The Roman Twins
 | rating:  asin: 0374363390 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.00 USD amazon price: $16.00 |
Maximus and Vanilla, twin slaves, use all their wits to escape their cruel master, Slobbus Pompius.
Blueberries for Sal
 | author: Robert McCloskey rating:  asin: 0670175919 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.99 USD amazon price: $11.55 USD |
Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk go the blueberries into the pail of a little girl named Sal who--try as she might--just can't seem to pick as fast as she eats. Robert McCloskey's classic is a magical tale of the irrepressible curiosity--not to mention appetite--of youth. Sal and her mother set off in search of blueberries for the winter at the same time as a mother bear and her cub. A quiet comedy of errors ensues when the young ones wander off and absentmindedly trail the wrong mothers.
The Language of Birds
 | rating:  asin: 0399229256 binding: Hardcover list price: $15.99 USD amazon price: $15.99 |
Ivan and Vasilli are as different as brothers can be. When their father sends them out to prove themselves in the wide world, Vasilli is only out for himself, while Ivan approaches the future with a generous heart. When a thoughtful gesture saves the life of a baby bird, Ivan is granted a wish from the bird's mother--he is able to understand the language of birds. Vasilli mocks this humble gift even when he's warned of danger and his bullheadedness lands him in a dungeon. But Ivan comes to his rescue, freeing Vasilli and greatly impressing a princess at the same time.
A New Coat for Anna (Dragonfly Books)
 | author: Harriet Ziefert rating: asin: 0394898613 binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $6.99 USD |
Illus. in full color. "A fresh and moving story of a mother's dedication to acquire a coat for her daughter in post-World War II hard times. Anna's mother decides to trade the few valuables she has left for wool and for the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor. Lobel's pictures do a tremendous job of evoking the period. Insightful and informative, this may make children consider how precious the ordinary can become in times of turmoil."--(starred) Booklist.
Summer of the Monkeys
This book is an absolute gem! We all loved this book as a family. Set in the late 1800s, Jay Berry is a 14 year old boy who has an amazing adventure trying to capture 29 monkeys that have escaped (from a circus trian) and are living in a wild part of his family's 60 acre farm. It is hillarious, it made us cry, it was a little scary at times. At one point I thought it was to scary to read to our girls (then ages 9 and 6) because when Jay Berry is catching a couple monkeys, the rest of them jump on him and bite him and his dog all over. However, they are not seriously hurt, Jay Berry simply lays in bed for 3 days and he's better. Also, know that Jay Berry's goal is to get a pony and gun, it was simply part of the lifestyle of a boy living back then. Overall, this is a fabulous read and I'm sure we'll return to this book over and over again throughout the years.
 | author: Wilson Rawls rating: asin: 0440415802 binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $6.99 USD |
The last thing a fourteen-year-old boy expects to find along an old Ozark river bottom is a tree full of monkeys. Jay Berry Lee's grandpa had an explanation, of course--as he did for most things. The monkeys had escaped from a traveling circus, and there was a handsome reward in store for anyone who could catch them. Grandpa said there wasn't any animal that couldn't be caught somehow, and Jay Berry started out believing him . . .
But by the end of the "summer of the monkeys," Jay Berry Lee had learned a lot more than he ever bargained for--and not just about monkeys. He learned about faith, and wishes coming true, and knowing what it is you really want. He even learned a little about growing up . . .
This novel, set in rural Oklahoma around the turn of the century, is a heart-warming family story--full of rich detail and delightful characters--about a time and place when miracles were really the simplest of things...
A Walk to the Great Mystery: A Cherokee Tale
 | author: Virginia A. Stroud rating: asin: 0803716370 binding: Hardcover list price: $14.89 USD amazon price: $14.89 |
Winter on the Farm (My First Little House)
 | author: Laura Ingalls Wilder rating: asin: 006440692X binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $6.99 USD |
The Little House books tell the story of a little pioneer girl and her family as they traveled by covered wagon across the Midwest. Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic books, illustrated with Garth Williams' timeless artwork, have been cherished by millions of readers ever since they were first published over sixty years ago.This My First Little House Book introduces Almanzo Wilder, the young boy from Farmer Boy who would one day marry Laura Ingalls. In Winter on the Farm, Almanzo goes through his afternoon barn chores, and then sits down to eat a hearty farm supper with his family.
Henry Huggins (50th Anniversary Edition)
 | author: Beverly Cleary rating: asin: 0380709120 binding: Paperback list price: $5.99 USD amazon price: $5.99 USD |
Nothing ever happens to Henry Huggins. Nothing, that is, until a stray dog named Ribsy comes into his life. Pretty soon, Henry and Ribsy are wreaking havoc on the city bus, getting a ride in a police car with sirens wailing, and winning a prize at the dog show. Thanks to their joint shenanigans, Henry finds himself covered in green paint one day, and later accidentally colors Ribsy's fur pale pink. One week, Henry catches earthworms for his fisherman neighbor to raise money for a borrowed ball Ribsy helped him lose. One football costs a lot of earthworms--1,395, to be exact.
Earth Mother
One of our (then) 4 year old's favorite books.
 | author: Ellen Jackson rating: asin: 0802789927 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $11.53 USD |
The circle of life turns in unexpected ways.Earth Mother awakes with the dawn. As she walks the land, swims the seas, and climbs the mountains, nurturing all of creation, she comes across Man, Frog, and Mosquito. They each give her thanks for nature’s bounty, yet can’t help but give her advice about making their lives better. Everybody’s got an opinion, it seems, and Earth Mother is amused when it becomes clear that the circle of life is not without a healthy dose of cosmic humor.
The Dragon and the Unicorn
 | author: Lynne Cherry rating:  asin: 0152018883 binding: Paperback list price: $7.00 USD amazon price: $7.00 USD |
The daughter of medieval King Valerio is visited by a unicorn and dragon who plead to have the forests of the realm preserved. A lovely book about forest conservation perfect for children ages 3-7. The author and illustrator, Lynne Cherry, is deservedly winner of numerous awards for beautiful books. Recommended.
