Sarah Stewart & David Small

This husband and wife team, author Sarah Stewart and illustrator David Small, have produced several quality picture books. All are appropriate for about 4 to 8-year-old children. Here is a description of each. Happy reading!

The Friend
Belle has parents who are frequently absent. Fortunately, Bea, the housekeeper, is her very good friend. These two do everything together: cleaning, baking, going for walks, shopping, and having tea. One day, however, Belle puts Bea's friendship to the test in a dramatic way.

This touching story is made even more emotional by the fact that it is semi-autobiographical. The author dedicates it "to all the people across the world who have saved the lives of children by paying attention when others did not - but especially to Ola Beatrice Smith." My children were captivated from beginning to end. Please be aware that there is a scene where Belle nearly drowns which could be disturbing for some children.

The Gardener
It is the mid-1930's and times are tough. Lydia Grace is sent from home to live with her uncle in the big city until her father can find a job. She writes to her uncle to inform him that one important thing he should know about her is that she loves to garden. Lydia Grace makes new friends and gradually transforms the dingy little bakery where she lives and works. But what she really wants is to make Uncle Jim smile. Maybe she will succeed once she shows him "the secret place."

This was a Caldecott Honor Book. The story is composed of a series of letters written from the perspective of Lydia Grace. It is an inspiring tale with a sweet and generous heroine that everyone will grow to love.

The Journey
This story is a series of diary entries written from the perspective of Hannah, a young Amish girl. She writes about her week-long visit to Chicago. Everything she sees and experiences is new and different, and yet it also reminds her of home.

This book was especially enjoyable for me since we lived for several years in Amish country and have visited Chicago on many occasions.

The Library
Elizabeth Brown loves to read – in fact, that’s all she does. She collects books until she eventually realizes that her house couldn’t possibly hold even one more. She donates her books to the town to establish a free public library so that everyone can enjoy reading them as much as she has.

This humorous, yet poignant, story is a great one to read in honor of National Library Week (April 10-16). If you are an avid reader, like myself, you may be able to identify with Elizabeth and some of the things she did.

The Money Tree
In January, Miss McGillicuddy notices something unusual growing up through the snow in her yard. By the next month, she realizes that it is some sort of tree. In May, she discovers that instead of leaves, the tree bears crisp green bills. While Miss McGillicuddy goes about her business as usual, she observes a steady stream of people parading through her property, hoping to partake of this unusual harvest.

This story may leave you wondering how you would act if you discovered the existence of a money tree.

Author Mem Fox

I am constantly on the lookout for more good books to read to my children. I was grateful to my aunt, therefore, for suggesting a book by Gladys Hunt called Honey for a Child's Heart. It was through this resource that we discovered another great children's book author: Mem Fox.

Mem Fox is an Australian writer whose first book, Possum Magic, continues to be the all-time best-selling children's book in Australia. Click here to watch an interview with this interesting author.

We have had two of her books, but I never realized what a prolific and wide-ranging author she was. The following are some of the books by Mem Fox that we have enjoyed. Happy reading!

Koala Lou
Illustrator: Pamela Lofts
Age Level: 4-8 years

Koala Lou's mother loves her very much, and often tells her so, but soon the demands of a growing family compel Koala Lou to compete for her mother's attention. She decides to enter the gum tree climbing event during the upcoming Bush Olympics. She is convinced that if she were to emerge victorious, her mother would be proud of her again. She trains very hard and encourages herself by imagining her mother's arms around her saying, "Koala Lou, I DO love you." However, events don't transpire exactly how Koala Lou has planned.

This is my favorite of Ms. Fox's books. The first time that I read it to my five-year-old, we both had tears in our eyes.

Let's Count Goats!
Illustrator: Jan Thomas
Age Level: 3-6 years

Possum Magic
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Age Level: 4-8 years

Grandma Poss makes bush magic. She makes Hush invisible so that he can be safe from snakes. One day, Hush decides he would like to be visible again. At first, Grandma Poss can't find the right magic, but she soon remembers that it has something to do with food. Grandma Poss and Hush set off on a tour of Australia and eventually discover the right combination of foods that will make Hush visible again.

You don't have to be Australian to appreciate and enjoy this creative and entertaining story.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 2-6 years

I always love Ms. Oxenbury's illustrations.

Time for Bed
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Age Level: 1-3 years

The rhyme and cadence of this book make it a soothing bedtime read for very young children.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Age Level: 4-8 years

A sweet story about a young boy who helps an old woman find her memory after he hears that she has lost it.

Wombat Divine
Illustrator: Kerry Argent
Age Level: 4-8 years

A good story to read at Christmas about a young wombat who is trying to find an appropriate role in the Nativity play.