Age 04-08. 5 Stars. This riveting story gently introduces the pain and evil involved in World War II, without going into graphic detail about the horrors of the war. Johanna’s courage and loyalty are very admirable, and they seem to grow naturally in the context of her family’s values of love and courtesy. The book is written at a transitional reader’s level and (unlike most war stories) is appropriate for precocious pre-readers.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Jin Woo tells an adoption story from the perspective of older brother David, also adopted. Bunting writes with perceptive tenderness about his anxieties as his parents prepare to welcome a new baby home… This is an excellent choice for any family, but may be especially helpful for young children whose families are preparing for adoption.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Amos and Boris tells the story about a mouse and a whale’s unlikely friendship, in a twist on Aesop’s fable of the Lion and the Mouse… Steig’s writing and illustrations are snappy and appealing, and the story combines lighthearted humor with a compelling relational theme. An excellent read-aloud choice.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. The Great Depression in America was a time of uncertainty and difficulty for many Americans, but its trials also provided opportunities for courage and hope… Lydia Grace’s courage and love overflow in her care of plants and flowers, which bring beauty to her uncle’s life. With its emphasis on family, beauty, courage and hope, this story is a wonderful way to introduce the Great Depression to young readers.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Nora and her grandfather, with the help of two horses, tap the maple trees on their Vermont farm and boil the sap into syrup… The relational bond between grandparents and grandchild is nearly tangible, and Nora’s participation in this exciting grown-up work is an excellent example of the privileges that come with responsibility. This is an excellent story for helping children understand how maple syrup is made.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Everyone should have at least one Noah’s Ark story, and Peter Spier’s version is one of the best available. It is especially well suited to children, with its wordless format and careful attention to visual detail.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. The story is told with well-paced, pleasant repetition and a funny, dramatic climax with a visual joke at the end, as Baba inspects the mysteriously enlarged mitten. Nicki is a likable and energetic child with a nurturing, sensible adult caretaker, and the animals are rendered in their animal characters, with only a shade of human personality. But it is the gorgeous illustrations that really make this story… This story will surprise and delight children from a wide range of ages, from toddlers (there is a simplified board book version just for them) to readers.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Hughes’ artwork is wonderfully rendered, with a particular eye to details that emphasize the warmth and closeness of this family. Most importantly, Bella’s open-hearted self-sacrifice epitomizes the kindness that siblings ought to express toward one another. Elder and younger siblings will appreciate this story for different reasons.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Of all the easy-reader books in print, this series may be the best in writing quality, complexity, character development, and humor.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. The story isn’t quite as good as A Toad for Tuesday, but it is lighthearted, funny, and suspenseful enough to hold the attention of a child transitioning into chapter books… This is not a must-read, but it’s an enjoyable fantasy adventure, rooted in positive values of friendship, kindness, and courage.