Cinderella
K.Y. Craft has richly illustrated this classic fairy tale. In fact of all the versions of Cinderella we've read, this is our favorite, it's so beautiful.
 | author: K. Y. Craft rating:  asin: 1587170043 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $16.61 USD |
This brilliant edition of a timeless story is sure to become the favorite of a generation. Readers young and old will be enchanted by the vision and mastery of Kinuko Y. Craft's luminous paintings, inspired by the lavish artwork of late seventeenth-century France and embellished with extraordinary borders and ornamentation. Rich with radiant color and astonishing detail, here is a dream come true for anyone who has ever believed in living happily ever after.
Mandy (Julie Andrews Collection)
 | author: Julie Andrews Edwards rating: asin: 0061131628 binding: Hardcover list price: $17.99 USD amazon price: $14.03 USD |
Mandy, a ten-year-old orphan, dreams of a place to call her own. Escaping over the orphanage wall to explore the outside world, Mandy discovers a tiny deserted cottage in the woods. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Mandy works to make it truly hers. Sometimes she "borrows" things she needs from the orphanage. Sometimes, to guard her secret, she even lies. Then, one stormy night at the cottage, Mandy gets sick, and no one knows how to find her—except a special friend she didn't know she had.
This new edition of a classic novel features beautiful black-and-white illustrations that capture the magic of finding a home.
Russian Fairy Tales (Everyman's Library Children's Classics)
This collection of classic Russian fairy tales is fascinating. Expect this book to be as violent as other classic fairy tales, complete with witches that threaten to eat you if you don't do her chores, heros that get cut up in pieces but somehow come back to life, evil step mothers and step sisters are burnt to ashes from a glowing skull, and so on. There aren't too many pictures, but the ones they do have are exquisite. This was a favorite of our (then) 5 year old, who was particularly fond of the tale "Vassilissa the Beautiful and the Witch Baba Yaga", which I think I've read over a dozen times.
 | author: Gillian Avery Ivan Bilibin rating: asin: 0679436413 binding: Hardcover list price: $14.95 USD amazon price: $14.95 USD |
Notable for their magnificent, jewel-like color illustrations by Bilibin, these traditional tales include "The Frog Princess," "Vassilissa the Beautiful," and "The White Duck." Though Russian Fairy Tales in the Pantheon Folklore Library is a book for adults, it has sold over 30,000 copies.
Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave
Our (then) 5 year old wants to hear the story of Vasilisa again and again. It's a harsh fairy tale, with wicked stepmothers and witches that eat people. But the beautiful Vasilisa gracefully triumphs, all because of her (dead) mother's love contained in a magical doll.
 | author: Marianna Mayer rating: asin: 0688085008 binding: Hardcover list price: $17.99 USD amazon price: $12.23 USD |
Sweet, lovely Vasilisa lives with her jealous stepmother and stepsisters on the edge of a dark forest inhabited by the evil witch Baba Yaga. One night the stepmother sends Vasilisa to visit Baba Yaga, an errand from which the gentle girl has little chance of returning alive. "An engaging text and accomplished paintings set this version apart....A stylized and classy offering."--School Library Journal.
Understood Betsy
First published in 1916, I was amazed that at this time there were women who read books on how to be good mothers and went to Mothers Groups... which is what Aunt Frances does to learn how to take care of her orphaned niece, and ends up sheltering her, creating a child that is timid and frail. However, the story really begins when Aunt Francis has to take care of her mother and puts Elizabeth Ann in the care of other relatives... where she blooms. It is remarkable to watch Elizabeth gain courage, confidence and good health through the book. We all loved this moving story very much.
 | author: Dorothy Canfield Fisher rating:  asin: 1887840133 binding: Paperback |
A warm and charming portrayal of life in the early 1900s. Sheltered 9 year old Elizabeth Ann has always heard her Aunt Frances talk about "those horrid Vermont cousins." Now she is terrified. Aunt Frances can no longer take care of her, and she has been sent to stay with her New England relatives. "Betsy" gradually comes to enjoy the challenge of living with her country cousins, and she has a difficult choice to make. A delightful book.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
An unusual tale of adventure and teamwork. We listened to the audio book, which is about 13 hours long. Our girls both give it 5 stars.
 | author: Trenton Lee Stewart rating:  asin: 0316003956 binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $12.95 USD |
"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.
The Secret Garden (Unabridged Classics)
First published in 1911, this is a children's classic. A fantastic story of friendship, compassion and encouragement. We listened to the audio book read by Anne Flosnik and enjoyed her accent. In this book one of the main characters speaks yorkshire, so it's really neat to actually hear that. It amazes me just how timeless this book is, our (then) 9 year old loves it.
 | author: Frances Hodgson Burnett rating: asin: 1402714599 binding: Hardcover list price: $9.95 USD amazon price: $9.95 USD |
Born in India, the unattractive and willful Mary Lennox has remained in the care of servants for as long as she can remember. But the girl’s life changes when her mother and father die and she travels to Yorkshire to live with her uncle. Dark, dreary Misselthwaite Manor seems full of mysteries, including a very special garden, locked tight for 10 years. With the help of Dickon, a local boy, Mary intends to uncover its secrets.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
What an unusual book, it is so incredibly thick and about half of the pages are beautiful pencil drawings. The story of this orphan is sad and exciting. I read a few chapters to the girls before bed and then took the book to bed with me and finished it, and I really enjoyed it. After I finished reading it the girls though, they only gave it 3 stars, so I think they may be a bit young to enjoy this book.
 | author: Brian Selznick rating: asin: 0439813786 binding: Hardcover list price: $24.99 USD amazon price: $50.14 USD |
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, HugoÂ’s undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from HugoÂ’s dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
I've stood in line for Harry Potter books, and so I have been waiting for years for Laurel to be old enough to hear them. It's so exciting to hear the stories again and laugh together, this is one of the best children's book series out there. We're listening to the audio version which is fantastic entertainment.
 | author: J.K. Rowling; Illustrator-Mary GrandPré rating: asin: B001GO5T96 binding: Paperback |
The Rainbabies
 | author: Laura Krauss Melmed rating:  asin: 0688107559 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.99 USD amazon price: $13.25 USD |
In the magic of a moonshower, a childless couple find a dozen tiny babies in the grass. Small enough to rock to sleep in a pair of wooden shoes, the children never grow. Even the tiniest babies can bring big adventures, though, and these little ones seem to find trouble as easily as bees find flowers. But the old couple's love never waivers and in the end they are rewarded with their hearts' desire. Written in classic folktale tradition, illustrated with astonishing paintings, this beautiful story is woven from magic and moonbeams.
