Half a Man


Michael Morpurgo - 2014
    Grandpa’s ship was torpedoed during the Second World War, leaving him with terrible burns. Every time he came to stay, Michael was warned by his mother that he must not stare, he must not make too much noise, he must not ask Grandpa any questions about his past. As he grows older, Michael stays with his grandfather during the summer holidays, and as he finally learns the story behind Grandpa’s injuries, he gets to know the real man behind the solemn figure from his childhood. Michael can see beyond the burns, and this gives him the power to begin healing some of the scars that have divided his family for so long.

Spot Loves His Grandma


Eric Hill - 2008
    Whether he’s helping Grandma make lemonade, or swimming in the pool with Grandpa, it’s always a fun time when he visits. A follow-up to the popular Spot Loves His Mommy and Spot Loves His Daddy, these simple, colorful board books are perfect for sharing with special grandparents anytime!

Amelia Bedelia's First Field Trip


Herman Parish - 2011
    Now, in a series of bestselling picture books, kids can discover what Amelia Bedelia was like when she was a little girl in elementary school. In Amelia Bedelia’s First Field Trip, a picture book with exuberant, brightly colored illustrations, Amelia Bedelia is going on a field trip with her class. She expects to see, well, a field. To her delight, she and her classmates arrive at a working farm! Amelia has a great time, although mishaps and misunderstandings are unavoidable. Her confusion over a green thumb, runner beans, and ponytails will give readers the giggles.

Jingle All the Way (Jingle, #1)


Tom Shay-Zapien - 2013
    And if he's nearby, the Jingle Story Buddy stuffed animal will respond when you read key phrases from the story.

The Imaginary


A.F. Harrold - 2014
    He doesn't exist, but nobody's perfect.Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend – until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And he's sniffed out Rudger. Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him up?A brilliantly funny, scary and moving read from the unique imagination of A.F. Harrold, this beautiful book is astoundingly illustrated with integrated art and colour spreads by the award-winning Emily Gravett.

The Man Who Was Poe


Avi - 1989
    And Edmund is alone. His mother is gone. His aunt, who went in search of her, is dead. His sister has disappeared. Edmund has no one. Except for a stranger of the night.A dark, mysterious stranger who flees from demons of his own...who follows Edmund with grim determination through the cold and shadow city, promising to help, but often hindering. A stranger who needs Edmund for purpose of his own!

The Shy Little Angel


Ruth Brown - 1998
    Against Gabriel

The Tooth Fairy Wars


Kate Coombs - 2014
    This is one tooth that is staying with its owner. Except the Tooth Fairy has other ideas. And we’re not talking about some run-of-the-mill garden fairy here. No, this is the Tooth Fairy. She’s on a tooth procurement mission—and she’s not about to let some little boy get the best of her. But she may have met her match in Nathan…

The Secret of the Long-Lost Cousin


M. Masters - 1983
    They invite readers to follow the clues and sketches to solve crimes in their hometown of Lakewood Hills. All of the books in the “Can You Solve the Mystery” series contain 9-10 short mysteries. Readers are given written clues as well as visual clues to help them solve the crime. The answers and a brief wrap-up are given in the back of the book.The Secret of the Long-Lost Cousin; The Case of the Disappearing Diamonds; The Mystery of the Helpful Professor; The Case of the Daisy Dispute; The Case of the Bouncing Check; The Mystery of the Hardware Heist; The Case of Lucy's Lost Lemonade; The Mystery of the Missing Money; The Case of the Bashed Boss; The Secret of the Ancient Treasure. Part 1: The Black Cave

Who Wants To Play With Little Mouse?: A fun counting story about friendship


Jana Buchmann - 2020
    Little Mouse travels around counting from one to ten, meeting cute little friends along the way. He encounters the world’s three most adorable spiders catching golden rays of sunshine and various other creatures like six slow slimy snails and seven busy buzzing bees. But none seem to care about him. Little Mouse heads home, dejected. The next day, however, his numbered friends arrive to recount all the good times they’ve shared with Little Mouse. So together they count down from ten to one and regain their friendship.Jana Buchmann demonstrates a musician’s timing and a poet’s skill in this perfectly penned book for aspiring little readers. The story, which centers on being disappointed when things don’t go your way, is easy to follow and is relevant for young children. The counting lesson is delivered is such a beautiful and engaging way that kids won’t even realize they are mastering their numbers. The colorful illustrations are divine, embellishing an already wonderful story. I highly recommend Who Wants To Play With Little Mouse? by Jana Buchmann to anyone with toddlers or preschoolers at home, as it is an easy-to-grasp story that teaches counting and important lessons in such a way that every child will be eager to learn.

A You're Adorable


Buddy Kaye - 1994
    Sing along as a lively company of children and pets scampers across these bright pages, climbing over and under and through the letters from A to Z. With warm and charming illustrations by Martha Alexander, this popular song of the 1940s is a ditty for your darling, a song for your sweetheart, a valentine for anytime!

There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Book


Jomike Tejido - 2019
    The little old woman who lives in a book has lost her children! But instead of sitting around and waiting for them to show up, in a refreshingly empowering, feminist take on the classic tale, she departs on a mission to find her kids herself--even if it means popping into every other fairy tale and nursery rhyme in town! She'll enlist the help of Humpty Dumpty, Jack and his beanstalk, Princess Beauty, the Three Bears, and more familiar characters in her quest to rescue her kids. This silly, irreverent picture book is a clever jaunt through our most beloved children's stories--and it's sure to become the next modern day classic.

Others See Us


William Sleator - 1993
    Reprint. SLJ.

Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow


Anna Sewell - 2006
    Drawn from the original text and intended for even the youngest of horse lovers, Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow depicts the first few months of the horse's life as a foal frolicking in the meadow. Artist Jane Monroe Donovan renders the classic story in lush oil paintings that convey a pastoral world of green fields and shady trees, while tenderly capturing the special love between mare and foal. The perfect harmony of words and pictures proves once again that the simplest messages are often the strongest. Readers will relish the sweetness of life in the meadow and the companionship of family and friends.

Catch the Moon


Efrat Haddi - 2017
    Instead he decides to catch the moon. Will he succeed? Author Efrat Haddi is taking young children on a journey with the little monkey as he finds a way to catch the moon. This well-written and inspiring story, delivers bedtime fun complemented by vibrant, delightful illustrations This story may be ideal for reading to your kids at bedtime and enjoyable for the whole family as well! It is suitable as a read aloud book for preschoolers or a self-read book for older children. Grandparents will definitely enjoy reading this book to their grandchildren.