Picture Books
Homeplace
by Anne Shelby
This is the story of a farmhouse that Great-great-great-great-grandpa built. Over the decades as the world changed around them, the farmer and his wife, their children, and their children’s children made improvements and remodeled the house. Although innovations and technology altered their daily routine, the farmhouse remained a place of love, hard work, and family connection.
Leaning heavily on its illustrations, this living literature book introduces readers to the fashion, industry, interior design, and recreation of the early 19th century to the end of the 20th century. Similar to that of a Jan Brett story, each page is divided into multiple sections that depict one part of farm life in each generation, including the way they planted the crops, fed the animals, made meals, and went to town for supplies.
On the Corner of Chocolate Avenue
by Tziporah Cohen
As a young boy, Milton Hershey stood in front of the candy shop windows dreaming of tasting the sweet treats inside. As a poor, uneducated boy at the start of the 20th century, he couldn’t afford such luxuries. As a teen, he took a job as a dishwasher in a local ice cream parlor. In time, his hard work paid off and he was promoted to candy maker. Determined to make his own way, he left the shop to open his own. After three failed attempts, Hershey finally found success in the caramel industry. His love for sugary treats grew along with his bank account. After attending the World’s Fair and seeing machinery used to create German chocolate, Hershey sold his million-dollar caramel company, bought some new equipment, and spent years finding ways to make milk chocolate that was both affordable and shelf stable.
This is the story of how Milton Hershey brought chocolate to American homes everywhere and later used his profits to provide an education to thousands of children from low-income homes.
Too Tall Houses
by Gianna Marino
Rabbit and Owl are best friends and neighbors. Rabbit loves to garden and owl loves watching over the forest. But when Rabbit's plants grow so tall they block out Owl’s view of the woods, the pair begin to bicker. The only solution, Owl concludes, is to build his house taller. This, unfortunately, blocks the sun from shining on Rabbit’s plants. In retaliation, Rabbit adds to his home, once again, blocking Owl’s visibility. Will the two find a solution to their selfishness or will a life-long friendship be destroyed over house height? Reminiscent of an Aesop classic, this is a new fable with an old soul.
by Aliki
An announcement is made. The king is coming! The lord of the manor and his serfs spend days, weeks, and months preparing for his arrival. They ready rooms, fields, and gardens. They hunt for the choicest meat, mix sauces, and bake desserts. When His Majesty finally arrives escorted by dozens of servants and courtiers, the great hall is overflowing with the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of celebration.
This is a living literature peek at the culture of a medieval manor.
Leveled Readers
by Candice Ransom
A brother and sister head to the orchard for a fun day with their parents. They're going to pick apples! They climb high, reach and stretch, and plop red and green apples into their basket...one, two, three. Eventually, they're joined by another boy and the siblings race their new friend to see who can pick the most apples. At the end of the day, their baskets are full and they enjoy a feast of apple treats from cider to pie to fried donuts.
Each 2-page spread of this Level 1 reader contains a rhyming couplet. Example: "I pick high. You pick low. In our basket apples go."
by Judy Donnelly
While factual, this retelling of both the sinking and rediscovery of the Titanic is written in narrative form like a story. Readers will gain a better understanding of the architecture of the luxury liner, the different social classes represented aboard, and the tragic events of April 14th. In addition, they'll learn why certain maritime laws are so important and see how many current ship safety practices were introduced because of that devastating voyage. In the final chapter, they'll read about Robert Ballard's 1985 quest to locate the lost ship on the ocean floor.
Illustrated Chapter Books
by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney
Wilson has always been Abigail’s friendliest, wooliest, and smartest sheep. One day when a delivery truck arrives on her farm to drop off a new piano, however, she notices that Wilson is missing. Unbeknownst to her, he has escaped from his pen and ends up in the back of the truck. He’s taken into town and arrives at the piano store. Scared, he wanders around town. Unbeknownst to Wilson, Abigail and her grumpy neighbor are out looking for him. The pair never cross paths. Will Abigail find her beloved sheep or will Wilson be lost forever?
This is a full-color illustrated chapter book with beautiful watercolor renderings on every three or four pages.
Please note: One line reads, "Sheep are stupid as all get-out."
by Tim Davis
When Charles and Oliver are loaded onto a ship by pirate sea dogs, they overhear a plot to steal the Queen's gold. They make it their mission to find Her Majesty's treasure and return it immediately. Trouble is, as mice, they are not sure which is more frightening, confronting the dreaded pirates or joining forces with the Queen's personal sailors, the cats.
Fans of The Great Mouse Detective will enjoy all three books in the Herring Bone series.
Parents, Be Aware
by Lisa Findlay
When his owner dies, Puss the cat is willed to the youngest son Tom, Determined to make a good life for himself, one which contains all the creature comforts he's always been used to, Puss realizes that he must first make a good life for Tom. With clever cunning, the cat secures a wife, a castle, and much wealth for his new master.
Things to know: Puss lies repeatedly to get his way. His "fibs," as they are called in the text, are never discovered. Consequently, his dishonesty is rewarded time and time again. Additionally, there are two mentions of an Ogre scratching his bottom and picking his nose.
Just for you, Mom
by Sarah McCoy
This fan fiction flashes back in time to fill in the gaps of Marilla Cuthbert's childhood: how her mother's untimely death shaped her character and how the budding romance between her and John Blythe that L.M. Montgomery alluded to in her classic Anne of Green Gables ended abruptly. The author does a great job of weaving together the characters of the original series as well as a few key historical events like the abolition of slavery and the clash of rival Canadian political groups.