Published: 2013 Theme: Power of Imagination Best for: 8 to 12 "The power of the imagination is a magnificent thing. Here, whatever you can imagine, you can make real." If you ever wished to have a children's book which is fun yet compelling page-turner, this is good place to start...
Published: 2001 Theme: Math Riddle Best for: 5 to 8 "Aziza learned all there was to know. But her favorite subject was numbers. And her favorite game was riddles." This is a simple and enjoyable way to present numbers and riddles to young children who are already showing signs up interest in numbers.
From time to time, we are lucky enough to have a review from the intended audience, in this case a young boy, Bram, age 10. I personally have not read the series, "How to Train your Dragon." But based on Bram's enthusiastic letter to the author, and his wonderful pictures, I'm inclined to read it…
Published: 2015 Theme: Mystery Best for: Girls 9 - 12 "Leila breathed in the heavy scent of masala, nicked with the sharp undercurrent of gobi and war my oily parathas. She knew most of the dishes on her plate, and was determined to try everything..." The best part of this children's book is the ending, where the resolution unfolds so skillfully, that only then did I realize the mystery ... .
Published: 2014 Theme: Dragons Best for: 6 - 9 "Drake looked over at his friend Bo. he could tell Bo was thinking the same thing he was: How did the king know one of the dragons was sick?" Our school librarian gets a high demand for books about dragons, especially from the lower grade students. So she and I were delighted to find this one.
Published: 2016 Theme: Self-confidence, Dragons Best for: 8 to 12 "It was Vasilisa's doll that did all the cleaning, dusting and laundry at night while Vasilisa slept in her room here. A couple of times, I tried to stay up long enough to catch the doll at it..." Dolls that clean houses, a dragon that lives in the basement, and a school for humans and magicals... a perfect recipe for delight.
Published: 2010 Theme: Be Yourself Best for: 6 to 9 "Blue Jay Girl had a good family who loved her, and a little dog of her own. He was called Kiyu. Until now, her life had always pleased her. But today she was the very saddest girl in the village." This small children's book is a great addition to Native American folk literature. It reads like an oral story that has been converted to a children's book.
Published: 2013 Theme: Injustice Best for: 11 and up "To make a tomahawk for your son, you needed the stone blade, and the wooden shaft, and time. In my father's day, there was still time..." I couldn't put this historical fiction book down. From start to sad ending, the trauma of the battle for land in early America is a compelling read...
Published: 1967 Theme: Faery Best for: 7 - 10 "There was a village once, not very long ago for those with long memories, not very far away for those with long legs. Wootton Major it was called because it was larger than Wootton Minor..." A truly magical yet profound tale of the skeptic world and those who 'do believe in fairies'...
Published: 2008 Theme: Tolkien Fantasy Best for: 7 and up "Faerie is a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary and dungeons for the overbold..." This collection of shorter stories by Tolkien has something for all ages, including adults who love Tolkien's fantasy worlds.
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