Books

** Description from Amazon: Eleanor Estes’s The Hundred Dresses won a Newbery Honor in 1945 and has never been out of print since. At the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hu...

FROM SARAH:

A faith-filled book that reminds us to be thankful for God's blessings in every season... and especially at Thanksgiving.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Celebrate the season in this heartwarming story that references Psalm 92 in tender rhyme from award-winning author Karma Wilson.

FROM SARAH:

"It's funny how ideas are, in a lot of ways they're just like seeds. Both of them start real, real small and then... woop, zoop, sloop... before you can say Jack Robinson, they've gone and grown a lot bigger than you ever thought they could." This is one of my top recommendations for teens. An absolutely unforgettable read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's 1936, in Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard, and ten-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy on the run, but Bud's got a few things going for him...

**Description from Amazon: You can be a great parent while still enjoying yourself. From the experts at Parenting magazine and popular mommy blogger Meagan Francis, The Happiest Mom brings the latest happiness research--and the experience of a mother of five--to moms who want to make parenting a little more joyful. With its s...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

“A love letter to Paris, the power of books, and the beauty of intergenerational friendship” (Booklist), The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest places.

FROM SARAH:

Oh hello, Strega Nona. Do we want another story about you? OF COURSE WE DO!!! 😆 All of Tomie dePaola's Strega books are worth owning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lately Strega Nona has been distracted-she even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. One night Nona has a dream about her Grandma Concetta, who has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?

FROM SARAH:

This collection of essays from Tolkien is heady and wonderful! My oldest daughter wrote her college thesis on it. For anyone who likes to think about the soul-enriching powers of stories.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

J.R.R. Tolkien's "On Fairy-stories" is his most-studied and most-quoted essay, an exemplary personal statement of his views on the role of imagination in literature, and an intellectual tour de force vital for understanding Tolkien's achievement in the writing of The Lord of the Rings.

Wild Peace follows a girl whose imagination helps her escape her frenzied home and discover the joys of nature. After enjoying the serenity of the forest, she is finally ready to return to her family, where peace welcomes all that is wild, and kisses the forehead of every child.

**Description from Amazon: The classic story of literature’s most beloved elephant. After his mother is killed by a hunter, Babar avoids capture by escaping to the city, where he is befriended by the kindly Old Lady. Later, with cousins Celeste and Arthur, he returns to the great forest to be crowned King of the Elephants...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

FROM SARAH:

With dazzling illustrations and a surprising math twist, this clever tale is perfect for kids who love stories where the smallest hero outsmarts the biggest problem.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Long ago in India, there lived a raja who believed that he was wise and fair. But every year he kept nearly all of the people's rice for himself. Then when famine came, the raja refused to share the rice, and the people went hungry. Then a village girl named Rani devises a clever plan.

FROM SARAH:

This delightful picture book won the Caldecott Medal in 2024, and we've been reading it on repeat ever since! There's more than first meets the eye in this heartwarming (and funny!) book. I'll tell you all about it on episode #223 of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. Get your hands on this puppy, if you can! (See what I did there? 😆)

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This hot dog has had enough of summer in the city! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. She hails a taxi, hops a train, and ferries out to the beach. Here, a pup can run!

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.

** Description from Amazon: Winner of American Library Association Schneider Family Book Award! Bobby Phillips is an average fifteen-year-old-boy.  Until the morning he wakes up and can't see himself in the mirror.  Not blind, not dreaming-Bobby is just plain invisible.  There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to Bobb...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Clear, easy principles to spot what's nonsense and what's reliable Each year, teachers, administrators, and parents face a barrage of new education software, games, workbooks, and professional development programs purporting to be "based on the latest research." While some of these products are rooted in solid science, the research behind many others is grossly exaggerated. This new book, written by a top thought leader, helps everyday teachers, administrators, and family members who don't have years of statistics courses under their belts separate the wheat from the chaff and determine which new educational approaches are scientifically supported and worth adopting.

FROM SARAH:

One of my very favorite books on this list. It shows the step-by-step process of making illuminations during the middle ages, as seen by a young girl named Marguerite. This one is a joy to read aloud!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Paris in the 1400s. A young girl named Marguerite delights in assisting her father, Jacques, in his craft: illuminating manuscripts for the nobility of France. His current commission is a splendid book of hours for his patron, Lady Isabelle, but will he be able to finish it in time?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Badger's friends are sad when he dies but treasure the memories he left them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Aldens begin their adventure by making a home in a boxcar. Their goal is to stay together, and in the process they find a grandfather.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Can Cam help catch the diamond thief? Cam and her friend Eric are sitting at the mall when the jewelry store is robbed. Cam sees the thief, but the police arrest the wrong person. Now it's up to Cam to catch the real criminal!

FROM SARAH:

A delightful picture book biography about the man who wrote some of the most famous novels of all time, including A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

For years Dickens kept the story of his own childhood a secret. Yet it is a story worth telling. For it helps us remember how much we all might lose when a child's dreams don't come true...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Zita's exploits from her first adventure have made her an intergalactic megastar! But she's about to find out that fame doesn't come without a price. And who can you trust when your true self is being eclipsed by your public persona, and you've got a robot doppelganger wreaking havoc . . . while wearing your face?

FROM SARAH:

Here is a classic that is a good example of a book with illustrations you want to look at a little longer than necessary. Check your library to see if they have it! (They probably do.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The green leaves on the trees are changing to red and gold. A chilly wind blows from the north. Mrs. Cottontail and her littlest rabbit watch a flock of wild geese in the sky. “Cold winter days are near,” she tells him. All through the woods, creatures of every size are busy. Squirrels are storing acorns and seeds under logs. The ground hog is growing a warm fur coat. The blue bird begins his long trip south. They must hurry—soon the big snow is coming.

**Description from Amazon: This enchanting tale of dragons, betrayals, and the power of friendship is the first in a charming and thrilling series by New York Times bestselling author Jessica Day George.

**Description from Amazon: When Father is taken away unexpectedly, Roberta, Peter, Phyllis and their mother have to leave their comfortable life in London to go and live in a small cottage in the country. The children seek solace in the nearby railway station, and make friends with Perks the Porter and the Station Master hims...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
After Jesus of Nazareth was baptized, he began his public life, and he performed many miracles. Inspired by Romanesque art, Tomie dePaola brings the New Testament to life as he retells the stories of twelve miracles in the Bible.

FROM SARAH:

One of my own favorites on this list. A classic that doesn't get old.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Illustrated in full color. Mr. and Mrs. Bird's search for a "better" nest leads them to some peculiar spots.

**Description from Amazon: Using a town’s mayoral election as a model, this lively introduction to voting covers every step in the process, from the start of the campaign all the way to the voting booth. There’s even a recount! The cast of characters includes two dogs (and a cat), whose questions and comments mirror those...

From New York Times bestselling author Shel Silverstein, the classic creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Every Thing On It, comes a wondrous book of poems and drawings.Filled with unforgettable characters like Screamin’ Millie; Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Dann...

** Description from Amazon: Meet Ginger Pye, the smartest dog you'll ever know. Jerry Pye and his sister, Rachel, feel pretty smart themselves for buying Ginger. It was the best dollar they ever spent. Ginger steals everybody's heart . . . until someone steals him!

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, I love Kathy Jakobsen's folk-art-style illustrations. Her art reminds me so much of Barbara Cooney's, and you know how much I love Barbara Cooney!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Rhymed text and illustrations relate the life of John Chapman, whose distribution of apple seeds and trees across the Midwest made him a legend and left a legacy still enjoyed today.

**Description from Amazon: When you’re in the baby and toddler phase of motherhood, life is intense - and often exhausting.But slowly things change. That baby who couldn't go an hour without nursing starts eating table food, and suddenly he's happy to hang out at Grandma and Grandpa's for an evening. The toddler who was int...

**Description from Amazon: This collection chronicles the fiction and non fiction classics by the greatest writers the world has ever known. The inclusion of both popular as well as overlooked pieces is pivotal to providing a broad and representative collection of classic works.

FROM SARAH:

Does anyone actually do rhyming better than Julia Donaldson? I don't know, but I know I love this book, and so have all my kids!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It's a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

Real pet dogs are a thing of the past: after they were found to be carriers of a sickness the government ordered them all killed. But one day an incredible antique shows up at the farm: a D-39 robodog, "Real as a dog can be!" Klynt is overjoyed, but the good luck doesn't last.

Introduce your students to the beauty of literature through the doorway of poetry. Enrich vocabulary while infusing reliably correct and sophisticated English language patterns into students' minds.Contains instruction, memory charts, and 76 poems for memorization at 4 levels. Level Five speech and ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden are brothers and sisters―and they’re orphans! The only way they can stay together is to make it on their own. One night, during a storm, the children find an old red boxcar that keeps them warm and safe. They decide to make it their home.

FROM SARAH:

Read. this. book. The end.

😉 Ok fine, I'll give you more than that. Katherine Paterson's essays on what children's literature does for the humans soul are unparalleled. They make me want to drop everything and read, read, read. Read alone. Read with people I love. Read. There are various collections of these essays (with a lot of crossover), but they are all out of print and can be difficult to find, so just get your hands on whichever one you can.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With the same perception, wit, and generosity that characterize her fiction, a much-honored writer shares her ideas about writing for children, as well as her passion for reading, her spiritual faith, and her conviction that the imagination must be nourished.

**Description from Amazon: Mom and baby are home alone when—DING DONG!—Auntie and then Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and the cousins come to visit. And they all want to hug and kiss and squeeze and eat the baby right up—because everybody loves the baby SO MUCH! With Helen Oxenbury lending her characteristic warmth an...

FROM SARAH: 

If you want math to feel like an adventure, this picture book biography is the perfect "addition" to your library. Julie Ellis’s playful storytelling and Phyllis Hornung’s warm illustrations invite readers ages 6 and up to explore Ancient Greece and experiment with hands-on math in a way that's fun and accessible.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Children can test their math skills and learn the Pythagorean Theorem alongside young Pythagoras in this STEM adventure. Pythagoras' curiosity takes him from Samos to Alexandria, where he meets a builder named Neferheperhersekeper, who introduces him to the right angle.

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 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.

**Description from Amazon: Paradise Lost is about Adam and Eve--how they came to be created and how they came to lose their place in the Garden of Eden, also called Paradise. It's the same story you find in the first pages of Genesis, expanded by Milton into a very long, detailed, narrative poem. It also includes the story of the origin of Satan. Originally, he was called Lucifer, an angel in heaven who led his followers in a war against God, and was ultimately sent with them to hell. Thirst for revenge led him to cause man's downfall by turning into a serpent and tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

FROM SARAH:

I love children's books that offer wisdom for readers of any age. Part allegory, part fairy tale, this tender classic reminds us that what matters most is not always what is seen, but what is felt.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this book like no other, a little prince serves as a guide for a pilot whose plane goes down in the Sahara Desert. A bit fairy tale, a bit fantasy, this book is much more than it seems and filled with complex lessons.

FROM SARAH:

This is, perhaps, the book I've read more than any other. It's my favorite high school read-aloud (actually, we prefer it on audio). I get something new from it every time I read it. It's my favorite of everything C.S. Lewis wrote... and that's saying something! 😍 Recommended for ages 15+ for the best impact.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old Devil to his nephew, Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man.

FROM SARAH:

Andrew Clements was a master of the school story, and this book is especially hilarious for twins! All of my kids loved it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Identical twins Ray and Jay Grayson are moving to a new town. Again. But at least they’ll have each other’s company at their new school. Except, on the first day of sixth grade, Ray stays home sick, and Jay quickly discovers a major mistake: No one knows about his brother.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

With her thoroughly researched, lively narrative and superbly detailed illustrations, Diane Stanley has captured the life of an artist who towered above the late Renaissance--and whose brilliance in architecture, painting, and sculpture amazes and moves us to this day.

FROM SARAH: 

Calling all bird-watchers! This darling picture book is the perfect introduction to birding, filled with soft illustrations and plenty of facts for nature-loving kids and grown-ups alike. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A young girl and her mother participate as community scientists in the Christmas Bird Count. The girl is excited when Big Al, the leader of their team, asks her to record the tally this year. Using her most important tools―her eyes and ears―she eagerly identifies and counts the birds they observe on their assigned route around town. She and her team follow the rules, noting the time of day, the habitat, the birding ID techniques used for each sighting.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely end-of-summer book that evokes all the feels of summer, including all five senses. And who can resist a book written by the great Kevin Henkes?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bees buzz, birds sing, and children roll in the grass and feel the heat of the summer sun. With striking verbal imagery, repetition, and alliteration, Kevin Henkes introduces basic concepts of language and the summer season. Laura Dronzek's glowing paintings beautifully illustrate the wonders of summer.

FROM SARAH:

This is easily one of my "most recommended" books of the year. I found this book impossible to put down-- and so did my kids! If you have a child who hasn't fallen head-over-heels for reading yet, start here. I loved the second book (Code Name Flood) every bit as much as the first!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One hundred and fifty years ago, the first dinosaurs were cloned. Soon after, they replaced humans at the top of the food chain. The only way to survive was to move into underground compounds...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sally and her brothers are walking home from school along the dunes in their Maine town when they come upon an enormous whale. He’s stranded on the beach. Her brother runs for help, and many people rally to respond, but the tide is going out quickly and the whale is just so big. Still, Sally is able to sit near the whale’s massive eye and tell him he’s beautiful and strong, and that she will miss him no matter what happens. Master storyteller Jane Yolen and illustrator Melanie Cataldo have created an authentic portrait of vulnerability that is at once spare, moving, and honest.

FROM SARAH:

This book is a hoot! A delightful story about a family of bears who can't seem to get their sweaters on. The simple text, "Sweaters on!" becomes funnier and funnier as the book progresses. Definitely get your hands on this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sweaters on? Not yet!

The air is crisp, and the leaves are bright—it’s the perfect autumn day to enjoy the outdoors. Papa Bear instructs his cubs to put on their sweaters, and patiently waits downstairs. When he checks on them, he learns that getting ready is no simple task. But even if this lovable bear family misses out on their planned outing, the evening sky still holds a beautiful surprise.

Mama has errands to run, so it is up to Papa and big brother to stop baby sister from crying. And, as families familiar with this popular American lullaby know, they will try just about anything to convince baby to smile again. Award-winning artist Brian Pinkney's version of the classic song is an e...

FROM SARAH:

This sweet story is based on the true story of a family in upstate New York who have hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast on their farm for their community for years. Delightful!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every year a family and their friends gather in the woods to celebrate Thanksgiving among the trees. Everyone brings something to share and the day becomes a long celebration of family, faith, and friendship. Told in a gentle, lyrical style, this picture book includes warm illustrations of people gathered around bonfires and long tables adorned with candles and food, singing songs and sharing laughter.

FROM SARAH:

This book tells the story of Lily and her life-changing decision to leave behind almost certain fame to serve the poor is deeply moving. Her vision, creativity and devotion changed countless lives, reminding us that sometimes the greatest adventure is found when we choose a purpose far bigger than ourselves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“I will make you the greatest living artist in all of England! But you must work very hard at your art, and you must decide between your art and your work with the poor.” This was the choice that John Ruskin, the celebrated Victorian art critic, presented to the young Lilias Trotter. With a storyteller’s eye and ear, Sally Oxley traces the steps that led up to this turning point in Lilias Trotter’s life and the amazing adventure that followed as she turned her back on worldly fame and set out in faith for the mission work in North Africa.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

This ranks toward the top of my favorite books by Patricia Polacco. It's a bit longer than a typical picture book, and holds the interest of older kids, as well.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Mary Ellen gets bored with her reading, Grandpa knows a hunt for a bee tree is just what she needs. Half the town joins the exciting chase, but it's not until everyone returns home that Mary Ellen makes a discovery of her own: Sometimes, even the sweetest of things must be worked for.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The entire book, with its unconventional page arrangement and eclectic, frenetic mix of text and pictures, is a spoof on the art of book design and the art of the fairy tale.

**Description from Amazon: McToad likes Thursdays. Why? Because on every other day of the week, McToad mows Big Island, but on Thursdays, McToad mows Tiny Island. To do so, he puts his mower on the back of a truck, which drives to a train, which goes to a helicopter, which flies to a boat, which uses a crane to put the lawn m...