Lindbergh The Tale of a Flying Mouse by Torben Kuhlmann*

The invention of the mousetrap sends mice scurrying to North America via boat.  The main character, little mouse, tries to join them but is thwarted by cats.  The little mouse decides to build a plane to fly across the Atlantic to NYC.  He experiments and perseveres until he is successful.
Two full pages of illustrations make this book one readers will linger over and study.
At the end are a few brief biographies from major forces in aviation (Otto Lilienthal, The Wright Brothers, and Charles Lindbergh).
A longer picture book that will appeal to older readers too
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Mr. Kuhlmann is an amazing artist.

Hummingbird by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Jane Ray*

Lavish, colorful illustrations make this book breathtaking.  I loved the end pages which display a variety of hummingbirds. 
A young girl is visiting her granny in Central America where they feed the hummingbirds.  As the girl flies home to New York City, the hummingbirds begin their own migration.  The reader experiences this incredible journey with the hummingbird, ending up in NYC with the little girl. 
Beautiful figurative language only enhances the narration. 
Smaller text nestled within the illustrations share additional facts about the hummingbird and its migration. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Night Flower by Lara Hawthorne*

This book celebrates the saguaro cactus.
With rhyming text, the author reveals the necessity of this desert beauty and miracle.
My nine year old and I learned about some unique desert animals as we read this book.  The grasshopper mouse sort of freaked us out!
*Highly recommend.
Pair with Cactus Hotel by Brenda Guiberson  and Desert Giant by Barbara Bash.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ocean Meets the Sky by the Fan Brothers

On his deceased grandfather's 90th birthday, Finn remembers the stories his grandfather told abut the magical land where the ocean and sky meet.  In honor of his grandfather, Finn builds a boat and then falls asleep.  As he sleeps he dreams that a huge fish takes him to the place where the ocean meets the sky.
The illustrations are amazing with a variety of perspectives. 
-Borrowed from the library.

The Land of Neverbelieve "explored and documented by Norman Messegner*

The author explains how he came upon an unusual island and what he discovered as he explored it.
Very creative and imaginative! 
*Highly recommend.
-Inter-Lib. Loan (my county does not own it).

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo-Focus on the Family Radio Theatre**

My husband's cousin recently shared what an impact Jean Valjean's story has had on her life.  She convinced me to seek out this classic, specifically Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version. 
The actors/actresses play their characters' roles well and bring the story to life.
This story is now one of my favorites!
Brian Blessed plays the role of Jean Valjean.
169 minutes
**Highly, highly recommend this version.
-Borrowed from the library.

Meet Me at the Well by Jane Yolen and Barbara Diamond Goldin illustrated by Vali Mintzi

Ms. Yolen and Ms. Goldin both have a Jewish heritage.  They focus on amazing women in the Old Testament and tell their stories.  Each featured woman's story is shared plus extra information  from rabbis and historical accounts.  After the Bible narrative, the authors' imagine how the woman may have felt and offer her point of view in a brief first person narrative.  A poem about each woman is also included.
Women featured: Eve, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel/Leah, Miriam (& Jocheved and Zipporah), Deborah/Jael, Hannah, Naomi/Ruth and Esther.
-Borrowed from the library.