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: 1994 Theme: Poetry Best for: all ages "Hope is the thing with feathers/ That perches in the soul,/ And sings the tune without the words,/ And never stops at all" Do our children today love poetry? Can they tune into the subtle way that the poetic verse touches something outside the mundane? This children's book asserts an affirmative...
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.
Published: 2014 Theme: Friendship, First Chapter Book Best for: 5 to 8 "Under the kitchen sink, where the beetles live, there is an art studio just for Marvin. James gives him paper and ink. He can draw and draw. Marvin loves making pictures. But today he just doesn't feel like it." This children's book succeeds on several counts - imagination (the world as seen by beetles), clear simple writing, and a single message: friendship.
Published: 2000 Theme: Death and Life Best for: 9 and up "Josie often thought of Sanders and then she grieved. But she had never put that grief in the wardrobe...Her memories of Sanders would be the poorer without grief." This entire book is very much like a dream - hauntingly, melodically beautiful, a long poetic piece of prose about life and death, immortality and love, grief and happiness.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Published: 2013 Theme: Family Love Best for: 6 to 9 "We all have our truths, Kidd," says Henry. "Some are big truths. Most times they're small truths. But those stories are Maddy's truths. Your parents have different ones of their own." This is an exquisite children's book, written for the 'early reader' level. It is heartfelt, honest, and funny, all at once.
Litkidz 