Ada, Alma Flor, The Gold Coin (6-10). An old woman's goodness and generosity teaches a thief to value more than gold.
Alexander, Lloyd, The King's Fountain (4-7). A poor man's honesty and courage persuade a king to consider his people's interests.
Aliki, The Two of Them (4-7). The loving relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter; after his death, her acceptance of life's continuity.
Allen, Thomas B., Granddaddy's Farm (6-10). Beautiful pencil drawings bring to life the author's summers in rural Tennessee.
Ancona, George, Helping Out (3-7). Photographs of children who are enjoying helping adults with many different types of work.
Anderson, C. W., The Crooked Colt (3-7). A colt succeeds through perseverance and love. Also the Blaze the Pony series (3-8).
Anno, Mitsumasa, Topsy-Turvies: Pictures to Stretch the Imagination (4-8). Escher-like perspective illusions for children.
Aragon, Jane Chelsea, Salt Hands (3-7). In the middle of the night a young girl watches a deer that comes and licks salt from her hands.
Ardizzone, Edward, Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain (3-8). A little boy who wishes to become a sailor stows away on a steamer and has exciting adventures; first in a series.
Arnosky, Jim, Deer at the Brook (2-6). Picture book of deer introduces nature watching to young children. Also All Night Near the Water (3-6).
Aruego, Jose and Ariane, A Crocodile's Tale (4-8). Philippine folktale of a boy who learns gratitude from a monkey when caught by a crocodile.
Atwood, Ann, The Little Circle (4-7). A little circle's search to find itself in nature, illustrated with photographs.
Atwood, Ann, and Erica Anderson, For All That Lives (7-up). Photographs illustrate brief quotations from Albert Schweitzer on reverence for, and the oneness of, all life.
Baker, Jeannie, Window (4-10). Wordless book of elaborate collages shows how a little boy's wilderness home in Australia is engulfed by the city as the years go by. Also Home.
Balgassi, Haemi, Peacebound Trains (5-9). Story of a family's separation and escape from Seoul during the Korean War; based on a true story.
Bang, Molly, When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry... (2-8). A little girl turns to nature to get over her anger.
Banks, Kate, A Gift from the Sea (5-11). With few words, the author suggests the many adventures a rock has undergone from the time of the dinosaurs till a boy finds it at the beach.
Barasch, Lynne, Radio Rescue (6-11). A boy's enthusiasm for being an amateur radio operator in the 1920s allows him to contact people around the world, and to help in emergencies; based on a true story.
Barker, Cicely Mary, Flower Fairy Series (2-6). Accurate paintings of plants, shown with their "fairies," with poems giving information about the plants. Series includes "Spring," "Summer," "Trees," "Garden," and many more.
Barrett, Judi, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (4-12). Grandpa's tall tale about the disaster that overwhelms a city where food and drink fall from the sky.
Bash, Barbara, Ancient Ones: The World of the Old-Growth Douglas Fir (5-12). Captures the atmosphere of the old-growth forest in describing the life cycle of the firs and the web of life they support.
Bauer, Caroline Feller, Midnight Snowman (4-8). Neighborhood parents and children enjoy making a snowman together late one night.
Baylor, Byrd, Before You Came This Way (4-up). Rock paintings in a deserted canyon lead to a discussion of ancient peoples.
—— The Desert Is Theirs (4-up), and The Other Way to Listen (7-up). These books bring out the oneness of nature and man, and ways of getting in tune with nature and oneself.
—— The Way to Start a Day (5-up). The many ways people of the world, past and present, greet the new day.
Bemelmans, Ludwig, Parsley (4-7). Friendship and helpfulness between a stag and an old, twisted tree. Also the Madeliene series (4-7).
Berger, Barbara, Animalia (5-up). Thirteen short tales from various cultures about people who have lived gently with animals.
—— Grandfather Twilight (3-7). Twilight personified as an old man brings the night in a fascinating bedtime story without words.
Beskow, Elsa, Ollie's Ski Trip (4-8). A young Swedish boy's adventures with Jack Frost and King Winter.
—— Peter and the Blueberry Children (4-8). Imaginative pictures bring to life Peter's adventures with the inhabitants of the Swedish countryside. Also Around the Year (4-7).
Blake, Robert J., The Perfect Spot (4-up). In this picture book, a boy and his artist father walk through the woods looking for the perfect spot to paint.
Blood, Charles L., and Martin Link, The Goat in the Rug (3-8). Charming story of a Navaho weaver told by her pet goat.
Boeke, Kees, Cosmic View: The Universe in 40 Jumps (6-up). A journey in scale to the limits of space and into the atom, imaginatively yet accurately done; provides a cosmic perspective on mankind.
Booth, Barbara D., Mandy (6-11). A deaf girl living with her grandmother copes successfully with everyday tasks and a storm in the woods.
Borack, Barbara, Grandpa (4-9). A little girl describes her feelings about her grandfather through the experiences they share together.
Bornstein, Ruth, Little Gorilla (2-6). Everyone loves the little gorilla, even after he grows up.
Brett, Molly, The Runaway Fairy (3-6). Charmingly illustrated story of a rose fairy who leaves the garden to visit her country cousins.
Bright, Robert, Georgie (3-7). A gentle little ghost in a New England village finds that there is no place like home; first of a series.
Brown, Margaret Wise, Goodnight Moon (2-5). Peaceful bedtime story by the author of many children's favorites.
Browne, Anthony, Gorilla (5-9). A lonely girl, neglected by her busy father, is befriended by a magical gorilla.
Brunhoff, Jean de, The Story of Babar (3-8). This first of seven stories about a little elephant's adventures tells of his life in the city and his return to the jungle. Series continued by the author's son Laurent.
Buehner, Caralyn, Fanny's Dream (4-8). Sturdy farm girl hopes to marry a prince like Cinderella did, but is happier with a farmer.
Bulla, Clyde Robert, The Christmas Coat (4-7). Two brothers learn to cooperate when they must fix a neighbor's ruined Christmas present.
—— The Poppy Seeds (4-8). A boy's generosity teaches an old man to share and care; set in Mexico. Also Daniel's Duck (5-7), an easy-to-read book.
Bunting, Eve, Smoky Night (5-up). Displaced because of rioting in their neighborhood, people who resented each other are brought together.
—— Sunshine Home (6-11). Family members learn how much they love and need each other, and the importance of being honest about their feelings, when grandmother enters a rest home. Also Fly Away Home (5-12), about homelessness.
—— The Wall (5-8). Sensitively-told story of a boy who visits the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC with his father, where they find his grandfather's name.
Burgess, Gelett, The Goops and How to Be Them (4-7). Tongue-in-cheek verses on manners and consideration for others.
Burningham, John, Granpa (4-7). Whimsical vignettes of a little girl and her grandfather enjoying each other's company.
—— Hey! Get Off Our Train (3-9). One night a boy and his dog go around the world on his toy train, letting endangered animals join them one by one.
Burton, Virginia Lee, The Little House (3-8). A happy country house is surrounded by the city, rescued, and moved back to the country.
Buscaglia, Leo F., The Fall of Freddie the Leaf (4-up). A "story of life for all ages" explores change and death, using the natural cycle of the seasons.
Caines, Jeanette, Just Us Women (6-9). A girl and her favorite aunt enjoy planning a car trip and then doing what they enjoy most en route.
Carle, Eric, The Mixed-Up Chameleon (3-7). Amusing story of a chameleon who, when his wish to be like other animals in the zoo comes true, realizes the value of being himself.
Carlstrom, Nancy White, Grandpappy (5-11). Carefully observed moments during a boy's summer visit with his grandfather bring out the special relationship between them.
Cherry, Lynne, The Great Kapok Tree (5-11). Centered on the interdependence of rainforest life and the importance of preserving the trees.
Church, Kristine, My Brother John (3-7). An older brother is braver and bigger, but his little sister is more fearless about one thing.
Crystal, Billy, I Already Know I Love You (3-7). A first-time grandfather anticipates all the fun he'll have with his new grandchild.
Curle, Jock, The Four Good Friends (4-7). A grumpy man learns the value of kindness and hospitality.
Curtis, Chara M., All I See Is Part of Me (3-12). Brings out simply the oneness of each person with the universe, and the spiritual basis of existence.
Damjan, Mischa, Atuk (5-10). After slaying the wolf who killed his puppy, an Eskimo boy discovers that hate and revenge bring no satisfaction.
Davis, Maggie S., Something Magic (4-9). A look back at summers spent at her grandmother's house in Maine, the shared joys and sorrows, and the "magic" inside that we all share.
De Armond, Dale, The Seal Oil Lamp (5-up). Eskimo tale that brings out respect for nature and animals.
de Gerez, Toni, Louhi, Witch of North Farm (3-7). A tale from the Finnish Kalevala.
Demi, The Empty Pot (4-10). Beautiful, Chinese-style illustrations enhance the story of how a boy's honesty wins him the Emperor's throne; continued in The Greatest Power.
—— Liang and the Magic Paintbrush (4-7). With a magic paintbrush, a poor boy paints pictures which come to life.
De Paola, Tomie, The Hunter and the Animals (2-6). Wordless book about a hunter becoming friends with the animals.
—— Now One Foot, Now the Other (6-12). Touching story of the close relationship between a little boy and his grandfather, which continues as the boy helps his grandfather recover from a stroke.
—— The Parables of Jesus (3-12). Features 17 New Testament parables.
De Regniers, Beatrice Schenk, A Little House of Your Own (3-7). Expresses charmingly each person's need for a special place.
Dharma Publishing, Jataka Tales series (3-up). Individual tales with full-page color illustrations celebrate the power of compassion and wisdom.
Dickinson, Emily, I'm Nobody! Who Are You (4-up). Picture book of the author's poems, selected for children.
DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne, Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen (5-8). A boy helps his uncle and learns that soup kitchens are busy, friendly places for helping others.
Driscoll, Laura, The Bravest Cat! The True Story of Scarlett (3-6). Retells the true story of a stray cat who rescues her kittens from a burning building, is injured, and finally finds a happy home; beginning reader.
Eisenberg, Phyllis Rose, You're My Nikki (4-7). A little girl needs reassurance that she won't be forgotten when her mother goes back to work.
Ets, Marie Hall, In the Forest (2-6). A boy goes for a walk in the forest blowing his trumpet, and is joined by a parade of animals.
—— Mister Penny (4-8). Mr. Penny's lazy animals learn the satisfaction of helping and working. Also Play with Me (3-6).
Falconer, Ian, Olivia (4-11). Energetic, feisty little pig enjoys her day; whimsical illustrations.
Fish, Helen Dean, When the Root Children Wake Up (4-8). Beautifully illustrated story from the early 1900s about the waking of life in spring, its flourishing in summer, and its return to the earth in autumn.
Flack, Majorie, Angus and the Cat (3-6). Gentle story of a Scottie dog who chases the new cat in his house for several days, and then finds they've become friends; first of a series. Also The Story about Ping (3-6).
Fox, Mem, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (4-7). A caring little boy helps an old woman find her lost memory.
Frost, Robert, Birches, ill. Ed Young (8-up), and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, ill. Susan Jeffers (3-up). Beautifully-done picture books of these individual poems.
Fyleman, Rose, A Fairy Went A-Marketing (3-up). Poem with the theme of having and letting go.
Gaes, Jason, My Book for Kids with Cansur (4-10). In this "Child's Autobiography of Hope," an 8 year-old shares his experiences with cancer in order to help other children; illustrated by his brothers.
Gerstein, Mordicai, The Mountains of Tibet (4-up). A boy grows up, dies, and chooses to return to the same valley in Tibet; inspired by the author's reading of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Goble, Paul, Buffalo Woman (4-up). Plains Indian tale shows the transforming power of love and the kinship of humans and animals.
Goffstein, M. B., Natural History (3-6). Simple, effective presentation of the brotherhood of all life.
Goudey, Alice E., The Day We Saw the Sun Come Up (5-8) and Houses from the Sea (5-8). Sensitive handling of nature themes of day and night and of sea shells.
Gray, Nigel and Philippe Dupasquier, A Country Far Away (3-8). Parallel pictures bring out underlying similarities amid obvious differences in the daily lives of a European city boy and a rural African boy.
Greenfield, Eloise, Grandpa's Face (3-9). When she sees her actor Grandpa rehearse a very mean face, Tamika is afraid that someday he will look at her that way; a reassuring book.
—— Night on Neighborhood Street (4-10). Gentle poems about the life of people in an African-American part of a city.
Grifalconi, Ann, Kinda Blue (4-8). A little girl is lonely until her uncle explains that everything is individual and needs special attention.
Heide, Florence Parry and Judith Heide Gilliland, The Day of Ahmed's Secret (4-10). A boy who works all day waits till evening to tell his family a happy secret; pictures bring Cairo's streets alive.
—— The House of Wisdom (5-9). Tells about the famous library in 9th-century Baghdad, focusing on the boy who became the greatest translator of Aristotle's works into Arabic.
—— Sami and the Time of the Troubles (4-10). Daily life of a boy and his family in war-torn Beirut shows the determination of people living in tragic chaos; beautifully illustrated.
Hendershot, Judith, In Coal Country (5-up). Reminiscences about growing up in a coal-mining town.
Hendrickson, Karen, Baby and I Can Play (3-12). Acquaints older siblings with enjoyable activities they can initiate with an infant brother or sister, including positive things they can do when they resent the baby.
Henterly, Jamichael, Good King Wenceslas (all ages). Sumptuous illustrations enhance the familiar Christmas carol.
Herriot, James, Moses the Kitten (4-10). Love of animals comes through clearly in this story of an abandoned kitten adopted on a North England farm; included in James Herriot's Treasury for Children (4-12), a collection of Herriot's animal-story picture books in one volume.
Hewett, Joan, Rosalie (4-8). Depicts a family's love for their very old dog.
Hickman, Martha Whitmore, When Andy's Father Went to Prison (5-9). The story of one boy addresses the concerns of children whose fathers are in prison, and gives understanding of children in that situation.
Hirschi, Ron, Who Lives in . . . the Forest (2-4). Lovely photos invite the very young to look at animals in the forest; one of a series.
Hirst, Robin and Sally, My Place in Space (4-8). A brother and sister pinpoint their location on earth and in the universe for a skeptical bus driver.
Hodges, Margaret, The Golden Deer (5-9). Picture book of one of the Jataka tales, telling how Buddha as a stag caused a king to respect all life.
Hoose, Hannah and Phil, Hey, Little Ant (4-8). An ant tries to convince a boy to spare him; emphasizes compassion and empathy for all beings.
Hutton, Warwick, Noah and the Great Flood (3-7). Effectively illustrated retelling of the Bible story.
Jaspersohn, William, How the Forest Grew (6-12). A clearing becomes a climax forest over a period of 200 years.
Jeffers, Susan, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky (5-12). Using words attributed to Chief Seattle, this beautiful picture book describes respect and love for the earth and concern about its destruction.
Jenkins, Emily, Five Creatures (3-8). Comparisons among members of a happy household of three humans and two cats.
Johnson, Angela, When I Am Old with You (3-8). A child thinks of all the things he likes to do with his grandfather.
Joslin, Sesyle, What Do You Say, Dear (4-7). Delightful, absurd situations illustrate good manners.
Joyce, William, Bently and Egg (4-9). The adventures of a sophisticated frog looking after an egg for his friend, the duck.
Keats, Ezra Jack, The Snowy Day (2-6). A little boy explores his city neighborhood on a snowy day.
Kesselman, Wendy, Emma (6-11). A 72-year old woman takes up painting and finds great pleasure in it.
Kraus, Robert, Herman the Helper (3-7). A little octopus helps everyone around him.
—— Leo the Late Bloomer (6-10). Despite his father's worries, Leo learns to read, write, draw, and speak all in his own good time.
Krauss, Ruth, The Big World and the Little House (4-7). A family makes an abandoned house into a home.
Kudlinski, Kathleen V., Boy, Were We Wrong about Dinosaurs! (4-10). Explains how our knowledge about dinosaurs was formed, showing that information and theories continually change.
Kurelek, William, A Northern Nativity: Christmas Dreams of a Prairie Boy (6-up). Author-artist depicts the Nativity in various Canadian settings during the Depression, asking "If it happened there, why not here? If it happened then, why not now?" Thought-provoking, filled with compassion, and universal in its spiritual message.
Lasker, Joe, He's My Brother (5-11). Home and school experiences of a younger brother with a learning disability.
Lattimore, Deborah Nourse, Why There Is No Arguing in Heaven (6-10). A retelling the Mayan creation story.
Leaf, Munro, The Story of Ferdinand (3-7). A gentle bull refuses to fight in the bull ring.
Lenzen, Hans Georg, The Blue Marble (5-10). A quiet boy is given a marble that stimulates his imagination and he then gives it to another child.
Lesser, Carolyn, The Goodnight Circle (4-8). Peaceful goodnight book recounting the cycle of the day-animals going to sleep and the night-creatures' activities.
Lindgren, Astrid, The Tomten (3-7). A Swedish tomte (gnome) visits animals and people on a farm one winter night. Also The Tomten and the Fox.
Lionni, Leo, Frederick (3-6). A poet-mouse stores up his own gifts for the winter.
—— Little Blue and Little Yellow (2-5). A story of friendship told with patches of color.
—— Swimmy (3-6). A different little fish finds a way to help the other fishes.
Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad Are Friends (3-7). One in a series featuring these friends and their adventures.
Loh, Morag, Tucking Mommy In (3-10). Reversing roles, two little girls help their tired mother get ready for bed.
Longfellow, H. W., Hiawatha's Childhood, ill. Errol Le Cain (4-7). Selections from Hiawatha's childhood as a picture book; a still briefer selection is available in Hiawatha, ill. Susan Jeffers (4-7).
Louchard, Antonin, Little Star (4-9). Wordless story of a starfish's adventures dreaming it is a celestial star, based on a poem by Hubert Michel.
Lyon, George Ella, Who Came Down That Road (5-8). Mother and child ponder who might have traveled down an old, old road from pioneer days to prehistory in this beautifully illustrated book.
Maruld, Toshi, Hiroshima no Pika (9-up). A family's experience when the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima is movingly told in this picture book in the interest of peace. A powerful book, for younger children best read with parents.
MacDonald, Golden, The Little Island (3-7). Although the island was little, it was part of the whole and had an important role to play.
McNulty, Faith, The Lady and the Spider (4-8). A gardener spares a spider living in her lettuce plant; brings out the value of all life.
Marshall, James, George and Martha Encore (3-7). One in a series of humorous, sensitive stories about two hippo friends.
Martignacco, Carole, The Everything Seed: A Story of Beginnings (4-up). Striking yet simple retelling of how the primordial seed "unfolded to become everything in the Universe."
Martin, Bill, Jr., and John Archambault, Knots on a Counting Rope (6-12). Close bond between a blind Navaho boy and his grandfather.
Mayer, Marianna, Beauty and the Beast (6-10). Well-told, beautifully illustrated version of this classic tale.
Mayer, Mercer, East of the Sun and West of the Moon (3-10). Author skillfully combines elements from "The Frog Prince" and "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon"; exquisitely illustrated.
McBrier, Page, Beatrice's Goat (5-10). A family in Uganda receives a goat from Heifer Project International, which changes their lives; fact based.
McCarty, Peter, Hondo & Fabian (3-9). Hondo the dog goes to the beach to meet his friend, while Fabian the cat spends the day at home.
McCloskey, Robert, Make Way for Duckling (3-7), One Morning in Maine (4-7), and Time of Wonder (4-9). The inimitable ties between man and nature told with gentle charm.
McCourt, Lisa, Chicken Soup for Little Souls: The Goodness Gorillas (5-9). Classmates form a club to perform random acts of kindness, even for the meanest boy in class.
McDermott, Gerald, Anansi the Spider (3-8) and The Magic Tree (4-8). Two dramatically illustrated, effectively told African tales.
—— Arrow to the Sun (3-up). Striking illustrations bring to life this insightful telling of a Pueblo Indian initiation tale. Also Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest (4-8).
—— The Voyage of Osiris (7-up). The trials and triumph of Osiris and Isis, with the author's distinctive illustrations.
Minarik, Else, Little Bear (3-5). Warm relationships in a family of bears; one in a series.
Molk, Laurel, When You Were Just a Heartbeat (4-6). Anticipation for the coming baby in terms of the changing seasons; expectant parents may enjoy it also.
Mora, Pat, Tomas and the Library Lady (4-9). A child of migrant farm workers learns the wonder of books; based on experience of Tomas Rivera, a chancellor of the University of California.
Muir, John, retold by Donnell Rubay, Stickeen: John Muir and the Brave Little Dog (4-12). Picture book tells of Muir's growing friendship with a dog who comes with him on a dangerous Alaskan adventure.
Newberry, Clare Turlay, Mittens (3-7). When Richard finally gets a kitten, it becomes lost and finally found; beautifully illustrated.
Ormerod, Jan, Messy Baby (2-6). A sensitive father accepts the chaos produced by a very young child undoing his clean-up efforts.
—— Moonlight (2-7). Humorous, wordless book about parents putting a young child to bed. Also Sunshine (2-7).
Perkins, Lynne Rae, Home Lovely (5-8). Moving to an isolated mobile home, a little girl makes a garden with the help of the postman.
Pilkey, Dav, The Paperboy (4-10). A paperboy and his dog go through their early-morning routine together.
Piper, Watty, The Little Engine That Could (3-7). Success story about the little train that needed to get over the mountain.
Potter, Beatrix, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (3-7). First of the author's many beautifully written and illustrated stories; available in many editions. Favorites include Mrs. Titlemouse, Jeremy Fisher, and Tom Kitten.
Provensen, Alice and Martin, Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm (3-7) and The Year at Maple Hill Farm (3-7). Character and idiosyncrasies of the animals on the authors' farm, and their experience of the passing seasons.
Raynor, Dorka, Grandparents around the World (all ages). Full-page photos of grandparents and children from 25 countries.
Rayner, Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Pig's Evening Out (3-8). Mr. and Mrs. Pig leave their ten piglets with a new babysitter, Mrs. Wolf.
Richardson, Frederick, ill., Great Children's Stories: Classic Volland Edition (3-7). Traditional European tales, such as "The Little Red Hen," "The Old Woman and Her Pig," and "The Straw Ox"; notable illustrations.
—— Mother Goose: Classic Volland Edition (all ages). Beautiful, large, color illustrations make this Mother Goose extra-special.
Ringi, Kjell, The Man Who Had No Dream (4-8). A rich man is transformed by caring for an injured bird.
Rylant, Cynthia, Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds (6-up). Atmospheric paintings and text describe life in the mountains.
San Souci, Robert D., The Faithful Friend (5-10). West Indian folktale of two friends, black and white, who save each other through their loyalty, bravery, and goodness.
—— The Legend of Scarface (4-10). Blackfoot Indian tale of a hero, unattractive in appearance, who triumphs through kindness, courage, and determination.
Say, Allen, The Bicycle Man (4-8). Two American soldiers in occupied Japan transform villagers' apprehension into friendship. Also Grandfather's Journey (4-12).
Scholes, Katherine, Peace Begins with You (4-9). Simple presentation of what peace means and how we can each contribute to it.
Selsam, Millicent, Backyard Insects (2-5), and All Kinds of Babies (2-5). Two of the author's appealing science books for the very young.
Sendak, Maurice, Where the Wild Things Are (3-7). How a little boy uses his imagination to handle the frustration of feeling helpless.
Seuss, Dr., Horton Hears a Who (3-7) and Horton Hatches an Egg (3-7). Stories about a conscientious elephant who believes "a person's a person no matter how small" and in keeping his word.
—— How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2-up). About the real meaning of Christmas.
—— The Lorax (4-8). Fable on the importance of preserving the environment.
Shaw, Charles G., It Looked like Spilt Milk (to 6). What are the white splotches on a blue background, which look like so many things?
Shulevitz, Uri, The Treasure (4-up). An old man discovers that "sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near." Also Dawn (3-up).
—— The Magician (5-10). Passover story of a poor elderly couple who entertain Elijah unawares.
Simon, Mina and Howard, If You Were an Eel, How Would You Feel (3-6). Imaginative, poetic presentation of various animals.
Sis, Peter, Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei (10-14). Picture book for older children, centering on Galileo's life, discoveries, and persecution by the Church.
—— Tibet through the Red Box, (10-up). Unusual picture book centering on the author's father's diary of his adventures in Tibet right before the Chinese invaded.
Skofield, James, All Wet! All Wet! (3-7). Wordless story about nature seen by a small boy on a rainy day.
Skorpen, Liesel Moak, Mandy's Grandmother (5-10). Mandy and her grandmother become good friends once each accepts the other for who she is.
Sleator, William, The Angry Moon (4-8). Tlingit Indian tale of bravery and magic.
Sonneborn, Ruth A., Friday Night is Papa Night (4-8). Warm story of a family looking forward to Papa's return from working all week at distant jobs.
Spier, Peter, People (4-8). Illustrations of people worldwide, with their many superficial differences, bring appreciation of our common humanity. Also London Bridge Is Falling Down (2-7).
Spinelli, Eileen, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch (7-12). Transformed by an anonymous valentine, a shy man finds his resulting helpfulness and friendliness make him many loving friends.
Steig, William, Amos and Boris (3-7). Friendship between a mouse and a whale in this variation of "The Lion and the Mouse." Also Doctor de Soto (4-10) and Spinky Sulks (4-10).
Steptoe, John, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (7-12). Cinderella tale of two village daughters — one loving, the other selfish — who journey to the city seeking to marry the King; picture book.
—— Stevie (5-8). Only after a younger foster brother has left does a boy realize his affection for him.
—— The Story of Jumping Mouse (6-up). Plains Indian tale of a mouse's sacrifice to reach the far-off land; beautifully illustrated.
Stevenson, James, Grandpa's Too-Good Garden (4-8). When Louie and Mary Ann try to start a garden, Grandpa tells a tall tale about his first attempt at gardening with his younger brother. Also Grandpa's Great City Tour (3-7), an alphabet book.
Stolz, Mary, Storm in the Night (7-11). Warm relationship between a boy and his grandfather seen on a stormy night when the lights go out.
Tejima, Keizaburo, The Bears' Autumn (2-7). Striking double-page color woodcuts depicting a bear and cub fishing for salmon at night. Also Owl Lake (3-8).
Thoreau, Henry David, Walden (5-10). Short selections from Thoreau's writings, accompanied by full-page linoleum-cut pictures, describe his life in the woods. Selections by Steve Lowe, ill. by Robert Sabuda.
Tolstoy, Leo, Shoemaker Martin (5-10). In this adaptation, a shoemaker wonders how he would welcome Jesus and learns that "as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Tresselt, Alvin, The Frog in the Well (5-9). A frog finds there is much more to the world than living alone in his well.
—— The Gift of the Tree (4-10). The process of an oak dying and returning to the soil, aided by many animals and plants, is poetically told in this picture book; formerly titled The Dead Tree.
—— White Snow, Bright Snow (3-6). Poetic treatment of events from the first snow through the coming of spring.
Troughton, Joanna, Sir Gawain and the Loathly Damsel (3-8). Quest of King Arthur, and Sir Gawain's self-sacrifice and kindness; beautifully illustrated.
Udry, Janice May, Let's Be Enemies (4-7). Fed up with his friend's bossiness, John tells him they are enemies, but finds they are good friends indeed.
Ungerer, Tomi, Crictor (4-8). An old lady receives a boa constrictor from her son, which becomes a popular pet for the whole village.
Van Allsburg, Chris, Just a Dream (5-up). A thoughtless boy realizes the importance of caring for the environment after dreaming of a polluted future. Also Polar Express (all ages).
Van Leeuwen, Jean, Amanda Pig and Her Big Brother Oliver (3-7). A little sister who wants to do what her big brother does; one of a series.
Watson, Clyde, Father Fox's Pennyrhymes (3-8). Simple, nonsense nursery-rhymes and detailed illustrations evoke the seasons in rural Vermont with whimsy and humor.
Watson, Wendy, Jamie's Story (1-3). Wordless story of a little boy's day helping his parents.
Weigelt, Udo, Bear's Last Journey (3-8). A gentle treatment of a young child's reactions to a friend's last illness and death, told with animal characters.
Weil, Lisl, Wolferl: The First Six Years in the Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (4-8). Mozart's childhood at home and at the courts of Austria.
Wells, Rosemary, Shy Charles (3-7). A happy, shy mouse refuses to speak to strangers, and his parents' efforts to make him sociable only make matters worse.
Wildsmith, Brian, Hunter and his Dog (4-8). A kind-hearted dog changes his master's outlook on hunting.
Williams, Vera B., A Chair for My Mother (4-8). A family saves to buy a special chair after a fire destroys all their furniture.
Wisniewski, David, The Warrior and the Wise Man (5-10). A Japanese emperor sets a quest for his twin sons, who are a contrast of brute force and reason; beautiful cut-paper illustrations.
Wolf, Bernard, Homeless (4-10).Photos showing half a year in the life of an 8-year-old boy and his family in rent-free housing in New York City.
Wolkstein, Diane, The Red Lion (6-12). Ancient Persian tale about facing what is before us; beautifully illustrated in the Persian miniature style.
Wyndham, Robert, Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes (1-6). Charming translation of over 40 Chinese children's rhymes, riddles, and chanting games; fine illustrations.
Yashima, Taro, Crow Boy (5-10). Sensitive tale of rejection and acceptance.
Young, Miriam, Miss Suzy's Easter Surprise (3-6). A squirrel unexpectedly finds herself adopting four young squirrels.
Zeeman, Ludmila, Gilgamesh the King (5-12) Retelling the first portion of the myth of Gilgamesh; concluded in two further picture books.
Zolotow, Charlotte, The Hating Book (4-7). About friendship and misunderstanding.
—— My Grandson Lew (4-7). A boy and his mother realize grandfather's influence after his death.
—— When the Wind Stops (4-7). Cycles in nature and everyday life. Also William's Doll (4-7).