Black and white illustrations mirror the simple text of Susan Marie Swanson’s House in the Night. Illustrator Beth Krommes employs scratchboard and watercolor to achieve her drawings. Kromme contrasts yellow with black and white to tell Swanson’s story of dark and light. I love the symbolism in this book. Its pages flow with hope and…

In Emily Arnold McCully’s Mirette on the High Wire, actors and entertainers from across the world stay at her mother’s Paris boarding house. A mysterious guest arrives one evening. Monsieur Bellini sets up a tight rope and practices every day. Entranced, Mirette secretly tries the high wire for herself. Monsieur Bellini agrees to train Mirette…

William J. Bennett’s Children’s Book of Faith contains not only familiar Bible stories like “Daniel in the Lion’s Den”, but also legends, poems, and testimonies of God’s goodness. Authors like Tolstoy, Browning, and Hans Christian Anderson take their places here as do stories like the legend of Saint Christopher, the story of Hanukkah, Louis Braille,…

The Children’s Book of America, edited by William J. Bennett, showcases the values that contributed to our country’s birth and success. Bennett collects tall tales, legends, biographical sketches, and songs. Generals, priests, women, and slaves, all are part of the story that is America. Which is your favorite?

William J. Bennett’s Children’s Book of Home and Family points readers to the true treasures of life—those we love and with whom we do life. Faithfulness towards one another, respect for the elderly, and a grateful spirit represent just a few of the values that flow through the pages.  This picture book includes classics like…

This month, I will highlight William J. Bennett’s collections of children’s books. His Book of Virtue and others like it make terrific reading for older children, but his picture book editions are equaling winning. Today, we’ll turn the spotlight on Bennett’s Children’s Book of Heroes. This collection provides a great assortment of stories, especially for…

Illustrator Christian Birmingham brings C. S. Lewis’s beloved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to young readers in a picture book format. Explore a wintry Narnia, the Beavers’ house, the icy palace of the White Witch, and, of course, Cair Paravel, the castle by the sea through Birmingham’s rich illustrations. “…Aslan is on…

Illustrator Susan Jeffers introduces a new generation of readers to Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Jeffers gives Frost’s poem her unique perspective as fur and feathers spring from the pages. Fluffy snowflakes float  down the paper in silent snowfall. Woodland creatures peek from behind bare branches. How many you can find…

Officer Buckle’s crime is putting his listeners to sleep with his safety speech—until he buddies up with police dog, Gloria. Suddenly, Officer Buckle is receiving rave reviews, but unknown to the officer, his partner, Gloria, is stealing the show. What will happen when he discovers her antics? Take Peggy Rathman’s Officer Buckle and Gloria on…

Squeal with the pigs, bray with the donkeys, and low with the cows in the big red barn where the only quiet things at the farm are the eggs. From dawn to dark, follow the animals until the day finally winds down in Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown. Which animal is your favorite? I…