Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Zita the Spacegirl has saved planets, battled monsters, and wrestled with interplanetary fame. But she faces her biggest challenge yet in the third and final installment of the Zita adventures. Wrongfully imprisoned on a penitentiary planet, Zita has to plot the galaxy's greatest jailbreak before the evil prison warden can execute his plan of interstellar domination!

Poor Emily. She doesn't mean to be loud, but whenever she says anything in her Emily voice, plates shatter, neighbors are astonished, and birds are frightened right out of the trees. It seems like there's nowhere she fits in.

FROM SARAH:

You know Astrid Lindgren as the author of Pippi Longstocking, but she's also written several lovely picture books, and this is one of them!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This classic story of the Tomten’s nocturnal visits to all of the residents of wintry farm has been reminding children of the promise of spring for decades.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Summer has a magic all its own in Elizabeth Enright's beloved stories about two children and their discovery of a ghostly lakeside resort. These two modern classics are once again available in Odyssey/Harcourt Young Classic editions, but now with handsome new cover art by Mary GrandPré to complement Beth and Joe Krush's original interior illustrations.

FROM SARAH:

If you've got a kid who loves nonfiction reference books, don't miss this one! It covers all 62 National Parks and contains gorgeous photographs and animal/plant identification. Ideal for ages 6-10.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the giant redwoods of Sequoia to the geysers of Yellowstone, this educational book is a fun, child-friendly travel guide that covers all 62 National Parks in the USA.

FROM SARAH:

I read this aloud to my 10, 9, and 9, and they all loved it. It's quite long so it took us a few months (reading a few chapters each week). I love that my kids were able to understand the allegory so easily, and we've used the language we picked up from reading this together in our daily life plenty of times, since! ("Why don't you lay down that pack, Little Christian?" ❤️). Oh, and the illustrations? GORGEOUS.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this fresh, imaginative new edition, bestselling illustrator Joe Sutphin portrays the characters of Bunyan’s tale as furry creatures living in a woodland realm. This book will help children see the trials and triumphs of faithfulness with fresh eyes, leading them to declare along with Christian, “I am going to the King!”

This joyous book sings thanks and praise for everything in land, sea, and sky-from the sun and moon to plants and animals to all people, young and old. Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola captures the beauty of God's creation in his folk art-style illustrations. With text inspired by Old Testam...

FROM SARAH:

A timeless classic told in sing-style rhyme, illustrated with Eric Carle’s famous flat collage artwork. My toddlers love chanting along while we read.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck--all parade across the pages of this delightful book. Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages. Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Mary Celeste was discovered adrift on the open sea by another ship in 1872 -- with no sign of captain or crew. What happened? Did the crew mutiny? Were they attacked by pirates? Caught in a storm? No one ever found out. Inside this book are the clues that were left behind ...

From New York Times bestselling Shel Silverstein, celebrated creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, comes an amazing collection of never-before-published poems and drawings.Have you ever read a book with everything on it? Well, here it is! You will say Hi-ho for th...

FROM SARAH:

The legend of Johnny Appleseed, with rich illustrations. Your library probably has this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The larger-than-life story of a true American hero -- John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Kellogg "is ideal as interpreter of this fascinating man....[His] color has never been so rich and luxuriant....An affectionate portrayal, enthusiastically accomplished." -- Booklist.

**Description from Amazon: Part of the elegant Knickerbocker Classics series, The Complete Sherlock Holmes is comprised of 4 full-length novels and 56 short stories featuring the world's most famous pipe-smoking detective. For Sherlock Holmes fans worldwide, this stunning gift edition has a full cloth binding and ribbon mark...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Presented in the author’s instantly recognizable artistic and storytelling style, this colorful, exciting book of history for kids starts with a brief explanation of the events leading up to World War II and then describes the bombing of Pearl Harbor from both the Japanese and American points of view.

The American response was a super-secret counterattack organized by stunt pilot Jimmy Doolittle. Just four months after Pearl Harbor, American crews would launch sixteen B-25 bombers from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to drop bombs on the Japanese capital Tokyo and then fly to safety in China. Everything about the mission was as dangerous as it was secret. B-25s were not designed to take off from an aircraft carrier. Japan had formidable air defenses. There was no way to plan for landing in China or returning safely to America.

**Description from Amazon: Eleanor H. Porter's classic sequel to her adored novel, "Pollyanna". In "Pollyanna Grows Up", the maturing Pollyanna teaches her "Glad Game" to more of the townspeople and makes new friends, including Sadie and Jamie. When Pollyanna and her Aunt must support themselves following the death of Dr. Chi...

From the Publisher:

Fr. Jean C. J. d Elbée, a French priest deeply imbued with St. Thérèse's spirit, brings you St. Thérèse's teachings on God's love and the confidence in Him that it should inspire in your soul; humility, peace, and fraternal charity; the apostolate; the Cross; and what it means truly to abandon yourself to Divine Providence. I Believe in Love has helped countless souls embark on the way to the Father. It will help you focus on Him throughout each day, rest in Him amid your troubles, and live joyfully with Him at every moment!

FROM SARAH:

I've read this food critic's memoir twice. I'm not a foodie, but no matter! This book is such fun, and Ruch Reichl could probably write about paint drying and manage to make it interesting. Highly recommended if you need something enjoyable and easy to read.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Garlic and Sapphires is Ruth Reichl's riotous account of the many disguises she employs to dine anonymously. There is her stint as Molly Hollis, a frumpy blond with manicured nails and an off-beige Armani suit that Ruth takes on when reviewing Le Cirque. The result: her famous double review of the restaurant: first she ate there as Molly; and then as she was coddled and pampered on her visit there as Ruth, New York Times food critic.

**Description from Amazon: The first book in a new series by the author of The Frog Princess, a delightful re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty.

FROM SARAH:

This adorable read-aloud combines music, math, and bright illustrations to deliver a story full of humor and heart, proving that a little practice can create something magical—especially when you’re rocking out with friends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Pythagoras and his cousins want to win a music contest, but first they must figure out how to play their instruments in tune, something that's never been done before.

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.

FROM SARAH:

A warm and inviting audio narration of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An illuminating reading of the greatest Christmas classic ever written: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Narrated by Chandler Craig.

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!

** Description from Amazon: NEW STUDENT GETS OLD TEACHER The bad news is that Cara Landry is the new kid at Denton Elementary School. The worse news is that her teacher, Mr. Larson, would rather read the paper and drink coffee than teach his students anything. So Cara decides to give Mr. Larson something else to read -- her o...

FROM SARAH:

This timeless classic is perfect for Christmas, Easter, or any moment of reflection as we consider the dreams we carry and the Divine calling upon our lives. A beautiful reminder that we are all made for a glorious purpose.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up …” So begins this enchanting American folktale. Perfect for all ages, Angela Elwell Hunt’s ingenuous retelling of this timeless story has delighted readers for generations.

FROM SARAH:

We're big Barb Rosenstock fans around here, and in this lovely book, she tells the story of how one Canadian scientist and his wife (along with countless citizens who contributed to their work), helped uncover the mystery of where the monarch butterflies went each fall. Fantastic backmatter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A gorgeous picture book based on the true story of a scientist who solves the mysteries of monarch butterfly migration—with the help of schoolchildren! A perfect story for nature lovers of all ages from the Caldecott Honor winning author of The Noisy Paint Box.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Last week, twelve-year-old Sky found a cryptic message from her dad, who mysteriously fled the safety of their underground compound five years ago. The note said the fate of the world depended on her going topside, to a lost world that’s ruled by dinosaurs.

From Sarah:

From Read-Aloud Revival's very favorite picture book author and illustrator comes a legend your kids won't soon forget, all about how the Indian Paintbrush flower got its name. This book is not to be missed!

From the Publisher:

Many years ago, when the People traveled the Plains, a young Indian boy had a Dream-Vision in which it was revealed that one day he would create a painting that was as pure as the colors of the evening sky at sunset. The boy grew up to become the painter of the tribe, but although he found a pure white buckskin for a canvas and made paints from the brightest flowers and the reddest berries, he could not capture the sunset. How the young Indian artist finally fulfills his Dream-Vision is lovingly told and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, in words and pictures that capture the spirit and beauty of this dramatic legend.

**Description from Amazon: Policeman Small gets to see a lot of what goes on in town. He's at his post, directing traffic, by six o'clock in the morning. On one busy day, Policeman Small makes sure the town's kids get to school safely. He also helps an ambulance and fire truck get through the intersection, and even leads a pa...

Whimsical and touching images tell the story of an unexpected friendship and the revelations it inspires in this moving, wordless picture book from two-time Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee.A baby clown is separated from his family when he accidentally bounces off their circus train and lands i...

**Description from Amazon: Chatty, idealistic Pollyanna can always find something to be glad about. Even when the newly orphaned girl has to live with her cold, unloving Aunt Polly, she remains full of hope and joy. But then a horrible accident leaves her crippled—and it may finally be too much for Pollyanna to bear. Will a...

FROM SARAH:

For those of us who have ever loved a painting so much we wish we could reach inside and touch it, this beautiful picture book is an absolute delight. We get to follow Katie as she explores five of Vincent Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings, celebrating the moment where art meets adventure.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's been 10 years since the queen defeated Rumpelstiltskin and now he's back to collect his payment from years before. He causes a stir in the kingdom by making mischief with his multiplying stick and threatens to do far worse if the debt is not repaid.  It's up to Peter, the young prince, to take possession of the Rumpelstiltskin’s magical multiplying stick and learn how to use it—and multiply both whole numbers and fractions-- in order to restore peace to the kingdom.

FROM SARAH:

Ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge lives a boring life on the Island in the Middle of Everything, but she longs for adventure. And she soon gets it when she overhears a life-altering secret and suddenly finds herself in the middle of an amazing journey. Fantastically funny. Your kids can meet author/illustrator Jennifer Trafton at her Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge lives a boring life on the Island in the Middle of Everything, but she longs for adventure. And she soon gets it when she overhears a life-altering secret and suddenly finds herself in the middle of an amazing journey. It turns out that Mount Majestic, the rising and falling mountain in the center of the island, is not really a mountain - it's the belly of a sleeping giant!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers and buried gold". First published as a book on 23 May 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882.

**Description from Amazon: Tortoise proves he is a formidable opponent in this comic adaptation of a classic tale.

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time winter favorites. This gorgeous book tells the true story of Wilson Bentley, the man who took the first pictures of snowflakes and forever changed our understanding of snow. This book is featured in our RAR Premium Family Book Club lineup for 2023-2024.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Motor-Mix a gyrocopter, lunar probe, jumbo jet, and more to invent a flying machine all your own! Young readers will delight in mixing and matching their favorite vehicles and then reading the funny sounds and sentences that result, making for a playful, interactive bonding experience.

FROM SARAH:

I read this aloud. The illustrations are lovely, and the book itself is luxurious. Gorgeous endpapers, a thick jacket, beautifully illustrated. Perfect for kids who are learning about or are interested in what can be viewed through a microscope!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Microbes are everywhere: in the soil and oceans, in snow, and inside our bodies. But in Antony van Leeuwenhoek’s time, people believed that what they saw with their own eyes was all that existed in the world. How did a simple tradesman—who didn’t go to college or speak English or Latin like all the other scientists—change everyone’s minds?

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:

When a child asks the zoo for a pet, they keep sending animals, but none of them seem just right. Well, maybe until the end? Kids love lifting the flaps to reveal the animals!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Young readers love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent—a monkey, a lion, and even an elephant! But will they ever find the perfect pet?

With bright, bold artwork, a catchy refrain, and a whole host of favorite animals, Dear Zoo is a must for every child’s bookshelf.

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time favorite classics; it just never gets old! My boys especially love this one. Read it and then watch the Shirley Temple movie to compare! Also great on audio (Audible I Libro.FM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Everyone is scared of Heidi’s grandfather, but when she moves to the Alps to live with him her sunny personality helps them form a connection. Soon, however, they are separated. Will they reunite? This classic is an excellent read-aloud for all ages.

**Description from Amazon: Long, long ago in ancient Greece, people began telling wonderful stories to explain the mysteries of life. These myths featured gods and goddesses, mighty beings who look human but have amazing powers and live forever. Now you can meet these extraordinary characters and hear their legends, brought t...

"Original poems celebrate everyday discoveries in this sweet collection perfect for reading to babies and toddlers." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor The dynamic, best-selling team of Lin Oliver and Tomie dePaola have created a charming collection of baby poems that makes the perfect gift for baby sho...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A ripped down sign, a broken fire hydrant, and now Tundra, the alpha dog of Pembrook, is missing! There's trouble brewing in this quiet Minnesota town, and none of the humans seem to notice. But the dogs do! They can smell it in the air.

**Description from Amazon: A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERDeep in the water,Mr. Fish swims aboutWith his fish face stuckIn a permanent pout.Can his pals cheer him up?Will his pout ever end?Is there something he can learnFrom an unexpected friend?Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading "dr...

**Description from Amazon: "Read to me!" is a popular request parents hear from their children. How better to fulfill this wish than to read a Bible storybook written and illustrated just for kids? The award-winning Read Aloud Bible Stories series has delighted children, parents, and teachers for decades. Written by Ella K...

**Description from Amazon: Trixie’s summer is going to be sooo boring with her two older brothers away at camp. But then a millionaire’s daughter moves into the next-door mansion, an old miser hides a fortune in his decrepit house, and a runaway kid starts hiding out in Sleepyside!

FROM SARAH:

Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann (a married pair!) won all kinds of awards for this nonfiction picture book, and I think you'll see why as soon as you crack the pages!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave behind.An injured whale's ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid.

FROM SARAH:

Shauna Niequist is a beautiful writer (sometimes I just stare her sentences to see how she made them). This book combines her captivating writing with the inspiration to live life fully, right where you are, as you are. I loved it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In these pages, New York Times bestselling author Shauna Niequist invites you to consider the landscape of your own life, and what it might look like to leave behind the pressure to be perfect and begin the life-changing practice of simply being present, in the middle of the mess and the ordinariness of life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A stunning picture book about Mary "Mother" Jones and the 100 children who marched from Philadelphia to New York in a fiery protest against child labor.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A sensible, easy-to-follow, and enjoyable way to help your child gain the essential skills of reading. Everything you need is here—no paste, no scissors, no flash cards, no complicated directions—just you and your child learning together.

**Description from Amazon: The stage is set. It's war. Morbin Blackhawk, slaver and tyrant, threatens to destroy the rabbit resistance forever. Heather and Picket are two young rabbits improbably thrust into pivotal roles. The fragile alliance forged around the young heir seems certain to fail. Can Heather and Picket help res...

FROM SARAH:

One of several picture book retellings of Cinderella from around the world. Read several of these and then discuss what makes them similar and different for a lovely read-aloud week!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.

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!

Also available on audio (Audible I Libro.FM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The holidays are upon us, and this year Audible is very happy to present to our members one of Charles Dickens’ most popular Christmas stories, The Cricket on the Hearth. This holiday classic (original subtitle: “A Fairy Tale of Home”) tells the innocent, picturesque, and charming story of a poor family and their would-be guardian angel; in short, a delightful vision of Victorian Christmas. As always, a great story calls for a great voice, so we’ve brought in legendary actor and record-breaking Audie and Grammy award-winning narrator Jim Dale (The Night Circus). Happy holidays and happy listening!

Recommended for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s the spring of 1944 and fifteen-year-olds Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders have lived five blocks apart all their lives. But they’ve never met, not until the day an accident at a softball game sparks an unlikely friendship. Soon these two boys—one expected to become a Hasidic rebbe, the other at ease with secular America—are drawn into one another’s worlds despite a father’s strong opposition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
The fifth-grade Week in the Woods is a beloved tradition of Hardy Elementary, where Mark Chelmsley (the Fourth) is pretty much killing time before his parents send him off to an exclusive prep school. But then Mark realizes the Week might be a chance to prove to Mr. Maxwell that he's not just another of the slacker rich kids the teacher can't stand.
But it may be too late for Mark to change Mr. Maxwell's opinion of him

FROM SARAH:

One of several picture book retellings of Cinderella from around the world. Read several of these and then discuss what makes them similar and different for a lovely read-aloud week!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Told with beauty and grace, this Cinderella story from Ai-Ling Louie is brought vividly to life by Caldecott Medal-winner Ed Young’s soft, glowing illustrations.

Half-starved and overworked by her stepmother, Yeh-Shen’s only friend is a fish with golden eyes. When the stepmother kills the fish for dinner, poor Yeh-Shen is left with only the bones. But the bones are filled with a powerful spirit. When Ye-Shen is forbidden to attend the annual spring Festival, the spirit grants her a gown of azure blue and delicate golden slippers. That night, everyone marvels at the beautiful, mysterious young woman at the ball.

FROM SARAH: 

A wild romp through a fantastical world full of characters that reflect many facets of human nature, this classic adventure is as sharp as it is witty. I'd recommend it for readers 13 and up who love a little side-eye and satire when it comes to exploring the human condition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A wickedly clever satire uses comic inversions to offer telling insights into the nature of man and society. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.