Books

FROM SARAH:

Dusty quiet and hazy skies. Then: the storm! The language in this book makes it a delightful read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This beautifully crafted story is perfect to pull out and enjoy on rainy days and for classroom discussions on weather patterns.

It is a day in the country. Quiet, dusty, expectant. Everything is hot and still.

**Description from Amazon: Everyone loves the stories of legendary creatures that just might really exist. This book relies on the latest information from cryptozoologists, experts who study these mysterious beings, and the counter-arguments are explored from experts who strongly believe they do not exist.

**Description from Amazon: In the dedication to her readers, Lois Lenski wrote: “For all the children who asked: ‘Is there a Mama Small and Baby Small?’ Yes, Papa Small has a family. Here they are—with my love. Your friend, Lois Lenski.” Children will love seeing Papa Small and his family do many of the same things ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Raised among the Amish of Indiana, 18-year-old Marianna Sommer plans to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and set up life in the only community she has ever known.

FROM SARAH:

This story is about as delightful as they come! All the animals know to stay clear of Scarecrow, which means he's good at his job. It also means he leads a rather lonely life. Then one day a baby crow falls from a nest, and Scarecrow has a choice to make. Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This tender and affectionate story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others—a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come.

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing.…

He saves the tiny baby crow.

There once was a lasswith hair like a nestwho walked out in her sleepon the morn of Mayfest.      And what happens to this lass? She is pursued by a dove, and then a huntsman who fixes on the dove, a mouse who frightens the huntsman, a cat who chases the mouse, and so on—until an entire villag...

FROM SARAH:

This one is art biography, part activity book. It's a fascinating walk through Van Gogh’s life is filled with opportunities to practice your own art, all while learning more about what inspired some of his most famous works.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

See the world through Vincent van Gogh's eyes and be inspired to produce your own masterpieces.

FROM SARAH:

Lively illustrations and a hilarious narrator make learning math skills feel like pure fun. This one is sure to make your littlest mathematicians count their giggles.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Telling a story about pigeons should be simple. But what's a narrator to do when the number of feathered friends is constantly changing? Can our intrepid storyteller use math facts to keep up with the unstable quantities. . . or is this pigeon-centric tale doomed?

FROM SARAH:

Pair this book with Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came just before the company arrives for summer! A joyful celebration of family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's time for a family reunion! When Tricia's aunts, uncles, and cousins arrive at her house for an annual family reunion, the fun begins. And this year, Gramma has promised to teach the children something wonderful - how to catch lightning in a jar. With so many people and so much love, this family reunion will certainly prove to be the most memorable one yet!

FROM SARAH:

My favorite Janet Stevens book, hands-down. This one is such a delightful trickster tale! A fabulous example of a book I don't mind reading aloud again and again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Once a upon a time, there was a lazy Bear and a clever Hare. Bear had lots of money and lots of land but all he wanted to do was sleep. Hare had nothing but hungry children, so he came up with a plan to convince Bear to split his land down the middle—tops and bottoms. Hare can work all day and Bear can sleep.

FROM SARAH:

When it comes to nonfiction picture books, few do it better or more clearly than Gail Gibbons!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Introducing, the wetlands: unique ecosystems that are not only a home for an extensive amount of wildlife, but also a vital storage place for one of Earth's most precious resources, water. What lives there? Find out in this simple yet extensive exploration of marshes and swamps and what they are, why they're important, and the birds, fish, and wildlife that make it their homes.

**Description from Amazon: In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Ori...

FROM SARAH:

The classic Longfellow poem with lovely illustrations by Monica Vachula. I read this to my kids sitting outside of the Old North Church when we visited Boston. The book appears to be out of print, but is still widely available used.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Paul Revere and his famous ride were immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in a poem published in 1861, more than eighty years after the even. Longfellow wrote the poem at the time of the Civil War. He hoped that his story of an ordinary citizen who comes to the aid of his country would stir patriotic feelings and support for the Union. He was right. In face, if it hadn't been for Longfellow, Paul Revere may have remained a local legend. The poem fired the imaginations of Americans and a national hero was born.

FROM SARAH:

Oh my goodness, this book is surprisingly funny and oh-so-much fun to read aloud! One of my favorites on this list! If your library doesn't have it, ask them to buy it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Squirrel, Hedgehog, and Bear have never seen it snow, so when Deer predicts an early snowfall, they attempt to stay awake to see the snow.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Motor-Mix a lifeboat, highway patrol car, and snowplow to create an emergency vehicle unlike any other. 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:

This is an exciting dual-timeline mystery, set in the stunning mountains of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thirteen-year-old Jake Evans is about to spend the summer exploring a variety of National Parks, along with his cousin and family friends. He's also mourning the recent loss of his beloved grandfather, but before they leave, he's left with clues from his grandfather about a scavenger hunt through the National Parks. But is it only a game? (Recommended for ages 7+)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Before Jake’s grandfather died, he was on the trail of a centuries-old mystery. And he has entrusted that mystery to Jake, leaving behind a set of hidden codes, riddles, maps, and other clues that lead Jake and his friends on a scavenger hunt into the heart of Colorado’s wild and rugged Rocky Mountain National Park.

Through twists and turns, the mystery unfolds while Jake, Amber, and Wes learn about survival skills, natural history, integrity, character, and friendship.

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.

FROM SARAH:

A silly, lighthearted board book this is sure to get your little one giggling.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Are you longing for adventure? Mischief? What about sandwiches?

Tag along with one sneaky ninja who is happy to share his busy day (but not his lunch) with curious kids everywhere in this rhyming picture book perfect for fans of The Three Ninja Pigs and 10 Little Ninjas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Scholastic is re-releasing the ten original Magic School Bus titles in paperback. With updated scientific information, the bestselling science series ever is back!

**Description from Amazon: A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime. 'How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light? Does a dinosaur slam his tail and pout? Does he throw his teddy bear all about?' Most certainly not! Dinosaurs give their mums and dads big h...

**Description from Amazon: I love to go into the garden.I sit quietly.I see flowers and plants.It makes me feel peaceful.If I am very still,I see birds, insects,and creatures I hadnot noticed before.I can even hear them!Nibble, crunch, chomp.Chew, bite, slurp,swallow, gulp.They are all hungry!Get ready to look and listen.Get ...

A book of poetry your young ones will love! Julie Fogliano's perfect (and perfectly short) poems are just the right kind to tuck into your pocket throughout the seasons.

Excitement! Intrigue! Suspense! Horror!
Will Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson discover the truth behind the fearsome legend of the beast with blazing eyes and dripping jaws? We're reading this together for Mama Book Club in RAR Premium (Jan & Feb 2021).

FROM SARAH:

This picture book is GORGEOUS. Perfect to read just before bundling up for a fall nature walk.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Learn about autumn leaves through a lyrical tale with illustrations and activities With beautiful illustrations and a lyrical narrative, Virginia Snow takes children on a fun and educational adventure.

**Description from Amazon: Adorable dragons search for a bedtime snack in this heartfelt and funny debut picture book set to the tune of “Hush, Little Baby.” Baby and Mama dragon are almost ready to settle in for the night. But Baby can’t sleep until he gets a treat, so together they search for one in a beautifully deta...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Ada Ruth's mama must go away to Chicago to work, leaving Ada Ruth and Grandma behind. It's war time, and women are needed to fill the men's jobs. As winter sets in, Ada Ruth and her grandma keep up their daily routine, missing Mama all the time. They find strength in each other, and a stray kitten even arrives one day to keep them company, but nothing can fill the hole Mama left. Every day they wait, watching for the letter that says Mama will be coming on home soon. Set during World War II, Coming On Home Soon has a timeless quality that will appeal to all who wait and hope.

FROM SARAH:

This is a moving, lyrical picture book biography that takes us behind the making of The Snowy Day. Through Andrea Davis Pinkney's poetic writing, we learn about Ezra Jack Keats, the creator of The Snowy Day, and how Peter came to be, inspiring readers and children's book creators for generations. Longer form and best for older kids and teens, this is a picture book you can't grow too old for!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The story of The Snowy Day begins more than one hundred years ago, when Ezra Jack Keats was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. The family were struggling Polish immigrants, and despite Keats’s obvious talent, his father worried that Ezra’s dream of being an artist was an unrealistic one. But Ezra was determined. By high school he was winning prizes and scholarships. Later, jobs followed with the WPA and Marvel comics. But it was many years before Keats’s greatest dream was realized and he had the opportunity to write and illustrate his own book.

For more than two decades, Ezra had kept pinned to his wall a series of photographs of an adorable African American child. In Keats’s hands, the boy morphed into Peter, a boy in a red snowsuit, out enjoying the pristine snow; the book became The Snowy Day, winner of the Caldecott Medal, the first mainstream book to feature an African American child. It was also the first of many books featuring Peter and the children of his — and Keats’s — neighborhood.

Andrea Davis Pinkney’s lyrical narrative tells the inspiring story of a boy who pursued a dream, and who, in turn, inspired generations of other dreamers.

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorites among Tomie dePaola's many Christmas picture books. An absolute delight for Christmas!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This is a delightful reading of the favorite Italian Christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her never-ending search for the Baby King.

FROM AUDREY:

This book was recommended to me by one of our members and I absolutely loved it. Iris's story is filled with heart and determination in all the best ways. It will leave you filled with a deeper sense of wonder for the vast and mysterious beauty of the world. Excellent on audio!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Full of heart and poignancy, this affecting story by sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly shows how a little determination can make big waves.

**Description from Amazon: Helen Oxenbury’s most loved board books are now available in an adorable mini-board book boxed set! This collection includes full mini-editions of Clap Hands, Say Goodnight, All Fall Down and Tickle, Tickle with newly refreshed covers. With a total of almost half a million copies sold in the past ...

**Description from Amazon: In time for the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing, this father-daughter story celebrates a small community's big contribution to one of America's greatest accomplishments.Marthanne and her father sit side by side, looking out over their mill village as the moon glows in the sky. Marthanne hop...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Presents the life of a Egyptian woman who lived in fifth century Alexandria and became a respected scholar in mathematics and philosophy.

FROM SARAH:

Ideal to listen to on car rides, during gift-wrapping sessions, or while washing up the dishes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

All of your favorite Christmas stories in one fantastic collection. From heartfelt stories such as O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" to tales of mystery from G. K. Chesterton and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

FROM SARAH:

A classic story of friendship starring Toad, Rat, Mole and Badger, this river tale is a wonderful read-aloud full of big personalities. (Except for Mole, who is a little shy.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Far from fading with time, Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Both astonishing and prophetic, The Abolition of Man is one of the most debated of Lewis’s extraordinary works. National Review chose it as number seven on their "100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century."

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:

Poor Maha! Her jealous stepmother makes her do all the housework while her selfish stepsister lazes about.

Since Maha's father is away fishing most of the time, there is no one to help or comfort her. All that begins to change when Maha finds a magical red fish. In return for sparing his life, the fish promises to help Maha whenever she calls him. On the night Maha is forbidden to attend a grand henna to celebrate the coming wedding of a wealthy merchant's daughter, the fish is true to his word. His magic sets in motion a chain of events that reward Maha with great happiness, and a dainty golden sandal is the key to it all.

Rebecca Hickox's eloquent retelling and Will Hillenbrand's lush pictures offer a beguiling version of a story well-loved by many cultures the world over.

FROM SARAH: 

This incredible memoir invites us to bear witness to some of the most formative years in the life of C.S. Lewis. His diary entires capture his intellectual struggles, spiritual wrestling and even his daily routines with the gentle wisdom we've come to expect from Lewis. I'd recommend it for readers 16 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Covering five remarkable years in Lewis's life, All My Road Before Me charts the inspirations and intellectual and spiritual development of a man whose theology and writing—including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—has had immense influence on the Christian world.

FROM SARAH:

The colors in this illustrated version of de la Mare's well-known poem are vibrant. This book is a joy to read and look at.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Summer Evening, readers will join a farmer and his family as they enjoy a picnic dinner in the late summer sun. Their pet cat spots a mouse in the field and a chase pursues that includes a dog, a horse, cows, pigs, chickens, and ducks! The sparse text and bright colors give children much to look at and explore, and they will love identifying the different animals in each spread. It concludes with all the animals going to sleep, so also a great bedtime read.

**Description from Amazon: Every year, 30–40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive “resident” status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Sarah Shelter has lived in West ...

FROM SARAH:

A darling story about the friendship (and love of books!) between a scarecrow and young girl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, and smiling. Every day a girl brought her favorite books to the garden and she read to him. He heard tales of courage and of hope. And when she said, "The End," the scarecrow always felt a little bit taller and braver. Year after year, she came and she read to him.

Until one spring, two different hands picked him up from the garden shed and placed him in the garden. He waited, but she didn't come to read to him.

FROM SARAH:

I think you'll just love Rose’s story. She was the underestimated, unsung hero of her museum, proving that one person’s cleverness, courage and love can change the course of history.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This riveting, “visually stunning” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book biography tells the true story of Rose Valland’s valiant efforts to save thousands of works of art during World War II by becoming a spy in her own museum.

FROM SARAH:

There is simply no book Cynthia Rylant has written that I don't love! This one just *feels* like summer in the countryside.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

There is no night so dark, so black as night in the country. And while the people dream of daytime things, the nighttime world awakens. Owls swoop, a rabbit patters, and in the yard an apple falls -- pump! -- from the tree.
Listen. Go to the window. Across the field a light glows. Who else is up so late?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Boys don't keep diaries—or do they?The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to.

**Description from Amazon: Get to know the girls of the Mother-Daughter Book Club with this boxed set of all six books in the series!It all started with a book club. Five very different girls become a most unlikely group of friends as they read the classics—Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Daddy-Long-Legs, Pride and Prej...

A brother and sister invite their friends to play good guys and bad guys with them. While playing pretend, this rowdy group of kids dress up as pirates, swimmers, cowboys, and more—imagining a vibrant world where the bad guys cause mischief and the good guys save the day.

**Description from Amazon: A hilarious, bestselling cat-and-dog story returns as a Dragonfly paperback!Merl the Cat's pampered life is turned upside down when a little golden retriever puppy moves into the house. Merl tells the story of how he tries his best to oust the newest member of his household. Thwarted at every turn b...

FROM SARAH:

The first in a wonderful over/under series by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal. I learned so much about what happens under the snow by reading this book! Don't miss the back matter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Septimus is not good at being a badger. He adores the sunset. He dreams of going to Venice. And he lives alone in a charming cottage by the sea. He’s not unhappy with his tidy, solitary life, but there are times when being so bad at badgerdom makes him wonder if he’s even a badger at all.

When a gull of very few words lands on the windowsill, Septimus leaps at the possibility of friendship. However, his new confidant soon goes missing and Septimus is bereft. Determined to find his best—and only—friend, he ventures into new territory and encounters a cast of surprising characters. Can Septimus be as brave and bighearted as he’ll need to be to find Gully? Or is he really a bad badger after all?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Emily of Deep Valley is set in Betsy Ray's Deep Valley and tells the story of a young woman who longs to go off to college following her high school graduation, but whose family commitments demand she stay close to home. Resigning herself to a "lost winter," Emily nonetheless throws herself into a new program of study and a growing interest in the local Syrian immigrant community, and when she meets a handsome new teacher at the high school, gains more than she ever dreamed possible.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together!

FROM SARAH:

This fascinating story of a brave female inventor is paired with fabulous illustrations by Iacopo Bruno. Delightful, start to finish.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the 1850s, proper young ladies were supposed to keep their feet on the ground (literally and metaphorically), but Mary dreamed of flying. Luckily, she married Carl Myers, a balloon enthusiast whose dreams were just as lofty as hers. Together, they designed and constructed balloons of all shapes and sizes, a difficult and dangerous job that required knowledge of chemistry, engineering, and meteorology. But how could they know which balloon designs worked best? They needed someone adventurous who could do balloon tricks for crowds while recording flight data. Mary knew just the person . . . herself! She gave herself the stage name Carlotta and anxiously awaited her first flight. Would she make it into the air? Could she collect the data they needed? Mary battled thick clouds and bone-chilling cold, but she went higher and farther than she hoped, and returned ready for her next flight.

FROM SARAH:

A classic novel by the author of Misty of Chincoteague, who based this story on a real-life Grand Canyon burro who touched even the life of President Teddy Roosevelt. The audiobook is especially well done. Read it before or after a visit to the Grand Canyon!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Long ago, a lone little burro roamed the high cliffs of the Grand Canyon and touched the hearts of all who knew him: a grizzled old miner, a big-game hunter, even President Teddy Roosevelt. Named Brighty by the prospector who befriended him, he remained a free spirit at heart. But when a ruthless claim-jumper murdered the prospector, loyal Brighty risked everything to bring the killer to justice.

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. Whether portraying the fear and anguish of children abandoned by their parents, the delicious sumptuousness of a candy house, or the joy of being reunited with one's family, the artist captures the subtle nuances of emotion and the tactile quality of the physical world with exquisite accuracy and elegance.The hauntingly spare retelling of this perennial favorite by the poet Rika Lesser perfectly complements the vivid storytelling of Zelinsky's artwork. Once again this gifted artist gives us a unique interpretation of a beloved fairy tale, allowing us to both see it anew and rediscover its eternal truths.

**Description from Amazon: Sunny Lewin has been packed off to Florida to live with her grandfather for the summer.  At first she thought Florida might be fun -- it is  the home of Disney World, after all.  But the place where Gramps lives is no amusement park.  It’s full of . . . old people.  Really old people.   Luck...

** Description from Amazon: Horton is back! After his first appearance in Horton Hatches the Egg, everyone’s favorite elephant returns in this timeless, moving, and comical classic in which we discover that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” Thanks to the irrepressible rhymes and eye-catching illustrations, yo...

**Description from Amazon: Twelve kinds of animal babies swim, snuggle, slither, and scoot through this enchanting picture book that celebrates the miracle of birth, the magic of childhood, and you...the most precious baby of all.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Inspired by the writers of the Harlem Renaissance, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses The Golden Shovel poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of master poets like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Jean Toomer, and others who enriched history during this era.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Twelve-year-old Seth wants to prove to his stepfather, the game warden, that he is responsible enough to use his shotgun on his own. Without permission, he takes matters into his own hands and shoots his first rabbit. He is worried about what his father will say when he finds out—and Seth himself is unsure of how he feels about it—but before he can confess, Seth’s life is turned upside down.

Cotton in My Sack

FROM SARAH:

A November classic worth a read, year after year. I love everything Cynthia Rylant writes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends