In the Tree House


Andrew Larsen - 2013
    “My brother and I spent most of that summer in the tree house. It was the best summer ever.” Sadly, everything has changed this year. His brother is now “too busy with his friends” to come to the tree house at all. But then one night the power unexpectedly goes out while the young boy is there by himself, and he's treated to an amazing view of his neighborhood, blanketed in darkness and lit only by the stars. And then, just as unexpectedly, his brother appears, wanting to join him, to savor the magic of the night. Author Andrew Larsen has created a fantasy-inducing (what child doesn't pine for a house in a tree?) and emotionally satisfying story that young children will want to revisit again and again. His unique use of the first person to tell the story along with his simple, spare style evocatively relates the feelings the young boy has toward his special corner of the world and his older brother, without being overly mushy. The emotional poignancy is further enhanced by Duýan Petričić's expressive and detailed artwork. This book makes a great resource for lessons on community, siblings or growing up. Separately, this book could also be used for classroom discussions about the environmental issues connected to the rate and severity of blackouts in recent years.

Beauty and the Beaks: A Turkey's Cautionary Tale


Mary Jane Auch - 2007
    When Lance, a very pretentious turkey, arrives on the farm and boasts that he is the only bird invited to a special feast, no hen is impressed, but when Beauty learns that Lance is the main course, she convinced others to save him.

Busy Builders, Busy Week!


Jean Reidy - 2016
    In this bright, bold picture book, a cast of animal characters are building a brand-new playground in a local park for their community! Each day of the week contains a different construction plan as the steam-rolling, digging, and planting gets underway.Tuesday! Mix day!Pipe and boards and bricks day.Stack, spin, pour it in.Give the fence a fix day.Wednesday! Load day!Take it on the road day.Hoist, haul, pull it all.Something being towed day!The construction project comes together for a joyful, rhyming walking tour of a neighborhood, where young readers can learn the days of the week while watching everyone work as a team!

Skelly & Femur


Jimmy Pickering - 2009
    Skelly is missing her buttons. Her dog, Femur, is missing his bone. The ghosts are missing their dishes. Where could they all be? And who took them? The answer will surprise and delight readers of all ages. This gently scary sequel will be a favorite for Halloween and year-round.

If You Awaken Love


Emuna Elon - 2007
    Set in Israel between the Six Day War and the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, 'If You Awaken Love' is an intensely moving story of a stormy and spiritual young girl and her love-hate relationships with her childhood sweetheart, with her father, and with God.

The Way Meat Loves Salt: A Cinderella Tale from the Jewish Tradition


Nina Jaffe - 1998
    One day, the rabbi asks his children a powerful question: "How much do you love me?" His older daughters profess their love in gold and diamonds, but his youngest daughter, Mireleh, declares she loves her father the way meat loves salt. For this remark, she is banished from her father's home. In this flavorful Jewish Cinderella tale, Mireleh's courageous journey is peppered with a perfect blend of magic and romance, leading to a reconciliation with her beloved father. Lavishly illustrated in Louise August's bold linocuts, The Way Meat Loves Salt will make a wonderful gift for the Jewish holidays.

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass


Meg Wiviott - 2010
    In 1938 Berlin, Germany, a cat sees Rosenstrasse change from a peaceful neighborhood of Jews and Gentiles to an unfriendly place where, one November night, men in brown shirts destroy Jewish-owned businesses and arrest or kill Jewish people.

Wild Child


Lynn Plourde - 1999
    "Not for a while," said her wild child. "A song, first. I need a song to play in my head before going to bed." So Mother Earth gave her child a song.... But then this wild child wants a snack and PJs and a kiss.... Lynn Plourde's text snaps and crackles like the leaves of fall as Mother Earth gently gets her daughter ready for bed. And Greg Couch's extraordinary illustrations take readers from the soft greens of late summer through the fiery oranges of a fall sunset to the peaceful blues of early winter's eve. Wild children and their parents will revel in this scrumptious, loving tribute to the wonders of nature and of family.

Pete the Cat: Rock On, Mom and Dad!


James Dean - 2015
    But what can Pete do that will show Mom and Dad how much he loves them?In this groovy story, Pete learns that it’s not what you do but how you do it that matters, so long as it comes from the heart. Young readers will love watching Pete surprise Mom and Dad with something totally awesome.Moms and dads looking for a Mother's Day or Father's Day present for their child to give should consider Rock On, Mom and Dad!

My Princess Boy


Cheryl Kilodavis - 2009
    With words and illustrations even the youngest of children can understand, My Princess Boy tells the tale of 4-year-old boy who happily expresses his authentic self by happily dressing up in dresses, and enjoying traditional girl things such as jewelry and anything pink or sparkly. The book is from a mom's point of view, sharing both good and bad observations and experiences with friends and family, at school and in shopping stores.My Princess Boy opens a dialogue about embracing uniqueness, and teaches you and others how to accept young boys who might cross traditional gender line clothing expectations. The book ends with the understanding that 'my' Princess Boy is really 'our' Princess Boy, and as a community, we can accept and support youth for whoever they are and however they wish to look.

Mr. Getaway and the Christmas Elves


Sally Huss - 2014
    Getaway, is going to take them on a field trip. Mr. Getaway always has the something exciting in mind and this trip is not different – Santa’s workshop! Elves are everywhere, working happily, and creating mounds of toys. There is not a sad face in all the activity. Not a bit of complaining about the work. What did the kids learn from watching the elves? They learned that work is good! Santa agreed! All in rhyme, this delightful story is charmingly illustrated with over 40 images. If you enjoy the books of Dr. Seuss, the Berenstains, Suzy Spafford, Sandra Boynton, and Laura Numeroff, you’ll love MR. GATEAWAY AND THE CHRISTMAS ELVES. If this sounds like something you would like, scroll up to download your copy. You might also want to take a peek at THE TREE-WITHIN-THE TREE, another delightful holiday book by Sally Huss.

The Red Headed League


David Eastman - 1982
    A suspicious new member solicits the aid of Sherlock Holmes in uncovering the secret behind the Red-Headed League.

Webster's Bedtime (Webster Technology Books Book 2)


Hannah Whaley - 2015
    This funny rhyming story takes a twist when it proves hard to get everyone to bed! Providing a subtle reminder to young children about the need to switch off from screen time as they get ready for sleep, Webster’s Bedtime is a brilliant bedtime companion book for the digital generation.

Snow


Walter de la Mare - 2014
    'No breath of wind,No gleam of sunStill the white snowWhirls softly down'As the day draws to a close, a family prepares for Christmas - decorating the tree, hanging stockings by the fire, putting out a plate of mince pies...Outside, the world turns to white.

Mick Foley's Halloween Hijinx


Mick Foley - 2001
    In this festive end imaginative follow-up to Mick's beloved Christmas Chaos, we meet three youngsters whose quest for the perfect Halloween costume takes them on the adventure of a lifetime. Filled with adorable witches and werewolves, scary magic spells, and even a Mick Foley doll that comes to life, Mick Foley's Halloween Hijinx is sure to please children of all ages who just can't wait for October thirty-first.