Miss Emily

Miss Emily - Children's Book

Published: 2014 Theme: Emily Dickinson Best for: 7 to 9 "She needs our eyes to see these things for her, for --playful as she is with us-- she isn't part of the world's hubbub anymore. She is getting old!" This poetic children's book is a wonderful addition to bringing Emily Dickinson to young people, depicting her playful nature with children.

Grandfather’s Dance (Sarah Plain and Tall # 5)

Children's Book - Grandfather's Dance

Published: 2006 Theme: Love and Loss of Grandparents Best for: 6 to 9 "'He can only speak French in my journal,', I said. 'I suppose that's what writing is for,' said Grandfather. 'To change life and make it come out the way you want it to.'" This children's book addresses something so precious - preparing a child for the death of the grandparent. I cry just writing those words. Yet there is nothing maudlin or sad about this children's book. It is exquisite.

Sarah, Plain and Tall series

Children's Book - Sarah Plain and Tall

Published: 1985 - 2006 Theme: Family life on the Plains Best for: 5 - 8 "Sarah loved the chickens. She clucked back to them and fed them grain. They followed her, shuffling and scratching primly in the dirt. I knew they would not be for eating." What captured me in each children's book of this collection was the emphasis on the emotions and feelings of the people. We live through the eyes of each child in turn...

More Perfect Than The Moon (Sarah, Plain and Tall #4)

Children's Book More Perfect than the Moon

Published: 2006 Theme: New Baby Best for: 7- 9 "What if Mama is too old to have this baby? What if this terrible baby makes Mama die like Caleb's mama died when he was born? I closed the journal as if shutting away the words would make them go away." The very real fears and emotions of the youngest child towards a new baby are presented with care in book 4 of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Caleb’s Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall # 3)

Children's book - Caleb's s tory

Published: 2001 Theme: Reconciliation Best for: 6 to 8 "They are beautiful, the trees and hills and lakes filled with water. But the prairie is home, the sky so big it takes your breath away, the land like a giant quilt tossed out." A profound exploration of reconciliation between father and son, and forgiveness.

Skylark (Sarah, Plain and Tall # 2)

Children's Book Skylark

Published: 1994 Theme: Family Life on the Prairie Best for: 6 - 8 "Sarah and I sat in the kitchen. The air was thick with the heat, and there was no breeze. There hadn't been any wind for days. Sarah was writing a letter to the aunts in Maine. I wrote in my journal." In the second of Sarah, Plain and Tall, the family must deal with a serious drought, and separation from each other and the land.

And Now Miguel

Children's book: And Now Miguel

Published: 1953 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: Boys 11-12 "San Ysidro is the patron saint of our village of Los Cordovas...He keeps an eye out special for Los Cordovas...For as long as I can remember, there have been no complaints about how San Ysidro has handled things for our village." Miguel is twelve years old, a middle child in a large family of shepherds who have lived on the New Mexico lands for hundreds of years. Somehow he has a way of muddling everything he tries to communicate...

Sherwood – Original Stories

Children's Book Sherwood

Published: 2002 Theme: Robin Hood Stories Best for: 10 and up I am Robin. Robin of Locksley," he answered seriously. "I have wandered these woods a hundred times, but today I admit I am lost." ..."That is not so bad. There is always a way home," Marian said, and they both smiled." A children's book anthology of newer stories inspired by original Robin Hood stories, these are updated, easy to read, and rekindle the love of the original.

Su Dongpo

Children's Book Su Dongpo

Published: 2006 Theme: Perseverance through obstacles Best for: 7 to 10 "Just as Su Shih's writing followed the laws of nature, do did his rulings, where were just and as brilliant as the sun. He was guided by the ancient Chinese book of wisdom, the Tao Te Ching..." It's an interesting challenge to create a historical fiction children's book that young children would be able to take in...

Whittington

Children's Book - Whittington

Published: 2005 Theme: Folktale Best for: 9 and up "...Ben started talking about his reading lessons. "It was like coming in out of the dark," he said. "When I started, there were shapes and things, but nothing was clear. Then it was clear and I could see. It was like being born." This unusual children's book offers a retelling of the classic folk tale, Dick Whittington and His Cat, and gentle support for struggling readers.