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)

**Description from Amazon: As six-year-old Emma anticipates the birth of her new baby brother or sister, she vividly imagines all of the things they can do together. Emma feels ready to be a big sister! Then when the baby is born, her dad tells her that it's a boy and he has something called Down syndrome. Finally she asks, "...

FROM SARAH:

My favorite genre of all is picture book biography, and one of my all-time favorite pb biographers? Barb Rosenstock. I think you'll know why when you hear her on RAR episode #151: It's a Story... So What? This story is one of my favorites about Vincent Van Gogh. Gorgeously illustrated by the incomparable Mary GrandPré.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Vincent van Gogh often found himself unable to sleep and wandered under starlit skies. Those nighttime experiences provided the inspiration for many of his paintings, including his most famous, The Starry Night. Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime--but he continued to pursue his unique vision, and ultimately became one of the most beloved artists of all time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This beautifully designed book aimed at Kindergarten to Fifth Grade teachers highlights seventeen works of children’s literature, both fiction and non-fiction, that provide a springboard into biological concepts such as seed dispersal, soil composition, and the interrelationships of animals and plants. Published under the auspices of the National Gardening Association, Books in Bloom is a model of how connections between content areas can and should be developed. Full colored and accurate illustrations by Suzanne LeGault give the book immediate eye- appeal inviting teachers, parents, and children into indoor and outdoor adventures in literature and science.

From the Publisher:

Desperate to rescue Claire and the fractured Lost Boys, Peter must unravel what truly tore his dreamland apart. But with each step, he is haunted by more of his own broken memories. Not even Pan himself is what he seems.

Claire Kenton is chained to a pirate ship, watching the wreckage of Neverland rocked by tempests. When she finally finds her brother, Connor is every bit as shattered as the island. Claire may have pixie dust flowing in her veins—but the light of Neverland is flickering dangerously close to going out forever.

To rescue Neverland from the inescapable shadow, the boy who never grew up and the girl who grew up too fast will have to sacrifice the only thing they have left: each other.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Junia, the beloved, spunky mule from the bestselling The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series, comes to vivid life for young readers in this picture book tribute to Kentucky's Great Depression Pack Horse Library Project.

FROM SARAH:

I fell in love with the small town of Mitford and its delightful cast of characters. Witness the immeasurable patience of Father Tim as he delves into the all-encompassing job of caring for his parishioners and their host of ordinary, at times extraordinary, and oftentimes hilarious, circumstances.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives.

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 10 min

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Best-selling picture book creator Christopher Silas Neal is diving into the world of original board books with Animal Shapes, a book that humorously mashes up animals and shapes to create a unique and funny object!

FROM SARAH:

Captain Sager leads his family across the Oregon Trail as they deal with animals, sickness and many big decisions.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The epic journey of the Sager children by covered wagon from Missouri to Oregon in 1848.

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:

The familiar story is illustrated by none other than the glorious Jan Brett. Gorgeous.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Exquisite illustrations of Beauty and her mysterious suitor, the Beast, are set in a magical castle where animals dressed in period costumes serve them. Woven into glorious tapestries throughout are hidden clues hinting at the Beast's secrets, setting Brett's version apart from others.

**Description from Amazon: A collection of wacky, whimsical poems about books and all the treasures they contain--honored with the Minnesota Book Award; NCTE Notable; Bank Street Best Books; Librarians' Choice; Honor Book - Gelett Burgess Center for Creative Expression; White Ravens book; and Nerdy Book Award. Laura Purdie S...

**Description from Amazon: Described by Robert Hass as "unquestionably one of the great living European poets" and by Charles Simic as "one of the finest poets living today," Szymborska mesmerizes her readers with poetry that captivates their minds and captures their hearts. This is the book that her many fans have been anxio...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sometimes parents divorce. Sometimes mom or dad is sent overseas to fight. And sometimes cherished members of the family—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins—live too far away to see every day. This sweet rhyming story, written from the child's point of view, is a love letter to those who may not be geographically near—but remain very close at heart.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A collection of poems about innocence, animals, famous people, and holidays by such authors as William Blake, Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, and David McCord.

FROM SARAH:

I love books like this, where we peek into the windows of a building and see what everyone is up to. It turns out, everybody in the red brick building is up to something! From Caldecott Award winning illustrator, Oge Mora, who also illustrated Thank You, Omu! and The Oldest Student.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A chain reaction of noises wakes up several children (and a cat) living in an apartment building. But it’s late in the night, so despite the disturbances, one by one, the building’s inhabitants return to their beds—this time with a new set of sounds to lull them to sleep.

**Description from Amazon: Hailed by The Washington Post as "a definitive synthesis of the best editions" and by The Times of London as "a monument to Shakespearean scholarship," The Oxford Shakespeare is the ultimate anthology of the Bard's work: the most authoritative edition of the plays and poems ever published. Now, almo...

FROM SARAH:

This one isn't my favorite, to be honest, but I do love Elsa Beskow's illustrations, and my oldest two daughters adored this book. I read it aloud many, many times to them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Christopher meets the little spirit of September in the garden, and he is introduced to all the harvest folk.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

After meeting in a department store in Corduroy's first story, Corduroy and Lisa do everything together. One day Lisa takes Corduroy to the laundromat where, on the search for a pocket of his own, he goes on a soapy adventure!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The accidental rescue of a little girl who lives with her two great-aunts leads to an adventurous search for a missing will. Longtime fans and aspiring detectives alike will enjoy solving the case alongside Nancy Drew in this suspenseful, action-packed thriller.

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time favorite read-alouds. You'll find yourself enjoying this one every bit as much as your kids! What will grandfather do when his coat becomes all worn out? Well, you'll have to read it to see! Highly recommended for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When my grandfather came to America he made himself a handsome coat!Then he wore it and he wore it and he wore it--until it was all worn out!So what did he do? He snipped and he clipped-- and he stitched and he sewed. . . and out of the still-good cloth of his coat--he made himself a smart jacket!How many things can Grandfather makeout of that old frayed coat? Jim Aylesworth's satisfying retelling and Barbara McClintock's heart-warming pictures celebrate the clever recycling of a beloved coat that lasts four generations -- until it becomes this story!

**Description from Amazon: "Hey, if I get too loud or something, you can just bang on the ceiling and let me know," Marklee says to his new downstairs neighbor, Artichoke. But he never thought that someone could be so sensitive! No matter what Marklee does, from watching TV to talking on the phone, Artichoke bangs on the ceil...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

This one is a fall classic in my own home. I bet your kids (and you!) will watch the squirrels in the neighborhood more closely after you read it together.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Squirrels wrestle.Squirrels leap.Squirrels climb.Squirrels sleep. If you followed a squirrel for a day, what would you see? Climbing branches, storing seeds, making homes in tree holes, and maybe even flying!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With an original twist on the ordinary barnyard picture book, this read-aloud from bestselling author Karma Wilson is a clever exploration of a curious incident on the farm. As the farmer makes his rounds each day, most of the animals chew on the foods a young reader would expect. But when it’s time to feed the cow, she feasts on a special treat!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that's in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.

**Description from Amazon: A New York Times bestselling author and a rising-star illustrator present an utterly hilarious, oh-so-silly tale about Mr. Pockles, an odd little dog with a big hat collection--and an even bigger heart. For Mr. Pockles, going without a hat is as unthinkable as going around without any pants on. He h...

FROM SARAH:

It's Tasha Tudor, do I really need to say more? ;) A lovely addition to the Easter basket.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In springtime you can ride a fawn past splashing ducklings and leaping lambs in your dreams, and wake to an Easter Sunday filled with holiday treasures. Witness the beauty of spring in Tasha Tudor’s exquisite watercolor illustrations with this eBook with audio.

Perfect to celebrate the new baseball season, here is the life and famous words, such as "it ain't over till it's over," of Major League Baseball player and New York Yankee Lawrence "Yogi" Berra.Yogi Berra loved his family, his neighborhood, his friends, and, most of all, baseball. He was crazy for ...

**Description from Amazon: When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn't know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn't bad, sad, or strange--different is just different, and different is great! This ...

**Description from Amazon: 7 trade size paperback books in box. Half Magic; Knight's Castle; Magic by the Lake; Time Garden; Margie or Not? Well-Wishes; Seven-Day Magic.

FROM SARAH:

A  book that will refresh both your mothering and your reading life. I love this book so much, we've chosen to feature it as an RAR Premium Mama Book Club in spring 2024!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Mothering by the Book, Jennifer takes you on a fascinating, whimsical journey that will bring freedom and fun to your parenting—one great book at a time.

**Description from Amazon: Don't Miss the Original Series Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Starring John Krasinski!Tom Clancy reveals Jack Ryan’s origins in this electrifying #1 New York Times bestselling thriller that pits the former Marine turned family man against a vicious group of international terrorists.As an American in Lon...

FROM SARAH:

One of the most innovative nonfiction picture books I've ever seen. Do not miss it! (Especially good for when you're learning about the water cycle, but you can read it with enjoyment anytime.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up. A picture about the water cycle? Oh, but this one is a delight! Your older kids will be delighted by the many surprising ways water shows up in our lives.

FROM SARAH:

Oh my, I gasped when I first got my hands on this book—it's that beautiful. One of our RAR team members described it this way: "Whether you’re facing this Advent with great anticipation or overwhelming grief, Glad & Golden Hours will prove a sweet companion for the season. A collection of wisdom infused with beauty and grace that I’ll return to year after year!"

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Tangible acts of feasting and celebrating have suffused Lanier Ivester's home all her life. But alongside her love of festivity, she's wrestled with profound losses that have reshaped the landscape-both around her and within her.

These coexisting forces of great grief and great joy come together in a place called the Ruff House, where Ivester's story (lavishly illustrated by Jennifer Trafton) not only reminds us of the inescapable presence of sorrow but shows us how to celebrate and anticipate the return of glad and golden hours in the midst of it.

From the Publisher:

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, Alex and Brett Harris weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Grab a seat as Marcia Williams wields her popular comic-book style to bring As You Like It, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, Antony and Cleopatra, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, and Richard III vividly to life while evoking the mood, mischief, and manners of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Elizabethan theater. As in her previous volume Tales from Shakespeare, Williams blends her own storytelling skill with Shakespeare's rich dialogue to make these masterpieces accessible to even the most reluctant reader. Bravo!

**Description from Amazon: “Henry Smith’s father told him that if you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.”But Trouble comes careening down the road one night in the form of a pickup truck that strikes Henry’s older brother, Franklin. In the truck is Chay Chouan, a young Cam...

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 12 min

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

If you love hilarious stories full of delightful wordplay and overflowing with wit and whimsy, this timeless classic is perfect for your next read-aloud. For more insight on how fairytales can re-enchant us, check out RAR Podcast episode #237.

FROM PUBLISHER:

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!

FROM SARAH:

Mrs. Frisby leads us into a world of courage, sacrifice and scientific wonder. A timeless tale of bravery and ingenuity, this Newbery Medal-winning classic blends heart, mystery, and adventure in a story that continues to captivate readers since its publication in 1971. I'd recommend it for ages 9 and up, with a little head's up for scenes depicting illness and the loss of some characters.

FROM PUBLISHER:

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved.

Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.

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.

**Description from Amazon: Is a mealworm a worm or an insect? How long does the pupa stage last? Crawl through the pages of this book, and learn about the life cycle of a beetle.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lizzie's mom is serving in the military overseas, and Lizzie really misses her. While they are apart, Lizzie and her mom write letters to each other to help make the separation easier. Lizzie asks her mom to hurry up and defend freedom so she can come home soon. It's hard when her mom misses Lizzie's soccer championship and her birthday. Throughout the story, Lizzie draws maps to show her mother the important things in her life--like the new ice cream store, her new friend's house, the family's Thanksgiving airplane trip to Florida, and the stars in the sky. While Lizzie doesn't know exactly where her mom is, they both can wish on the same star.

FROM SARAH:

A book of poetry illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa that you'll want to keep on your shelf for decades. Lovely.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

William Blake, Kate Greenaway, Emily Dickinson: the writers in this charming anthology of 200 poems—first published in 1969—are among literature’s most beloved. And Gyo Fujikawa’s appealing illustrations depict children of all races sweetly interacting, as well as an engagingly rendered menagerie of animals and the natural world in all its wonderment.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A name day all her own! Nine-year-old Nancy had never heard of this Swedish custom-much like a big birthday party-until she came to live with Grandma and Grandpa Benson on their farm. To her disappointment, Nancy learns that her name is not in the Swedish Almanac, so there is no day set aside especially for her.

Although the problem of a name day for Nancy is never far from anyone's mind, her life on the Benson farm is a busy one filled with delight. Living with family where the slightest occasion calls for celebration-complete with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and animals-it's impossible to be unhappy.

FROM SARAH:

You might remember this one from your own childhood! Sweet, nostalgic, and classic. I have yet to meet a kid who doesn't just adore this story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Miss Suzy is a little gray squirrel who lives happily in her oak-tree home until she is chased away by some mean red squirrels. Poor Miss Suzy is very sad. But soon she finds a beautiful dollhouse and meets a band of brave toy soldiers. How Miss Suzy and the soldiers help each other makes a gentle, old-fashioned tale that will capture the imagination of girls and boys alike.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this quietly affecting story, award-winning author Karen Hesse and artist Jon J. Muth deftly capture the magnificence of a sudden rainstorm on a swelteringly hot day.

**Description from Amazon: When their elderly neighor Mrs. Marden reports that some of her valuables have gone missing, the twins investigate.

**Description from Amazon: 64 pages, classic children's stories such as Wynken, Blynken and Nod and Animal Crackers, illustrated in color by Eulalie

FROM SARAH:

The old classic. We still love it for a reason!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Written for beginning readers using only 75 different words, this beloved Beginner Book by P.D. Eastman—edited by Dr. Seuss—features all kinds of wonderful dogs riding bicycles, scooters, skiis, roller skates, and driving all sorts of vehicles on their way to a party held on top of a tree!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On the 20th anniversary of their first collaboration, Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and Caldecott Honor artist Diane Goode reunite for a story about the joy and warmth of Christmastime.

FROM SARAH:

My kids have all loved these "if you..." historical books. They help us understand what life was really like (in a boots-on-the-ground way) that other books don't do quite as well. Also, the illustrations are often funny!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A different time...a different place...What if you were there? If you sailed on the Mayflower --What could you take with you? --How would you keep clean? --What would you do when you first got to shoer? Get ready to go back in time to 1620 to discover what it was like to sail the Mayflower!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A story in rhyme that depicts the chaos caused by shouting at the zoo.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Welcome back to a Wonderland that is as astonishingly new as it is joyously familiar. Helen Oxenbury, one of the world’s most acclaimed illustrators, brings her special brand of magic to the Lewis Carroll classic in a handsome volume boasting more illustrations than any other edition - called a "masterpiece" by Parents’ Choice. Her Wonderland is exuberant, contemporary, and lovingly created, with all the warmth, depth of emotion, humor, and acute observations of people and animals for which the artist’s work is so highly regarded. An elegant, textured cover with flaps makes this a beautiful gift book.

NARRATED BY: Ilyana Kadushin BEST FOR AGES: 10+

**Description from Amazon: From a New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning illustrator comes an utterly hilarious step-by-step guide to writing a book, as told by a child "author."Want to write a book? Well, the spunky, know-it-all narrator of this side-splitting story can tell you just how to do it. She walks r...