Books

FROM SARAH:

A beautiful celebration of life and my new favorite gift for kids who are about to welcome a baby into their life! We've got a great RAR Family Book Club Guide for this one in Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Join a family of three who spend nine whole months waiting, from a frosty winter through a sun-dappled summer, until finally . . . a baby is here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a very lonely firefly goes out into the night searching for other fireflies, it sees a lantern, a candle, and the eyes of a dog, cat, and owl all glowing in the darkness. It even sees a surprise celebration of light. But it is not until it discovers other fireflies that it finds exactly what it's looking for--a surprise sure to bring smiles to anyone who turn the final page!

FROM SARAH:

Another fabulous nonfiction picture book by the inimitable Gail Gibbons. Informative and clear. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here is a fascinating journey through those dark, mysterious hollow places on earth--sea caves, lava caves, ice caves, and more. Caves and Caverns also includes information on where to go, what to bring, and how to have a safe, exciting spelunking adventure of your own. “This title will be enjoyed by budding scientists and explorers.”--School Library Journal

FROM SARAH:

Nobody does funny illustrations quite like Nancy Carpenter. This book is just fun-fun-fun all around. Highly recommended for a day when you just want to love living a little bit more.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A laugh-out-loud look at all the fun things grown-ups never let you do. The text is short, spare, and fall-on-the-floor funny—not to mention utterly child-friendly.

**Description from Amazon: In a first-time creative pairing, two of the world’s most treasured picture book creators offer a truly delightful book for new-siblings-to-be.When is the new baby coming? What will we call it? What will he do? We don’t really need a baby, do we? With sensitivity and wit, John Burningham follows...

FROM SARAH:

We revisit this picture book every winter—it's worth adding to your nature/science collection! You could also ask your kids to copy some of the sketches from inside this book and count it as science for the day.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity.

NARRATED BY: multiple

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 31 min

INCLUDES: Stone Soup, Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, Suho and the White Horse, Jonah & the Great Fish

FROM SARAH:

The most reading fun I've had in ages! This utterly hilarious historical rom-com was a joy to read, start to finish. For fans of Jane Austen, who need something light and easy and unputdownable. Excellent for teens, as well. I highly recommend you listen to it on Audible. Eleanor Tomlinson is an exquisite narrator. (LibroFM)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin.

Kitty has never been one to back down from a challenge, so she leaves home and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of England: the London season.

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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Nora's managed to make it to the fifth grade without anyone figuring out that she's not just an ordinary kid, and she wants to keep it that way. But then Nora gets fed up with the importance everyone attaches to test scores and grades, and she purposely brings home a terrible report card just to prove a point. Suddenly the attention she's successfully avoided all her life is focused on her, and her secret is out. And that's when things start to get really complicated....

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Cognitive scientist Dan Willingham focuses his acclaimed research on the biological and cognitive basis of learning. His book will help teachers improve their practice by explaining how they and their students think and learn. It reveals-the importance of story, emotion, memory, context, and routine in building knowledge and creating lasting learning experiences. Nine, easy-to-understand principles with clear applications for the classroom Includes surprising findings, such as that intelligence is malleable, and that you cannot develop "thinking skills" without facts How an understanding of the brain's workings can help teachers hone their teaching skills

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Acclaimed author-illustrator Bonnie Christensen adopts the voice of Galileo and lets him tell his own tale in this outstanding picture book biography. The first person narration gives this book a friendly, personal feel that makes Galileo's remarkable achievements and ideas completely accessible.

Conceived by Kate DiCamillo and featuring enchanting illustrations by Jaime Kim, this nearly wordless graphic story follows a little girl in search of a friend.“La la la . . . la.” A little girl stands alone and sings, but hears no response. Gathering her courage and her curiosity, she skips far...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

It's easy to count three of something-- just add them up. But how do you count zero, a number that is best defined by what it's not? Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it? This important math concept is beautifully explored in a way that will inspire children to find zero everywhere--from the branches of a tree by day to the vast, starry sky by night.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

After being initiated into a neighbor's family by a solemn backyard ceremony, a young Russian American girl and her African American brothers' determine to buy their gramma Eula a beautiful Easter hat. But their good intentions are misunderstood, until they discover just the right way to pay for the hat that Eula's had her eye on. A loving family story woven from the author's childhood.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Hundreds of books have been written on the art of writing. Here at last is a book by two professional editors to teach writers the techniques of the editing trade that turn promising manuscripts into published novels and short stories.

**Description from Amazon: A lyrical adaptation of the writings of Opal Whiteley, a young girl growing up in the early twentieth century, describes Opal's love of nature and her life in an Oregon lumber camp at the turn of the century. Reprint.

**Description from Amazon: Messenger is the masterful third novel in the Giver Quartet, which began with the dystopian bestseller The Giver, now a major motion picture. Matty has lived in Village and flourished under the guidance of Seer, a blind man known for his special sight. Village once welcomed newcomers, but something...

FROM SARAH:

An excellent picture book for older kids and teens, this text-heavy picture book relays the incredible (and true!) story of the Christmas Truce of 1914. Perfect to pair with your history studies for this time period. John Hendrix is an RAR favorite.

Age rec: 12 + up

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing that evening and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Barnaby Richards lives in London, where he shares a studio with his wife Alice and their cat Mosca. He has been doodling pictures of his little robot in the margins of notebooks and the corners of pictures for many years. Barnaby was inspired to write Blip! when he felt it was time his robot found a friend.

**Description from Amazon: The 3.5 million fans who bought Fablehaven know the series has many imaginative mythical creatures especially dragons. Every one of the dragons has a name and a special power and they all look different and are described in words, but they existed only in our imagination….UNTIL NOW. The Caretaker'...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A very little bulldozer learns that taking care of kittens is a very big job in this darling follow-up to Bulldozer’s Big Day from award-winning author Candace Fleming and Caldecott Medalist Eric Rohmann.

FROM SARAH:

There's a reason Andrew Lang's series of fairy books are some of the most widely read versions of fairy tales! Homeschoolers tend to love this series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The first installment of Andrew Lang's widely read classics and arguably his best known, The Blue Fairy Book has been admired time and time again, enchanting readers with its carefully crafted prose and eclectic assortment of fairy tales. Originally published in 1889, this collection of celebrated tales has stood the test of time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

On the mountain lives an old monk, working out his salvation in prayer and seclusion. He is just the one to show Nikola the holiness in each moment.

FROM SARAH:

I can almost imagine Tomie chuckling to himself while making the illustrations for this delightful, nearly wordless story about a dragon and a knight who have every intention of fighting one another. Wonderful.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it's no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor's things to find out how to fight a knight!

FROM SARAH:

This Dr. Seuss title is a staple for any early reader! Worth owning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beginning with just five fish and continuing into flights of fancy, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish celebrates how much fun imagination can be.

FROM SARAH:

Jan Brett’s signature side-panel illustrations and lush landscapes bring this energetic tale to life! With its rhythmic storytelling and rich visual details, this book invites readers to linger on every page and cheer as justice—sticky, golden, and delicious—is finally served.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The African plains provide a stunning environment for Jan Brett's latest animal adventure. For as long as anyone can remember, the honeyguide bird and the African honey badger have been partners when it comes to honey: Honeyguide finds the honeycomb, Badger breaks it open, and they share the sweetness inside.

But this day, Badger keeps all the honey for himself. Foolish Badger! In no time, Honeyguide leads Badger on a fast chase. Badger thinks it's for honey, but Honeyguide has a surprise waiting for her greedy friend.

FROM SARAH:

David Rubel, a historian, researched the origins of the Rockefeller Christmas tree and crafted this beautiful story as an “origin myth” — a fictional tale that aligns with known facts, but fills in emotional and imaginative gaps with a heart-felt story. The illustrations are magnificent, perfect for lingering over with a cup of cocoa.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This modern classic Christmas story teaches children the spirit of the season by bringing together two great New York City traditions: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor program of Habitat for Humanity.

** Description from Amazon: Who is Jane Moffat, anyway? She isn't the youngest in the family, and she isn't the oldest-she is always just Jane. How boring. So Jane decides to become a figure of mystery . . . the mysterious "Middle Moffat." But being in the middle is a lot harder than it looks. In between not rescuing stray dog...

FROM SARAH:

There's so much to see in the illustrations of this countdown book. Your kids will learn the shapes and colors of many leaves (and the trees from which they fall).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Count backwards from 10 to one during one of the most colorful times of year: fall. Learn about the bright, colorful leaves and the trees from which they fall: aspen, birch, maple, oak, chestnut, linden, pine, beech, dogwood, and sweet gum.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

FROM SARAH:

Little hedgehog thinks he can do everything big hedgehog can do. A cozy and leafy tale about growing up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s a busy day in the woods for Big and Little Hedgehog, who meet all kinds of animal friends, each of whom can do something special that Little Hedgehog wants to do. Ladybug climbs a tree and jumps off a branch; mole digs a hole; fish swim in the pond. Sometimes Little Hedgehog is successful and sometimes he learns that he’s just not up to the task. As they find their way home with the help of a turtle, an owl’s hoot sends Little Hedgehog off to sleep with one last cry of “I can do that too!”

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Belonging in the immortal company of the great works of literature, Dante Alighieri’s poetic masterpiece, The Divine Comedy, is a moving human drama, an unforgettable visionary journey through the infinite torment of Hell, up the arduous slopes of Purgatory, and on to the glorious realm of Paradise—the sphere of universal harmony and eternal salvation.

FROM SARAH:

Summer insects abound in this favorite by Eric Carle. Your library likely has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One day a tiny cricket is born and meets a big cricket who chirps his welcome. The tiny cricket tries to respond, but there is no sound. The quiet cricket then makes his way into the world, meeting one insect after another, each of whom greets the little cricket with a cheery hello--the hum of a bee, the whirr of a dragonfly, the whisper of a praying mantis.

FROM SARAH:

I didn't expect to love this treatise on creativity from a modern dancer, but love it I did! I've lost track of how many times I've re-read it now, but I always find just what I need in its pages, when I'm in a creative funk. The practical suggestions can be implemented widely, no matter what kind of creative work you do.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An inspiring guide to unlocking one's creative potential provides a wealth of exercises, anecdotes, and advice that comprise evaluating one's creative history, stimulating oneself by becoming active, and making time for creative change.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Rupert Bear is one of the most famous and long-standing characters in children's books, with a rich history spanning eight decades. Rupert stories are created from a combination of pictures, rhyming text and story paragraph that has proven successful with generations of young readers. While retaining these classic elements, Egmont has updated the artwork and stories to create an annual with universal appeal.

FROM SARAH:

There are a few picture book versions of this Robert Frost classic now, yet this Susan Jeffers version remains my favorite! The illustrations are just stunning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ever since it was published in 1978, the picture-book presentation of Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" has been an enduring favorite. For this special edition with a new design, trim size, and three new spreads, Susan Jeffers has added more detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes.

FROM SARAH:

This is (easily) my favorite book so far by Laura Vanderkam. It's full of practical solutions for choosing how to spend your time that I think many homeschooling mamas will appreciate. "Going to bed early is how grown-ups sleep in" might be my favorite line from the whole book!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

To make time for what matters, you need a resilient schedule, not a perfect schedule. Based on a time diary study of over 150 people, Vanderkam shares nine strategies for building opportunities for joy, nourishment, and fulfillment into your week, such as:

• Three times a week is a habit
• One big adventure, one little adventure
• Effortful before effortless

This is more than a time management book about “how to do it all.” It’s a look at how real people changed their lives using Vanderkam’s nine rules, and how you can do the same.

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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Today we are battling too much information in a society changing at lightning speed, with algorithms aimed at shaping our every thought—plus a sense that history offers no resources, only impediments to overcome or ignore. The modern solution to our problems is to surround ourselves only with what we know and what brings us instant comfort. Jacobs's answer is the opposite: to be in conversation with, and challenged by, those from the past who can tell us what we never thought we needed to know.

What can Homer teach us about force? How does Frederick Douglass deal with the massive blind spots of America's Founding Fathers? And what can we learn from modern authors who engage passionately and profoundly with the past? How can Ursula K. Le Guin show us truths about Virgil's female characters that Virgil himself could never have seen? In Breaking Bread with the Dead, a gifted scholar draws us into close and sympathetic engagement with texts from across the ages, including the work of Anita Desai, Henrik Ibsen, Jean Rhys, Simone Weil, Edith Wharton, Amitav Ghosh, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Italo Calvino, and many more.

By hearing the voices of the past, we can expand our consciousness, our sympathies, and our wisdom far beyond what our present moment can offer.

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.

FROM SARAH:

Another book by Andrew Clements your kids will enjoy. My oldest son especially loved this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Greg Kenton has two obsessions -- making money and his long-standing competition with his annoying neighbor, Maura Shaw. So when Greg discovers that Maura is cutting into his booming Chunky Comics business with her own original illustrated minibooks, he's ready to declare war.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Was Pippo the Fool really Pippo the Genius? The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was a marvel of art, architecture, and engineering. But it lacked a finishing ornament, a crown--a dome! The city fathers had a solution: to invite the finest masters to compete for the chance to design a dome.

**Description from Amazon: "Where are the girls?" When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the school's mock election! Author Kelly DiPucchio not only gives readers a fun introduct...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Little Bear's friends help him understand what it means to say goodbye Grandmother Bear has gone for ever, and Little Bear is feeling sad. His mother wisely suggests that perhaps asking his woodland companions what saying goodbye means to them will help him understand his loss.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Widows and Orphans is the debut novel in the new Rachael Flynn mystery series by critically acclaimed author, Susan Meissner.  The perfect new series for readers who enjoy CBA authors Dee Henderson, Angela Hunt, and Brandilyn Collins.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Children's Choice Award winner Bethany Barton applies her signature humor to the scariest subject of all: math! Do multiplication tables give you hives? Do you break out in a sweat when you see more than a few numbers hanging out together?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Read this captivating adventure by Jonathan Auxier, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Gardener. It’s been two years since Peter Nimble and Sir Tode rescued the kingdom of HazelPort. In that time, they have traveled far and wide in search of adventure.

**Description from Amazon: This is the incredible true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who dressed as a man and fought in the Civil War. When she was 19, Sarah cut her hair, donned her brother’s clothes, and fled from Canada, where her father wanted her to marry an elderly gentleman. In the U.S., she went by the name Frank Tho...

**Description from Amazon: Adventure awaits in the Five Kingdoms—come and claim it in this start to a new series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonoders series.Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little bette...

**Description from Amazon: In addition to such familiar favorites as Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, The Ratcatcher (The Pied Piper), and Snowdrop (Snow White), The Red Fairy Book contains a wonderful collection of lesser-known tales from French, German, Danish, Russian, and Romanian sources. A tale from Norse mythology recounts the old story of Sigurd and Brynhild; tales by the great Madame d'Aulnoy include Graciosa and Percinet and Princess Rosette; lesser-known tales from Grimm's collection include The Three Dwarfs, Mother Holle, and The Golden Goose.
All in all, this collection contains 37 stories, all narrated in the clear, lively prose for which Lang was famous.

FROM SARAH:

This book is full of great photographs and information about the intricacies of ecosystems. A delight for all nature lovers!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Yellowstone National Park's majestic geologic wonders and remarkable wildlife draw millions of visitors each year. But there was a time when these natural treasures were in great danger, all because after years of unrestricted hunting, one key piece of the puzzle had been eliminated-the wolf.
Now, more than a decade after scientists realized the wolves' essential role and returned them to Yellowstone, the park's natural balance is gradually being restored.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely Chinese folk tale about an honest schoolboy and an Emperor's challenge. Beautifully illustrated in Demi's iconic style.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Full-color illustrations and a delightful tale capture the beauty and faith of Saint Clare as she pursues her vocation and embraces the joyful and simple Franciscan spirituality. Ever-appreciative of the little things, Clare's happiness blossoms even more with her wonderful discovery of a tiny kitten.

FROM SARAH:

I'm not new to the world of Strega Nona, but this treasury made its way into my home and became one of my favorite go-tos for read-aloud time right away.  All of Strega Nona's stories are pure delight. Your kids can meet author Tomie dePaola at his Author Access video replays in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Strega Nona has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Caldecott Honor Award–winning Strega Nona in 1975. Strega Nona’s gentle humor, irrepressible spirit, and matter-of-fact approach to life have won her legions of fans young and old, and the American Library Association called her “an enduring character who has charmed generations of children.”

FROM SARAH:

The first book in a sweet series. Betsy and Tacy meet in this book, and a beautiful friendship blossoms as the girls share adventures. Two of my daughters will name this as one of their favorite books of all time. Also wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

There are lots of children on Hill Street, but no little girls Betsy's age. So when a new family moves into the house across the street, Betsy hopes they will have a little girl she can play with. Sure enough, they do—a little girl named Tacy. And from the moment they meet at Betsy's fifth birthday party, Betsy and Tacy becomes such good friends that everyone starts to think of them as one person—Betsy-Tacy.

FROM SARAH:

Irresistibly interactive. Littles LOVE this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hervé Tullet's delightful sensory books have sold millions of copies around the world. Here is his beloved Press Here in a beautiful hardcover edition just right for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers.

FROM SARAH:

Based on the true story of the owl found in the 2020 Rockefeller tree, this beautifully illustrated picture book invites us into thoughtful conversation about compassion, nature, and what it means to care for others — especially when they’re small.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Co-written by Ellen Kalish, caretaker of the real owl found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, The Christmas Owl is a charming story of friendship, compassion, and the true meaning of this special time of year.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From New York Times bestselling author Shel Silverstein, the creator of the beloved poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends, Falling Up, and Every Thing On It, comes an imaginative book of poems and drawings—a favorite of Shel Silverstein fans young and old.