Published: 2012 Theme: Accepting Change Best for: 8 and up "It's okay," Snow says, lowering her head. "I don't need to marry a prince. I don't mind living with the dwarfs for the rest of my life." "No...that is NOT the way your story goes...." What do you get when a 21st century girl and her sister become entangled with the eternal Snow White? A terrific children's book, with laughs, serious lessons, and a great read for younger children...
Published: 1966 Theme: The Power of Kindness Best for: Boys age 9 and older "As with all good magic, there is a bit of skill involved, so proceed with caution, particularly right at first. And above all, use discretion. Remember, there must be absolutely no public notice." Who would imagine that doing good deeds, without really planning them, could have terrific results? This imaginative children's book has a subtle way of bring the interconnectedness of life to children, without ever saying so.
Published: 1935 Theme: Simple Living Best for: ages 6 to 10 "I have everything here. I am happy. Look, the sky gives me sunshine and rain. The ground gives me food. The spring gives me water. The sheep gives me shelter and clothes..." Here's a really unusual children's book, written about experiences in rural Budapest, quite a while ago. The setting is so far removed from our fast-paced contemporary life that the book almost becomes a meditation for the mind.
Recently, one of my friends read The Little Princess, a recommended book on Litkidz.com, and she responded by writing, I don´t know if I will read it to any kid. It made me cry several times .... father dead and the same day turned into a servant.... I don´t know what good that could do to…
Now that it's back-to-school time, it's a great time to remember that of all the aids to literacy, reading out loud to children is one of the best. Even 15 minutes a day can increase vocabulary, interest, and understanding, not to mention the terrific feeling of bonding that it creates. It's also great to remember…
Published: 1999 Theme: Finding One's Path Best for: 11 and over "Gwydion caught Taran's look of disappointment. "It is not the trappings that make the prince," he said gently, "nor, indeed, the sword that makes the warrior..." Lloyd Alexander's children's book series on his invented land of Prydain undoubtedly has an enormous following. Fantasy books tend to create a real cult if they are good, and there is no question that this series is good...
Published: 1965 Theme: Finding Real Values Best for: age 10 and up "From that first glimpse, from that first minute, it was more than a room--more than even the most beautiful room Robin had ever seen. Her hands shook on the door knob..." This is a most unusual and unique children's book. It is certainly a look at the experience of migrant workers in old California, but it doesn't feel like the purpose of the book...
Published: 2013 Theme: Kindness and Survival Best for: children over 10 "The heart is like an apartment," Madame Marie tells me. "Every day you must clean it and make it cheerful...If you make your apartment extra nice, God will come to visit you too." Here is a breathtakingly beautiful children's book about a breathtakingly horrendous episode in history: the Holocaust...
Published: 2005 Theme: Loyalty and Overcoming Anger Best for: 10 and older "Like a larger embrace, her comrades encircled her. Far more than the strands of the ring bound them all together. And it was this thought that made Rowan's heart feel warm and full." This particular book was interesting in that Rowan loses touch with her magical powers for most of the book, as she seeks vengeance. Without saying it directly, young readers are allowed to explore the price one pays for carrying hatred in their hearts...
Published: 2000 Theme: Heroines Best for: ages 8 and up "Burd Janet threw the green mantle around him to shade him from fairy sight. Then she .. took out the earth from her garden. She spread it around the two of them in a great circle of protection against the Fair Folk." This book is a collection of folk tales where the hero is female. However, this book is for boys as well, since they too need to know that women can be heroes.
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