Best Children's Renaissance Fiction Books
The astounding talent of Laurel Long brings this beloved song to life with breathtaking style. * “Long expertly weaves religious and secular images into a visually arresting interpretation of the traditional carol.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review. “Long’s lyrical and lush oil paintings, reminiscent of Russian icon art, combined with a tricky interactive element, make this version of the traditional carol special.” — School Library Journal.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"what makes it even more enjoyable is the fun we have finding all the hidden objects in each picture."
"I ordered this book because my 3 yr old Son came home from school singing this song."
"I was hesitant to buy this version of the book since I had a beautiful one from a different illustrator as a child."
"This is such lovely book with great illustrations."
"The words are not very large."
"But she loved it so much and was good, even at her her young age of 2 1/2, of finding the hidden figures."
"Beautiful book to keep for years to come."
"Stunning Artwork inside! Laurel Long, the artist did a stupendous job on the artwork."
The kid goes on a quest , and when danger appears, he discovers true grit - and he conquers his fears. When the dust has all settled and Martin returns, he makes difficult choices and finally learns that it's not always easy to do the right thing... There's bright art that explodes , popping right of the page - a feast for the eyes, irrespective of age. There's much more than just action and marvelous art: there's a moral embedded to enter the heart and the mind of your child. As the days and weeks went by, my young son lost interest in talking to me on the phone. Upon my return, my lovely wife encouraged me to turn my stories into books so lots of kids could take delight in them. Through sheer serendipity, I discovered that my friend, Jason Zimdars, loves to draw. What makes Jason's art in Prince Martin Wins His Sword so special is that it's in full, brilliant color, which is very unusual for chapter books, which are usually in black and white. Jason's illustrations explode off the page, and they completely enchant kids and bring the story to vibrant life! Praise for Prince Martin Wins His Sword : "Here's a gripping tale to be read over and over--a princely story teaching the values of integrity, courage, and resilience when facing a dangerous fear-- a promised favorite in every child's library ." Brandon Hale does children the evergreen favor of providing adventures in which we learn the simple truth that dragons can be killed, h eroism and courage are rewarded, and love and goodness triumph against wickedness ." Brandon's writing is skillful and entertaining for all ages, and the book's poetic verse makes it incredibly easy for kids to enjoy reading aloud or to themselves . The illustrations bring the story to life in a vivid and imaginative way that has captured the minds of all of the children I've read this to. In this case, a dream fulfilled in heroism by two new friends.I do not usually read fiction or children's books, but I thoroughly enjoyed this, and the illustrations were placed perfectly--after reading the text, I couldn't wait to turn the Kindle page to see how the illustrator portrayed the scene : my imagination first had to imagine the image, instead of the other way around. The meter and rhyme are reminiscent of the great bards of old , and the narrative encourages the young to strive for excellence. I have long considered Rikki Tikki Tavi the best children's book for explaining and demonstrating bravery, but Hale gives Kipling a run for his money. - Mary Scaperlanda The story of Prince Martin Wins His Sword takes off at a gallop from the very first page. Throughout this moving and action-packed tale, I was met with a story with real stakes and a boy who wants to prove to his father who he is. The scene is so artfully described through the author's precise tetrameter, I felt the fur, claws, stones, and teeth flying around me in the chaos of battle ! The prince's pilgrimage back to the castle is an act of sacrificial love for his new brave friend and beautiful to read.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What a treasure for children!"
"It is vitally important we as parents teach our children true honor."
"When reading books to children, I always suggest the rhyming books --because I like reading them!"
"I though the reading style would get old, but the chapters were short enough to keep it fresh."
"My kids,(5), love the story and how it is written."
"If I had Brandon Hale's talent this review would be lyrically poetic."
"There are several lessons you can pull from this book to talk to your kids about."
"This is a sweet read for a jaded age."
In this delightful story, the king refuses to leave his bathtub and rule the kingdom. As in the Woods' Napping House (HBJ, 1984), the few simple words of text per large, well-designed page invite storytellingbut keep the group very small, so the children can be close enough to pore over the brilliant, robust illustrations.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We read it everyday and she liked to point out different things on each scene, e.g. fish, cake, fork etc."
"Such a fun book with beautiful and entertaining illustrations!"
"Don and Audrey Wood are among my favorite children's author/illustrators, and their books deserve a place alongside your Maurice Sendak and Mo Willems books."
"But it does have an adult sized underlying message....don't let common sense and doing the right thing stand in your way of questioning authority."
"Wonderful story, fun for kids."
"My favorite book from childhood."
"Love this story and the pics are amazing."
"Like many picture books, Don and Audrey Wood's whimsically illustrated "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub" is geared toward 4-8-year-olds but would appeal to the love for the absurd that resides in readers of all ages. The young page in this story enlists the help of all his "betters"--a knight, a queen, a duke, and the entire court--to get the king out of the bathtub, but in the end, he (a simple servant boy) outwits them all. He gladly welcomes the knight to battle in his tub, the queen to feast in his tub, the duke to fish in his tub, and--to every child's delight--the entire court to dance in his tub. The king, on the other hand, is completely at ease until the very end of the book, when suddenly the page adopts a look of immense satisfaction and pulls the bathtub plug, and the king is left astonished and fumbling for a towel."
Best Children's Medieval Fiction Books
Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. On the run to escape prejudice and persecution and save precious and holy texts from being burned, their quest drives them forward to a final showdown at Mont Saint-Michel, where all will come to question if these children can perform the miracles of saints. Join William, an oblate on a mission from his monastery; Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village; and Jeanne, a peasant girl who hides her prophetic visions. Told in multiple voices, in a style reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales , our narrator collects their stories and the saga of these three unlikely allies begins to come together. Beloved bestselling author Adam Gidwitz makes his long awaited return with his first new world since his hilarious and critically acclaimed Grimm series. Featuring manuscript illuminations throughout by illustrator Hatem Aly and filled with Adam’s trademark style and humor, The Inquisitor's Tale is bold storytelling that’s richly researched and adventure-packed. “ It’s no surprise that Gidwitz’s latest book has been likened to The Canterbury Tales , considering its central story is told by multiple storytellers. — Wall Street Journal ★ "Gidwitz strikes literary gold with this mirthful and compulsively readable adventure story. ★ "Gidwitz proves himself a nimble storyteller as he weaves history, excitement, and multiple narrative threads into a taut, inspired adventure ." Part of this is because ‘The Inquisitor’s Tale’ is dense with literary and earthy delights, including Hatem Aly’s exquisite illustrations , which wrap around the text as in an illuminated manuscript.”— New York Times Book Review “ Adam Gidwitz mingles earthy humor and high culture in The Inquisitor’s Tale , a medieval story that unfurls Chaucer-style, with revelers in an inn taking turns to explain why the king of France is trying to hunt down three child-saints and their holy dog. )”— Entertainment Weekly , “Best MG Books of 2016” ★ “Gidwitz continues to toy with narrative in a well-researched and rambunctiously entertaining story that has as much to say about the present as it does the past …The tale that comes into focus is one of religious persecution and faith, friendships that transcend difference, and a dangerously flatulent dragon—Gidwitz continues to have no problem mixing high and low.”— Publishers Weekly , starred review. ★ “Gidwitz’s tale of medieval France successfully combines the epic with the personal , aiming for that heartstopping moment when characters readers have come to care about find themselves on a collision course with one of the great woodchippers of history—the Inquisition, agents of which are in hot pursuit of three underdog characters (and one actual dog) from the very start…This book appeals to the heart, to the mind, and to any reader’s appetite for action : read it for the thrilling escapes, the fart jokes, the stinky cheese, or the palace intrigue. In the style of "illuminated" medieval texts, Egyptian-born illustrator Hatem Aly illuminates Gidwitz's story with whimsical black-and-white drawings that enliven this philosophical swashbuckler.”— Shelf Awareness , starred review. And yet, they are funny, intensely real and believably brave …Gid witz and illustrator Hatem Aly breathe life into a tale that you won’t soon forget .”— Chicago Tribune “Gidwitz paints a vivid image of medieval France, and his mix of heart and humor makes this book an utterly magical read . Who else could weave a tale of acceptance, love and hope, complete with farting dragons?”— San Diego Union Tribune “Brimming with action, history, humor and much more, Gidwitz has crafted a masterfully seamless novel that is thought-provokingly relevant , making this selection nothing short of brilliant .”— Books to Borrow, Books to Buy “Whimsical and winding…One of the most interesting parts of this story is the message it teaches: A story is established that brings together three characters from very different backgrounds. Gidwitz is on fire here, making medieval history feel fresh and current .”— Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production “ [An] exciting adventure story …Just as medieval manuscripts had illuminated drawings, great illustrations go hand-in-hand with the story. White Read Aloud Honor Book New York Times Editors' Choice pick Publishers Weekly Flying Start School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. ALA Notable Book. "Unlike any children's book I've ever read .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is exactly the sort of book I would have completely thrown myself into around the age of ten (and goodness, that was SO many decades ago...more than half a century!). I loved the medieval setting, the elements of fantasy and magic, the main characters, the way the story developed depth as the narrators were added. I loved its length... it was pithy and detailed, and as it worked toward its end added an ever more universal and serious tone without becoming preachy."
"Excellent story line, really beautiful to see a children's author taking on the lines that we draw in the sand to separate from each other over theology, cultural background, ect ect."
"Admittedly it is violent in places and some of the tales are a bit bawdy, but children of junior high level and above should enjoy the story, the way it is presented and the fact that they have been allowed to read a book that doesn't mask some medieval lore or living conditions."
"Although I felt as if I were stuck in quick sand through the first third of this book, by the end of it I enjoyed the escapades of the children."
"A present for a Granddaughter instead of a Toy She love the book."
"Magical tale, well-told."
"My son absolutely loved it and couldn't put the book down."
Best Children's Holocaust Fiction Books
The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. “Brilliant and hugely ambitious…Some will argue that a book so difficult and sad may not be appropriate for teenage readers…Adults will probably like it (this one did), but it’s a great young-adult novel…It’s the kind of book that can be life-changing, because without ever denying the essential amorality and randomness of the natural order, The Book Thief offers us a believable hard-won hope…The hope we see in Liesel is unassailable, the kind you can hang on to in the midst of poverty and war and violence. Young readers need such alternatives to ideological rigidity, and such explorations of how stories matter. And so, come to think of it, do adults.”. - New York Times, May 14, 2006.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's great to read about the love and hope intertwined with such a horrific part of history."
"It was offered on sale so I bought it because I knew I wanted to read it before I saw the movie. I read books on two computers (one is a windows machine and the other is a chrome box), my Kindle paperwhite, and, occasionally, on my Android phone. And really, when I'm reading a book, I don't want to stop and look at videos of the related movie."
"It's written from the perspective of Death about a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany."
"As a World War II story of desperation and the understanding of the atrocities surrounding the characters I felt heavy and then uplifted by the tiniest glimmers of hope."
"This is a very good book, made more relevant to me as I had just visited Dachu, the German prison camp for political prisoners near Munich, this past fall. It is good to see the story through the eyes of a child who loses her father, mother and brother, then is adopted by a German couple living in Munich."
"This story absolutely has some of the most amazingly descriptive language."
"This book was phenomenal, well written from an interesting point of view. Of course the heaviness of the topic and the tone is to be expected from a book about a girl in Nazi Germany (Which isn't really what the book is about but that's the most basic description I can think of without spoilers) everyone's story ties in so perfectly. I was in Music Theory when I was finishing it up and my teacher - who for the record wasn't teaching at the time it was the very end of class and we had 2 minutes untill the bell - and at least 5 classmates asked why I was crying (Though the one who recommended the book only laughed she knew very well why) and then I had to proceed to explain through out the day why I looked like I'd been crying."
Best Children's Exploration Fiction
Aspiring wizards can tune in to the age-old wisdom of Merlin with this dazzling compendium of all things magical, unveiling novelty elements throughout.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"All the ology books have been such fun."
"If someone would have given me a book like this when I was 8 or 9, I believe my imagination would have required me to improve my read skills quicker than I did (around 12-13 but was far behind by then)."
"This was purchased as a gift and it’s even better than I’d expected."
"Another attractive book for imaginative youngsters."
"I've always been a fan of Merlin from a small age and this book inspires the kids and kicks their imagination into high gear!"
"Shipped fast and as described."
Best Children's Military Fiction
Liberty, my wisecracking horse, our old friends Cam, Tommy, Freedom, and I are off to meet some super-brave soldiers in the year 1775. We’ll be on hand to see two lanterns hung in the Old North Church, prevent a British spy from capturing Paul Revere, and grapple with danger at the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Visiting with exceptional American heroes like Dr. Joseph Warren and George Washington, racing along after Paul Revere on his midnight ride, and seeing the Declaration of Independence signed make Cam see his own dad in a new and special way. Rush Limbaugh is host of The Rush Limbaugh Show —the nation’s highest-rated talk radio program, with an audience of more than twenty-five million—and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims, Rush Revere and the First Patriots, Rush Revere and the American Revolution, Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner, and Rush Revere and the Presidency .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A small gang of youthful Patriots, led by this funny man with a big head, called Rush Revere, go jumping back into time to explore events around the American Revolution. All in all, RUSH REVERE AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a very creative book, making history come alive in an exciting and unique way."
"The book is not only incredibly entertaining but is also a great vehicle for teaching our children about our true history."
"We are just about finished with Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner and she will be getting Rush Revere and the Presidency for Christmas! She actually wants me to ask questions when we read, to test how well she is paying attention."
"My husband and I enjoyed all of Rush Limbaugh books written for children."
"The entire "Rush Revere " book series are fantastic, highly recommend for all age appropriate kids to learn about their American Heritage or new "Americans" to understand what we're about."
"This is not only a great history lesson for children, but certainly a wonderful review for adults."
"As I was explaining to our 10 yr old granddaughter that it was a history book about America but with a twist, I saw her roll her eyes and get a very resigned look on her face. The next night, she was right there ready for the story, all bright eyed and excited."
"I loved it and gave it to mY grandkids, but the parents objected to Rush Limbaugh's name."
Best Children's Prehistory Fiction
Fans of Fablehaven and City of Ember will devour Michelle Paver’s bestselling fantasy series about one boy’s epic fight against evil and the wolf who guides him. “Torak’s coming-of-age tale will keep the pages turning.” (Publishers Weekly).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I ordered all the books in the series for my son."
"In the time of hunter-gatherers when ancient forest covered the land, a boy loses his father to an evil in the shape of a monstrous bear that threatens their entire world. This book has appealed equally to well-seasoned readers and to reluctant readers, so far only boys though girls who like animals and wilderness survival stories should enjoy it as well."
"Just what I expected and delivered in a timely manner."
"Not exactly what I expected."
"This is the first novel that I ever read."
"Words cannot describe how good this book is."
"My son(12yrs) was assigned this for Summer reading, to date he likes it ok."
"This book had us captivated all the way through!"
Best Children's Ancient Civilization Fiction
When Vesuvius explodes into a cloud of fiery ash and rocks fall from the sky like rain, will they have time to escape -- and survive the epic destruction of Pompeii? Lauren Tarshis is the editor of Scholastic's Storyworks magazine and group editorial director for language arts for Scholastic classroom magazines, in addition to being the author of the I Survived series and the critically acclaimed novels EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE and EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL IN LOVE.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My son hates reading, but, he loves the I Survived series, so far, he has read 5 of them (and I am thankful for them since this is the only way I can get him to read)."
"This is a great series of books for good young readers 9ish and up."
"My daughter loves these!"
"It was great but no survivors were indicated after Vesuvius erupted and also there are cast of people I climbed Vesuvius ands move was still there so it means it is active also it is soon to erupt prop in a century or before maybe after."
"I love the book a lot!"
"My 10 year old son loved it and stated it was very detailed."
"Kept my son interested chapter after chapter."
Best Children's African History Fiction
Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way. *Starred Review* After 11-year-old Salva’s school in Sudan is attacked by brutal rebel soldiers in 1985, he describes several terrifying years on the run in visceral detail: “The rain, the mad current, the bullets, the crocodiles, the welter of arms and legs, the screams, the blood.” Finally, he makes it to refugee camps in Ethiopia and then Kenya, where he is one of 3,000 young men chosen to go to America. In chapters that alternate with Salva’s story, Nya, a young Sudanese girl in 2008, talks about daily life, in which she walks eight hours to fetch water for her family.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought the feature that reads it to him which he loved and made it more interesting since they had music and the reader used different voices for each character."
"While I mourned for Salva for the loss of his brothers, his uncle, and his childhood, I rejoiced in his perseverance, his dedication, the friendships, and the love he discovered along his journey."
"I especially liked the juxtaposition of Nya's contemporary story with Salva's past story."
"First of all I didn't realize this was a true story, don't know how I missed it."
"Bought this for my grandson , great price and he needed it for school project."
"I'm reading this aloud to my 5th grade class -- they love it, particularly the more exciting story of the boy who is evading lions, crocodiles, starvation, and soldiers to get to America."
"I read this to my 5th grade class and I’ve never seen a group of upper elementary kids run to the carpet to be read to like this."
"My niece read this for school on my Kindle."
Best Children's European Historical Fiction
But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. Book Description: Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. Fortunately and Thirteen fascinated me in part because, in both books, the very act of turning the pages plays a pivotal role in telling the story. But it wasn’t until I read a book called Edison's Eve: The Quest for Mechanical Life by Gaby Woods that my story began to come into focus. So every time you see Méliès in The Invention of Hugo Cabret , the person you are really looking at is my dear friend Remy Charlip, who continues to inspire everyone who has the great pleasure of knowing him or seeing his work. After I finished this drawing I continued to rewrite, and for various reasons I realized that I needed to move this scene from the camera shop to the French Film Academy, which meant that I had to cut this picture. Here is a true masterpiece—an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.Twelve-year-old orphan Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century, where he tends to the clocks and filches what he needs to survive. Hugo's recently deceased father, a clockmaker, worked in a museum where he discovered an automaton: a human-like figure seated at a desk, pen in hand, as if ready to deliver a message. Selznick hints at the toymaker's hidden identity [...] through impressive use of meticulous charcoal drawings that grow or shrink against black backdrops, in pages-long sequences.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It gives the book a historical feel like you are in a time before color which just enhances the story so much."
"When I first went to buy the book for my Book Club in High School, I was very weary of getting it."
"The reader is provided with details of survival and given an appreciation for the creative genius that intersects with tragic realities of the human experience."
"It took my granddaughter one chapter or so to become totally engrossed in the story."
"My child loved this book and gives it five stars!"
"Much like the film Amadeus, The Invention of Hugo Cabret uses real life historical people to create an exaggerated (if not downright false) interpretive biography. Probably because the textbooks that are issued make people of the past look like complete dimwits when that really isn't the case. So much work went into the dozens and dozens of beautiful pencil illustrations that you'd have to be a complete jerk to not give Selznick at least a little respect for his efforts."
Best Children's American Historical Fiction
The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family. Meet the Ingalls family—Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and baby Carrie, who all live in a cozy log cabin in the big woods of Wisconsin in the 1870s. Though many of their neighbors are wolves and panthers and bears, the woods feel like home, thanks to Ma’s homemade cheese and butter and the joyful sounds of Pa’s fiddle. As Laura Ingalls is growing up in a little house in Kansas, Almanzo Wilder lives on a big farm in New York. When Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and baby Grace join him, they become the first settlers in the town of De Smet. With snow piled as high as the rooftops, it’s impossible for trains to deliver supplies, and the townspeople, including Laura and her family, are starving. Laura spends many hours sewing shirts to help Ma and Pa get enough money to send Mary to a college for the blind. The set includes: Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years. In those same woods, Laura lives with Pa and Ma, and her sisters, Mary and Baby Carrie, in a snug little house built of logs. Little House on the Prairie Pa Ingalls decides to sell the little log house, and the family sets out for Indian country! Farmer Boy While Laura Ingalls grows up in a little house on the western prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. On the Banks of Plum Creek Laura's family's first home in Minnesota is made of sod, but Pa builds a clean new house made of sawed lumber beside Plum Creek. But in the evenings, Laura makes time for a new caller, Almanzo Wilder. And every Friday -- no matter what the weather -- Almanzo Wilder arrives to take Laura home to her family for the weekend. The First Four Years Laura and Almanzo Wilder have just been married!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wouldn't recommend these volumes to those who remember the classic hardcovers with all the quaint drawings from Garth William which are NOT included here."
"We bought this for our granddaughter and look forward to reading them to her as well."
"I bought this copy for my ESL student so that we could read it together."
"I loved the Little House books as a kid and I bought these to read to my kids."
"I volunteer for my local nursing home by reading aloud to the 2 wings of the Alzheimer's care unit."
"Love these books."
"I'm so glad I broke down and bought this set after trying to piece it together one book at a time for a year."
"I bought this set for a Christmas gift for my great niece."