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 12-16. 4 Stars. Most of my generation, when they think of Bambi, think of the sentimental 1942 Disney movie. But the original book was a serious work. Its one-of-a-kind conception and spectacular writing have earned it classic status… There is a clear sense that Bambi’s coming-of-age is defined by no longer needing to rely on others… In contrast to this message of isolationism, the Bible teaches that a solitary existence falls short of God’s plan… The romantic appeal of Bambi’s self-chosen exile has an especial attraction in our individualistic culture. Adults will need to use discernment about when a child is ready for this book.

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 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 00-04. 5 Stars. This is a delightfully comforting story of a little bunny who decides to run away from his mother. When she informs him that she intends to follow him, he invents many imaginary scenes in which he is transformed into something else and escapes…. This book playfully and gently underscores the unconditional love children ought to expect from their parents, and echoes God’s own relentless pursuit of human souls to be included in His household (Psalm 139:7-12; Ephesians 1:4-6). It is an essential addition to any child’s library, but may be especially well suited for children who who experience anxiety about their place in the family — siblings of a new addition to the family, adoptees, or children who have experienced trauma.

Age 08-12. 4 Stars. Mafatu, the ten-year-old son of a Polynesian chieftan, has always feared the sea…. As he approaches the edge of manhood, his fear prevents him from winning a place in his community. Realizing their indifference to him, he sets out to sea alone in his canoe, taking only his dog and a few tools…. At the end of his journey he returns to his village having proved himself a man…. No one having read this book should believe they have learned anything about the real Polynesia… [but] if a reader can accept that Call it Courage is a lesson not in history but in moral courage, they may benefit from the moral example this hero represents.

Age 00-04. 3 Stars. In this story, Little Critter goes on a camping trip with his father, leaving his mother and baby sister at home. The story is narrated from Little Critter’s perspective, and his statements contradict the illustrations with a gentle irony that young children will appreciate. For example, he says, “My dad was tired, so I pitched the tent,” and the facing picture shows Dad rescuing him from a disordered pile of fabric and tent poles. The story could be a perfect preparation for a real camping trip, but is worthwhile to read for its own sake; the father is kind and loving, and the scene is very secure. This is a great story about a dad having fun with his son, giving him an exciting experience and teaching him new skills.

Age 09-12. 1 Star. In this modern-to-medievel time-travel fantasy, a family of three children and their father go to live in Wales for the winter, grieving the loss of their wife and mother. Twelve-year-old Peter finds a key which opens a portal into ancient Wales — and he and his sisters must resist a rising threat when knowledge of the key spreads to those who wish to misuse it. The book is recommended by several good sources and is entertainingly well written, with good character development and a sustained sense of magic lurking at the edges of the children’s dreary lives. Unfortunately, the dreariness of their lives seems to originate in their relationship with their father…. Although skilfully written, the bitter, secretive protagonist in this story is anything but admirable, and his father is worse. The biblical ideal of a family in which parents love, lead and train their children, is entirely absent. The magic in the story is enticing, and the interweaving of modern and historical Wales is masterful, but the detached, egalitarian family dynamic is quite poisonous.

Age 00-06. 5 Stars. This is a beautiful and unusual story about a mother’s unconditional love for her child throughout his life. It begins with her holding her new baby and singing a lullaby…. It is a beautiful tribute to the security that loving parents provide for their children…. The story also portrays an example of maturity, gratitude, and growth into responsibility: the boy becomes the one to nurture his mother at the end of her life, and he passes on the gift of love to his daughter, by singing the same song. This picture of healthy, intergenerational security is to be prized, and it is unusual to find a picture book that casts a vision for maturity and parenting for readers of this age…. The appeal of this story extends across generations and cultural boundaries.

Age 00-04. 5 Stars. A beautiful bedtime conversation between father and son, which echoes God’s eternal love for His children…. Because the dialogue is often abstract, the 0-2 crowd may not understand or follow it, so I recommend the paperback or hardback version rather than the board book.