Raggedy Ann and Andy

Author: Johnny Gruelle

Appropriate Age: 7-11

About the Author:

Gruelle was an artist, author and political cartoonist. The Illinois native is best known though for his Raggedy Ann and Andy series. He got the inspiration for the book when he found a faceless rag doll in the attic and gave it to his daughter to play with. After that the inspiration hit him, followed by multitudes of other characers. His beloved series have crossed generaions and warmed the hearts of many.

About the Book:

The stories of Raggedy Ann have been around for nearly 100 years. All of the stories have plots with swashbuckling adventures! In Raggedy Ann and Andy, and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees, Raggedy Ann and Andy are off to save the beautiful French doll, Babbett from pirates. The nursury rhymes and fables are a wonderful adventure for children of all ages.

Why Little Aristotle's Library Loves It:

This book was a wonderful adventure for myself. I loved the fact, as a child, that I could have a doll with frizzy red hair to cuddle while reading the stories. I also loved that my mom and dad both knew the stories so well that they could recite them from memory. There was all kinds of Raggety Ann and Andy memorabelia in our house. I had my own new doll next to my mom's doll from her childhood. The adventures never seem to get old and are all very exciting.

"I loved these books because I love the color red, even now. I loved the dolls with their red hair. I even have a red couch now!" --Angie H. (A Little Library Supporter)

Other Books You Might Like...

If you enjoyed Raggety Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees, you will enjoy any of the other stories in the Raggety Ann series.

The Rainbow Fish

Author: Marcus Pfister

Appropriate Age: 3-7

About the Author:

Pfister is a Swiss author that has been writing and illustrating books since the early 1980s. While known for his illustrious illustrations, his children's books have become equally as famous. He uses special forms of watercolor over watercolor to give his pictures a dream-like state with happy, cheerful colors that blend together.

About the Book:

Children are introdcued to the book when the meet a beautiful, shining Rainbow Fish. However, this beautiful fish is not only vain, but selfish and proud. He clings to his scales because he feels they make him better than the other fish. When refusing to share his glittering gifts, the other fish refuse to speak to him. However, after some kind advice from a wise old octopus, Rainbow Fish decides to give away his scales. This results with new found friends and happiness. This beloved book has been on best selling children's book lists since 1992.

Why Little Aristotle's Library Loves It:

This book is a wonderful lesson in sharing. Upon completion of the story, parents and teachers can have the discussion about what it means to share and truly be a friend. They can ask why Rainbow Fish's scales didn't make him different, but his kindness did. The book was so wildly popular among children it was turned into a 26 episode television series.

"I love this book! I've always been infatuated with fish, I even have one as a pet! This book taught me a lot. I remember my mom telling me that I should share my gifts, just like the rainbowfish does." --James K. (A Little Library Supporter)

Other Books You Might Like...

Pfister has published many other, lesser known books. All are for children who love to read. You can find "Wake Up, Santa Clause!" "Sun and Moon," "Hopper," "Dazzle the Dinosaur" and many others at your local library or bookstore.

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Author: Laura Joffe Numeroff

Appropriate Age: 3-7

About the Author:

Laura Joffe Numeroff was born in Brooklyn, New York. She is the author and illustrator of many books. Other than her "If You Give..." series she has produced several wonderful works of literature. In her down time she loves to ride horses, play with her pets and and read, read, read at her new home in California. Numeroffe is a strong advocate for the First Book program. A portion of her royalites are donated to their literacy program.

About the Book:

Children will love the little adventurer who comes asking for cookies. It is a simple, very brief read about what happens after giving a mouse a cookie. The cartoonish illustrations from Felicia Bond, with their colorful images and cheerful pictures will make them smile and laugh. It is bound to be a family favorite. Books are also available in Spanish. But remember, if you give a mouse a cookie...

Why Little Aristotle's Library Loves It:

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie is a wonderful book for children. Every time I've ever read this story to children they will laugh, giggle and try to guess what he will ask for next. Often times young boys and girls will ask for this story over and over again. It aids in their memory development because they will try to remember what comes next.

"I loved this book when I was a kid. I loved cookies and I always thought it was funny what he would ask for. I love all of her books!" --Anna K.

Other Books You Might Like...

Laura Joffe Numeroff has two other fabulous picture books to enjoy. "If You Give A Moose a Muffin," and "If You Give A Pig A Pancake," are her wildly popular sequels.

Maniac Magee

Author: Jerry Spinelli

Appropriate Age: 11-15

About the Author:

Jerry Spinelli has many different young adult books that are beloved by teen audiences everywhere. He decided he wanted to be an author when he was sixteen years old, this was when he was first published. He now is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen books that have received multiple awards, including a Newberry Medal. His books are very real, funny and personal to his targeted audiences. When asked where he get's his ideas, Spinelli always gives credit to his readers. He gets inspiration from his six children and the readers who love his books.

About the Book:

Readers meet Jeffrey Lionel Magee. However, after his parents are killed, he must start a new life with a new name. He goes to live with his aunt and uncle. When it becomes too much he runs away and makes a new life for himself. Maniac makes new friends, as well as some enemies on his travels through town. He also becomes a legend. It is a book that bridges communities, makes friends from those who are unwilling to make friends in the first place. It is about overcoming the odds to find what is really important in the end. It is a book everyone should read, no matter their age, to get back to their funny bone and find out what it is like to be thirteen again.

Why Little Aristotle's Library Loves It:

This book is a great tool for kids to continue reading when it's not necessarily "cool" to read anymore. Maniac Magee is a book beloved by all who read it and understand what it means to go above race, borders and problems to find what we truly want to fight for. While Maniac Magee has been banned in some places for "racial content," it is by those who have not gotten to the end of the book. Maniac is known for overcoming the stereotypes and borders that are set up for him. He walks along the borders of East Side and West Side.

"I loved Maniac Magee when I was in middle school. It was the first book that inspired me to run for the fun of it. I started to run more and more. Now I've run six marathons!" --Laurel S. (A Little Library Suporter)

Other Books You Might Like...

If you enjoyed Maniac Magee, Jerry Spinelli has many other books for avid readers. "Who Put Hair in My Toothbrush," "Space Station Seventh Grade," and Star Girl."

The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

Appropriate Age: 4-8

About The Author:

Shel Silverstein is a wonderfully popular author among children's literature. His life is as colorful as his books. He grew up in Chicago and went to school there before being drafted into the military. After he was honorably discharged from the army in 1955 he began his career writing. While he is best known for his poetry collections he has also drawn cartoons for several newspapers, magazines and written several screenplays. Two of his books are dedicated to his two children. His son Matthew is his only successor and published one unfinished book after Silverstein's death in 1999. His books and illustrations still inspire children today to be silly and laugh out loud while loving literature.

About The Book:

The Giving Tree is a classic among classics. Published in 1965, the book is still popular among today's children. It starts with a boy who loves to play with a tree in the forest. He does all kinds of childlike things such as swinging from branches and playing king of the forest. As he grows older though he doesn't appreciate the tree as it was but takes what it can give him. However, later in life he learns to appreciate the tree again as an old friend.

Why Little Aristotle's Library Loves It:

I remember loving this book and having a great many discussions with my parents about what it meant, even as a small child. It was a tool they used to discuss "wants" versus "needs." The boy always says he needs more money or needs a new boat, but really they are just his desires.

"I loved all of Silverstein's books as a kid. He had so many great books of poetry. There was one poem called 'Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Will Not Take the Garbage Out,' and my dad used to read it and get faster and faster until I would laugh out loud. It is a great memory for me."

--Caitlin R. (A Little Library Supporter)

All of Silverstein's books are expertly done and reach to the deepest pits of our souls to make us think or to make us smile. This is one book that I know children as well as adults can benefit from to inspect their own lives.

Other Books You Might Like...

Silverstein has many famous children's books and collections of poetry that are wildly popular as bedtime stories or are fun to read at any other time of day. If you enjoyed "The Giving Tree" you might also enjoy "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Falling Up," "A Light in the Attic," "The Missing Piece" or the most recently published "Runny Babbit."

Scribbleville

Author: Peter Holwitz

Genre: Picture Book

Appropriate Age: 5-8

About the Author:

Peter Holwitz is the author and illustrator of "Scribbleville." He has three books published currently. Holwitz lives in California. He graduated from the University of California with a degree in Fine Arts.

About the Book:

Welcome to Scribbleville. It is a town that is as it sounds, made from scribbles. Everything is scribbled from the people to the street signs. Problems arise when someone new moves into town who is completely straight with no scribbles in sight. But with the help of some nice neighbors and a wise little boy, the town changes its views and begins to learn that the combination of straight and scribbled makes for a better town all around.

Why Little Aristotle's Library loves it:

The first thing that caught my eye about "Scribbleville" was the artwork. As it sounds, it is done almost completely with scribbles. The children I've read the book to enjoyed it because the pictures were silly. All pages though seem to use mediums children are accustomed to using. Colored pencils, scribbled watercolor, crayons, markers, etc.

Once the book had me within its pages though the story was what got to me. The book preaches diversity in a very relatable way for kids. The world is made up of scribbles and straight lines, but it is the collection of both that makes it beautiful.

"I loved the book because it is crazy and scribbly like my hair! If I were a kid still I'd love it for the zaney pictures." --Chris D. (A Little Library Supporter)