These books are great to read aloud to a younger reader, and is an especially fun time for grandparents. It’s never too early to start!
Published: 1967 Theme: Faery Best for: 7 - 10 "There was a village once, not very long ago for those with long memories, not very far away for those with long legs. Wootton Major it was called because it was larger than Wootton Minor..." A truly magical yet profound tale of the skeptic world and those who 'do believe in fairies'...
Published: 1998 Theme: Fantasy Best for 8 and up "Not every old man with ragged trousers is a bad old man: ... a few, a very few, are wizards prowling round on a holiday looking for something to do. This one was a wizard, the one that now walked into the story." Early on, Tolkien crafted several short novellas out of stories that he made up for his own children, and Roverandom is one of them.
Published: 2008 Theme: First Chapter Book Best for: 6 to 8 "They sat down for lunch at a cafe. "Bonjour," said the waiter. "That means 'Hello'", Dodsworth told the duck. "Oh well then, 'banjo' to you, too," said the duck." As a first chapter children's book, this little book is more than meets the eye, with lovely illustrations, and authentic information about Paris.
Published: 1998 Theme: Gentleness and Bravery Best for: 6 to 10 "'A tridrake,' the dragon repeated. 'A three-headed dragon.' Only then did the children notice that the dragon had two other necks, branching off on either side of the first neck, and two other heads... both sound asleep." This book reads like an old fashioned tale, as each head of the dragon tells of an earlier encounter with a child who trusted and helped the dragon.
Published: 2015 Theme: Friendship Best for: 5 - 8 "Diva was the gardienne's dog, which mean that Diva was practically responsible of the whole of 11 avenue Le Play, including the courtyard. It was a very big job for a very small dog." Hooray! An enchanting first chapter book for children that delights, amuses, is readable, and even stretches our reading muscles to read some French words.
Published: 2015 Theme: Following a Dream Best for: 7 to 9 "Firefly didn't know if she should zoom straight up into the air or take shelter behind Cricket. There was no time to think, because with one step of his huge legs, the miniature giant was there." If you are looking for a message about staying in one place where you belong, this is not the children's book for that. This is adventuring, a la Wind in the Willows.
Published: 1947 Theme: Childhood Behavior Best for: 5 to 8 "Pretty soon down the stairs came a terrible old witch with a long black dress, a tall black hat and a big gnarly black cane. Mary Lou was very scared until she saw the sparkly eyes of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle under the black hat." Everything about this children's book reminds me of Mary Poppins, and a spoonful of sugar with the medicine...
Published: 2015 Theme: Value of Community Best for: 9 and 10 "Burdock knew perfectly well he was strictly a barn cat. A barn cat, not a house cat, not even a sometimes-allowed-in-the-house barn cat. But Burdock loved warmth more than just about anything..." The banding together of the animals for a common cause - to save themselves from an impending fire- is the heart of this newly published children's book.
Published: 2005 Theme: First Chapter Books Best for: 6 to 9 "Mr. Gaskitt was minding the baby. It was his turn. And doing the grocery shopping and opening the trunk and feeling in his pocket for the parking-lot ticket and tying his shoelace... and looking the other way." Imagine the above sentence written with only 4 or 5 words on a line, and you can see why these first chapter children's books are great for new readers
Published: 2015 Theme: Family Best for: 7 to 9 "Appleblossom's brothers and sisters move closer to one another as Mother Possum continues: "The first kind of monster is made of metal. They have wheels and bright eyes when they are out after dark. These eyes are blinding." I liked the possum point of view in this recently published children's book, that is sprinkled with enticing pencil sketches throughout...
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