FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eighteenth century artist and poet William Blake wrote mystical, spirit-filled verses for children and adults alike. He speaks of love, hate, anguish, relief and above all, mercy and the divine image that comforts us.

FROM SARAH:

Beatrix Potter, need I say more? ❤️

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. Poor Jemima. All she wants to do is lay her eggs in peace, and be allowed to hatch them herself. At last she flies off and finds the perfect place. Little does the silly duck realize that the charming gentleman who has lent her his woodshed is busily planning a delicious meal of . . . roast duck!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Freddy and his friends from Bean Farm migrate south for the winter, with every mile of the way a terrific adventure complete with bumbling robbers and a nasty bunch of alligators.

*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Emma Thompson

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 26 min

FROM SARAH:

For fans of Mr. Whiskers and the whole Cramberryport crew. Also read Cranberry Thanksgiving!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"Suffering codfish! Somebody's after me," Mr. Whiskers groans. And somebody is. It all starts on a gray February day in Cranberryport, when Mr. Whiskers admits to Maggie and Grandmother that he has never, ever, received a valentine.

FROM SARAH:

You know how much I love mice! And a little family of mice who jump in and care for someone in need? It's Christmas perfection! This one is sure to be read over and over again. Age Rec: 4 and up

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A modern classic full of heart and holiday cheer, starring an adorable cast of mouse characters, perfect for fans of Little Red Sleigh.

** Description from Amazon: “A stunning accomplishment. This story pierces the heart.” —Chicago Sun-Times RUN RUN RUN. That’s what twelve-year-old Annie loves to do. When she’s barefoot and running, she can hear her heart beating…thump-THUMP, thump-THUMP.It’s a rhythm that makes sense in a year when everything’...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all...

The acclaimed author of nearly a hundred books for children and adults, Pearl S. Buck captures the spirit of Christmas in this elegant, heartening story about a boy's gift of love. Originally published in 1955, this timeless story with glorious full-color art by Mark Buehner will be a welcome addition to your holiday collection.

**Description from Amazon: The sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland that is set some six months later than the earlier book, Alice again enters a fantastical world, this time by climbing through a mirror into the world that she can see beyond it.

**Description from Amazon: This is the engaging true story of kids competing in the high-stakes, high-drama world of international science fairs. Every year the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair brings together 1,500 high schoolers from more than 50 countries to compete for over $4 million dollars in prizes and s...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

When relief workers bring used clothing to the refugee camp, everyone scrambles to grab whatever they can. Ten-year-old Lina is thrilled when she finds a sandal that fits her foot perfectly, until she sees that another girl has the matching shoe. But soon Lina and Feroza meet and decide that it is better to share the sandals than for each to wear only one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As a little girl, Teresa Carreño loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her up, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals.

The Baby Wren and the Great Gift, written by bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jen Corace, is a celebration of all the wonderful gifts God has given us. The tiny wren marvels at the incredible creatures around her, all the while wishing she had a special gift to share. As she t...

FROM SARAH:

A traditional Russian tale, retold. Read this one and compare it to The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola to talk about what's similar and what's different.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
On the eve of the very first Christmas, an old grandmother is busy tidying her home when a bright star illuminates the sky. Soon three wise men arrive and invite Babushka to join them in their travels—following the star in search of a newborn babe, the Prince of Peace.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lush illustrations echo this simple retelling of the Christmas story for the entire family.

**Description from Amazon: This inspiring and beautiful celebration of life and new experiences--now available as a board book--is the perfect gift for graduations and for fans of Oh, the Places You'll Go!

FROM SARAH:

The award-winning classic that will make you laugh out loud and weep, all in the same chapter. Best for teens.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When the Watson family--ten-year-old Kenny, Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron--sets out on a trip south to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama, they don't realize that they're heading toward one of the darkest moments in America's history. The Watsons' journey reminds us that even in the hardest times, laughter and family can help us get through anything.

FROM SARAH:

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

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kaya is an adventurous Nez Perce girl growing up before America became a country. When her courage is tested, Kaya draws strength from the traditions and legends her elders share.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely retelling of a traditional tale. If your library doesn't have it, ask them to add it to their collection!

Recommended for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Little Bear is a lyrical retelling of an Inuit folktale, sensitively written by award-winning author Dawn Casey and radiantly illustrated by award-winning artist Amanda Hall. When a lonely old woman finds a polar bear cub with no mother of his own, she adopts him, and cares for him as he grows. The bear cub rides in her hood and sleeps by her side. The old woman loves the bear like her own child, but her heart also knows: bears belong in the wild. A tender story of loving and letting go, Little Bear celebrates the relationship between a human being and a wild animal and will touch the hearts of readers young and old.

FOR SARAH:

Oh goodness, no one quite writes a funny book like Sandra Boynton! This one is worth owning for your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A shy hippo makes a big impact in this Sandra Boynton classic.Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famo...

FROM SARAH:

Jan Brett's storytelling skills are unmatched, and I just love a treasury full of her beautiful, detailed pages that you and your family can linger over! This treasury is out-of-print, but check your local library or secondhand bookstores for a copy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The fun includes stories of two mice couples who agree to swap homes with unexpected results; an armadillo on a rootin’-tootin’ adventure at the Curly H Rodeo; a crowd of rain-forest animals on a surprising river ride in an umbrella; and a snow bear family finding an Inuit girl asleep in their igloo.

Four stories in this treasury to cherish:
Town Mouse, Country Mouse
Armadillo Rodeo
The Umbrella
The Three Snow Bears

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.

**Description from Amazon: Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count. As budd...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Teedie was not exactly the stuff of greatness: he was small for his size. Delicate. Nervous. Timid. By the time he was ten years old, he had a frail body and weak eyes. He was deviled by asthma, tormented by bullies. His favorite place to be was at home. Some might think that because of these things, Teedie was destined for a ho-hum life. But they would be wrong. For Teedie had a strong mind, as well as endless curiosity and determination. Is that all? No. Teedie also had ideas of his own--lots of them. It wasn't long before the world knew him as Theodore Roosevelt, the youngest president of the United States.

A beautiful hardcover edition of The Silver Chair, book six in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. The full color jacket features art by three time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, David Wiesner, and black-and-white interior art by the series' original illustrator, Pauline Bayn...

FROM SARAH:

Written by two of the “dozen,” the Gilbreth’s share their childhood memories growing up with 10 other siblings, and an efficiency expert father who thinks everything is easier done en masse, including getting the kids’ tonsils removed.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Translated into more than fifty languages, Cheaper by the Dozen is the unforgettable story of the Gilbreth clan as told by two of its members. In this endearing, amusing memoir, siblings Frank Jr. and Ernestine capture the hilarity and heart of growing up in an oversized family.

**Description from Amazon: The third volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventure...

FROM SARAH: 

A historical fiction novel set during the hurricanes in Key West in 1935. I knew nothing about this time in history, but couldn’t put this one down. Excellent on audio. (Audible | LibroFM)

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mistletoe loves everything about Christmas--the twinkling lights, the cookies for Santa, and, most of all, the gently falling snow. Her best friend, Norwell, is an elephant who likes sitting by the fire and watching the snow from the comfort of his cozy house. On one particularly snowy walk, Mistletoe stops to appreciate the beauty and peace of a snow-covered world. She knows Norwell would love it too... if he weren't so afraid of the cold. Then she has an idea! Mistletoe knits from morning to night--when she's reading, when she's baking, and even in the bath (which isn't easy). By the time Christmas morning arrives, she puts down her knitting needles. Her gift for Norwell is ready--and it is perfect.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Designed by a book lover for book lovers, My Reading Life is the ideal companion for all your literary adventures.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. A true story your kids and teens will be inspired by.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this page-turner, award-winning author Gail Jarrow delves into the fascinating story of the relationship between Garfield and Guiteau, and relates the gruesome details of Garfield's slow and agonizing death. She reveals medical mistakes made in the aftermath of Garfield's assassination, including the faulty diagnoses and outdated treatments that led to the president's demise.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The exciting follow-up to Jack Zulu and the Waylander's Key! In Jack Zulu and the Girl With Golden Wings, Jack explores a new realm in this fantastic adventure that stretches beyond Earth and into a world on the edge of destruction. Jack must search for answers about his fallen father’s story and risk everything to save the cause at the lost city of gold. A world in the balance. A boy with a fateful choice. A girl with golden wings.

Also wonderful on audio (Audible).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Inklings met each week to read and discuss each other's work-in-progress, offering both encouragement and blistering critique. How did these conversations shape the books they were writing? How does creative collaboration enhance individual talent? And what can we learn from their example?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Storyteller Jim Weiss brings classic fairy tales to life. These stories of magic and wonder include "Rapunzel," "Puss in Boots," and more.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

All the magic of a faraway time and place are captured in this enchanting tale about a young rogue and the genie who helps him win the love of the Sultan's daughter.

FROM SARAH:

Another classic worth the read and re-read! See if your kids love this book as much as you probably did as a child.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a little boy plants a carrot seed, everyone tells him it won't grow. But when you are very young, there are some things that you just know, and the little boy knows that one day a carrot will come up. So he waters his seed, and pulls the weeds, and he waits...

FROM SARAH:

I love a story with a brave, unexpected hero, and The Spider Who Saved Christmas reminds us that even the smallest creatures can make the biggest difference. Truly beautiful illustrations bring this enchanting story to life, perfect for readers of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
he Spider Who Saved Christmas spins the enchanting faith-filled tale of Nephila, a cave-dwelling spider who plays a pivotal role central to the Christmas story. This instant classic reveals the origin of Christmas tinsel and reminds us that hope can always be found even in dark places where we least expect it.

FROM SARAH:

While this (beautiful!) book doesn’t specify a particular location by name, the illustrations depict a charming seaside setting with rocky shores, lighthouses, small boats, and coastal wildlife, all hallmarks of New England's maritime landscapes. You'll feel immersed in New England as you read it aloud! Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Walter longs to be a sea dog. He comes from a long line of seafaring dogs, all of whom made their livelihoods from the sea, but, alas, Walter's talent seems to extend only to baking. He sells his breads and cakes, made from his aunt’s classic sea dog recipes, in the village tea shop. But, when an unfortunate incident plunges Walter into a deep-sea adventure, he is brought face to face with the legendary Big Boris and discovers his place as a true sea dog.

FROM SARAH:

A beautiful color palette and calming illustrations bring life to Longfellow's classic poem, perfect for bedtime or snuggle-time this season. Age Rec: 6 and up for advanced vocabulary

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A timeless Christmas poem brought to gorgeous life in a keepsake edition for the modern family, with gold foil details

** Description from Amazon: Need help finding the perfect poem for a holiday celebration or a science unit? A funny riddle poem or a bilingual poetry book? Here is a comprehensive resource for teachers, librarians, and parents packed with poetry bibliographies and research-based strategies for selecting and sharing poetry with...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This beloved Christmas carol, written in 1857, celebrates the wise men's journey and the first Christmas night. Internationally renowned artist Gennady Spirin pays his own type of homage with paintings so exquisitely detailed and wrought that they, too, are a gift -- to that baby in the manger and to you.

A retelling of the centuries-old tale follows Sylvia, a spirited girl apprenticed to a sorcerer, as she steals from his castle a powerful potion that she is sure will help her complete a difficult task.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Over the last forty years, Aaron Lansky has jumped into dumpsters, rummaged around musty basements, and crawled through cramped attics. He did all of this in pursuit of a particular kind of treasure, and he's found plenty. Lansky's treasure was any book written Yiddish, the language of generations of European Jews.

**Description from Amazon: How The Book of Common Prayer became one of the most influential works in the English languageWhile many of us are familiar with such famous words as, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here. . ." or "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," we may not know that they originated with The Book of Common ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the bestselling author of classics like Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny comes a Christmas story sure to delight readers for generations.

With gentle, lyrical text from Margaret Wise Brown and heartwarming illustrations from Caldecott Honor-winning artist Diane Goode, Christmas in the Barn introduces young readers to the story of the first Christmas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Crippled Lamb follows the story of Joshua, a lamb with a crippled leg who feels left out because he can't run and play like the other lambs. But God has a special plan for Joshua's life, as He does for all who feel alone. Listeners will feel a gentle tug on their hearts as the little lamb's prayers are answered in an amazing way on Christmas Day.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the deep ocean, tiny Nugget and big, toothy Fang get along swimmingly--until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate (and hilarious) measures.

FROM SARAH:

The American Girl audiobooks are tremendously well done and riveting for boys and girls alike. We've listened to all of them... several times over! Highly recommended to pair with your history studies or for whole-family road trips. Available on Audible.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Taking place in 1854, Kirsten’s stories follow the young Swedish immigrant and her family as they attempt to start a new life on a farm in frontier Minnesota. This collection includes: "Meet Kirsten", "Kirsten Learns a Lesson", "Kirsten’s Surprise", "Happy Birthday, Kirsten!", "Kirsten Saves the Day", and "Changes for Kirsten".

FROM SARAH:

Marguerite Henry is one of the best of the best! This novel is narrated by a proud fox who lives on the grounds of George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Cinnabar is a fox. He lives in a den with his family, Vicky and four little cubs. He’s a hardworking fox who does everything he can to ensure that his family has what they need. But during fox hunting season, he likes to have a little fun: Every hunt day, promptly at one o’clock, Cinnabar shows up and runs until nightfall. Can the huntsmen ever catch this clever fox?

FROM SARAH:

This book is funny, funny, funny, and never failed to cheer up my cranky toddlers when I'd read it to them. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

We all know dragons are terrible, but this one is especially terrible. He scribbles in books. He steals candy from baby unicorns. He even burps in church. Seriously, who does that? Dragon, that's who.

FROM SARAH:

Sometimes a treasury is just the thing. We especially love them when we travel, because we can bring so many stories with us! This collection of Beatrix Potter is worth adding to your own permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten of Beatrix Potter's most popular tales are brought together in this beautiful jacketed hardcover treasury. The tales trace the life of Beatrix Potter from her first publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902 to her later tales, set around her farm, Hill Top.

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.

**Description from Amazon: Melissa wants to accomplish something speical, but what could it be? "Spectacular!" "Gorgeous!" "Fabulous!" Those are some of the words people use to describe Melissa Parkington's hair, which is long, thick, and so shiny that it seems to sparkle. But Melissa would like to be known for more than her ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Growing up on a Wisconsin farm, Georgia O'Keeffe began gathering all sorts of objects ― sticks and stones, flowers and bones. Although she was teased for her interest in unique shapes and sizes, young Georgia declared: “Someday, I’m going to be an artist” ― and that is exactly what she became.

A beautiful hardcover edition of The Horse and His Boy, book three in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. The full color jacket features art by three time Caldecott-winning artist David Wiesner and interior black-and-white illustrations by the series' original illustrator, Pauline ...

**Description from Amazon: All of Jane Kenyon's published poems gathered in one definitive collection, now in paperbackYes, long shadows go outfrom the bales; and yes, the soulmust part from the body:what else could it do?―from "Twilight: After Haying"Jane Kenyon is one of America's most prized contemporary poets. Her previ...

**Description from Amazon: The paperback edition of the legendary, record-breaking, best-selling fourth Harry Potter novel.Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about ...

FROM SARAH: 

This is the book I recommend most often when I’m asked about troublesome content in classics. This gorgeous memoir of author Mitali Perkins’s reading life made me glad to be a reader, and eager to read even more. This will be a 2022 Mama Book Club selection in RAR Premium. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Award-winning children's author Mitali Perkins grew up steeped in stories - escaping into her books on the fire escape of a Flushing apartment building and, later, finding solace in them as she navigated between the cultures of her suburban California school and her Bengali heritage at home.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Through artful prose and beautiful illustrations, Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as "Mama Miti," who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation.