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: 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: 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: 2013 Theme: Baseball Best for: 5 to 8 "Marty got her love of baseball from her Great Grandma Martha (Gigi), who loved baseball more than anything. Gigi followed the game faithfully and even kept her own scorebook. She taught Marty everything she knew." This children's book is all heart, even as it goes about its mission of explaining the rules of baseball to young boys and girls...
Published: 1992 Theme: Folk Tale Best for: 5 to 8 "Rich you will surely be," answered the fortune-teller, staring into the crystal ball on the table. "On one condition: that you earn large sums of money." In this beautifully illustrated children's book, we laugh aloud as a naive man becomes a fortune teller. The illustrations of Africa are superb.
Published: 1942 Theme: Imagination Best for: 5 to 8 "Why not use what you already have: your own i-ma-gi-na-tion? It can do any kind of magic - anywhere-at any time. All you have to do is use it." From the very opening, where the author kindly addresses the reader, I knew I was in the hands of a master writer...
Published: 1997 Theme: Imagination Best for: 5 to 8 "Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse was the youngest of thirteen children. He was also the smallest. His mother had given the other twelve mouse pups quite ordinary names, like Bill or Jane." A talented singing mouse is the hero of this small children's book, written by the author of Babe. It's a nice read-aloud book for young children..
Published: 2014 Theme: Bravery Best for: 6 to 10 "Before they took off, Emma quickly wrote a note to her parents: "Don't worry. I'm off with a pretty big genie to find his nose ring. And I have Tristan with me..." The "pretty big" was of course an exaggeration..." In this small children's book, Emma helps a genie regain his power. Great for young readers who are ready for easy chapter books, or as a read-aloud.
Published: 1982 Theme: Beauty in Simplicity Best for: ages 5 to 8 "There is still one more thing I have to do," she said, "I have to do something to make the world more beautiful. But what?" How wonderful to find an illustrated children's book where the story itself is as important as the pictures...
Published: 2011 Theme: Value Yourself Best for: 5 and up "The horse already had a question prepared. He shuffled his feet on the ground and said, 'What is the reason I was made a horse and not some other animal?" The light said, 'Because we needed another horse." In this exquisitely painted and carefully crafted children's book, the essential question of life is asked and answered.
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