| Always Room for One More by Sorche Nic Leodhas is the 1966 Caldecott winner and one of my favorites. Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric Kimmel is an African folktale that will have children laughing out loud. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault uses a contagious rhythm to teach letter recognition. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski is a beautifully illustrated book about love overcoming grief. Dragon's Merry Christmas by Dav Pilkey is a combination of humor and the true spirit of giving. A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech reveals how a fine, fine school learns a fine, fine lesson. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a simply told story about unconditional love. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a classic bedtime story. The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin contains fabulous illustrations of the sign language alphabet. Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus lets a child know it's okay to learn at her or his own pace. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss reminds us to care for the environment. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans was first published in 1939 and is still going strong. More, More, More Said the Baby by Vera Williams is a sweet baby story. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch follows Elizabeth, a self-assured princess, on her journey to save Ronald the prince. Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran values childhood imagination. The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Hunt is a traditional folktale about how three trees are used to serve Jesus. Yesterday I Had the Blues by Jeron Frame is a colorful story about feelings, told through language that sings to you. |
| The Bat Poet
by Randell Jarrell is a wonderful 1964 story about a little brown bat
who writes poems that enable his friends to understand the world in a new way. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo tells the story of Opal, a lonely girl who makes new friends with the help of a dog. The Giver by Lois Lowry is the 1994 Newbery-winning story of the "perfect" society and the truth behind it. The Last Resort by J. Patrick Lewis was one of NY Times Best Illustrated Books for marvelous artwork by Roberto Innocenti. Find out what happens when imagination heads to a seaside resort for a holiday in this cleverly written tale full of literary characters. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery encourages readers of all ages to think about what's truly important in life. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck tells the story of two children sent to spend the summer with their grandmother, an outrageous character who keeps them on their toes. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech is a free-verse story about Jack, a boy who doesn't like poetry. The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett is a 1911 classic. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein is a book of delicious poems that will make a poetry lover out of you. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne is the original Pooh story and is full of simple wisdom. |
| The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak features Death, the narrator of this mesmerizing WWII
story, who chooses words with care—as does Liesel, the 9-year-old book
thief Death meets. Each understands the power of words for both good
and evil. It's an incredible read. Crispin, the Cross of Lead by Avi, the 2003 Newbery winner, is a well-written adventure that will keep you turning the pages. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my all-time favorite example of extraordinary literature. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was first published in 1868 and is still a must-read. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park is the 2002 Newbery winner about Tree-ear, a 12th century Korean orphan whose life changes when he studies with Min, the master potter of the village. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt asks the question: If you could live forever on earth, would you? Watership Down by Richard Adams is the detailed, fictional, surprising story about the survival adventure of a colony of rabbits. |
| The Book of Air and Shadows
by Michael Gruber is a fascinating, intelligent fictional mystery
surrounding a newly discovered manuscript, possibly by Shakespeare. The City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre is the moving, true story of the poverty in Calcutta and the people dedicated to improving conditions, step by small step. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain is the book Twain considered his best work. The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe is brilliant, historical fiction told by the distinctly different voices of various characters. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen gives you a reason to rediscover the classics. Son of Man (volumes I and II and III) by Susan Black, illustrated by Liz Swindle, is full of the most inspiring paintings you've ever seen. |
