The Engineer & The Vaccine
In this old-fashioned story within a story, a timely message about vaccines is gently offered.
Category: Ages 5-8
Generally best enjoyed by children between five and eight years old; but every child is unique, so only you know best.
When Wrigley Sits on My Head
A children’s book, and true story, written by a nine-year-old about his three-legged dog named Wrigley. Inspiring for other kids.
Nothing Stopped Sophie
Published: 2018
Theme: Women in Math
Best for: 7 and up
“Sophie discovered that mathematicians use numbers as poets use letters-as a language to question, explore, and solve the secrets of the universe.” Wonderful and inspiring illustrated biography of a woman mathematician from the 18th century.
Math Curse
Published: 1995
Theme: Math for Kids
Best for: 2nd and 3rd grade
“Mrs. Fibonacci has obviously put a math curse on me. Everything I look at or think about has become a math problem.” A lighthearted look at how math is found in everyday life.
A is for Elizabeth
Published: 2019
Theme: Fairness
Best for: 5 to 8
“Even if there is no trophy involved, I love winning. I am not a sore winner, no matter what Anna the Annoying says. I am the opposite of sore. I am a feel-great winner.” A fun second-grade excursion into alphabetic order, fairness, envy, and creativity.
Little Angel’s Journey
Published: 2006
Theme: A Children’s Birth
Best for: 4 to 6
“Little Angel said to Great Angel, “Oh I want to go to Bountiful Earth.” “And so you shall, Little Angel, so you shall.” A Waldorf birthday story, beautifully illustrated and retold.
The Wind in the Willows – A Fine Welcome
Published: 2013
Theme: Easy Reader
Best for: 5 to 8
Mole took up the oars. “Just this once, I’ll try,” he said, and he began to row. An easy reader version of the classic Wind in the Willows, done with care and beauty. What a great idea.
Say Something!
Published: 2019
Theme: Making a Difference
Best for: 5 to 8
“If you see someone lonely, say something by just being there for them.” In another wonderful children’s book from Peter Reynolds, children learn they too can be a positive change in the world, very simply.
The Lost Words
Published: 2018
Theme: Nature’s Wonders
Best for: 5 to 8
“Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children…You hold in your hands a spellbook for conjuring back these lost words. To read it you will need to seek, find, and speak.” A gorgeous, oversized illustrated children’s book that weaves magic of language, art, and nature.
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg
Published: 2000
Theme: Thoreau’s Simplicity
Best for: 5 to 7
“I’ll walk,” said Henry. “It’s the fastest way to travel.” “I’ll work,” Henry’s friend said, “until I have the monty to buy a ticket to ride the train to Fitchburg. We’ll see who gets there first!” A very simple, sweet illustration of a passage from Walden about the benefits of walking rather than high-speed travel.
Beavers – Superpower Field Guide
Published: 2018
Theme: Beavers (Natural History)
Best for: 6 and up
“This is a beaver. Just an ordinary beaver. But even ordinary beavers are extraordinary. In fact, even ordinary beavers are superheroes.” A great way to present facts of natural history to young readers; enjoyable yet fact-filled.
Gooney Bird Greene
Published: 2002
Theme: Storytelling
Best for: 6 to 9
“The class stared at the new girl with admiration. They had never met anyone like Gooney Bird Greene…Her clothes were unusual. Her hairstyles were unusual. Even her lunches were very unusual.” This fun first-chapter book explores how easy it is to tell a good story, with imagination.
Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure
Published: 2018
Theme: Thomas Edison
Best for: 5 to 8
“Behind the shelves lay the University of Mice. Here any inquisitive mouse could learn everything there was to know about the history of mice: mice who had traveled the world, mice who had made great discoveries…” A beautifully illustrated, large-size children’s book with a fanciful story about Edison’s invention.
Fox Walked Alone
Published: 2009
Theme: Community
Best for: 4 to 7
“Night after night/Fox walked alone,/came home to a bed made of feathers and stone/” A very sweet and simple illustrated children’s book, blending independence with sharing with others. Nicely told in rhyme.
Ellie Engineer: The Next Level
Published: 2018
Theme: Breaking Stereotypes
Best for: 8 to 11
“Ellie hated it when her friends got in trouble in front of her, especially when she had something to do with it. She thought about what her dad said – that engineering was supposed to help people- and her stomach went squiggly.” . Let’s hear it for books that let girls be engineers, boys like dolls, and old people doing more than just drinking tea…
The Moomins and the Great Flood
Published: English: 2018 (original: 1945)
Theme: Imaginative Tale
Best for: 6 to 9
“At first Moominmamma was frightened too, but then she said soothingly: “It’s really a very little creature. Wait, and I’ll shine a light on it. Everything looks worse in the dark, you know.” This is wonderful way to be introduced to the family of Moomintrolls, since it is the story where they first came to life…
Stories for Being – A Mindful Children’s Book Series
Published: 2019
Theme: Mindfulness
Best for: 5 to 8
Laying down before I sleep / I visit every part /Of my soft animal body… What a wonderful way to go to sleep – thanking every part of our body. This is the beginning of a mindful practice of gratitude…
Mio, My Son
Published in English: 2003
Theme: Courage and Loyalty
Best for: 8 to 10
“Do the stars care if you play for them?” I wondered. I asked Nonno and he said he believed they did. So we sat around the fire, took out our flutes and played a little song for the stars.” This is a classic fantasy children’s book, one that easily transcends time and place.
Little Cat’s Luck
Published: 2018
Theme: Animal Kindness
Best for: 7 to 9
“When you are expecting the moon, it can be hard to know what to say to a small red squirrel. But still, the little cat gathered herself quickly. She was a polite cat.” In this poetic prose children’s book, we see the world through the eyes of a little cat looking for its own nesting place.
Stick Dog Crashes A Party
Published: 2018
Theme: Humor
Best for: 6 and up
“Now, under normal circumstances, Poo-Poo’s request to lick Karen’s nose would be quite bizarre. But these were not normal circumstances…” Humor is humor, silliness is silliness, and Tom Watson delivers both, regardless of whether it’s about dogs or cats…
Book Uncle and Me
Published: 2016
Theme: Community Activism
Best for: 7 to 9
“I know, I know. I’m giving away the ending. But here’s the thing. The point of a story is not the ending. The point is, What does it mean?” It’s time to educate the young people about the power of community activism, in a gentle way. This book does that…
Stick Cats – Cats in the City
Published: 2017
Theme: Cats and Kindness
Best for: 7 and up
“Edith sat back on her hind legs and licked her front left paw as she continued to speak. She stopped to examine the placement of each strand of fur every now and then.” A hilarious and profound look at cats, personalities, patience, and courage.
Abel’s Island
Published: 1977
Theme: Creating Home
Best for: 6 and up
“The cave was full of chattering animals who’d been lucky enough to find this haven. There were several mice that Abel and Amanda knew, and a family of toads they had once met at a carnival.” In this classic Steig children’s book, we meet a mouse who learns the value of home while being stranded on an island, and surviving very well.
Jasmine Toguchi – Mochi Queen
Published: 2107
Theme: Japanese Culture
Best for: 5 to 10
“I just had to be able to help make mochi! I need to think of a way to convince my parents. Good think I had the perfect thinking spot…” Breaking the gender barrier- again, and this time, against the cultural grain.
Smarty Marty Steps Up Her Game
Published: 2017
Theme: Baseball and Gender-equality
Best for: 9 to 12
“If she didn’t try announcing the game, she knew she’d regret it… Everyone wanted to be the announcer. It was one of the most important jobs in baseball.” Gender equality knows no bounds, and Amy G calls on her real-life experience to prove it.
The Serpent Slayer
Published: 2000
Theme: Women Heroines
Best for: 5 to 10
“In the dark time of the year, when the days are short and a cold wind blows from the north, a serpent came to live in an old cave on the mountain of Yung Ling…” From time to time, it’s great to read about a young girl who takes on the challenge of slaying the perennial serpent. This children’s book is a lovely collection of such stories.
Mudshark
Published: 2009
Theme: Humor
Best for: 8 to 10
“I think,” Clyde said to his friends, “that bird is special. He has powers. Maybe…he’s psychic.” By the end of the day the word was all over school. Need some humor to lighten the day? Here’s a quick and lighthearted read…
Ban This Book
Published: 2017
Theme: Speaking up
Best for: 8 and up
“All through math I sucked on my braids and imagined all the awful things that would happen if I was caught with all those books in my locker. Every parent…would like up to sue me.” This is a not-to-be-missed book about helping children understand how to speak up against injustices, small and large.
Just Dance
Published: 2017
Theme: Content with Life
Best for: 7 to 9
“I remembered a large, fancy poster with a picture of my mother and James, looking happy and famous. How could she leave that behind to live on a farm in the middle of the prairie?” The magic of Patricia MacLachlan comes through again, this time with a young girl wondering how one can give up fame and still be happy!
My Mother’s Tattoo
Published: 2017
Theme: Imagination
Best for: 5 to 7
“Roxy prides herself on making the best grape jelly sandwiches of anyone in the family, and for this reason, she’s in charge of the sandwich assembly line…” A delightful short collection of three imaginative stories, perfect for reading aloud…