the leap.

FROM SARAH:

The slightly true narrative of how a brave pioneer father brought apples, pears, plums, grapes, and cherries (and children) across the plains. Apples, ho! Get a Family Book Club Guide and listen to the author and illustrator talk about making this book in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can't bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too.

FROM SARAH:

A great book to invite your kids to look just a little closer at an apple—that practically perfect portable snack!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Crunchy and tasty, sweet and tart, in colorful shades of red, yellow, and green -- sometimes all three -- everyone loves apples! In this lively and vibrant book, young readers will learn how apples grow, from the planting of a tree, to the pollination of buds by bees, and on to the harvest.

FROM SARAH:

I'm a fan of Nikki McClure's papercut illustrations. They're bold and contrasty, and make you want to look longer than necessary even in their simplicity.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Apple follows the life of an apple throughout the year, demonstrating the cyclical patterns in nature. The youngest readers will delight in following the journey of the bright red apple—the only splash of color in the otherwise black-and-white illustrations—as it travels from tree, to harvest, to snack, to compost, and finally to sprout. A single word complements each illustration, urging early readers to reflect on each stage in the apple’s life.

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:

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 SARAH:

The story of a young immigrant girl finding her place on a class trip to the apple orchard. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn’t speak. It’s hard being the new kid in school, especially when you’re from another country and don’t know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter.

FROM SARAH:

I adore this whole series from Kenard Pak, but this one in particular might be my favorite! I love comparing the use of colors from the beginning of the book to the end (or even the different sides of the cover). Love.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows--autumn is on its way! Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season.

FROM SARAH:

Elisa Kleven’s soft illustrations complement this tender story of a girl who creates an apple doll to ease her anxieties about starting school.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lizzy loves the big apple tree in her yard more than anything. So when the first day of school comes, she picks a beautiful apple, turns it into a makeshift doll she names Susanna, and takes it along to keep her company. But her teacher tells her that dolls aren't allowed at school.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this moving interpretation of the life and ministry of Jesus, John Hendrix brings to life the Biblical accounts of Jesus’s miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection. From the feeding of the five thousand to walking on water, this is a story of faith told through Jesus’s miraculous deeds.

FROM SARAH:

You guys, this book. It's one of my very favorites. For all of us who can relate to stacks of books so high we can’t open our front doors! When your own collection of favorites is that big, all that’s left to do is share them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Elizabeth Brown doesn't like to play with dolls and she doesnt like to skate. What she does like to do is read books. Lots of books. The only problem is that her library has gotten so big she can't even use her front door anymore. What should Elizabeth Brown do? Start her own public library, of course! With charming verse and watercolors Sarah Stewart and David Small celebrate one of America's oldest and finest institutions.

**Description from Amazon: When Isabel and her family move to the United States, Isabel misses all the things she left behind in Mexico, especially her aunt Lupita and hearing people speak Spanish. But she also experiences some wonderful new things--her first snow storm and a teacher who does not speak Spanish but has a big s...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beginning in the dark hours of morning, an Amish girl, along with two adult companions, sets off for the big city for the first time. The reader receives nightly reports through young Hannah's diary, in which, with tireless awe, she relates the significant events of the day. Each experience is decidedly new to Hannah -- a trip to the top of a skyscraper, a visit to the aquarium -- yet in each she finds some universal element that reminds her of home. Though she loves the city, a trip to the art museum on the final day of her visit clinches Hannah's longing for family and familiarity; fortunately, the bus is ready to take her back to the place she loves most.

**Description from Amazon: From the beloved husband-and-wife team of The Gardener, a Caldecott Honor BookAnnabelle Bernadette Clementine DoddWas a good little girl, though decidedly odd.Belle lived every day as if she were grown --She thought she could do everything all on her own.Lucky for Belle, she has a friend at home, a ...

**Description from Amazon: A dazzling depiction of the connection between diverse readers of all ages and their books, from beloved author-illustrator team Sarah Stewart and David Small. This Book of Mine is a celebration of the power of reading, of the ways in which books launch our adventures, give us comfort, challenge our...

**Description from Amazon: Miss McGillicuddy's simple country routine continues through-out the year in spite of a very unusual tree growing in her yard.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Learn the story of what really happened to Honest Abe when he was just a kid in this nonfiction picture book that's perfect for President's Day and every day!

FROM SARAH:

The art in this story is just stunning. Love that this is based on the true story of Joshua Bell, a world-renowned classical violinist who famously took his instrument to a busy subway for a free concert. You might be surprised to learn how many stopped to listen, and who. Enjoy this with a Family Book Club guide in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Dylan is someone who notices things. His mom is someone who doesn’t. So try as he might, Dylan can’t get his mom to listen to the man playing the violin in the subway station. But Dylan is swept away by the beautiful music that fills the air as crowds of oblivious people hurry past.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Lawrence Fox's teacher announces that students will be presenting their collections at show-and-tell, Lawrence realizes he doesn't have anything to share. Luckily, Papa knows just what to do to help! Together, they venture into the woods.

FROM SARAH:

Jim Arnosky has done some truly delightful nature-based picture books for kids, and this is one of my favorites. Even a peek at the cover will show you his clever use of composition to show you how *big* a bear really is. See if your library has this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Each autumn, just before the onset of winter, a bear shows up in the rugged woodland behind a family farm.

FROM SARAH:

The mice in this story are named after C.S. Lewis and his wife, Joy. What's not to love about that? The story itself is quite darling, as well, as we have come to expect from Karma Wilson!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Cozy up to this tender tale about overcoming fears and finding friendship, from the New York Times bestselling author of Bear Snores On. Lewis Mouse is preparing his nest for winter. It is cozy and it is warm, and yet something is missing.

FROM SARAH:

We have the board book version of this one, and it's a regular favorite in the fall, especially for the younger set. A great gift for toddlers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This simple, charming story of a young bear's first autumn is perfectly suited to board book format. Bear is surprised when the leaves start falling off the trees, but when he tries to reattach them, it doesn't work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap.

FROM SARAH:

This simple story is perfect for the younger crowd. Would be a lovely birthday gift for a 1-2 year old!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the middle of fall, it takes only one gust of wind to turn the whole world yellow and red and orange. Caldecott Medalist and award-winning author Kevin Henkes’s striking text introduces basic concepts of language and the unique beauty of the fall season.

FROM SARAH:

I really appreciate the illustrator's use of light in this book. A lovely addition to your autumnal reading stack.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow! Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Did that pumpkin just quack?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An inspiring tale of creativity and determination on the Underground Railroad from Coretta Scott King Award winner James Ransome and acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson.Clara, a slave and seamstress on Home Plantation, dreams of freedom—not just for herself, but for her family and friends.

FROM SARAH:

This inspiring true story shows how a love of reading can change the world. I love how it highlights the power of perseverance—reminding us that the stories we read shape the way we see history and ourselves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Carter G. Woodson was born to two formerly enslaved people ten years after the end of the Civil War. Though his father could not read, he believed in being an informed citizen. So Carter read the newspaper to him every day. When he was still a teenager, Carter went to work in the coal mines.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The unbeatable team of Deborah Hopkinson and James E. Ransome present a riveting brick-by-brick account of how one of the most amazing accomplishments in American architecture came to be.

**Description from Amazon: Inspired by the life of pioneering female baseball player Alta Weiss, and dramatized by Terry Widener’s bold illustrations, Girl Wonder tells the unforgettable story of a true American original.Alta Weiss was born to play baseball, simple as that. From the age of two, when she hurls a corncob at a...

**Description from Amazon: "Delivers an eloquent environmental message while demonstrating how kids can change the world through teamwork and perseverance." — School Library JournalA triumphant story of environmental activism, community, and friendship: Acclaimed activist Philippe Cousteau and renowned author Deborah Hopkin...

**Description from Amazon: Missouri, 1847When James first started school, his sister practically had to drag him there. The classroom was dark and dreary, and James knew everything outside was more exciting than anything he'd find inside.But his teacher taught him otherwise. "We make our own light here," Reverend Meachum told...