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: 2006 Theme: Historical Fiction Hero Best for: 7 and up "Once there was a boy who could not claim his Father. Kil Dong, as he was called, was the second son of a wealthy and powerful advisor to the king, Minister Hong. But Kil Dong's mother was not the noble wife of the minister..." This historical fiction, beautifully illustrated 'graphic' novel, set in 16th century Korea, tells of the Korean Robin Hood...
Published: 2014 Theme: Parody Best for: 7 and up "To the Carpet people, the Carpet was bigger than a forest,... full of cities, towns, small villages, castles, and all sorts of tiny animals in the really thick parts that weren't swept often...In the village of the Fallen Matchstick, the Carpet-dwellers were preparing to leave." Here's a glorious children's book to discover...short stories written by renowned author Terry Pratchett when he was a teenager!
Published: 1983 Theme: Independence Best for: 10 and up "They saw hundreds of horses charging through the forest until the ground rang under their hooves...They're not frightened- they're just running winter out of their bodies." This magical children's book is like stepping into an ancient fairytale, from who knows where, and who knows when. It has an eternal quality about it...
Published: 2012 Theme: Ice Skating and Nature Best for: 7 and up "The first ice came on the sheep pails in the barn- a skim of ice so thin that it broke when we touched it." Twelve Kinds of Ice is a small, inspiring ode to the beauty and simplicity of ice, ice-skating, children, nature, and simple living.
Published: 2003 Theme: First Chapter Book Best for: 6 to 9 "And the strange thing was - which Horace noticed- the strange thing was, the baby carriage...was barking." This "first chapter book" is a treat - it has some humor, as well as unusual elements such as maps and timetables for the reader to follow. It has a simple plot, with an attempt for the story to be a mystery to be solved, but the clues are present on every page.
Published: 2010 Theme: Live your dream Best for: 8 and up "He peeked out... and saw that the wind had also possessed his mittens. They looked like ghostly hands waving good-bye in the Chilean sky. Where were they headed? Whose hands would they cover next? ..'Where is the storehouse of lost and found?'" As I put this exquisite children's book down, I wiped my eyes, and marveled at the quick journey I had just taken into the heart and mind of Pablo Neruda...
Published: 2012 Theme: Boxcar Children prequel Best for: 7 to 9 "They heard the sound of Papa's old gray car in the driveway. Jessie and Henry climbed down the ladder and watched Papa walk up to the barn, carrying a cloth sack of nails and some boards for the stalls." If you have children who are devoted to the Boxcar children series, and want to have a 'prequel', MacLachlan's children's book is just right.
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.
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