Age 08-12. 5 Stars. When Omri, a young English boy, puts a toy Indian in a medicine cabinet and turns a special key, the Indian magically comes to life… This is an entertaining, appealing story, in which an immature young man learns to take responsibility and show respect for others.

Age 08-12. The Reluctant Dragon is a mild-mannered specimen of his breed who, unlike the “active and earnest” fellows who used to charge around battling knights, has survived long enough to develop his passion for poetry…. This is a brilliantly written satirical fantasy, lambasting the traditional knight-and-dragon stories and providing a wonderful protagonist that boys of all ages (and many girls) will want to identify with. The fantastical pleasure of friendship with a dragon is enhanced by encounters with knights, a theatrical battle, and plenty of intelligent wit to amuse both children and adults.

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. 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. 4 Stars. The Plymouth Thanksgiving is a readable, straightforward retelling of the events leading up to the American Thanksgiving, targeted for readers ages 4-8. Based on William Bradford’s diary, it tells the story of the Plymouth settlers in their difficult journey, first to Holland and then to the New World, and of their struggle to survive their first year in Massachusetts…. It’s a fine addition to the holiday reading basket.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Many picture books emphasize friendship, but this one demonstrates the pain of its absence, emphasizing the value of sympathy, forgiveness and reconciliation. It gives a child-level view into rural Irish culture, with pleasing illustrations and well-written prose. This title is unfortunately out of print, but is still available in libraries and in the used-book market.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. There are many legends about John Chapman, the quiet man who planted apple orchards across early America. This book captures the romantic mystery of these legends, while emphasizing that they are based on a real person’s story… This book, well-written in rhyming verse and illustrated by the gifted folk artist Kathy Jakobsen, is an excellent addition to any child’s library, but will be especially attractive for Christian readers because of its emphasis on John Chapman’s faith. It is a tribute that conveys well how Chapman’s influence is still felt in American culture, and it ought to whet the appetite for exploring the history behind the legend.

Age 05-10. This memorable story provides an example of genuine, loving friendship, which blooms among the hard realities of farm life… it is these contrasts that have made this story such an enduring classic — the reality of death and pain make joy and love all the sweeter where they exist.

Age 08-12. 2 Stars. Sara Louise Bradshaw is an awkward, pretentious young woman consumed with envy and bitterness against her twin sister Caroline… This book… has been enjoyed by many readers because of its masterful writing and the genuine pathos of its protagonist. But Louise’s faults unfortunately permeate this compelling story. I’m willing to be challenged, but I believe that while Paterson has done a great job of describing adolescent struggles, her protagonist is never allowed to fully transcend them. This, combined with the truly poisonous nature of Sara Louise’s family, makes this a story that may do more harm than good.