| 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 a humorous 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 about learning. 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. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney conveys parental love in a way children easily understand. The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin contains fabulous illustrations of the sign language alphabet. I Love You as Much... by Laura Melmed is a story of parental love. It's About Time, Jesse Bear by Nancy Carlstrom is a book of great children's rhymes. 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. My Little Artist by Donna Greene teaches art concepts in a gorgeously illustrated 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. We Share Everything by Robert Munsch is a funny story about sharing gone too far. 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 to help the other bats see their 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. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg won the 1968 Newbery medal for a story about two children who run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and into a mystery. 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 New York Times Best Illustrated Books for marvelous artwork by Roberto Innocenti. For aspiring artists and writers, find out what happens when imagination heads to a seaside resort for a holiday and its artist goes after it in this cleverly written tale full of literary characters. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery helps readers of all ages understand 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. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien is a 1972 Newbery winner about a widowed mouse who faces death with her four young children until helped by the highly intelligent rats of NIMH. My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Holt is the story of how Tiger Ann Parker handles her feelings about her mentally slow parents. 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. Watership Down by Richard Adams is the detailed, fictional, surprising story about the survival adventure of a group 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) by Susan Black, illustrated by Liz Swindle, is full of the most inspiring paintings you've ever seen. |
