Generally best enjoyed by children between five and eight years old; but every child is unique, so only you know best.
Published: 2015 Theme: Friendship Best for: 7 and up "Dragons weren't the only ones who were mistreated so the different magicals agreed to keep their powers secret or hide from humans altogether. We've done such a good job that most humans consider all magicals imaginary." I smiled and often laughed out loud as I read this very silly fantasy book, peopled with all kinds of magical creatures, as well as a very admirable 10-year-old girl...
Published: 2014 Theme: Perseverance Best for: 5 to 8 "This is a regular girl and her best friend in the whole wide world. They do all kinds of things together. They race. They eat. They explore. They relax..." Right from the opening lines, you fall in love with this nameless little girl and her best friend, a very quirky looking dog ...
Published: 2012 Theme: Light-hearted Mystery Best for: 6 to 9 "Nice people smile a lot, and Precious Ramotswe was one of the nicest girls in Botswana. Everyone said so." Oh joy! My favorite adult author, Alexander McCall Smith, has recreated his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency as a series for young children.
Published: 2007 Theme: Contentment Best for: 5 to 8 "After drying her eyes on a leafkerchief, Rani kicked off her sensible walking shoes and slipped into the lagoon. of all the fairies, Rani was the only one who could swim, and that was because she had no wings to drag her under." A true fairy tale about fairies, by a great children's author, alas, co-opted by Disney, which means dreadful illustrations, but the story and writing are excellent.
Published: 1963 Theme: Diversity is Good Best for: 5 to 8 "All the other Tatrajanni ...had glittering white hair like snow crystals, and the eyes of every one of them, without exception, were the color of light shining through ice: a cool greenish hue." This book steps out of the mold of Enright's other books. It is pure fantasy, with an imaginary land, animals, and people...
Published: 1993 Theme: African-American History Best for: ages 8-11 Sarah looked at Addy. "You is coming to school, ain't you?" "Momma say I can go," Addy answered. "That's good," said Sarah. "We learn to read and write...You gonna like school. You'll see." Written in dialect, an African-American girl's journey from slavery to freedom unfolds in this series of historical fiction children's books.
Published: 1992 Theme: Equality in Relationships Best for: 5 and up "You will become ruler when I die," the old king said, "for that is the ancient law that cannot be changed. But you will not wear my crown until the day you marry a woman who is your equal in beauty and intelligence and wealth." This story has all the classical elements of a great fairy tale: an impoverished girl, tending her goats, who outsmarts a conceited prince, and in the end, rules happily ever after.
Published: 2006 Theme: Belonging Best for: 8 and up "Never attack another duck unless. That's the first rule." She waddled in a circle around us. "Actually, the first rule is: Don't get eaten. The second rule is: Never attack another duck unless." In this lovable version of an old tale, we discover what life is like for the Ugly Duckling when he has to fend for himself.
Published: 1938 Theme: Growing Up Best for: 8 to 11 "When she had reached the highway, her anger began to turn into a feeling of excitement. Eric's stories of hitchhiking were still fresh in her mind. I'll try it anyway, she thought, and stopped at the roadside." This book is a great antidote to today's cries of "I'm bored, there's nothing to do." We experience the olden days on a farm...
Published: 2013 Theme: Growing up Best for: Girls 8 to 10 "As she handed me back my most worn-out underwear, I realized she wasn't going to be at camp with me at all. Not even to help me put my things away...Or tuck me in, under my thin sleeping bag." In this children's book, we go away with Eleanor to summer camp, which starts out dreadful, and ends up wonderful. It's a great book for any young girl going off to sleep-away camp for the first time
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