Generally best enjoyed by children between five and eight years old; but every child is unique, so only you know best.
Published: 2013 Theme: Creativity Best for: 5 to 8 "In school, we have lots of rules. At home, there are lots of rules too. I'm learning that with with art, there really are no rules. That's what makes it so great. Artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock and Pablo Picasso created new ways to make paintings... " I encourage any adult who loves bringing art to children to consider this book. It illuminates the value of bringing a child into the world of creativity.
Published: 2009 Theme: Gratitude Best for: ages 5 and up "Minli gaped at the dragon in front of her. It was brilliant red, the color of a lucky lantern, with emerald-green whiskers, horns, and a dull stone-colored ball like the moon on his head. He was half-covered by...the silvery lake of water his tears had formed all around him." What joy, to find such a superb collection of Chinese folk tales, woven together into one adventure story with a beautiful message about gratitude.
Published: 1918 Theme: Nature Spirits Best for: 5 - 8 "Ivra was different. Because she was only half-fairy, any human could see her whether his eyes were shadowed or not, if he would only look hard enough...When a human did see her, he was likely not to believe in her. He would just think he was day-dreaming." Here's a children's book that understands and loves the unseen folk: the fairies, the tree sprites, the good witches, and more. Ethel Cook Eliot was a master storyteller...
Published: 2013 Theme: Artistry Best for: 5 to 8 "Each day something new and surprising dripped out of Daozi's brush. His straight lines splintered into trees. His hooks caught fish. His dots burst into eyes, then pigs and monkeys. From a stroke, a horse's tail flew by." This children's book is exquisite from beginning to end, from front cover to back cover. The story is an imaginative version of the life of the great Chinese artist Wu Daozi...
Published: 2007 Theme: Contentment Best for: 6 and up "The Queen could always tell when the King had visited the hermit, for he would be, for a short time, calmer than usual, not straining at his restrictive clothing, not complaining or yawning. She would find him sitting mute on his throne,...gazing placidly around the room." This children's book is just pure and simple fun. I found the book in a used book store, and was immediately struck by its beauty...
Published: 2001 Theme: Caring for the Planet Best for: 8 and up "She went on to explain that the worm was a person who liked to think about important things like 'Where has yesterday gone?' or 'Why hasn't God made sardines without bones?' The trouble is he's so long that his thoughts don't easily get to the other end, and that upsets him." As a confirmed fan of Eva Ibbotson, I was so happy to find another quirky children's book by her on the library shelves, this one with both fun and seriousness....
Published: 2003 Theme: Mystery Best for: 8-10 "See, brownies are these helpful guys. But then if you make them mad, They go crazy.They start doing all these bad things, and you can't stop them. Then they become boggarts." This is a an easy read, and is sort of like a fantasy children's book for younger children. I think older readers would gravitate toward more complex stories...
Published: 2013 Theme: Imagination Best for: up to age 8 This is a children's book without a single word. Is it great children's literature? Absolutely, because the literature comes from the children themselves.
Published: 1880 Theme: Healing Power of Nature Best for: all ages "Soon all the lively goats came leaping up the mountain, the nimble Distelfinck bounding ahead of the others. Heide was at once in the midst of the flock, which pushed her hither and thither with loud, stormy greetings." It has been far too long since I re-read the classic children's book, Heidi, and once I picked it up, it was impossible to put it down...
Re-Published: 1997 Theme: Kindness to Animals Best for: 5-8 "After a while, with the parrot's help, the Doctor got to learn the language of the animals so well that he could talk to them himself and understand everything they said. Then he gave up being a people's doctor altogether." The fantasy that is outlined in this edited versionis fabulous. Not only can the animals talk, but they do wonderful things for this kind man who takes care of everyone and everything...
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