Seven-year-old Buddy inaugurates the Christmas season by crying out to his cousin, Miss Sook Falk: “It’s fruitcake weather!” Thus begins an unforgettable portrait of an odd but enduring friendship between two innocent souls–one young and one old–and the memories they share of beloved holiday rituals.

Here’s a picture book version of Aesop’s fables that should be in every classroom. Pinkney’s watercolor creatures illustrate more than 60 tales that end with one of Aesop’s moral lessons. Try it as a crowd-pleasing read-aloud for younger grades and as a wonderful resource for older children.

Through the voice of a washerwoman living on the island of Martinique comes the story of a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother and stepsisters, a magnificent ball, a magic wand, and a lost slipper. French Creole words and phrases illustrate the melodious language of the Caribbean. Vibrant pictures add to the depth of this heartwarming tale.

The secrets behind the warrior code will finally be revealed. An ominous sign from StarClan that signaled the need to patrol borders . The unexpected help from a warrior ancestor that cemented the importance of elders. A secret coup that led to a deputy’s new role. A medicine cat’s pleas that stopped a spree of interClan bloodshed and many more never-before-told stories!

Hunky Dory’s mother always told her, “You’ll be the wickedest witch wherever the four winds blow.” And why not? She’s at the top of her class in charm school. She can make flowers wilt like wet spaghetti. And she can turn any prince into a frog–but she always changes him back. That’s when she knows she has a problem. Hunky Dory’s interest in wishcraft over witchcraft gets her kicked out of charm school. Now she’s determined to follow her heart and become a fairy godmother. But how to go about …

A simple story, lively collage-like illustrations and a fun gimmick for little hands…”

At her birth, a fairy blesses baby Eleanor with the gift of obedience. But for Ella this is a curse. She must spend her life doing literally everything that is asked of her, from sweeping the floor to handing over valued jewelry. When her mother dies, her father sends her away to boarding school with two cruel sisters. Ella’s spunk keeps her afloat until she meets her charming prince, breaks the wicked spell, and begins her “happily ever after” life.

8 popular tales: The Story of Deirdre, The Fate of the Children of Lir, Morraha, five others. For young and old alike-eight captivating tales filled with whimsy, charm and magic: The Fate of the Children of Lir, The Shepherd of Middvai, Beth Gellert, The Tale of Ivan, Morraha, The Story of Deirdre, The Llanfabon Changeling, and The Sea-Maiden. Reset in large, easy-to-read type.

In 1957, Harper published its first I Can Read title, Little Bear, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Large type, simple vocabulary, chapter-like divisions, and decorative pictures made Little Bear perfect for emerging readers—they could read the story comfortably and not feel overwhelmed by the text. Following suit came such classics as Peggy Parish’s Amelia Bedelia series, Lillian Hoban’s books about Arthur the monkey, and Syd Hoff’s popular Danny and the Dinosaur. Many books in this series are special in the depth of emotion evoked – …

Goldilocks has always felt guilty about breaking into the Bears’ house and causing all that damage. So as she grew up she shortened her name to Goldi and opened a lock and key shop to help people protect themselves against snoops. It’s 50 years later and Goldi can’t stand it anymore. She must return to the scene of her crime to make amends. Finding no one home again, Goldi plasters the finest locks all up and down the Bears’ door, and then takes it upon herself to restock their cabinets …