Published: 2014 Theme: Accepting Differences, Autism Best for: 11 and up "I hear lots of things I'm not supposed to hear, and lots of things nobody else is able to hear, because my hearing is very acute, which is part of my diagnosis of high-functioning autism..." This entire work of fiction is written in the voice of an autistic child, displaying all her unusual tendencies, such as obsession with homophones and prime numbers...
Published: 1958 Theme: Early Reader Best for: 5 to 8 "If you can count," said the big, hungry alligator, "maybe you will count my teeth. I have always wanted someone to count my teeth. I will open my mouth wide. Then you two can get in and count all my teeth. All the way to the back of my mouth." In this easy reader, a young girl has the ideal way to deal with her two young cousins who are pinching, and fighting, and biting. Tell a tale about crocodiles...
Published: 1961 Theme: Early Reader Book Best for: 5 to 8 "One spring day, when Mother Bear was little, she found a baby robin in the garden. A baby robin, too little to fly. "Oh how sweet you are," she said, "Where did you come from?" "From my nest," said the robin..." When a child can pick up a children's book and read it on their own, it's as big as learning to ride a bike. The "I Can Read" series is perfect for new readers...
Published: 1998 Theme: Peace at all costs Best for: 9 and up "There they go," a voice said. "There go the cowards." Samuel Russsell clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white but he did not look around..."Cowards", that was what many people called him and his father and all his people." This very informed historical fiction children's book depicts an actual event involving the Quakers in New York State, and their encounter with French Canadian Indians, told through the eyes of two young boys.
Published: 1911 Theme: Animal Myths Best for: 3 to 5 "Danny Meadow Mouse sat in his doorway and looked down the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows. Way, way over near the Smiling Pool he could see Old Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes, at play." Here's a must-have children's book for Waldorf parents of young children (3 to 5). Perfect short bed-time stories, this classic collection unfolds little stories about why the mouse has a short tale, or why the chipmunk has pockets in his cheeks...
Published: 2012, 2014 Theme: Fantasy Exploring Best for: 12 and up "We Explorers have always been redrawing the maps. That map was no less correct when it was made than the ones made by Ortelius or Mercator. A map of the world isn't a fixed thing. We know only what we can see." This series is superb. The adventures, the dangers, the daring, the unstated metaphors to today's warped political world, are both disturbing and important...
Published: 2007 Theme: Power of Silence Best for: 9-12 "Because he wasn't talking, Dave had focused all on his energy on listening. Listening at the lunch table, really listening, was a brand-new experience for him. Because most of the time Dave was a loudmouth." If you love education, students, teachers, and the dynamics that happen in a middle school, this children's book is a must. For kids themselves, it's superb...
Published: 2014 Theme: Mysteries Best for: 9 to 12 "In Stain'd-by-the-Sea the only remaining police officers were a married couple known to most as the Officers Mitchum and known to me as no help at all." This is the first Lemony Snicket children's book I have ever read, and I'm glad I started with this one- an easy introduction...
Published: 1996 Theme: Express Yourself Best for: 8 and up "But who says that d-o-g means the thing that goes 'woof' and wags its tail? Who says so?" And Mrs. Granger took the bait. "Who says dog means dog? You do, Nicholas. You and I and everyone in this class and this school and this town and this state and this country. We all agree." Thumbs up to this fast-moving, easy reading children's book that is sure to delight parents, teachers, and hopefully kids, about language, education, and self-confidence.
Published: 1974 Theme: Imagination, Perserverance Best for: 8 to 11 "Some people consider me an eccentric. I specialize in imagination. I imagine things most people wouldn't even dream of." "Like DNA and RNA," said Ben." "Precisely. And the Whangdoodle." The mystical lands are always there; it’s up to us to believe in the yearning of our hearts to visit them. The heart of this book is believing in our dreams...
Litkidz 