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A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears

Barrel of Laughs Children's Book

Published: 1998 Theme: Kindness, Moderation Best for: all ages "I've left an important question unanswered. Once Tom walked out of the book, how and why did he come back? The answer to that question is: boredom. It's not much of a life for a character in a book to be out of the book." This is one unique, terrific, silly, and somewhat profound children's book. In Feiffer's hands, everything becomes just a little bit fantastical, out of the ordinary, and we get swept along believing every word of it...

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Hiawatha’s Childhood

Children's Book - Hiawatha's Childhood

Published: 1994 Theme: Epic Poetry Best for: 5-8 "By the shores of Gitche-Gumee, By the shining Big-Sea-Water, Stood the Wigwam of Nokomis, Daughter of the moon, Nokomis" It is so important for children to read and hear stories that have rhythm, repetition, and unusual words. Hiawatha is a great example of this...

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The Cats of Tanglewood Forest

Children's Book - Cats of tanglewood Forest

Published: 2013 Best for: 9 and older Theme: Choices in Life; Selflessness Five Stars "What's your name?" she asked the fox. "T.H. Reynolds." "What does the T.H. stand for?" "Truthful and Handsome. My mama always said that a child grows into his name, and I guess she was right because just look at me." I love everything about this fabulous, hot-off-the-press children's book. The typeface is the easiest to read that I've seen in a long time, the illustrations are lovely...

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Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots Children's Book

Published: 2002 Theme: History Best for: girls 9 and older "There was a soft chorus of ayes, and the three other Marys dropped to their knees and vowed as well to follow me through tumult and repose and never to marry until I have so done. Did any person have a luckier charm than these four steadfast friends?" This is one of many in a series called The Royal Diaries. What an absolutely fabulous way to learn history. Reading a diary is always fun, and even more so when it chronicles history...

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Sandry’s Book – Circle of Magic Book 1

Sandry's Book - Children's book

Published: 1997 Theme: Self-control, Development of inner powers Best for: Ages 10 and up "Meditation teaches self-control," Lark told the children firmly. "It teaches discipline. You learn to govern and organize your mind. Since a few of you were sent here because it was thought you were ungovernable..., meditation could turn out to be the most important thing you do here." This book is pure fantasy, from the location to the premise, and done with great skill and care. It's a fantasy book that is perfect for younger readers, as there is nothing scary or too out of the ordinary in it.

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The Sword in the Stone

Sword in the Stone Children's Book

Published: 1938 Theme: Compassion for all creation Best for: good readers over age 10 "The Wart did not know what Merlyn was talking about but he liked him to talk. He did not like the grown-ups who talk to him like a baby, but the ones who just went on talking in their usual way, leaving him to leap along in their wake, jumping at meanings, guessing, clutching at known words, and chuckling at complicated jokes as they suddenly dawned."

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A Necklace of Raindrops and Other Stories

Children's Book - Necklace of raindrops

Published: 1968 Theme: Fairy Tales Best for: 5- 8 "The cat sat on the mat. Lots of cats do that, everybody knows. And nothing strange comes of it. But once a cay sat on a mat and something strange did come of it." What a delight to find a contemporary writer who is able to create wonderful fairy tales. For that's what this children's book is: a collection of truly magical fairy tales.

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The Diamond in the Window

Chldren's Book Diamond in the Window

Published: 1962 Theme: Fantasy & Mystery Best for: ages 11 and up "The sky grew blue-black, and they left the shadowy earth behind. There were stars above them and below them. Their wagon floated gently among them as though it had been a rowboat floating in the Concord river." How delightful to find a children's book with so many of my favorite people: the transcendentalists, Krishna, and children who love adventures.

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The Whipping Boy

Children's Book- The Whipping Boy

Published: 1986 Theme: The Grass is always greener... Best for: 5th or 6th grade "What was he looking for, a prince in fine velvets and a crown cocked on his head? Was it clothes that made a prince, Jemmy wondered, just as rags made a street boy?" What a great children's book this is! I first heard of it last year when the fifth grade class in my Waldorf Charter school was reading it. A superb example of writing with humor, and capturing an era of the past...

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Moominvalley in November

Children's Book Moominvalley in november

Published: 1971 Theme: Getting along with others Best for: ages 7 and up "When Toft got outside in the darkness he stood and waited on the steps. The sky was a little lighter than the mountains, whose undulating contours rose above Moominvalley." This little book from Finland is a wonder in character studies, and has delightful language.