Age 16-18. 5 Stars. This edition of James Herriot’s memoirs sees him being drafted into the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force to play his part during World War II, leaving behind his veterinary practice and his wife (now expecting young Jimmy).

Age 08-12. 5 Stars. The Moffats, who live in the same town as the owners of Ginger Pye, are a close-knit family of four children and a hard-working seamstress mother… Estes’ engaging characters, living in the context of a sweetly old-fashioned small town, hold an undeniable appeal that has caused this story to endure for 70 years.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Teunis and Gertrude Van Alstyne are Dutch homesteaders caught in the middle of the French and Indian War, and one night Teunis is called away to fight… There are few stories in which a child is given such an important and difficult task, and [ten-year-old Edward's] courage and responsibility are awe-inspiring.

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 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 00-04. 4 Stars. This book tells a simple, pleasant story of junior members of the alphabet racing up a coconut tree, then falling out when the tree gets too full. The letters are then rescued by their parents, the capital letters.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Bobby has grown into mastery of basic motor skills under the affectionate supervision of his grandfather, affectionately named Bob. But one day he is terrified when Bob suffers a stroke and is fully paralyzed… Bobby (who is not a perfect child) models what it means to take care of others — even those who may have always taken the helping role toward him. While sometimes frightening, the story’s drama may help young children come to terms with the limitations of people in their lives and teaches them that they can have an important helping role. In the midst of fear and weakness, this picture of tender intergenerational love is very beautiful.

Age 00-04. 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 12-16. 3 Stars. The story is very well written and will be enjoyed by anyone who loves animals and the outdoors. It will be especially attractive to boys, with its masculine-romantic view of nature and his bohemian life with his father. However, North’s depiction of families, religion and the created order (especially the origin of life) are sometimes at odds with a biblical worldview. Although it is written at an 8-12 reading level, Christian parents may want to wait to introduce this book until readers are old enough to read it with discernment.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Winnie-the-Pooh has been beloved by several generations because of the wonderful way Milne captures the imaginative play of children…. Milne’s excellent writing, wonderful use of language, subtle and silly sense of humor, and the unforgettable eccentricities of his characters make the world of Pooh a delightful place. Like other classic children’s stories, Winnie-the-Pooh may not appeal to every reader, but every child ought to have a chance to experience it.