**Description from Amazon: The third book in the Rose Years series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.Eight going on nine, Rose Wilder is beginning to settle into her new life in Missouri, the Land of the Big Red Apple. Her father is building their farmhouse and she dreams of ...

FROM SARAH: 

A delightful romp through the fair in the middle of the night. (Leave it to the raccoons to get the fence open!). Your kids may just pore over the lovely artwork in this one.

Recommended for ages 4+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As darkness falls on the fairgrounds, the animals venture out of the woods for one magical, memorable night! With thrills both spectacular and subtle, Midnight Fair will have readers punching their tickets again and again to revel in this fantastic nocturnal world.

FROM SARAH:

Nesbit is a skilled short story writer, and her Shakespeare stories are simple, well done, and still maintain the wit and whimsy of the Bard. Easy to follow, though it does cut larger portions of the storyline than some other versions. There is good use of Shakespeare’s original language in her retelling. Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

William Shakespeare is arguably the most pivotal and widely read figure in the history of English literature. This comprehensive collection highlights some of the bard’s best works, adapted to be more easily read and digestible for children.

**Description from Amazon: Elsie is a city girl. She loves the noise of the cobbled streets of Boston. But when her mother dies and her father moves them to the faraway prairies of Nebraska, Elsie hears only the silence, and she feels alone in the wide sea of grass. Her only comfort is her canary, Timmy Tune. But when Timmy f...

FROM SARAH:

It's a classic for a reason! Introduce your child the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter with this most famous tale of a naughty rabbit, a grumpy farmer, and a tantalizing garden.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902 and endures as Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden!

FROM SARAH:

Two words for you: Brambly Hedge. Just add them all to your home library already! :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Step into the exquisite, miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge in this beautiful new edition of the classic picture book. Wilfred woke early. It was his birthday. He had lots of lovely presents, but the best one was a surprise… Mr Apple had organised a secret celebration picnic and all the m...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Nikki Grimes takes the words of a Psalm 121 and masterfully transforms them into a golden shovel poem of compassion, friendship, and faith. Coupled with powerful artwork from Bryan Collier, this heartfelt story is one that readers will treasure.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures—the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow—who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and—what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo’s bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You’re great how you are, no matter your size.

FROM SARAH:

Chris Van Dusen's books are delightful across the board! We love Mr. Magee.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation?

FROM SARAH:

The third and final picture book in Jon Klassen's hilarious Hat series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hold on to your hats for the conclusion of the celebrated hat trilogy by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen, who gives his deadpan finale a surprising new twist.Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. . . . Evoking hilarity...

FROM SARAH:

Perfect for children (and grown-ups!) who are just learning the art of patience. This stunning picture book is filled with spectacular art and poetic, lyrical text. Patience, Miyuki is a calming, hopeful reminder that some of the most beautiful things in life take time, and good things can’t be rushed.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Miyuki is excited for the first day of spring—she can’t wait to rush outside and greet the cherry trees, the sweet grass, and all the garden flowers. But one little flower has yet to bloom. Miyuki is impatient for it to awaken, but her wise and understanding grandfather encourages her to slow down, watch, and wait.

**Description from Amazon: World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged. Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the ...

FROM SARAH:

The illustrations alone invite a reader to linger! The stories are beautiful and moving, about close-knit family and community. The vocabulary is rich and delightful, and they are short, which feel like a win for a developing reader. My girls especially loved these.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The mice of Brambly Hedge have many adventures but they always have time for fun too. All through the year, they mark the seasons with feasts and festivities and, of course, the mice never miss an opportunity to meet and celebrate.

FROM SARAH:

Delightful, start to finish! In the backmatter, Matt Tavares shares his own experience visiting Niagara Falls and imagining this true story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When the Great Blondin announced that he was going to walk from America to Canada across the Niagara River on a rope that was more than 1,100 feet long and just 3 inches wide, hanging 160 feet above the raging river, people came from everywhere. Some came to watch him cross. Some came to watch him fall. Some thought he wouldn’t show up at all. But he did show up. And he did walk across the river. And then he did something else amazing. He crossed the river on that tightrope again and again, adding another death-defying flourish each time

**Description from Amazon: PreSchool-Grade 2-Pinkalicious eats so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. The color just won't wash off, and the doctor diagnoses her with Pinkititis and tells her to eat green food to get better. Still, when her parents aren't looking, she sneaks just one...

FROM SARAH:

A fun classic-like picture book that will set your kids to giggling. See if your library has it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Overnight, something magical has happened: SNOW! Now the world is covered in white. Like children around the world, Mick, Mack, and Molly can't wait to get out in it.
Mama and Papa, however, are a little less enthusiastic. This celebration of a perfect day in the snow will spark memories and anticipation in young and old alike.

**Description from Amazon: Danielle Bean, editor of Catholic Digest, and Elizabeth Foss, an award-winning blogger, team up to offer daily doses of inspiration, wisdom, and hope for Catholic moms. Now back in print in response to high demand, Small Steps for Catholic Moms gives busy mothers a year's worth of sustenance, in the...

A true story from one of the Women of NASA!Margaret Hamilton loved numbers as a young girl. She knew how many miles it was to the moon (and how many back). She loved studying algebra and geometry and calculus and using math to solve problems in the outside world. Soon math led her to MIT and then to...

FROM SARAH:

Perfect for your nonfiction lovers! My boys poured over this book and all of its beautifully rendered cutaways. If you've got kids who love boats or books that show the way things work, don't miss this one. P.S. There's a coloring book that goes with it, for true enthusiasts!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This visually engaging book filled with cross sections and exploded views of working boats is perfect for children--and even adults--curious about the mechanics of boats and the lives of people who work on boats. Filled with full-page spreads of cross sections of ten intriguing working boats, this book provides a glimpse into their inner workings, as well as highlights of each boat's unique engineering components that enable it to do the job it was built for.

Enormous Smallness is a nonfiction picture book about the poet E.E. cummings. Here E.E.'s life is presented in a way that will make children curious about him and will lead them to play with words and ask plenty of questions as well. Lively and informative, the book also presents some of Cummings's ...

FROM SARAH:

Matt Tavares beautifully captures the magic of a child's first big-league game in these nostalgic black and white illustrations and dream-like text. This one feels like stepping into an old movie; being surrounded by popcorn and Cracker Jacks and cheering for the home team from the stands. I recommend it for sports fans of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Zachary’s father catches a foul ball at Fenway Park and gives it to him, something really amazing happens. Zachary finds himself on the pitcher’s mound, wearing a Red Sox uniform and playing against New York! As long as Zachary has the ball, all his baseball fantasies seem to come true. But can he hold on to its magic? Zachary’s Ball, Matt Tavares’s debut picture book, is a perfect story for celebrating the 100th birthday of the setting that inspired it: Boston’s Fenway Park, the oldest park still in use by a major-league club — and one of the country’s most beloved ballparks.

** Description from Amazon: Things have not been easy for thirteen-year-old Alex lately. Recent events have taken their toll on her family, and when drinking at a party lands her in the hospital, things only get worse. Her mother decides to send her away to spend the summer working with her father, an esteemed eagle researcher...

**Description from Amazon: This is the story of a wonderful, changing, reawakening world the world of the Renaissance and Reformation. Measured by the lifetime of Columbus and his sons, this book spans the years from 1451-1539. With Columbus as the central figure of this narrative, readers will also learn the fascinating stor...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A bag of chips. That's all sixteen-year-old Rashad is looking for at the corner bodega. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul Galluzzo, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad's pleadings that he's stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad's resistance to leave the bodega as resisting arrest, mistakes Rashad's every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered. But how can you stay still when someone is pounding your face into the concrete pavement?

FROM SARAH:

A book for dog-lovers about friendship, even through hard times. Sweet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this heartwarming, wordless picture book that's perfect for dog lovers, a woman visits a park and discovers a pup hiding under a bench--scruffy, scared, and alone. With gentle coaxing, the woman tries to befriend the animal, but the dog is too scared to let her near. Day after day, the woman tries--and day after day, the dog runs away. With perseverance and patience--and help from an enticing tennis ball--a tentative friendship begins. But it's not until a raging storm forces the two together that a joyous and satisfying friendship takes hold.

FROM SARAH:

I stumbled across this book in a bookstore and read it to myself, laughing aloud (and garnering the attention of the bookseller while I was at it). :) A delight!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her classmates. But it's hard to make human friends when they're so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . .

FROM SARAH:

Not the book you are expecting! Check this one out from the library and watch your kids be delighted.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s springtime, and the pond is bursting with new life. There are beaver pups, heron hatchlings, and lots and lots of ducklings. Everyone is out and about, swimming, flapping, chirping, and quacking—except for one family of geese. When, oh when, will their last little one break on out and join the waiting world?

FROM SARAH:

Gary Paulsen is the author I most often recommend to kids (especially boys!) who love outdoor adventures and face-to-face encounters with the elements.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A fourteen-year-old Eskimo boy who feels assailed by the modernity of his life takes a 1400-mile journey by dog sled across ice, tundra, and mountains seeking his own "song" of himself.

**Description from Amazon: Mouse is back in this ninth picture book in the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling If You Give... series! If you give a mouse a brownie, he's going to ask for some ice cream to go with it. When you give him the ice cream, he'll probably ask you for a spoon. He'll start drumming on the table. Drum...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A tasty morsel of a board book all about dim sum from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Grace Lin.   A Chinese American family sits down to enjoy a traditional dim sum meal. Dumplings, cakes, buns, and tarts are wheeled out in little dishes on trolleys, and ea...

*Rabbit Ears Audiobooks are Highly Recommended*

NARRATED BY: Meg Ryan

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 52 min

**Description from Amazon: The fourth book in the Rose Year series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.On The Other Side of the Hill continues the story of Rose, Laura, and Almanzo as the young Wilder family struggles to overcome a series of natural disasters that beset their l...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A new take on The Little Red Hen -- Cajun stylePoor Monsieur Gator is getting old and is moving so slow he can't catch himself a taste of possum or otter, or even a whiff of skunk. Day after day those animals tease and taunt him until, finally, he decides to cook up some gumbo just like Maman used to.

FROM SARAH: 

The dramatic follow-up to The Illiad, retold by the extraordinary Rosemary Sutcliff. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time and Rosemary Sutcliff stays true to the classic tale and characters in this authentic retelling rich with drama, magic, and heroism.

FROM SARAH:

A simple, delightful, look at the country we all love to read aloud about in March!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On the heels of the runaway bestsellers This is New York and This is Paris, Universe is pleased to reissue another title from M. Sasek's beloved and nostalgic children's travel series.

FROM SARAH:

If it's by Elsa Beskow, you know it's going to be good! This one is a springtime favorite at my house.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Pelle has a lamb whose coat grows longer and longer, while Pelle’s Sunday suit grows shorter! Pelle shears the lamb, and the wool is carded, spun, dyed, and woven. Finally, the tailor makes a new suit for Pelle. A mini gift edition of Elsa Beskow's classic story. (Ages 4–7)

FROM SARAH:

I've read this book so many times, I think I've lost count! It's probably the one I recommend most in September.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

** Description from Amazon: Erethizon Dorsatum—better known as Ereth, the self-centered, foul-tempered old porcupine—is having a birthday. And he fully expects his best friend Poppy, a deer mouse, to help him celebrate in a grand manner. But Poppy has gone off somewhere with her husband, Rye, and it appears she has forgott...

FROM SARAH:

Mr. Magee's adventures are always worth the trouble, and this one is especially good for summer days! Chris Van Dusen can RHYME, I'll tell you what!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this second volume in the Gilgamesh trilogy, Enkidu joins Gilgamesh in the quest to slay Humbaba, the monster who has attacked the city and caused great destruction, including the death of the beautiful singer, Shamat.

Ralph Masiello has taught young artists how to draw robots, dragons, dinosaurs, farm animals, fairies, and bugs. He’s introduced readers to techniques to capture creatures from the ocean, objects from Ancient Egypt, and spooky characters from Halloween on paper. In the tenth book in his drawing se...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Happy Right Now brings a much-needed message to kids: it’s great to feel happy, but it’s okay to feel sad sometimes too.

**Description from Amazon: THE COLFAXES DIDN'T START TEACHING THEIR BOYS AT HOME TO GET THEM INTO HARVARD - BUT THAT'S WHAT HOMESCHOOLING ACCOMPLISHED!For over fifteen years, David and Micki Colfax educated their children at home. They don't think of themselves as pioneers, though that's what they became. Unhappy with the pub...

(Audible | LibroFM)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The scrapes she gets herself into—like wearing pajamas to school or accidentally making egg yolk shampoo—are funny and heartwarming, and sometimes embarrassing. No matter what, Ramona’s lively, curious spirit shines through. Now, with lively art by Jacqueline Rogers, here are four of Beverly Cleary’s favorite Ramona titles in one collection!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

FROM SARAH:

The Anno books all have this in common: they just beg to be pored over again and again. Add any Anno books you can get your hands on to yoru permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A pictorial journey through the traditional countryside, farms, and towns of northern Europe takes readers past familiar storybook characters, visual jokes and puzzles, tricks of perspective, and other surprises.

FROM SARAH:

A surprising and delightful story, full of lovely insects. (Never thought I'd describe insects that way! 🙃)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book artist Isabelle Simler, a picture book (and nature guide!) to linger over.In nature, there is much to see.Look closely as a spider -- both a collector and an artist -- skillfully crafts a masterpiece from all that falls into her path.Patient and o...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Some people collect stamps. Other people collect coins. Carol Otis Hurst's father collected rocks. Nobody ever thought his obsession would amount to anything. They said, You've got rocks in your head and There's no money in rocks. But year after year he kept on collecting, trading, displaying, and labeling his rocks. The Depression forced the family to sell their gas station and their house, but his interest in rocks never wavered. And in the end the science museum he had visited so often realized that a person with rocks in his head was just what was needed.

FROM SARAH:

From Sarah: We are huge fans of Karina Yan Glaser here at RAR, and her newest novel does not disappoint. A dazzling dual-timeline adventure, this story is one to be treasured. It's perfect for readers 9 and up.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families. An instant classic from the beloved and bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series.

A buoyant, breathtaking poem from Juan Felipe Herrera — brilliantly illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo — speaks to every dreaming heart.Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields an...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hai Li Bu is a good hunter, but not even he can find enough food for his village when the drought comes. The people grow thin and weak, the children rarely laugh -- but worst of all, they begin to argue and stop listening to one another.

**Description from Amazon: Continuing her unique approach to "horizontal history", Genevieve Foster explores the wide world of William Penn - a world reaching across the courtyards of the Sun King to the Great Wall of China. Penn's contemporaries included such colorful figures as Louis XIV, Peter the Great, Edmund Halley, Sir...

**Description from Amazon: National Book Award Longlist 2014 Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Book of the Year"Beautifully written and elegantly structured, this fantasy is as real as it gets."—Franny Billingsley, author of ChimeThe Real Boy, Anne Ursu's follow-up to her widely acclaimed and beloved middle grade fa...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The inspiring true story of how one African woman began a movement to recycle the plastic bags that were polluting her community.

FROM SARAH:

I loved this wordless so much, we featured it as the pick for Family Book Club in RAR Premium! Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a three-generation family, one little bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved little bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.

FROM SARAH:

For when you're looking for a fresh look at an old story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A cumulative story that begins with the stone in front of the tomb and ends with a new beginning -- the Resurrection of Christ.

FROM SARAH:

For when you need a page-turner. This one will make you ignore the laundry and all of your household duties, so don't say I didn't warn ya. 😆

Recommended for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince.

**Description from Amazon: Mouse celebrates the holidays in this picture book in the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling If You Give... series!If you take a mouse to the movies, he'll ask you for some popcorn. If you give him the popcorn, he'll want to string it all together. Then he'll want to hang it on a Christmas tree.T...

FROM SARAH:

A lovely picture book by my all-time favorite: Tomie dePaola. It is said that singing is praying twice. What a beautiful prayer this one is!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"The simple strains of this old Christmas melody are superbly reflected in the graceful, delicate, yet strong images that dePaola brings to the page....A Christmas remembrance to be long treasured." -- Booklist (starred review)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a brightly colored board book, perfect  for the youngest child, Newbery Honoree Grace Lin tells the tale of a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each family member lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings.