These books are aligned with Waldorf Education curriculum and principles. For more information on what I mean by that, please visit this page: What is Waldorf-Aligned?
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: 2010 Theme: Irish Fairies Best for: 7 to 9 "Strange, sweet music came from the whistle. The music was both sad and happy. It was full of beauty and hope, pain and sorry. Like the fog over the river, the music seems to blend everything together." I personally learned a lot more about leprechauns and Irish fairytales after I read this delightful children's book.
Published: 2000 Theme: Adventure and Fantasy Best for: 9 and up "A water rat scuttled away as the children felt their way along the narrow passage. It led to a canal, like so many of Venice's alleys and passages...Someone had painted "Vietato Ingresso" in clumsy letters on the door- No entry." Once again, I am dazzled by Cornelia Funke and her masterful way of putting characters and plot together that is memorable and exciting...
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: Resilience Best for: Girls 9 and up "This semester you will be taking a very difficult course... You will be learning all about How to Find Your Way...You will be graded on the following: pluck, enthusiasm, spirit of adventure, brilliance, and self-reliance." The moment I saw the motto of "The Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents" I knew I'd love this children's book. Quoting Amelia Earhart, "Adventure is worthwhile in itself,"...
Published: 1954 Theme: Space Travel Best for: boys 8 and up "Wanted: A small space ship about eight feet long, built by a boy, or by two boys, between the ages of eight and eleven...An adventure and chance to do a good deed await the boys who build the best space ship." In this delightful early science fiction children's book, we are introduced to space travel, impossible in 1954, and of course, becoming quite possible only a decade later...
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: 2003 Theme: Best Friends Best for: 4th grade and up "I did a play all by my stupid self and I was a blind woman, but it is hard to be a blind woman all by yourself, with no one to talk to but your own stupid self. It doesn't make a very good play." Creech's books often address topics that no one wants to write about for children, and she does it with compassion, and in this case, a great deal of humor...
Published: 1991 Theme: Deep friendship Best for: 8 and up "The egg shook in his hands. The dancing colors froze in place. He heard a scratching sound. Suddenly a single, sharp claw pierced the shell. The tiny talon sparkled like a jewel in the moonlight..." This particular children's book on the theme of raising a dragon has a lovely simplicity and innocence about it...
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...
Litkidz 