Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain


Edward Ardizzone - 1936
    Things don't go to plan for Tim, the youngest ever sailor, when he stows away on board a steamer!

The Squirrel, the Hare and the Little Grey Rabbit


Alison Uttley - 1929
    The illustrations and storylines are warm and old-fashioned and concern the play and relationships between a group of animals.

Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse


Ursula Moray Williams - 1938
    The little wooden horse loves Uncle Peder like a father and hopes never to leave him. When the toymaker falls on hard times, the little wooden horse must go out into the world to seek his fortune. But whether he's working in a coal mine, walking the tightrope in a circus, or gathering pirate treasure, the loyal little horse has only one desire: to return to his beloved master's side. First published in 1938, Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse is well-loved modern children's classic.

The Sea-Thing Child


Russell Hoban - 1972
    Afraid of the wild waves and the storm skies, he meets a fiddler crab with no bow and together they avoid facing their fears. Finally, though, he finds his star, his courage and his ocean self.

I Hate School


Jeanne Willis - 2003
    "There was a fine young lady, And her name was Honor Brown.She didn't want to go to school.She hoped it would burn down."Why would she "want" to go to school, when...her teacher is a warty toad?...her friends are crooks and villains?...the principal chops your head off if you talk in class?It can't be true...or "can" it?Find out in this laugh-out-loud account of the horrors of going to school, told from the point of view of a girl with a huge imagination.

Henry and Amy: Right-Way-Round and Upside Down


Stephen Michael King - 1998
    When everyone looked up, he looked down. If he thought it was going to be a sunny day, it usually rained. Amy could do everything right, She never tied her shoelaces together, or forgot her umbrella. Amy showed Henry everything she knew, but deep down she wished she didn't always have to be so perfect. So Henry showed Amy how to dress funny and roll down hills sideways. Together, they could be serious or silly, right-way-round or upside down. As long as they were together they could do anything! Any child who has ever experienced a moment of self-doubt will be both reassured and delighted by this heartwarming tale of two very different friends and their ability to help one another feel more complete.

The Magic Fishbone


Charles Dickens - 1867
    Given a magic fish-bone by a good fairy, Alicia can have whatever she wishes--provided she wishes for it at the right time. But it's never clear when the right time is, and sometimes the best magic is no magic at all....

The Real Thief


William Steig - 1973
    When rubies, then gold ducats, and finally the world-famous Kalikak diamond vanish from the treasure house, there is no way to account for the disappearances. Only Gawain and the King have keys!Woe and misery must be borne--by Gawain, by King Basil and the entire community, as well as by the real thief--before the goose's good name is restored. Brought to trial, Gawain escapes from his faithless friends into lonely self-exile. Now the thief, burdened by guilt, sees that the right thing must be done and determines, heroically, to do it. (Setting all this straight is no small job for one mouse, even such a mouse as Derek.)William Steig's many admirers will find in The Real Thief a book worthy of standing beside "Dominic" and" Amos and Boris."

A Lion in the Meadow


Margaret Mahy - 1969
    and in fact the dragon was there too?

The Teddy Robinson Storybook


Joan G. Robinson - 1997
    The author was one of the most popular children's writers of her time.

Not So Fast, Songololo


Niki Daly - 1986
    In South Africa, a young black boy shares a special day with his grandmother when they go into the city on a shopping trip.

Peter in Blueberry Land


Elsa Beskow - 1901
    Suddenly he feels a light tap on his shoe, and a strange and magical adventure begins.

A Necklace of Raindrops and Other Stories


Joan Aiken - 1968
    These stories contain a wealth of wonderful characters and ideas, all with the colorful, dreamlike quality of the very best fairy tales. Illustrations.

Jennifer Jones Won't Leave Me Alone


Frieda Wishinsky - 1995
    He's embarrassed by the love poems, the terms of endearment, the cute little red heart stickers, and especially the laughter and snickers from his classmates. He wishes that Jennifer Jones would just move away. And one day, she does! There's no more sickening stickers, no more silly poems--and no more fun. Does he actually miss Jennifer Jones?

The Day the Babies Crawled Away


Peggy Rathmann - 2003
    Children lining up for pony rides . . . moms and dads in a pie-eating contest . . . babies chasing butterflies . . . babies heading for the trees . . . I SAY! Where are those babies GOING? Only a small boy sees them leaving and follows as the babies chase butterflies in trees, frogs in a bog, even bats in a cave, ignoring pleas to come back. But not to worry, our hero saves the day, making sure that all the babies get home safely from their appealing adventures. Caldecott Medal winner Peggy Rathmann has created a highly original story told in a lilting text and a bold new style with classic black silhouettes against stunning skies of many colors that change and glow as afternoon turns into evening.