Age 12-16. 5 Stars. Burnford’s story of three beloved family pets (a Labrador retriever, bull terrier and Siamese cat) who make a cross-country trek across Canadian wilderness to reach their home has an undeniable appeal for animal lovers.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. While the story quality of this George book isn’t quite up to the others in the original series, it is still a great read-aloud, even when no hospital visit is imminent for the listener… George’s attitudes of bravery, cheerfulness and helping others feel better is a positive one, even if he does get into mischief.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. Another of the Reys’ gleeful books of monkey business… appropriate for preschool through elementary school ages.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. Richard Scarry had a tremendous gift for telling stories that, while simple in plot, are rich in visual detail so that, having been read aloud once, they provide hours of entertainment for prereaders to enjoy at their leisure… In this book, Scarry introduces individual citizens of Busytown, then tells short stories about specific projects they are involved in… Each story demonstrates the value of work, both for the individuals who perform it and those who enjoy its effects. It’s a wonderfully orienting book, helping even very young children understand the interworkings of their society.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. This immensely popular toddler book features a procession of animals, introduced by the same chant addressed to the preceding animal: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?”… The predictable format, rhymic repetition, pleasing collage illustrations, and systematic introduction of colors with animal names have endeared this book to children and those who teach them since its publication 40 years ago.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. This fun toddler book recounts a simple family ritual in which a parent reminds their young child of all the people in their life who love them, ending with “Most of all, Jesus loves you!”… This could be a classic if it were gorgeously illustrated.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. This is another of the Reys’ wonderful George series. In this story, George goes from one adventure to another… this book (while not a critical part of a home library) is certainly an enjoyable read

Age 08-12. 5 Stars. Louis, a trumpeter swan, was hatched without a voice and so is unable to win a mate, even though with the help of his human friend Sam, he has learned to read and write… The reader will finish the book not only having had a good time, but appreciating the value of love and music, work and family, as well as knowing a little more about the habits of trumpeter swans. It’s an outstanding choice for a read-aloud.

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.