Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Pasteur's Fight Against Microbes is the story of Louis Pasteur and how he discovered microbes. I am not a scientist (by any stretch of the imagination), so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book - not to mention my children. It's a short little story, one that starts with the request of... Continue Reading →
The Monster at the end of this Book, starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover is one of my favorite books to read aloud. My sister gave it to my children when they were preschoolers, and we have enjoyed it for many years. In it, Grover sees the title of the book and is scared. He talks... Continue Reading →
Laura Numeroff created a delightful book with If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It all starts when the little boy in the book gives a mouse a cookie. A nice gesture - which leads to some interesting consequences which include mirrors, scissors, drawing a picture... and some how it all leads back to where... Continue Reading →
My Father's Dragon is a delightful story about a boy, Elmer Elevator, and his adventures on Wild Island. Elmer (the 'my father' in the story) befriends an alley cat, who tells him of a dragon caught on an island, used by the animals on that island. Elmer decides to go on an adventure and find... Continue Reading →
I have read several of Eleanor Estes' books to my children, and they have loved every single one. So, instead of reviewing each of her books, I'm recommending all her books! Estes (1906-1988) was a children's librarian for many years before starting to write children's books. She grew up in West Haven, Connecticut, which she... Continue Reading →
Momo is a little girl who lives high in the mountains of Tibet. One day, at a festival at the Buddhist monastery, she spots a beautiful Lhasa terrier the head monk owns. That Lhasa terrier is the most beautiful dog she has ever seen and she wants one oh-so-badly. She prays to the Blessed One,... Continue Reading →
Nhuong grew up in the highlands of Vietnam, before the Vietnam War. The Land I Lost is a collection of his memories from his youth, growing up in a small Vietnamese village. He has many adventures with his bull and cows, fishing for eels in the canals, and hunting in the jungles. My children were... Continue Reading →
There are few very good history story books for children, and Good Queen Bess is one of them. This is the story of Queen Elizabeth's life - from her father (notorious King Henry VIII who divorced or killed so many wives), her birth, her rise to queen and her amazing ability to navigate the political... Continue Reading →
Both boys and girls will enjoy this short story set in Medieval times, shortly after the Crusades. Roger and Alice's father left them when Roger was very young to fight in the Crusade. Their mother keeps hoping that he will return, but it's been many years, and Roger is sure he won't see his father... Continue Reading →
I enjoyed Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski as a girl, but I love Strawberry Girl as an adult. Perhaps it is because we lived in Florida for about eight years, and reading this book as an adult helped me to understand my neighbors. Perhaps it is because as an adult I can appreciate the humor,... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 