Books

Is It Far to Zanzibar?

Is It Far to Zanzibar?

FROM SARAH:

Read this book alongside Room for Everyone! (Heads-up, RAR Premium Members... there's a Family Book Club Guide for that one.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Thirteen masterly poems by Nikki Grimes are illustrated with piquant watercolors by Betsy Lewin. From mist-and mystery-shrouded Mount Meru, to a young girl coming home to her family's relentless hospitality, to a hungry lion prowling the Serengeti Plain, to a bus crowded witth squawking chickens and curious billy goats - not to mention people - Is It Far to Zanzibar? captures the sights, sounds and scenery of Tanzania.
More info →
Buy from Amazon
We All Went on Safari

We All Went on Safari

FROM SARAH:

Lovely illustrations that immerse you in Tanzania. Your kids will enjoy finding and counting the animals!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Join Arusha, Mosi, Tumpe and their Maasai friends as they set out on a counting journey through the grasslands of Tanzania. Along the way, the children encounter all sorts of animals including elephants, lions and monkeys, while counting from one to ten in both English and Swahili.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

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: 

A cumulative rhyme relating how Ki-pat brought rain to the drought-stricken Kapiti Plain. Verna Aardema has brought the original story closer to the English nursery rhyme by putting in a cumulative refrain and giving the tale the rhythm of “The House That Jack Built.”
More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Too Small Tola

Too Small Tola

FROM SARAH: 

A lively (and short!) read-aloud that will have your kids laughing out loud, by acclaimed oral storyteller, Atinuke.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Three delightful tales from a renowned Nigerian storyteller introduce a chapter-book heroine who is every bit as mighty as she is small.

 

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
You Are Special

You Are Special

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the town of Wemmickville there lives a Wemmick named Punchinello. Each day the residents award stickers―gold stars for the talented, smart, and attractive Wemmicks, and gray dots for those who make mistakes or are just plain ordinary. Punchinello, covered in gray dots, begins to feel worthless. Then one day he visits Eli the woodcarver, his creator, and he learns that his worth comes from a different source.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
You Are Mine

You Are Mine

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bigger allowances. Better clothes. More toys.

Bigger, better, more is how the world determines who's special and who's not. It's a message your kids are hearing every day. But it's not God's message.

His truth is simple and never-changing: It's not what you have, it's Whose you are. And it's a truth that the lovable Wemmick, Punchinello, hears again at the knee of his creator in this faithful, fully illustrated sequel to You Are Special.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone

Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone

Authors: Eve Tharlet, Max Lucado
Tag: 240

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

To a child, a day can last forever, and hurt feelings sink in deep. Whether they're having trouble making friends, struggling to learn something new, or just having a sad day, children need daily reminders of how much they're cherished. Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone soothes away loneliness by promising children that their parents or caregivers will always make time for them--they will squeeze away the sad and welcome back the glad every single day.

More info →
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Bookshop
No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

Author: Max Lucado
Tag: 240

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Far more than a gold-plated symbol of religious belief, the cross is the centerpiece of the Christian faith -- the meeting place of time and eternity. Where God and man encounter each other.

Max Lucado takes you through the drama of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- bringing to life Peter's denial, Pilate's hesitancy, and John's loyalty. Relive the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, from the foggy garden of Gethsemane to the incandescent room of the resurrection.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Oak Inside the Acorn

The Oak Inside the Acorn

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The story highlights the adventure of a sweet little acorn becoming a big, strong oak tree. Readers will cheer on the growing tree when he can't grow oranges like the orange tree or flowers like the rose bush. Children will read with wonder as the tree grows empty branches, and later, a very special purpose is revealed.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Traveling Light

Traveling Light

Author: Max Lucado
Tag: 240

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

We've all seen weary travelers—everything they own crammed into their luggage, staggering through terminals and hotel lobbies with overstuffed suitcases, trunks, duffels, and backpacks. Backs ache. Feet burn. Eyelids droop. We can all be people like that—if not with our physical luggage, then at least with our spiritual load of guilt, discontentment, doubt, or loneliness.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Anxious for Nothing

Anxious for Nothing

Author: Max Lucado
Tag: 240

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

We all experience anxiety, but we don’t have to let worry and fear control our lives. Anxious for Nothing, from New York Times bestselling author, Max Lucado, provides a roadmap for coping with and healing from anxiety. Complete with Lucado’s signature storytelling and relatable anecdotes, Anxious for Nothing invites you to study Philippians 4:6-7—the most highlighted passage of the Bible and any book on the planet according to Amazon.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Beyond Mulberry Glen

Beyond Mulberry Glen

FROM SARAH:

I loved this book so much, I published it as the first middle grade release from Waxwing Books! This hope-filled fantasy novel tells the story of Lydia Green, who has to face shifting library shelves, a creeping darkness, and the forest Tenebrae to bring light to her world. Read it aloud with the whole family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A captivating tale filled with heartwarming characters and an undertone of hope for readers of all ages.

Eleven-year-old Lydia Green doesn’t want anything to change. She lives happily in Mulberry Glen with her mismatched family of a fairy guardian, a philosopher, and twin troublemakers known as the Zs. But now, rumors swirl about The Darkness, a powerful force that dwells in the forest Tenebrae.

Lydia knows The Darkness is nothing to be trifled with, but when a foolish choice by the Zs puts her family in danger, she must leave home and face the strange magical world of The Valleylands.

Among the shifting library shelves and new friends of her quest, Lydia uncovers more questions than answers, and the Darkness begins to creep into her mind. If she wants to save her family, she will have to be braver than ever before.

More info →
Rain

Rain

FROM SARAH:

There isn't a Cynthia Rylant book in existence that we don't love around here. :) This one is perfect for late spring rainy days.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When rain is on its way, some people and animals hurry home and get cozy inside. But others stay out to soak up the glorious showers! Wet drops bounce on leaves and roofs, creeks fill up, trees take a shower, cats have a show, and everyone relishes the rain.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library)

The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library)

Author: William Shakespeare
Tag: 241

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In The Merchant of Venice, the path to marriage is hazardous. To win Portia, Bassanio must pass a test prescribed by her father’s will, choosing correctly among three caskets or chests. If he fails, he may never marry at all.
More info →
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Bookshop
Henry V (Shakespeare Folger Library)

Henry V (Shakespeare Folger Library)

Author: William Shakespeare
Tag: 241

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Henry V is Shakespeare’s most famous “war play”; it includes the storied English victory over the French at Agincourt. Some of it glorifies war, especially the choruses and Henry’s speeches urging his troops into battle. But we also hear bishops conniving for war to postpone a bill that would tax the church, and soldiers expecting to reap profits from the conflict. Even in the speeches of Henry and his nobles, there are many chilling references to the human cost of war.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Henry IV Part I (Shakespeare Folger Edition)

Henry IV Part I (Shakespeare Folger Edition)

Author: William Shakespeare
Tag: 241

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Family relationships are at the center of Henry IV, Part 1. King Henry IV and Prince Hal form one major father-son pair, with Henry in despair because Hal lives a dissolute life. The father-son pair of Hotspur (Lord Henry Percy) and his father, the Earl of Northumberland, is in seeming contrast; the king envies Northumberland “his Harry,” wishing he could claim the gallant Hotspur as his own. Meanwhile, Hal has entered into a quasi-father-son relationship with a disreputable but amusing knight, Sir John Falstaff.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Henry IV Part 2 (Shakespeare Folger Edition)

Henry IV Part 2 (Shakespeare Folger Edition)

Author: William Shakespeare
Tag: 241

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Henry IV, Part 2 is the only Shakespeare play that is a “sequel,” in the modern sense, to an earlier play of his. Like most sequels, it repeats many elements from the previous work, Henry IV, Part 1. This play again puts on stage Henry IV’s son, Prince Hal, who continues to conceal his potential greatness by consorting with tavern dwellers, including the witty Sir John Falstaff.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare Folger Edition)

The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare Folger Edition)

Author: William Shakespeare
Tag: 241

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sent to court to learn to be “perfect gentlemen,” Valentine and Proteus are derailed by their attraction to Sylvia, the ruler’s daughter. Valentine’s mental denseness does not deter Sylvia from returning his love, but he is caught, and banished, when he tries to elope with her. Proteus’s desire for Sylvia wipes out his former love, leading him into despicable acts that win scorn from Sylvia and wound Julia, who has pursued him disguised as a boy.

When Sylvia follows Valentine into banishment, Proteus follows Sylvia, and Julia follows Proteus, the stage is set for a disturbing ending. But the stage is also set for the “gentlemen” to take small steps toward maturity.

More info →
Buy from Amazon
A World Wonder

A World Wonder

FROM SARAH:

For anyone who might be tempted to think that a life has to be sparkly and spectacular to be meaningful, this sweet picture book reminds us that true wonder comes from connection in our ordinary, beautiful lives.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ever since she was a little girl, Cora has dreamed of designing truly fantastical things, awe-inspiring structures that everyone recognizes as world wonders…and that’s exactly what she does!

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Aunt and the Amabel

The Aunt and the Amabel

Author: E. Nesbit
Genre: MBC Once a Queen

FROM SARAH:

How have I missed this book from E. Nesbit, when I love her others so much? I haven't yet read this, but it comes highly recommended from Sarah Arthur, author of Once a Queen.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Journey to the roots of Narnia. C.S. Lewis enjoyed the writings of E. Nesbit from the time he was a child. And the story of Amabel and her journey through a mahogany wardrobe so struck him, that he later created his whimsical masterpiece, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Discover the tale that inspired the great C.S. Lewis, and journey to a world of fantasy and forgiveness. Available in audio only.

More info →
Buy from Audible.com
A Ring of Endless Light

A Ring of Endless Light

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Vicky Austin is filled with strong feelings as she stands near Commander Rodney's grave while her grandfather, who himself is dying of cancer, recites the funeral service. Watching his condition deteriorate as the summer passes on beautiful Seven Bay Island is almost more than Vicky can bear. To complicate things, she finds herself the center of attention for three very different boys: Leo is an old friend wanting comfort and longing for romance; Zachary, whose attempted suicide inadvertently caused the Commander's death, is attractive and sophisticated but desperately troubled; and Adam, her older brother's friend, offers her a wonderful chance to assist in his experiments with dophins but treats her as a young girl just when she's ready to feel most grown-up.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Beyond Mere Motherhood

Beyond Mere Motherhood

FROM SARAH:

A lovely memoir of motherhood ready by a homeschooling mother of nine.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Beyond Mere Motherhood, Cindy Rollins shows moms how they can develop their own personhood—how they can keep thinking, growing, and playing. She casts a vision for them to cultivate beauty and wisdom in themselves, even as they faithfully—and busily—mother their children. Cindy shows moms how to pursue their ideal in the midst of reality.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Ministry of Motherhood

The Ministry of Motherhood

FROM SARAH:

Motherhood isn't just a role, it's a calling, a ministry, a vocation. In this inspiring book, Sally Clarkson kindles your own enthusiasm for the tremendous impact we have on our children as mothers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Using biblical wisdom and practical teachings, Sally Clarkson shows how you can make a lasting difference in your child’s life by following the pattern Christ set with his own disciples–a model that will inspire and equip you to intentionally embrace the rewarding, desperately needed, and immeasurably valuable Ministry of Motherhood.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Remaining You While Raising Them

Remaining You While Raising Them

FROM SARAH:

I haven't read this one yet, but it's come highly recommended by several friends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A guilt-free guide that strips away the myths you've believed about motherhood and offers you a new way to think--about your kids, yourself, and being the mom you've always wanted to be.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Amazon
The 5 Love Languages

The 5 Love Languages

FROM SARAH:

I read this book early in my marriage and it has had a profound impact on me! It's so helpful to know and understand how you best give/receive love, and how your husband does, too. There is a great version about love languages of kids, as well.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the #1 New York Times international bestseller The 5 Love Languages®, you’ll discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman’s proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your partner—starting today.

More info →
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Amazon
The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales

The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales

FROM SARAH:

We're big fans of books by the Provensens around here! You probably know them from The Glorious Flight or The Maple Hill Farm books. Delightful!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Alice and Martin Provensen were one of the most talented husband-and-wife author-illustrator teams of the twentieth century. A long-out-of-print cult classic first published 50 years ago, The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales is a treasury of their illustrations accompanied by fairy tales from authors such as A. A. Milne, Hans Christian Andersen, and Oscar Wilde. Full of magic, ingenuity, and humor, The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales is a witty modern descendant of Grimm’s Fairy Tales and a classic in its own right, sure to be beloved by a new generation.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Classic Bedtime Stories

Classic Bedtime Stories

FROM SARAH:

This is a continuation of fairy and folk tales, as good as the first one! From Sarah: A continuation of fairy tales and folk tales, and just as good as the first one!

Recommended for ages 4-12.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A book that even adults will enjoy reading aloud again and again, Classic Bedtime Stories will keep youngsters of all ages engaged for hours. Gustafson’s unique style makes this a volume to be cherished by children, parents, and grandparents for generations to come.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Classic Storybook Fables

Classic Storybook Fables

FROM SARAH:

A continuation of fairy tales and folk tales, and just as good as the first one!

Recommended for ages 4+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Children and adults alike will delight in reading aloud these enduring and enchantingly told stories, richly illustrated and fabulously reimagined by award-winning artist Scott Gustafson. Stories include “The Little Red Hen,” “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Beauty

Beauty

FROM SARAH:

I have yet to read this one, but it has come highly recommended to me by several people I trust! This is a beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's on my own TBR this summer!

Recommended for ages 13+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Three sisters’ wealthy father loses all his money when his merchant fleet is drowned in a storm, and the family moves to a village far away. Then the old merchant hears what proves to be a false report that one of his ships had made it safe to harbor at last, and on his sad, disappointed way home again he becomes lost deep in the forest and has a terrifying encounter with a fierce Beast, who walks like a man and lives in a castle. The merchant’s life is forfeit, says the Beast, for trespass and the theft of a rose—but he will spare the old man’s life if he sends one of his daughters: “Your daughter would take no harm from me, nor from anything that lives in my lands.” When Beauty hears this story—for her father had picked the rose to bring to her—her sense of honor demands that she take up the Beast’s offer, for “cannot a Beast be tamed?”

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Princess of the Midnight Ball

Princess of the Midnight Ball

FROM SARAH:

This book comes from the author of Tuesdays at the Castle and the Castle Glower series. A delightful retelling of The 12 Dancing Princesses.

Recommended for ages 13+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George's take on the Grimms' tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Mermaid

The Mermaid

FROM SARAH:

A Goldilocks story, but under the sea off the coast of Okinawa, illustrated as only Jan Brett can.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Vibrant, intricate scenes of an underwater paradise transport this classic fairy tale to a magical setting inspired by the seas off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Along with fun details that enrich the storytelling in Jan Brett's trademark borders, this visual treat will enchant readers of all ages.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Cinders

Cinders

FROM SARAH:

One of Jan Brett's best books. It's the Cinderella story, of course, but Cinderellla is a hen and Prince Cockarel is the handsome rooster. Jan Brett's travels to Russia influenced this stunning book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One magical night, Cinders, the most picked upon hen in the flock, becomes the most loved by Prince Cockerel when she arrives at his ball looking so beautiful that even her bossy sisters don't recognize her.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

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.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

FROM SARAH:

This is such a stunning version, and the winner of a Caldecott Honor. The 40th Anniversary edition with a foreword from Jason Chin (another RAR favorite!). Trina Schart Hyman has authored/illustrated several of Grimms' fairy tales that are out of print but worth adding to your collection if you can find them, including The Water of Life, Snow White, and The Sleeping Beauty.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone—until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path.

Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Saint George and the Dragon

Saint George and the Dragon

FROM SARAH:

I think this is Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman's very best book, and that's saying something! I'd skip the library and just buy a copy of this one for your permanent collection. Older kids enjoy it, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This breathtakingly illustrated adaptation of a classic story is a must-have addition to any collection of folklore and fairy tales. Saint George and the Dragon dramatically retells the epic episode from Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene "in which George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings joy to the land.

More info →
Buy from Amazon
The Kitchen Knight

The Kitchen Knight

FROM SARAH:

Make time to read this one aloud with all of your kids! Old and young will find much to love in the gorgeous storytelling and Trina Schart Hyman's iconic and inimitable illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread.

Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

FROM SARAH:

Jerry Pinkney is one of my all-time favorite illustrators, and this rendering of Little Red Riding is just lovely.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this inspired rendering of the classic Grimm Brothers folktale, Caldecott Medal-winning artist Jerry Pinkney introduces two favorite children's characters to a new generation: the sly, scary wolf and the sweet little girl in her famous red hood. Readers will squeal with delight all over again during that most memorable scene when Little Red Riding Hood declares, "Oh, Grandmamma, what great teeth you have!"

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Rumplestiltskin

Rumplestiltskin

FROM SARAH:

Gorgeous details and rich imagery in the illustrations of this one! Award-winning for a reason. Your library likely has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"Adult and child can delight together in the richness of color, gilt and detail...captured in such art. The story is plainly and gracefully told."--The New York Times Book Review"

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
La Princesa and the Pea

La Princesa and the Pea

FROM SARAH:

This charming retelling of The Princess of the Pea is so much fun! I love Juana Martinez-Neal's illustrations, and there is Spanish sprinkled throughout.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Princess and the Pea gets a fresh twist in this charming retelling with Spanish sprinkled throughout, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Korean Cinderella

The Korean Cinderella

FROM SARAH:

Shirley Climo has several multicultural Cinderella retellings that are fantastic, even though several of them are out of print and a little harder to find. Reading various Cinderella tales from around the world and then discussing their similarities and differences is loads of fun, and quite worthwhile!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Like the tree planted to honor her birth, Pear Blossom is beautiful, and the pride of her elderly mother and father. But then her mother dies, and her father remarries. Pear Blossom’s stepmother resents her new daughter’s beauty. Out of jealousy, she makes Pear Blossom perform impossible chores while her own daughter, Peony, watches idly. But fortunately, Pear Blossom is not alone. With the help of magical creatures—togkabis—she can accomplish each task, and triumph over her stepmother’s cruelty.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Adelita

Adelita

FROM SARAH:

A Mexican Cinderella, told by none other than Tomie dePaola. Delightful, start to finish.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Cendrillon

Cendrillon

FROM SARAH:

A Mediterranean Cinderella featuring Brian Pinkney's distinctive illustrations. Vibrant.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you’ve never heard it for true. Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man’s son, at first she doesn’t know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her—and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Cinderella

Cinderella

FROM SARAH:

This picture book version of Cinderella won a Caldecott Medal. The illustrations speak for themselves!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Even in rags, Cinderella is a hundred times more beautiful than her cruel stepsisters. And how she wishes to go to the prince’s ball! But her sisters delight in telling her that people would only laugh at her at the palace. Fortunately, Cinderella is blessed with a fairy godmother who can turn pumpkins into golden coaches, lizards into footmen, and rags into riches. At the ball, Cinderella will have the most thrilling night of her life—until the stroke of midnight!

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

FROM SARAH:

Truly gorgeous, and oh my, the redemptive nature of this fairy tale remains intact here, for sure! Winner of a Caldecott Honor.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Each spread brings to life a world as rich and real as our own—detailed, colorful, sensual—yet filled with the unearthly shadowed magic of the Hansel and Gretel folktale.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs

FROM SARAH:

Some of my all-time favorites. I own every single one in this series and won't be parted from them! Truly, anything by Paul Galdone is worth adding to your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

All three pigs set out to seek their fortune, but two of them come to a sorry end.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Gingerbread Boy

The Gingerbread Boy

FROM SARAH:

Some of my all-time favorites. I own every single one in this series and won't be parted from them! Truly, anything by Paul Galdone is worth adding to your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“Galdone has already proven many times over that he is perfectly at home with those traditional nursery tales that are still preschoolers’ favorites, and his expressive, unassuming style just right for their very young audience. . . . Children will follow along breathlessly . . . right up to that last snip snap snip when the Gingerbread Boy goes ‘the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven.’”—Kirkus Reviews

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Rumpelstiltskin

Rumpelstiltskin

FROM SARAH:

Some of my all-time favorites. I own every single one in this series and won't be parted from them! Truly, anything by Paul Galdone is worth adding to your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Paul Galdone’s masterful storytelling brings new life to this familiar high-stakes tale of a mysterious little man who makes a devastating deal with the miller’s daughter. Sold to a king who expects her to spin straw into gold, she promises Rumpelstilstkin the most valuable thing of all in exchange for his help, and she must outwit him when he comes to claim his due.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Cinderella

Cinderella

FROM SARAH:

Some of my all-time favorites. I own every single one in this series and won't be parted from them! Truly, anything by Paul Galdone is worth adding to your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Paul Galdone’s version of the classic fairy talestands above the rest. His gentle retelling is resplendent with lush artwork and storytelling that weaves the magical tale of a princess both beautiful and kind. This lovely story is now a Folk Tale Classic, with gold foil stamping on the cover and saturated, full-color illustrations throughout. A beautiful and value-priced edition of a classic, this book deserves a place in every child's library

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Golden Key

The Golden Key

FROM SARAH:

A beautiful collection of fairy tales from George Macdonald, the "father of fantasy." Includes The Golden Key, The Light Princess, and Little Daylight. This lovely collection is worth owning for your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This beautiful collection includes MacDonald’s stories “The Golden Key,” “The Light Princess,” and “Little Daylight,” as well as stunning full-color illustrations by Anastasia Nesterova and an introduction for the young reader by children’s book author and Editor of Word on Fire Spark Haley Stewart. It is sure to spark the imagination of any reader.

More info →
Buy from Amazon
Grimm’s Fairy Tales

Grimm’s Fairy Tales

FROM SARAH:

This collectible version of fairy tales put out by Barnes & Noble is beautiful and contains tons of stories. Great for reading aloud with a wide range of ages. Worth adding to your home library!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For most children, reading the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm is an essential experience when growing up. Grimm's Fairy Tales collects fifty-five of the best-known fairy and folk tales set down by the Brothers Grimm.

More info →
Buy from Barnes and Noble
An Illustrated Treasury of Grimm’s Fairy Tales

An Illustrated Treasury of Grimm’s Fairy Tales

FROM SARAH:

I stumbled on this collection and am so happy I did! Lovely illustrations. The book has heft and is worth adding to your permanent library.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This sumptuously illustrated collection of essential Grimm classics includes stories every childhood needs: The Princess and the FrogLittle Red Riding HoodSleeping BeautyCinderellaRumpelstiltskin and dozens more. Each tale is brought to life with radiant, faithful pictures from Daniela Drescher, one of Germany's best-loved illustrators, which are sure to fire any child's imagination.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Hiding Place (A Graphic Novel)

The Hiding Place (A Graphic Novel)

FROM SARAH:

I devoured this book in a single evening, and loved it every bit as much as the original The Hiding Place (also highly recommended). I think Corrie's story is best appreciated by teens and adults who are ready to discuss the weight of what happened to Jews and sympathizers during Hitler's time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's World War II.

No one feels safe. But on a city corner in Holland one woman fights against injustice and darkness. In a quiet watchmaking shop, Corrie ten Boom and her close-knit family risk their lives to hide hundreds of Jews and others hunted by the Nazis in a secret hiding place they built into the old building. Until one day when Corrie and her family are betrayed. They're captured and sent in cattle cars to the notorious Nazi concentration camps to die. Yet even in that darkest of places, Corrie still fights.

This is her incredible true story, now a visually stunning graphic novel. With more than 1,500 engaging full-color illustrations, this real-life heroine comes to life--showing how even in the most desperate, loneliest, and darkest of times, faith, hope, and love will ultimately triumph.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Beyond the Pond

Beyond the Pond

FROM SARAH:

For kids who can't get enough of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. An imaginative take on what lies right outside, if only we let our imaginations go...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A stunning picture book about the power of imagination, perfect for fans of Extra Yarn and Journey, from debut author-illustrator Joseph Kuefler.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Albert

Albert

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, what a delight! The perfect book to read aloud when you've got a child complaining that the weather isn't just right for playing. ;) A fabulous read-aloud!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The morning begins like any other. Albert reaches out the window to check the weather. But from the moment a twig lands in the palm of his hand, life is never the same.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
They All Saw a Cat

They All Saw a Cat

FROM SARAH:

What do *you* see, when you see a cat? This is a fun read-aloud any time of year, but especially just before a stroll around the neighborhood, where you might just see . . . well, you know. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . . In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, author and illustrator Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
The Uses of Enchantment

The Uses of Enchantment

Author: Bruno Bettelheim
Tag: 243

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bruno Bettelheim was one of the great child psychologists of the twentieth century and perhaps none of his books has been more influential than this revelatory study of fairy tales and their universal importance in understanding childhood development.

Analyzing a wide range of traditional stories, from the tales of Sindbad to “The Three Little Pigs,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “The Sleeping Beauty,” Bettelheim shows how the fantastical, sometimes cruel, but always deeply significant narrative strands of the classic fairy tales can aid in our greatest human task, that of finding meaning for one’s life.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Tending the Heart of Virtue

Tending the Heart of Virtue

Author: Vigen Guroian
Tags: 243, 245

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Tending the Heart of Virtue, Vigen Guroian illuminates the power of classic tales and their impact on the moral imagination. He demonstrates how these stories teach the virtues through vivid depictions of the struggle between good and evil, while he also unveils components of the good, the true, and the beautiful in plot and character. With clarity and elegance, Guroian reads deeply into the classic stories. He demonstrates how these stories challenge and enliven the moral imaginations of children.

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Simon and the Better Bone

Simon and the Better Bone

FROM SARAH:

I loved this book so much, I made it a Book of the Week! One of Aesop's fables retold. (And honestly? I think Corey Tabor outdid Aesop himself with this one!) Delightful from start to finish.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him. And that dog has a bone just like his, only better! How will Simon ever get him to trade, when the other pup knows all the same tricks…?

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Pooh Goes Visiting

Pooh Goes Visiting

Author: A. A. Milne
Series: Early Readers

FROM SARAH:

Darling and delightful! Adapted from the Pooh books with Ernest Shepard's lovely illustrations. About as sweet as they come.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Winnie-the-Pooh is walking through the forest when he comes upon a hole. "If I know anything about anything," he says, "that hole means Rabbit. And Rabbit means Company. And Company means Food." Hurrah! But once Pooh goes through the hole and has some honey, will he ever be able to get out?

More info →
Buy from Bookshop
Buy from Amazon
Cora Frear

Cora Frear

FROM SARAH:

Perfect for your kids who love real stories like the Little House on the Prairie series. Set in the American pioneer west.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Cora loves riding through the wild prairie with her doctor father on his house calls. One day, they have a bigger adventure than they bargained for. Prairie Fire! Their old horses will never outrun the flames that are galloping right toward them!
What will Cora and Papa do to save their lives?

More info →
Buy from Amazon