Posted on by Laura

Island of the Aunts

Children's Book Island of the Aunts

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....

Posted on by Laura

Jake and Lilly

Jake and Lily Children's Book

Published: 2012 Theme: Bullying, Coming of Age Best for: 10 to 12 "It was where I belonged. And--here was the best part--so did everybody else belong. Everybody who is and ever was. I wasn't alone after all. I was connected to it all. That star...it's my neighbor." This is a thoughtful and important book, just like the other books that Spinelli has written.. this one about growing up, and also about bullying.

Posted on by Laura

Dorko the Magnficent

Children's Book - Dorko the Magnificent

Published: 2013 Theme: Perseverance Best for: 9 - 12 "Cat laughed again. In case you hadn't noticed, she laughs a lot. That's one of the things I like about her. ...And she doesn't judge people all the time. Cat figures that if someone is always cranky like Grandma Melvyn, it's just who they are. It doesn't mean they are a bad person." Drum roll. Lights. Ta-Da! Applause, as Robbie himself would say in this immensely likeable, creative, and somewhat wacky children's book. I love it...

Posted on by Laura

The Picts and The Martyrs

Children's Book Picts and Martyrs

Published: 1943 Theme: Self-Reliance Best for: 9 to 12 "Dick was there, of course, but, with his mind on the new boat, or on birds, or on cutting up wood in a scientific way, he did not seem to realize that they were going to sleep in a hut in the wood with nobody in it but themselves, a hut with holes in its roof and no glass in its window." Each of Ransome's books carry the excitement of: children out on their own, creating wild adventures in nature, having close calls that are always resolved, and learning absolute self-sufficiency and resilience...

Posted on by Laura

The Ballad of Sir Dinadan

Children's Book - Ballad of Sir Dinadan

Published: 2003 Theme: Simplicity of Heart Best for: 11 and up "More animals appeared, and then from behind Dinadan came a gentle piping sound, like the wind whistling through chinks in a wall, but the piping kept time with Dinadan's song. Then, to Dinadan's wonder, it began to play in counterpoint to his own melody." Each children's book in the Squire's Tales series is a re-telling of an Arthurian tale. This one retells Tristam and Isolde, adapted for children...

Posted on by Laura

The Twilight of Magic

Children's Book Twilight of Magic

Published: 1930 Theme: Magic of the Ordinary Best for: 9 and up "Night putting her arms around the sea. No helping wizard. Just the earth going to bed the same as it had done for a million years.. .Were no more wonders worked since sprites and fairies left the haunts of Man? Yet it was magic too, this...the sun sinking in the sea at dusk and rising on the land at dawn." This children's book is about belief in the unseen worlds, and learning to see the magic that is also possible in daily life. The characters in the book are fascinating, and unlike those we might meet in other books...

Posted on by Laura

Heidi

Heidi - children's book

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...

Posted on by Laura

The Squire’s Tales: Books 3,6,8,9,10

Legend of the King Children's Book

Published: 2000-2010 Theme: Arthurian Tales Best for: 9 and up "Knight, holy man, family, poet--it is all that any land could want. If the knight will be honorable, the holy man true, the family loving..And if the poet will sing. After all, someone needs to tell the story of Arthur." I went on a "Knights of the Round Table" binge, reading all the remaining stories of the Squire's Tales that I had not yet read. Reading these children's books is somewhat like candy for the heart, mind, and soul.

Posted on by Laura

Toes

Toes - Children's book

Published: 2004 Theme: Self-confidence Best for: 8-10 "Toes had never heard of a chaconne, or a partita, but whatever they were, the music sounded far more angelic than devilish. In fact, if there was such a thing as a heaven for cats, the Bach took Toes there on a visit." This is such an imaginative children's book that it is completely fun to read it and suspend any question of belief or disbelief...

Posted on by Laura

The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

Children's Book - Savage Damsel and Dwarf

This children's book is number 3 in the series, The Squire's Tale. Each Arthurian tale has its own drama and excitement, and this is no exception. The characters, Roger, the dwarf, and Lady Lynette, a very strong woman, are very well drawn.