FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ella Fitzgerald began her life as a singer on the stage of the Apollo Theater when she was just seventeen years old. Her rich voice and vocal innovations brought her fame and a remarkable career than spanned half a century and won her generations of fans around the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Julie discovers a mysterious note written in Chinese. She brings it to her friend Ivy to translate, and learns that the note once belonged to Ivy's grandmother, from long ago when she was a girl immigrating from China to San Francisco. The note promises great treasure, but it doesn't quite make sense--it's almost as if the writer was sending a secret message in code. Soon after the discovery of the note, Julie's and Ivy's beloved dolls are stolen. Who would do such a thing, and why? Seeking clues, Julie and Ivy search all over Chinatown and even visit the immigration station on Angel Island. Gradually, Julie realizes that in order to find the doll thief, she must figure out the real message hidden in the Chinese note.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This 2021 National Jewish Book Award finalist by author Megan Hoyt and illustrator Iacopo Bruno brings to light the inspiring, true story of Gino Bartali, a beloved Italian cyclist and secret champion in the fight for Jewish lives during World War II.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely collection, especially good for older kids. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Newbery Medal winner Katherine Paterson and cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton give fans of all ages, even more, to be thankful for with Giving Thanks, a special book about gratitude. Katherine Paterson's meditations on what it means to be truly grateful and Pamela Dalton's exquisite cut-paper illustrations are paired with a collection of over 50 graces, poems, and praise songs from a wide range of cultures, religions, and voices. The unique collaboration between these two extraordinary artists flowers in this important and stunningly beautiful reflection on the act of giving thanks.

**Description from Amazon: No library's complete without the classics! This new, enhanced leather-bound edition collects the legendary fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.They are the stories we've known since we were children. Rapunzel. Hansel and Gretel. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty. But the works originally collected by the B...

**Description from Amazon: “Do you like green eggs and ham?” asks Sam-I-am in this Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss. In a house or with a mouse? In a boat or with a goat? On a train or in a tree? Sam keeps asking persistently. With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its pla...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The mission was supposed to be fun—even funny—but things got serious quick. What follows is a daring journey with narrow escapes, attack dogs, deadly fires, and a friendship forged in shared peril.

Three friends embark on an intrepid quest to retrieve a priceless treasure guarded by a menacing villain. But this is no fantasy. For Scott and his friends Tommy and Dooley, the danger is all too real. Unlikely heroes will emerge. Enemies will become allies. Powerful truths will be revealed.

Also wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Why do we read literature and how do we judge it? C. S. Lewis's classic An Experiment in Criticism springs from the conviction that literature exists for the joy of the reader and that books should be judged by the kind of reading they invite. He argues that 'good reading', like moral action or religious experience, involves surrender to the work in hand and a process of entering fully into the opinions of others: 'in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself'.

Hallelujah!Hallelujah!Clap, Clap, ClapTap, Tap, TapStrum, Strum, StrumHum, Hum, HumTweet-a-TweetDing Dong DingWe make a joyful noise to the Lord!Follow one youngster as he discovers the fun and sheer joy of praising God in this charming and spirited book of add-on verse based on Psalm 100:1 from awa...

A trickster tale with a twist! How does a kindhearted dentist who also happens to be a mouse make sure that a fox with a toothache doesn't let his tastebuds get the better of him?

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, I do love a good epistolary novel, and this has to be one of my favorites! We read it in RAR Premium as a Mama Book Club because I loved it so much.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This funny, poignant, classic love story unfolds through a series of letters between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road. Through the years, though never meeting and separated both geographically and culturally, they share a charming, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books.

FROM SARAH:

An Easter story that inspires. I usually pull this one out every year on Easter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest. “Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?”“

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This inspiring story tells how Joseph, the only child of a black slave and her white master, becomes "the most accomplished man in Europe." After traveling from his native West Indies to study music in Paris, young Joseph is taunted about his skin color. Despite his classmates' cruel words, he continues to devote himself to his violin, eventually becoming conductor of a whole orchestra. Joseph begins composing his own operas, which everyone acknowledges to be magnifique. But will he ever reach his dream of performing for the king and queen of France? This lushly illustrated book by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome introduces us to a talented musician and an overlooked figure in black history.

FROM SARAH:

Harriet is more than an observant, hopeful young writer; she is a girl navigating the complexities of growing up, the challenge of maintaining friendships, and the hard work of asking for forgiveness. This one is a classic for a reason- it's heartfelt and charming, honest and endearing. I'd recommend it for readers 10 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?

FROM SARAH: 

Full disclosure: I didn’t know who Jeff Tweedy was before I picked up this book. Ahem. But even though I’m not writing songs, there was a lot of goodness packed into his book for writers in general! I preferred it on audio, but heads-up for swearing. And I wouldn’t recommend it for kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song.

**Description from Amazon: When a soldier has to leave his or her family for extended service, it's an emotional time for all involved. It can be especially confusing and upsetting for children, who long for the comfort and security of a parent's presence. Papa's Backpack honors the bond between a parent/soldier and a child, ...

FROM SARAH:

A cozy tale with warm and inviting illustrations. Perfect for cat-lovers and knitters!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

**Description from Amazon: The book Jonathan Franzen dubbed the "ur-text of postwar fiction" and the "first great cultural critique, which, even if Heller and Pynchon hadn't read it while composing Catch-22 and V, managed to anticipate the spirit of both" The Recognitions is a masterwork about art and forgery, and the increas...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On a winter night long ago, a baby boy was born in a stable with only the animals to witness his arrival. But it wasn’t just the cows and donkeys and soft little lambs who were present. Smaller, less loved creatures were there, too: the snake, the scorpion, the cockroach, and others.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear weren't expecting any company when they went for a walk on Christmas Eve, but that's exactly what they got! Debut author Maria Modugno teams up with award-winning artists Jane and Brooke Dyer to deliver a festive twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears, with Santa Claus stepping in as the cheerful intruder.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Kids around the world get to school in unique ways. Take a peek inside this book and see how they reach their destinations!

NARRATED BY: Chris Ensweiler and George Mount, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Sir John Gielgud

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 22 min

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Mona the Mouse stumbles across the wondrous world of the Heartwood Hotel in the middle of a storm, she desperately hopes they'll let her stay. As it turns out, Mona is precisely the maid they need at the grandest hotel in Fernwood Forest, where animals come from far and wide for safety, luxury, and comfort.

FROM SARAH:

Virginia Lee Burton's stories may have graced your own bookshelves when you were young. I bet your kids will enjoy them every bit as much! This treasury is a wonderful way to enjoy some of her best stories, starting of course, with Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel plus three other classic picture book favorites, in one handsome hardcover.

The four complete and unabridged picture books by Virginia Lee Burton in this volume are:
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
The Little House (a Caldecott Medal winner)
Katy and the Big Snow
Maybelle the Cable Car

Virginia Lee Burton wrote and illustrated stories that have been entertaining children, parents, and grandparents for more than sixty years. Many of her books—with themes that honor a simple way of life and celebrate heroes who endure through determination and by adapting to change—have become classic American tales.

**Description from Amazon: Kids who love the intrigue of titles such as What Do You Do with an Idea? will be inspired to ask their own questions about the world around them.

From Sarah:

If you're going to read just one biography about Shakespeare himself, I'd suggest making it this one. It makes for a quick and enjoyable read-aloud for all ages.

From the Publisher:

The beloved plays of Shakespeare are still produced everywhere, yet the life of the world's most famous playwright remains largely a mystery. Young Will left the town of Stratford to pursue theater in London, where his work eventually thrived and made him a famous and wealthy man. With black-and-white illustrations that include a diagram of the famous Globe theater, Celeste Davidson Mannis puts together the pieces of Shakespeare's life and work for young readers.

FROM SARAH:

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! These illustrations are precisely what we mean when we say the best books have pictures you want to look at a little longer than necessary. And Joyce Sidman is one of the best lyrical poets for children. Don't miss this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Welcome to the night, where mice stir and furry moths flutter. Where snails spiral into shells as orb spiders circle in silk. Where the roots of oak trees recover and repair from their time in the light. Where the porcupette eats delicacies—raspberry leaves!—and coos and sings.

Come out to the cool, night wood, and buzz and hoot and howl—but do beware of the great horned owl—for it’s wild and it’s windy way out in the woods!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

President Theodore Roosevelt is known as the man with a plan, the rough rider. His figure stands tall in American history; his legacy stretching him to larger-than-life proportions. But before his rise to fame, he was just Teedie, a boy with ambitious dreams to change the world, and the conviction to see his stupendous imaginings brought to fruition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the frantic spring and summer of 1939, as the Nazi shadow fell over Europe, Nicholas Winton raised money, found foster families in England, arranged travel and visas, and, when necessary, bribed officials and forged documents, organizing the transportation of almost 700 children to safety.

It was only fifty years later that a chance discovery and a famous television appearance brought Winton’s actions to light.

**Description from Amazon: Contents The Red Shoes The Chimney Sweep The Ice-Maiden, or the Eagle's Nest The Storks The Ugly Duckling The Wild Swans . The Marsh King's Daughter The Little Mermaid The Girl who Trod on the Loaf

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read is a fun collection of stories. It’s exactly like The Count of Monte Cristo apart from the many differences. Our lawyers have instructed us to warn you that reading it may directly cause you to come down with every single disease you are worried about contracting. On the plus side, our nation’s beloved and heroic critics have had their say.

FROM SARAH:

Gyo Fujikawa's art paved the way for publishing, and continues to inspire today. This is a riveting, exquisite picture book biography with something for the whole family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Growing up in California, Gyo Fujikawa always knew that she wanted to be an artist. She was raised among strong women, including her mother and teachers, who encouraged her to fight for what she believed in. During World War II, Gyo’s family was forced to abandon everything and was taken to an internment camp in Arkansas.

Join a curious little boy as he discovers the wonders of creation—from flowers to baby birds to fruit on the trees—and learns that God made it all and made it all good. Told in delightful rhyme, Only God Can Make A Kitten, written by award-winning author Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by b...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Best friends Malena and Klepetan always adventure together! The two excitedly prepare to fly thousands of miles for the flock’s annual migration to a warm winter. But when Malena is injured, she stays in Croatia while Klepetan goes to South Africa—and the pair must navigate the turbulent winds of separation for the first time.

Being apart is hard. Malena and Klepetan miss each other achingly, and they have big feelings about adventuring on their own. But even over the vast distance, the two brave explorers discover ways to enjoy their separate seasons while keeping their hearts connected—and their hopes aloft that spring will bring them back together.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Perfect for children ready to move beyond musi to recordings of the spoken word. Features delightful tellings of Aesop's Fables, plus lively tales from Grimm, Chaucer, and others.

*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Kathleen Turner

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Actress Kathleen Turner narrates this popular Grimm's fairy tale in which a king tells a young woman that she must spin a roomful of straw into gold by morning, or die. To complete this impossible task, she is forced to promise her firstborn child to a mysterious little man in return for his gold-spinning ability. Years later, he returns to claim what is his, only to find that he has underestimated the power of a mother's love. Music by Tangerine Dream underscores this haunting and heartfelt retelling of the classic German tale. Ages six and up. Part of the award-winning Rabbit Ears series, We All Have Tales.

LISTENING LENGTH: 22 min

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Anna Sewell’s classic children’s story, beloved by generations and one of the world’s best-selling books. A precursor to the “pony book” genre of children’s literature, “Black Beauty” is told in the first person from the perspective of the eponymous horse.Spanning the horse’s life, each chapter of “Black Beauty” teaches lessons, including kindness, compassion, and animal welfare.

FROM SARAH:

The hilarious board book that will have you looking differently at mustaches forever after.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Baby Billy is born with a mustache, his family takes it in stride. They are reassured when he nobly saves the day in imaginary-play sessions as a cowboy or cop and his mustache looks good-guy great.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ethel Payne always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as the only black female journalist. Ethel wasn't afraid to ask the tough questions of presidents, elected officials, or anyone else in charge, earning her the title, "First Lady of the Black Press." Fearless and determined, Ethel Payne shined a light on the darkest moments in history, and her ear for stories sought answers to the questions that mattered most in the fight for Civil Rights.

FROM SARAH:

A historical adventure that inspires hope, courage, and a love for nature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When 13-year-old Matt means a boy from the Beaver clan, he begins to understand more about living in the wilderness in the 1700s. A Newberry Honor winner.

**Description from Amazon: With a fresh and deceptively simple style, acclaimed author Sharon Creech tells a story with enormous heart. Written as a series of free-verse poems from Jack's point of view, Love That Dog shows how one boy finds his own voice with the help of a teacher, a writer, a pencil, some yellow paper, and o...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Touted by its 1885 publisher as “the most amazing story ever written,” King Solomon’s Mines was one of the bestselling novels of the nineteenth century. H. Rider Haggard’s thrilling saga of elephant hunter Allan Quatermain and his search for fabled treasure is more than just an adventure story, though: As Alexandra Fuller explains in her Introduction, in its vivid portrayal of the alliances and battles of white colonials and African tribesmen, King Solomon’s Mines “brings us the world of extremes, of the absurdly tall tales and of the illogical loyalty between disparate people that still informs this part of the world.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Inspired by her own granddaughter Natalie, Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, tells a story through a child’s eyes of what family life is like when a parent is at war across the world.

**Description from Amazon: With exquisite artwork and evocative text, this original fable explores the events of Jesus' life, and demonstrates the role of the Virgin Mary as the benevolent agent of God's people. Reduced to desolation by a king and prince who feel they have been wronged, the residents of a once-favored v...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On a remote jungle island, genetic engineers have created a dinosaur game park.An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now one of mankind's most thrilling fantasies has come true and the first dinosaurs that the Earth has seen in the time of man emerge. But, as always, there is a dark side to the fantasy and after a catastrophe destroys the park's defense systems, the scientists and tourists are left fighting for survival...With this masterful cross of science fiction and action-adventure, Michael Crichton created one of the biggest bestsellers of all time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Discovered in the attic where she spnt the last years of her life, Anne Frank’s remarkable diary has become a world classic—a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jesse Bear is looking for Christmas. And he finds it everywhere -- when trimming the tree, baking cookies, and going ice-skating in the park. But Jesse Bear feels Christmas most of all when he's with his family on Christmas Eve, and tucked in his bed waiting for Santa!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As St. Nick and eight tiny reindeer descend through a brilliant night sky, the famous Christmas poem begins. The father narrates the words just as Clement Moore wrote them, and artist Jan Brett captures the spirit of the story in glorious illustrations.

FROM SARAH:

This whole series of Beginner Book collections were what I'd have my kids bring to read (or "read") while waiting at the dentist or their brother's track meet. They pack several great early readers into a single volume! It's worth it to own a few of these.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A perfect introduction to reading that will whet young readers appetites for additional books in the Beginner Book series.

FROM SARAH:

There are many wonderful audio productions of Shakespeare's plays. Those done by Arkangel are reliably well done.

Recommended for ages 7+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Love and wit conquer all in Shakespeare's sparkling comedy of self-delusion and disguise.

Padua holds many suitors for the hand of fair Bianca, but Bianca may not be married until her spinster sister, Kate, is wed. Could any man be rash enough to take on Kate? The witty adventurer Petruchio undertakes the task. While he sets about transforming Kate from foul-tempered termagant to loving wife, young Lucentio and his clever servant, Tranio, plot to win Bianca.

FROM SARAH:

The true story of how Sarah Hale helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

During the nineteenth century, Sarah Josepha Hale dedicated her life to making Thanksgiving a national holiday, all while raising a family and becoming a groundbreaking writer and women's magazine editor. Sarah Hale's inspiring story, accompanied by luscious watercolor illustrations, tells the tale of one woman who wouldn't take no for an answer.

FROM SARAH:

An absolute delight of a read-aloud, and a testament to the transformative power of nature, family, and kindness. You can visit the Hurry Hill Maple Farm & Museum in Pennsylvania, which pays tribute to the Newbery-Award-winning book!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A father's wounded heart. A mother's patient love. An eager boy, an impetuous girl, and, above all, the healing power of nature. These are the classic ingredients that fill Virginia Sorensen's Newbery Award-winning novel with a tender power and lift it to classic status. First published in 1956, Miracles on Maple Hill is almost uncanny in its appeal for today's young listeners. For here is the story of a father returned from war in a distant land, wounded in body but even more in spirit, and a family desperate for him to be returned to wholeness, a wholeness they hope can be found on Maple Hill.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Debut illustrator Torben Kuhlmann’s inventive tale and stunning illustrations will capture the imagination of readers—young and old—with the death-defying feats of this courageous young mouse.

FROM SARAH:

Robert McCloskey's picture books are the very essence of childhood favorites. This treasury is beautiful, vibrant, and large - the perfect size for reading aloud together!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From those famous ducklings to Homer Price's delicious donuts, generations of children have grown up delighting in the timeless stories of Robert McCloskey. Here, for the first time, all of his published works--Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, Lentil, Time of Wonder, One Morning in Maine, Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man, Homer Price and Centerburg Tales--are brought together.

FROM SARAH:

The perfect book to pair with RAR favorite, Room for Everyone. This one is a cumulative story, as well, and is also set in beautiful Africa. A joy to read aloud!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

FROM SARAH:

It's not summer yet, but summer is on its way, and the world is full of clues! Lovely for a naptime read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Young children see the passage of time through the seasonal changes to the world around them in this charming book, illustrated with Nikki McClure’s extraordinary cut-paper art.

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.

**Description from Amazon: Some kids like to dance and laugh out loud, and some sit quietly and make up stories in their heads—but we're all different, and that's okay because the maker of everything made us this way!In their first picture book, bestselling author Sally Clarkson and her son Nathan encourage children on the ...