Age 04-08. 5 stars. This story, told in the voice of a nine- or ten-year-old boy, tells of his weekly trip to his grandmother’s home… While the mood is somewhat idyllic, the story portrays a timeless relational scene where two family members care for one another in a stable, loving relationship. I especially appreciate the way the boy models cheerful manual work in service of someone else. A wonderful read

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Edith Nesbit’s classic dry wit shines through in her brilliant delivery of this traditional fairy tale, which is enjoyable on both a child’s level and an adult’s…. This is the best Jack and the Beanstalk story I have ever read.

Age 08-12. A lonely mole, exasperated with Spring cleaning, abandons his home and goes for a long jaunt ending at a river, where he meets a friendly river rat… Thus follow some of the most implausible and wonderful adventures ever to enthrall a young reader. The story delights with what C.S. Lewis calls “scandalous escapism,” yet within the animals’ adventures, dangers, and reveries, if you are looking for them, you will find timeless moral qualities: the value of friendship, the beauty of unblinking courage, and the consequences of foolishness. It really should not be missed.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Ferdinand is a mild-mannered Spanish bull who (unlike his peers) has no aspirations to be chosen for a big bullfight in Madrid… Some parents will see this story as a treatise against the violence and cruelty of bullfights, while others will view it as an example of someone being true to himself. However you interpret it, this is an undeniably hilarious story that has been loved by children since its first publication in 1936.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. In this moving tribute to human courage (written by the child of Japanese internees), a young Japanese boy describes his time in the American internment camps during WWII. … the text describes the painful reality of this dark moment in American history in a clear, understated way, without bitterness. An unusual and outstanding book.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Zoe, traveling with her family to Nebraska, knows her mother has doubts about moving to an unsettled territory, but her father is unable to provide for them back in Illinois… Bunting’s spare text gives just enough detail to evoke the feelings these settlers must have experienced, leaving the reader with the desire to learn more about this piece of American history.

Many of the best children’s books are out of print, and while Amazon.com and Half.com are the best-known places to find good used copies, there are an overwhelming number of other online used bookstores.  Bookfinder.com, called “the Google of dead books” by slate.com, makes it easy to search them all.  With an aggregate inventory drawn [...]

Age 08-12. 5 Stars. Paul and Maureen, two siblings living on Chincoteague Island, are rambling together one day when they spot a wild mare. Transfixed by her beauty, they set about earning money to buy her… This story provides a view of a close friendship between siblings, an interesting and challenging goal for both protagonists, healthy family relationships, and respect for authority. It is romantic, refreshing, and inspiring, full of beauty and life.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Another outstanding wordless book by Peter Spier, this one follows a young brother and sister as they don raincoats, hats, and umbrellas to enjoy a rainy day outdoors… This story is one of exploring and experiencing the natural world, but the adventure begins and ends in a secure home which bears the stamp of their parents’ hard work and loving demeanor. An irresistible read.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. This is a faithful interpretation of the biblical story, rendered in breathtaking watercolor paintings which earned the book a Caldecott Honor in 2003. If I were forced to choose one version of this story, I would probably choose Peter Spier’s, but this one gives an original, memorable perspective