Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sometimes in London it drizzles. Sometimes it mizzles. Other times it pelts and showers and spits. And Jonas Hanway hates getting wet. How can he go about his day as a proper London gentleman when his shoes are soggy, his coat is always collecting puddles, and his wig looks like a wet cat? Fed up with damp and dreary London, Jonas sails far away, to places where the sun always shines. But what he sees when he gets there is.... scandalous! Shocking! Sensational! Perhaps also...quite genius? Now all Jonas has to do is convince the rest of London that they need an umbrella, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An inspiring picture book biography of storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, who championed bilingual literature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On a stormy night two hundred years ago, a young woman sat in a dark house and dreamed of her life as a writer. She longed to follow the path her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, had started down, but young Mary Shelley had yet to be inspired.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Elizabeth Bessie Coleman was always being told what she could & couldn't do. In an era when Jim Crow laws and segregation were a way of life, it was not easy to survive. Bessie didn't let that stop her. Although she was only 11 when the Wright brothers took their historic flight, she vowed to become the first African -American female pilot. Her sturdy faith and determination helped her overcome obstacles of poverty, racism, and gender discrimination.

FROM SARAH:

This inspiring true story of Mary Walker, who learned to read at age 116, is inspiring, hope-filled, and illustrated with Oge Mora's lovely collage style. Highly recommended. This one is an RAR Premium Family Book Club pick.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary--and they didn't think women should be scientists.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the fall of 1775, General George Washington was struggling to find a way to fight the British so that the colonies could be free from England. Phillis Wheatley, and African American poet who herself had struggled to gain freedom, decided to write Washington a poem of encouragement. Ann Malaspina's inspiring story shows the life and times of these two brave people who did so much to lay the foundation of our country.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ever since she was a little girl, Leonora Carrington loved to draw on walls, in books, on paper--and she loved the fantastic tales her grandmother told that took her to worlds that shimmered beyond this one, where legends became real. Leonora's parents wanted her to become a proper English lady, but there was only one thing she wanted, even if it was unsuitable: to be an artist. In London, she discovered a group of artists called surrealists, who were stunning the world with their mysterious creations. This was the kind of art she had to make. This was the kind of person she had to be.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Alice Ramsey was little, she loved to ride horses. As she grew up, more people were driving cars. From the moment Alice slid behind the wheel, she was crazy about cars. So when the Maxwell-Briscoe Company challenged her to drive one of their new cars across the country as a promotional ploy to prove that even a lady could do it, Alice daringly accepted. With several women by her side, these brazen drivers sustained many hardships over the course of a remarkable two-month journey and far surpassed all expectations. With a clever blend of women's history, technological history, and American roading geography, this is a celebration of unstoppable women making strides in twentieth-century America.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely cumulative story, illustrated by RAR favorite, Kenard Pak!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Acclaimed illustrator and animator Kenard Pak's light-filled, dramatic illustrations pair exquisitely with Ilima Loomis' text to celebrate Hawaiian land and culture.

**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.

**Description from Amazon: Long, long ago, in a small town in ancient China, there lived an honest and respectful man called Tuan. Tuan was lonely and looked hard for a wife, but even the matchmaker couldn't help him. One night, however, Tuan's luck changed. And so begins the story of Tuan, White Wave, and the Dinner that Cooked Itself. This beautiful and enchanting Chinese fairytale will captivate the imagination with the perfect blend of magic and realism!

FROM THE RAR TEAM:

A beautifully told picture book biography that introduces us to C. S. “Jack” Lewis as a child. We see glimpses of some of his dearest memories and most really difficult moments throughout life. A wonderful addition to your home library for any Narnia fan!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A lyrical nonfiction picture book about the inspired life of C. S. Lewis, the beloved author of the Chronicles of Narnia—from Free as a Bird author-illustrator Lina Maslo. Perfect for fans of The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown and Some Writer!: The Story of E.B. White.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Louisa May Alcott's Little Women was published in 1868 it was an instant success. Louisa drew on her experiences in writing the novel, but there's a lot more to her rags-to-riches story. Louisa came from a family that was poor but freethinking, and she started teaching when she was only seventeen years old. But writing was her passion. This informative biography captures the life of a compassionate woman who left an indelible mark on literature for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Venetia Burney's grandfather reads aloud from the newspaper about a new discovery--a ninth major planet that has yet to be named--her eleven-year-old mind starts whirring. She is studying the planets in school and loves Roman mythology. It might be called Pluto, she says, thinking of the dark underworld. Grandfather loves the idea and contacts his friend at London's Royal Astronomical Society, who writes to scientists at the Lowell Observatory in Massachusetts, where Pluto was discovered. After a vote, the scientists agree unanimously: Pluto is the perfect name for the dark, cold planet.

FROM SARAH:

A rather delightful picture book about an Italian nobleman living in a medieval castle. My kids loved this book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Conrad of Piacenza was a nobleman, living in a medieval castle in Italy. One day, he went out hunting with his servants, and a fire broke out in the forest. What happened next would change his life forever.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this important and moving true story of reconciliation after war, beautifully illustrated in watercolor, a Japanese pilot bombs the continental U.S. during WWII—the only enemy ever to do so—and comes back 20 years later to apologize.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt were birds of a feather. Not only were they two of the most admired and respected women of all time, they were also good friends. Illuminated here for the first time in picture book form is the true story of a thrilling night when they made history together!

FROM SARAH:

This moving picture book biography tells of Harriet Tubman's distinct courage and zeal. Worth owning, and probably best for slightly older kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

his poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman's strength, humility, and devotion. With proper reverence, Weatherford and Nelson do justice to the woman who, long ago, earned over and over the name Moses.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro-Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk's life's passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One stormy night at sea, a wayward man named John Newton feared for his life. In his darkest hour he fell to his knees and prayed--and somehow the battered ship survived the storm.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Follow Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Gombe, Tanzania, invited by brilliant scientist Louis Leakey to observe chimps, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates who are now in danger of extinction, and their habitat. Young animal lovers and Winter's many fans will welcome this fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary person and the animals to whom she has dedicated her life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thurgood Marshall--the first black justice on the Supreme Court and a giant of the civil rights movement--jumps to life in this inspiring picture-book biography from an award-winning author and six-time Coretta Scott King, four-time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
In this heartfelt and universal story, a mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong--ruining storytime, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they'd been looking forward to going to all week. Mom is nearing a meltdown...until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.

**Description from Amazon: The parables and teachings of Jesus are brought to life in John Hendrix’s award-winning illustrations.

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:

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
One hundred years after its author’s death, this classic remains remarkably modern and poignantly relevant. In this brand new edition, Elijah Wood reads Huck in a youthful voice that may be the closest interpretation to Twain’s original intent.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A lyrical, luminous picture book about missing a loved one. Little Cottontail misses his grandfather and the hugs, smiles, and jokes they shared. As he plays in the meadow, he thinks of ways that the wind, stars, stream, and trees can help him send hugs, kisses, and other messages to his grandfather. The text is careful to leave open the question of whether grandfather is deceased or just living far away, making the book meaningful to any small child who misses a loved one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Change and transitions are hard, but Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! demonstrates how, when one experience ends, it opens the door for another to begin. It follows two best friends as they say goodbye to snowmen, and hello to stomping in puddles. They say goodbye to long walks, butterflies, and the sun...and hello to long evening talks, fireflies, and the stars. But the hardest goodbye of all comes when one of the friends has to move away. Feeling alone isn't easy, and sometimes new beginnings take time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When something sad happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Five-year-old Abel is so excited to have a new baby! But soon Mommy tells him the sad news that she has had a miscarriage. The baby is now in Heaven with Jesus. Wait . . . Heaven?

He has never known anyone in Heaven before, and he begins to dream about what their baby must be experiencing: dancing with Jesus, lots of children, and what about dinosaurs?

Even young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God’s goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances.

In this beautiful, full-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister’s death.

**Description from Amazon: One eye was bigger than the other.  That was a mistake.
The weird  frog-cat-cow thing? It made an excellent bush.
And the inky smudges… they look as if they were always meant to be leaves floating gently across the sky.

FROM SARAH:

This is a gorgeous and moving picture book telling the true story of Harriet Tubman. We featured this beautiful book as an RAR Premium Family Book Club pick.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

An evocative poem and stunning watercolors come together to honor an American heroine in a Coretta Scott King Honor and Christopher Award-winning picture book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This inventive and fresh Nativity story is told from a bird's-eye view. On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields--not only to eat but to share the exciting news. People from all over have descended on Bethlehem and an angel has appeared in the night sky. Something extraordinary is coming! The birds agree that they must find this wondrous thing, and off they fly to the stable where a child has been born.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s Christmas at the cottage by the lake and the bears are busy preparing to celebrate. The human owners of the cottage, however, are in the city feeling glum. Until the idea comes to them to spend the holidays at their cottage.

What follows is a set of misadventures as the family arrives without presents—they were left on the train—and without the usual holiday accouterments—the Christmas trees and turkeys are all sold out. But they are in for a treat as the cottage has been decorated by their unseen friends. So the bears unwittingly save Christmas for their human hosts, yet are still able to enjoy their own fine celebration. And, as with the other books, the bears do so all while cleverly avoiding confrontation with their human friends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's Christmas Eve, and the rabbits have moved to a new burrow. Fletcher is excited about celebrating the holiday with them, until he realizes...Santa Claus won't know where to deliver their presents!

But after a cozy night of caroling and blackberry pie, Fletcher wakes to a snowy Christmas morning full of wonderful surprises.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Jolly Postman rides again with more real letters, and presents, too, in his Christmas postbag.

This gorgeously illustrated, full-color classic celebrates a time before email with an interactive picture book full of real letters to read aloud. The Jolly Postman brings a batch of wonderful letters for Christmas, including notes from the Big Bad Wolf and all the King's men.

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.

Excitement! Intrigue! Suspense! Horror!
Will Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson discover the truth behind the fearsome legend of the beast with blazing eyes and dripping jaws? We're reading this together for Mama Book Club in RAR Premium (Jan & Feb 2021).

FROM SARAH:
From one of Sarah Mackenzie's all-time favorite authors: a tender father-son story about the passage of time, the change of the seasons, and the excitement of making maple syrup.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eager for maple syrup, Ethan can’t wait till sugaring time rolls around. And he can’t wait till his loose tooth falls out. But his father keeps telling him it’s not time yet, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t make time pass more quickly. The closeness of father and son is evident throughout as they wait and then celebrate the end of waiting. The brief, lyrical text is illuminated by G. Brian Karas’s beautifully composed, evocative illustrations.

FROM SARAH:

A beautiful, nearly wordless book that follows a family of bears through the coldest season of the year. Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This charming and highly original story reveals what happens at a vacation cottage once the summer visitors have left for the winter. With fewer than two dozen words, the story is told primarily in pictures. Children and adults will revel in the activities of a family of bears that takes up residence in the empty camp.

FROM SARAH:

Will Hillenbrand's illustrations would have been my favorite, if I had seen them as a child. This snowy story is a cozy read aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. Hiding inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. When the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit hops away with the book. But the snowman isn't about to let his story—or the mischievous rabbit—get away. The chase is on!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

From the author-illustrator of The Book of Mistakes comes a gorgeous picture book about caring for your own heart and living with kindness and empathy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A classic in the making, this heartwarming story about empathy and imagination is one that families will treasure for years to come.

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 Amazon: In a charming sequel to Adventures with Waffles, Trille and Lena navigate the rough waters of friendship when a new soccer coach and a new girl in school disrupt their seaside escapades.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Alfie and his twin sister Alfreeda are excited to welcome Herbie, a cute little Yorkshire Terrier. But Herbie is not excited about being at Hound Hotel. The furry boy is so homesick that all he does is lay around and cry. Alfie's convinced that Herbie just needs some guy time, but Alfreeda insists on babying the dog instead. Alfie's many funny attempts at cheering up Herbie make this a charming early chapter book, sure to please boys and girls alike.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Despite her name, Clover has always felt decidedly unlucky. So when she stumbles upon a mysterious cottage in the Woods, she can hardly believe her good fortune. It's the Magical Animal Adoption Agency, and it houses creatures of all kinds. Fairy horses, unicorns, and a fiery young dragon are just the beginning!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The seven Rainbow Fairies are missing! Rachel and Kirsty search for one in each RAINBOW MAGIC book. Read all seven books to help rescue the fairies and bring the sparkle back to Fairyland!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck -- he and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A terrible darkness is spreading across Perodia. Thorn, a powerful vulture, is using dark magic (and his dark army of spies!) to destroy the magical land. A young owl named Tag may be the only one who can save it! Tag dreams of one day becoming a brave warrior, but he is small . . . In this first book, Tag and his best friend -- a squirrel named Skyla -- meet the last firehawk.

FROM SARAH:

Darling! Check your library to see if they have this one. You'll be as charmed as your kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends. One day, they each find a letter. But not just any letter . . . a love letter. Someone loves them. But who? The answer may surprise you!

FROM SARAH:

A book for dog-lovers about friendship, even through hard times. Sweet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this heartwarming, wordless picture book that's perfect for dog lovers, a woman visits a park and discovers a pup hiding under a bench--scruffy, scared, and alone. With gentle coaxing, the woman tries to befriend the animal, but the dog is too scared to let her near. Day after day, the woman tries--and day after day, the dog runs away. With perseverance and patience--and help from an enticing tennis ball--a tentative friendship begins. But it's not until a raging storm forces the two together that a joyous and satisfying friendship takes hold.

FROM SARAH:

I loved this wordless so much, we featured it as the pick for Family Book Club in RAR Premium! Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a three-generation family, one little bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved little bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.

FROM SARAH:

A delightful (and funny) book. You may just enjoy this one as much as your kids do!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s a big day up in the tree that Mama bird shares with her baby. Mama bird thinks Baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest and learn to fly so he can migrate south with the rest of their flock. But Baby bird isn’t so sure. Can’t his mother keep bringing him worms in their nest? Can’t he migrate in a hot air balloon instead? Or perhaps a car?

FROM SARAH:

A sweet, inspiring wordless story. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The story of a girl who chooses to walk with Vanessa after she is bullied.. and that makes all the difference. Sweet and inspiring.

FROM SARAH:

A wonderful addition to your collection. Notice how the shape of the book adds to the charm of the story, as well.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they’re going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest.

FROM SARAH:

Stunning art in a sweet, wordless tale.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A fisherman takes his son for a trip out on the water. When they encounter a whale entangled at sea, they realize a connection that transcends the animal kingdom.