Ready-to -Read Level 2 Mouse & Spoon series by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Janna Mattia*

 An adorable series by a beloved author!

Ginger, Piper, & Tom are mice who run a bakery in a little town on Littleton St. Whenever customers request specific orders, the three siblings oblige. At a moment's notice they accomplish incredible feats- baking for 216 rabbit children, pound cakes for an elephant's birthday party, sticky buns for a porcupine's wedding and tarts for owlets who won't sleep. 

Perfect length and repetition for beginning readers who are building fluency, stamina, and confidence.

*Highly recommend.

Coming on May 5,2026-Picnic for Giraffes!

A Gift of Dust by Martha Brockenbrough illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

 Dust is vital to habitats and people all over the world. Starting in Chad, Africa, it travels over the ocean, falls into the ocean, filters down into the Amazon Rainforest, contributing to the vitality of these locations.

Fascinating! 

Consideration: mentions global warming in the author's note

The House in the Mail by Rosemary & Tom Wells illustrated by Dan Andreasen

 Readers will experience through Emily's narration & scrapbook how a mail-order home is built in 1927. It reveals the contrast between a pre-modern way of living to modern.

Very interesting picture book to read when studying this time period.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline*

 Lavishly illustrated, this version of The Snow Queen will capture the reader's imagination and attention. Kai & Gerda are next door neighbors and best friends. When a piece of an evil troll's powerful mirror enters Kai's eye and heart, he transforms into a selfish, mean boy. Out sledding with the other children, he ventures further and attaches himself to the Snow Queen's sled. She keeps him captive. Everyone in the village concludes he has drowned in the river. Meanwhile, Gerda misses her friend and refuses to believe he has died. Bravely she searches the world until she finds him and restores him to former self.

*Higly recommend. I love the detailed, rich illustrations.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lady on a Donkey by Beth Prim Howell*

 As a young lady, Lillian traveled to Atlanta to pursue a job utilizing her ability to draw. When a miscommunication occurs and the job is given to someone else, she follows God's leading to assist a woman at an orphange in North Carolina. Months later she is about to marry a wonderful, godly man. But hearing a presentation about missions, she believes she is being called to be a missionary in Africa. She breaks the engagement and eventually travels to Egypt, with no support from her family (except her sister) or a church. Through complete dependence on the Lord, she starts and runs an orphange (she actually purchases land & builds numerous buildings on it through God's miraculous provision) in Assouit, Egypt. She saves thousands of children!  The church that eventually supports her is Assemblies of God.

I was not always impressed with the author's writing & her ogranization. BUT Lillian's incredible story allowed me to adjust and overlook the writing.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Colors of the Wind by J.L. Powers paintings by George Mendoza drawings by Hayley Morgan-Sanders**

 Purple House Press (where I first read about it) has republished this book. What an amazing story and man! 

At age fifteen, George became legally blind with a rare form of blindness, fundus flavimaculatus. It destroys the person's central vision. Even with his blindness, he pursued running (set world record for the mile by a blind runner-4:28!) and painting. His vision causes him to view explosive colors, which he paints. This book contains his paintings.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL but I ordered it to own I liked it so much!

I just read online that a screenplay is being developed based on his life.

The Redeemed Reader by Janie Cheaney, Betsy Farquhar, Hayley Morell, & Megan Saben*

 This past fall I answered a question Janie Cheaney posted at the end of her email newsletter and won this book! She even signed it. 😉😊

These authors write reviews on their blog, Redeemed Reader. Most of their reviews consist of recently published books. It's the place to visit for parents who cannot keep up with their kids' reading (which is all of us, most likely!). Here is a link to their site: Redeemed Reader

This book discusses how to evaluate books via Truth and Story as the foundation. (Truth-found in God's Word, Story-relates to the human condition & how Christ rescues) Focusing on many challenging and compelling topics, the authors require the reader to contemplate their own heart as they read and form opinions about today's books. Organized in five sections (imagination, classics, contemporary issues, ages/stages/genres, & practical application), the book covers a diverse and interesting range of topics. My thinking & views were challenged and also confirmed.

A thoughtfully written book-much needed for this generation of parents

Book lists at the end of each chapter    A mega list with titles they recommend concludes the book.

*Highly recommend.

-I happily own this book!