Books

FROM SARAH:

This short, true story is heartfelt and relatable. An excellent choice for kids who love historical books. I especially loved the author's note at the end.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

1938, Italy. Six-year-old Lia loves to build sandcastles at the beach and her biggest problem is her shyness and quiet, birdlike voice—until prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in World War II, and everything changes.

Now there are laws saying Jewish children can’t go to school, Jews can’t work, or go on vacation. It’s difficult for Lia to understand why this is happening to her family. When her father loses his job, they must give up their home and move from city to city.

As war comes closer, it becomes too dangerous to stay together, and Lia and her sisters are sent to hide at a convent. Will she ever be “just a girl” again?

FROM SARAH:

Joe Sutphin's most impressive work yet. This gorgeous graphic novel breathes new life into an epic classic. Highly recommend.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A beautiful and faithful graphic novel adaptation of Richard Adams’s beloved story of a group of rabbits on an epic journey in search of home.

FROM SARAH:

See Wilson Bentley's real photographs up close in this collection! Excellent for older kids and teens, especially in tandem with Snowflake Bentley. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

An inexhaustible source of design inspiration for artists, designers, and craftspeople, these graceful patterns are ideal for use in textile and wallpaper design, as well as a host of other creative projects. These images will also appeal to anyone intrigued by the intricacy and beauty of design in the natural world.

FROM SARAH:

If you're looking for a cozy tale to whisk you away to a small village full of tea, freshly baked cakes, and stacks of books, this is it. It's a quiet story, not a page-turner. Perfect for cold winter days, I think.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Prudencia Prim is a young woman of intelligence and achievement, with a deep knowledge of literature and several letters after her name. But when she accepts the post of private librarian in the village of San Ireneo de Arnois, she is unprepared for what she encounters there.

FROM SARAH:

Haley is a delightful person, and I don't know too many people who are as well acquainted with Jane Austen as she is! Haley insists there's not better life coach than Jane herself, and she makes her case in this book. (This book is distinctly Catholic ✝️ )

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

In this uniquely Catholic take, Stewart reveals Austen’s thoughtful, deeply personal exploration of human relationships—including with God—through her six novels. Stewart’s insights take you on a journey that is both literary and spiritual, revealing how Austen’s characters and themes can lead to you to discover and become the person God has called you to be.

FROM SARAH:

An owl bent on becoming a heroic knight shows whether he has what it takes to be as valiant as he imagines. This is laugh-out-loud funny and has gorgeous illustrations. Worth adding to your permanent collection!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. 

Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas.

FROM SARAH:

My boys loved everything about this illustrated chapter book. It's a bit ridiculous and perfectly tuned to a young boy's sense of humor. ;) Makes for a great read-aloud for ages 4-12.

Recommended for ages 4+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This heavily illustrated middle grade novel from award-winning author and artist Matt Phelan is a hilarious, rip-roaring tale of derring-do perfect for reluctant readers and fans of How to Train Your Dragon and The Terrible Two.

Knights vs. Dinosaurs is a highly illustrated, fast-paced adventure full of uproarious knightly hijinks, surprising secrets, and terrifying dinosaurs. With art on nearly every page, including an epic fight scene depicted in several graphic-novel style spreads, this engaging story is Monty Python for young middle school readers.

FROM SARAH:

What a joy-filled book! I loved everything about this funny, endearing story with simple text, bright pictures, and so much heart.

Recommended for all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a little boy wakes up to see a blanket of snow covering the world outside, there’s only one thing to do: make a snowman, and not just any snowman—he wants the best snowman ever. But when his perfectly packed and powdery dreams clash with cold, slushy reality, he realizes the best snowman ever may be out of reach…but he can make his best snowman yet.

FROM SARAH:

Best for your very youngest kids, this is a book in Grace Lin's colorful Storytelling Math series.

Recommended for ages 0-6.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Olivia and Mei jump in the snow all the way to the tall tree. Mei takes a few big leaps like a deer. Olivia makes lots of smaller hops like a bunny. Each jumps “more” in a different way. A playful exploration of measurement, proportion, and friendship.

FROM SARAH:

This gorgeous book tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. writing his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. Best suited to older kids due to longer text and mention of violence. An inspiring and worthy book to add to your reading.

Recommended for ages 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Martin Luther King, Jr. was once asked if the hardest part of preaching was knowing where to begin. No, he said. The hardest part is knowing where to end. "It's terrible to be circling up there without a place to land."

Finding this place to land was what Martin Luther King, Jr. struggled with, alongside advisors and fellow speech writers, in the Willard Hotel the night before the March on Washington, where he gave his historic "I Have a Dream" speech. But those famous words were never intended to be heard on that day, not even written down for that day, not even once.

FROM SARAH:

A simple and profound story of the cart and donkeys that were a part of MLK's funeral procession. Includes back matter and a photo of the cart. Lyrical prose and lovely illustrations. Can be read with a variety of ages.

Recommended for ages 6+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eve Bunting focuses on the funeral procession of Dr. King, beginning with the two men who found the cart to carry him through the streets of Atlanta. After painting it green, two mules named Belle and Ada are hitched to the cart where Dr. King’s coffin is placed. Tens of thousands of mourners gather as the cart makes its way to Ebenezer Baptist Church, and then past the Georgia state capitol to Morehouse College. All the while, crowds of people pay their respects by singing songs of hope.

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 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:

A delightful and enchanting tale that will make you want to re-read your childhood fantasy favorites. Especially excellent for teen girls and mamas. The first in a new series from Read-Aloud Revival favorite, Sarah Arthur!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When fourteen-year-old American Eva Joyce unexpectedly finds herself spending the summer at the mysterious manor house of the English grandmother she’s never met, she soon discovers that her family, the manor staff, and even the house itself are hiding secrets.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the author of Miles to Go before I Sleep comes I, Julian, the account of a medieval woman who dares to tell her own story, battling grief, plague, the church and societal expectations to do so. Compelled by the powerful visions she had when close to death, Julian finds a way to live a life of freedom - as an anchoress, bricked up in a small room on the side of a church - and to write of what she has seen. The result, passed from hand to hand, is the first book to be written by a woman in English.

Tender, luminous, meditative and powerful, Julian writes of her love for God, and God's love for the whole of creation. "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

To Tantamount, great-great-grandfather's folly--"a mass of fantastic turrets and buttresses and battlements"--come the Richleighs: Edwin, sixteen, heir to the family's enormous wealth, Angeline, Sebastian, and the baby, eight-year-old Maud. Mama and Papa have gone abroad; New Nurse has declined to journey to the remote west of England; tutor and governess soon leave, and servants too. The children are alone in the moldy halls. The children are free of rules, free of formalities, free to be themselves. To show them how to manage they have neighbors, Nancy and her younger brother Dick. The six stay together, playing on the beach, catching and cooking fish, picking berries, until the Richleighs' past life fades in a succession of strange and lovely days. But Tantamount remains: they have given it their allegiance, it has disclosed its terrible past (and present) as a smuggler's den and worse.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Renowned around the world as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien was also a distinguished academic and professor whose writings and lectures expand beyond the scope of his beloved Middle-earth. From short stories of fantastical adventures to essays on imagination and the narrative form, The Tolkien Reader gathers some of these fascinating and hard-to-find works into one volume.

FROM SARAH:

If you've got a child who loves detailed coloring pages, this one is delightful!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Children can bring The Secret Garden to life by coloring 27 delightful illustrations that wonderfully capture the spirit and charm of the tale. They'll also have the fun of reading or listening to the story, specially adapted for this edition by Brian Doherty.

FROM SARAH:

I do love when a classic can be turned into a lovely graphic novel, and here's a great example! My boys, especially, loved this.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Green-growing secrets and powerful magic await you at Misselthwaite Manor, now reimagined in this bewitching graphic novel adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved tale. From Mariah Marsden, author of the critically acclaimed Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel, comes the second installment in this series of retold children's classics.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A repackaged edition of the revered author’s treasury of essays and stories which examine the value of creative writing and imaginative exploration.

C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—presents a well-reasoned case for the importance of story and wonder, elements often ignored by critics of his time. He also discusses his favorite kinds of stories—children’s stories and fantasies—and offers insights into his most famous works, The Chronicles of Narnia and the Space Trilogy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Born the daughter of an enslaved woman and a Louisiana plantation owner, Jeannette Bébinn is raised alongside her white half sister—until her father suddenly dies. His vindictive wife refuses twelve-year-old Jeannette her inheritance and sells her into slavery.

Now on her own, Jeannette must fight the injustices she faces because of her mixed race. She escapes enslavement and travels from Mississippi to Philadelphia to New York to Ohio, all while searching for purpose, love, and her place in a country torn asunder by the burgeoning Civil War.

Everything seems to fall into place when she meets Christian Robichaud Colchester, the white proprietor of Fortitude Mansion, a safe haven for escaped slaves where Jeannette teaches. But despite their instant connection, Jeannette isn’t convinced she belongs in his circle.

FROM SARAH:

I love C.S. Lewis's essay collections so much! This one is especially good for those who love reading about the moral imagination and the power of stories to enrich us.

FROM PUBLISHER:

C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—was a professor of literature at Oxford University, where he was known for his insightful and often witty presentations on the nature of stories. This collection assembles nine essays that encapsulate his ideas about fiction, including "On Stories," "The Death of Words," and "On Three Ways of Writing for Children," as well as eleven pieces that were unpublished during his lifetime.

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.

FROM SARAH:

Aesop's Fables are a must-read childhood staple, and this collection illustrated by Charles Santore is particularly wonderful.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Captivating the hearts and minds of kids and adults for generations, Aesop, a former Greek slave, developed simple and meaningful adventures featuring animals or insects to teach a moral standard or lesson for living.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Born into slavery, young Harriet Tubman knew only hard work and hunger. Escape seemed impossible - certainly dangerous. Yet Harriet did escape North, by the secret route called the Underground Railroad. Harriet didn't forget her people. Again and again she risked her life to lead them on the same secret, dangerous journey.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In August 1914, polar explorer Ernest Shackleton boarded the Endurance and set sail for Antarctica, where he planned to cross the last uncharted continent on foot. In January 1915, after battling its way through a thousand miles of pack ice and only a day's sail short of its destination, the Endurance became locked in an island of ice. Thus began the legendary ordeal of Shackleton and his crew of twenty-seven men. When their ship was finally crushed between two ice floes, they attempted a near-impossible journey over 850 miles of the South Atlantic's heaviest seas to the closest outpost of civilization.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beguiling, witty, and gently comedic, The Enchanted April tells the tale of four very different women who escape dreary London for an Italian castle in Portofino, shortly after World War I. Elizabeth von Arnim’s ageless novel compellingly responds to the eternal question of how to achieve happiness in life. An immediate best seller upon its first publication, the story of unlikely female friendship, newfound empowerment, rekindled love, and unexpected romance has been adapted for stage and screen. This much-beloved book appeals to anyone who appreciates the sly charm of Downton Abbey and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

New York Times best-selling author, speaker, visionary, and founder of Living Proof Ministries Beth Moore has devoted her whole life to helping women across the globe come to know the transforming power of Jesus. An established writer of many acclaimed books and Bible studies for women on spiritual growth and personal development, Beth now unveils her own story in a much-anticipated debut memoir.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee’s family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From Harrison Scott Key, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor, How to Stay Married tells the hilarious, shocking, and profound story of one man’s journey through hell and back when infidelity threatens his marriage.

FROM SARAH:

Here's the deal. If you ever (ever ever ever) see a book by Cynthia Rylant, you should buy it and add it to your home collection. This particular title includes Wendy Anderson Halperin's charming illustrations that will certainly keep your kids looking a little longer than necessary! Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With gracious text and enchanting images, Newbery medalist Cynthia Rylant and acclaimed illustrator Wendy Anderson Halperin invite readers home--to remind us why there's no place like it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

I think the covers of this series are unfortunate and don't accurately depict the quality of the text within! This is a great book for ages 8+ that will give your kids a solid fundamental understanding of this time in history.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On October 29, 1929, life in the United States took a turn for the worst. The stock market – the system that controls money in America – plunged to a record low. But this event was only the beginning of many bad years to come. By the early 1930s, one out of three people was not working. People lost their jobs, their houses, or both and ended up in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” named for the president at the time of the crash.

FROM SARAH:

An informative book with lots of photographs of The Great Depression. Best for ages 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The Great Depression for Kids provides a balanced and realistic picture of an era rife with suffering but also deep-rooted with hope and generosity. Beginning with a full chapter on the 1920s, the book provides important background knowledge to help set the stage for an in-depth look at the decline of the economy and attempts at recovery over the next decade.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely book that will have you hankering for a day at the beach. Particularly good for younger kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this evocative wordless book, internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee tells the story of a little girl's day at the beach. Stunning in their simplicity, Lee's illustrations, in just two shades of watercolor, create a vibrant story full of joy and laughter.

FROM SARAH:

I loved this wordless book! The use of color and the sweet and subtle message about paying attention and adding beauty to the world will delight your mama heart and your kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this wordless picture book, a little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. Each flower becomes a gift, and whether the gift is noticed or ignored, both giver and recipient are transformed by their encounter.

FROM SARAH: 

A delightful romp through the fair in the middle of the night. (Leave it to the raccoons to get the fence open!). Your kids may just pore over the lovely artwork in this one.

Recommended for ages 4+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As darkness falls on the fairgrounds, the animals venture out of the woods for one magical, memorable night! With thrills both spectacular and subtle, Midnight Fair will have readers punching their tickets again and again to revel in this fantastic nocturnal world.

FROM SARAH:

Oh my, what an adorable (and funny!) wordless story!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Set sail with a lovable Penguin in this wordless picture book about friendship, home, and the high seas. A unique approach to reading that encourages imagination and improves verbal skills in children of all ages.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely book to celebrate everyday beauties, ideal for a springtime read-aloud. Especially good for younger kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This lovely book illuminates all the possibilities a day offers—the opportunities and chances that won’t ever come again—and also delivers a gentle message of good stewardship of our planet.

FROM SARAH:

A book that connects St. Patrick's Day with the Irish potato famine. Inspirational, and especially good for a wide age range.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A family retells the story of the shillelagh that was whittled from a tree. During the Irish potato famine, Fergus and his family left for America. But first Fergus cut a branch from a blackthorn tree to take a piece of Ireland with him.

FROM SARAH:

A sweet story about a little bear who doesn't want to hibernate—he wants to find spring! Illustrated in collage.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Instead of hibernating as he should, a little bear cub goes out in search of spring—and he thinks he's found it!

Gloriously illustrated with dioramas and cut-paper collages by the award-winning designer and illustrator Carin Berger, this stunning picture book celebrates the changing of the seasons.

FROM SARAH:

Oh my, what a delightful book!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From Benji Davies, the award-winning creator of The Storm Whale and illustrator of the Goodnight Already! series, comes a heartwarming and tender tale about courage and growth, featuring a special tadpole named Tad.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A definitive collection of wisdom on every style of writing and a celebration of the transformative power of the written word from one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the modern age, C. S. Lewis, the beloved author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and other revered classics.

Featuring over one hundred excerpts—some short and some essay length—drawn from his wide body of letters, books, and essays, On Writing (and Writers) brings together C. S. Lewis’s reflections on the power, importance, and joy of a life dedicated to writing.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A military space probe, sent to collect extraterrestrial organisms from the upper atmosphere, is knocked out of orbit and falls to Earth. Twelve miles from the crash site, an inexplicable and deadly phenomenon terrorizes the residents of a sleepy desert town in Arizona, leaving only two survivors: an elderly addict and a newborn infant.

The United States government is forced to mobilize Project Wildfire, a top-secret emergency response protocol. Four of the nation’s most elite biophysicists are summoned to a clandestine underground laboratory located five stories beneath the desert and fitted with an automated atomic self-destruction mechanism for cases of irremediable contamination. Under conditions of total news blackout and the utmost urgency, the scientists race to understand and contain the crisis. But the Andromeda Strain proves different from anything they’ve ever seen—and what they don’t know could not only hurt them, but lead to unprecedented worldwide catastrophe.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719 without any reference to its author, Daniel Defoe. The book was presented as a true autobiography of a castaway marooned for 28 years on an uninhabited island. It was been considered one of the first English novels. and is one of the most published books in history. Crusoe becomes self-sufficient using material salvaged from shipwrecks and endures cannibals, earthquakes, and mutineers before his final rescue. He rescues a native who has escaped from cannibals and names him Friday in reference to the day of the week he was found.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hard Times Charles Dickens Hard Times - For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book appraises English society and highlights the social and economic pressures of the times. The novel was published as a serial in Dickens's weekly publication, Household Words. Sales were highly responsive and encouraging for Dickens who remarked that he was "Three parts mad, and the fourth delirious, with perpetual rushing at Hard Times".

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lisa's class is learning how to make maps. The teacher says they can make maps of anyplace, so Lisa starts with her bedroom. She includes all the things that people will need to read the map, such as a scale and a key to the symbols she has used.

Her dog, Penny, helps with the map. This gives Lisa an idea: Why not map Penny's world? Making maps is so much fun that Lisa and Penny decide to visit some of the exotic places that they've drawn-but they won't forget to take a map along!

FROM SARAH:

My very favorite illustrated collection of fairy tales. This large format book is a perfect example of a picture book being an art gallery for the lap. Highly recommended for your home library!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A lavishly illustrated, enchanting collection of 10 of the best-loved fairy tales, chosen and edited by the artist, who spent more than four years creating the seventy-five oil paintings, reproduced here in full color. Belongs on every child's bookshelf.

FROM SARAH:

Picture book biography perfection. If I was in charge of awarding the Caldecott, I would have honored this book. Just saying. ;) It's the delightful story of the birth of children's books. Your kids will realize for the first time what treasures they hold in their laps, after reading this book about Randolph Caldecott and his mission to get delightful stories into their hands.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Meet Randolph Caldecott, the artist who revolutionized picture book illustration and for whom the prestigious Caldecott medal is named! From acclaimed picture book creators Michelle Markel and Barbara McClintock comes a lively, humorous, and energetically informative biography that celebrates the spirit of storytelling in ar

FROM SARAH:
There is nothing more cozy and comforting than curling up with James Herriot’s stories of the animals in the Yorkshire countryside. This is a forever-favorite and deserves a spot on everyone’s shelf.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For over forty years, generations of readers have thrilled to Herriot's marvelous tales, deep love of life, and extraordinary storytelling abilities. For decades, Herriot roamed the remote, beautiful Yorkshire Dales, treating every patient that came his way from smallest to largest, and observing animals and humans alike with his keen, loving eye.

FROM SARAH:

This darling board book by the illustrator of Give a Mouse a Cookie is a gem. Your kids will spot some of their favorite characters from other books, as well!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a tiny bug decides to go for a walk, anything can happen! He might meet a cat, a crocodile, a pig, or even a bee to dance and play with, and that means more friends for everyone.

FROM SARAH:

Everyone loves Little Nutbrown Hare "to the moon and back."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

How much does Little Nutbrown Hare love his daddy? And how much does Big Nutbrown Hare love him back? The cherished tale of boundless affection is ready for boundless sharing in a durable board-book edition for the younger set.

FROM SARAH:

The board book version is just as good as the full-size, and toddlers love Olivia's antics.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's everyone's favorite pig...it's OLIVIA!

FROM SARAH:

Silly and fun to read aloud. Your kids will giggle over the antic in the illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's a spring morning on the farm. Grandma is happy the grandkis are visiting―they've picked just the right day!―and Grandpa is fixing breakfast. Suddenly his grandson reports that the cows have got loose! He thinks Big Brown Bessie just stepped on a goose! "Good gracious," Grandpa says as he pours himself a glass of milk. When his granddaughter shouts the chickens are out, Grandpa cooks up some eggs. Pigs broke the gate" Grandpa fries bacon. Why is Grandpa so cool? Because he knows the kids are trying to play an April Fool's trick!

FROM SARAH:

A lovely book for all ages, written entirely in haiku. It would be fun to read this aloud and then try your hand at writing your own haikus.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This haiku collection will enchant both nature lovers and budding poets. The spare, lyrical text describes a series of short vignettes, each of them taking place in a different kind of rain, from thunderstorms to falling flower petals. The poems—some serious, some gently humorous—depict scenes from all over the globe: a horse struggling to plow a field, a father changing a tire while his children play, and two friends making up after a fight.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beginning Reader Story Books are for young children who are just starting to read real stories with a little help and support. These well-known fairy tales and folk tales are beautifully illustrated, with fun activities and talking points after each story. Online links also allow you to follow along with audio versions. Contents Include: 1: Beauty and the Beast, 2: The Boy Who Cried Wolf, 3: Cinderella, 4: The Gingerbread Man, 5: The Emperor and the Nightingale, 6: The Emperor’s New Clothes, 7: The Elves and the Shoemaker, 8: Little Red Riding Hood, 9: Rapunzel, 10: Puss in Boots, 11: Sleeping Beauty, 12: Snow White

FROM SARAH:

A perfect gift for a baby shower or Easter basket. This gorgeous board book is worth reading again and again, with beautiful illustrations by RAR favorite, Breezy Brookshire.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The King of All Things is a celebratory prayer that helps the youngest hearts in your home to love the goodness of the Great King and revel in His kingship over all things.

FROM SARAH:

A spin on The House That Jack Built, this is the sandcastle that Lola built! Perfect for a summer afternoon (or any afternoon when you'd rather be at the beach).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A modern, summery spin on the classic The House That Jack Built, in which Lola's day at the beach leads to new friends and a giant sandcastle.

FROM SARAH:

Try not to love this book. I dare you! ;)

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Built for giggles and fun read-alouds, this classic children's song has been adapted by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Love and Otis, Loren Long!

FROM SARAH:

Kids love cumulative stories, and this one is particularly joyful and fun to read aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A sneaky snake has no idea that the captives in his belly are planning their escape! In the spirit of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback, the reader sees a cutaway of the snake’s belly and can even guess how the tale ends!

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, I do love a book by Atinuke! This book is particularly joyful and colorful. Best for the youngest among us.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Join Baby and his doting mama at a bustling southwest Nigerian marketplace for a bright, bouncy read-aloud offering a gentle introduction to numbers.