T R E A S U R Y 3

Nature Study

A Nature Study Guide
by W. S. Furneaux
An indispensable guide for teachers in the method of nature study that will inform their efforts to bring children in direct contact with things, to cultivate the habit of careful observation and discrimination, to create a living interest in the surroundings, and to encourage independent thought. Includes a full explanation of the benefits of nature study, the way to conduct nature lessons indoors and a full range of seasonal studies outside, as well as the preparation and management of valuable aids to the study of nature, such as the aquarium, the terrarium, the garden, and museum. Strongly recommended as a companion to The Handbook of Nature Study. Ages 12-18

The Spring of the Year
by Dallas Lore Sharp
The excitement of the author is palpable as he recounts his observation of one sign of spring after another. Readers are likely to be infected with his enthusiasm and take on some of the activities suggested in the Things To See, Things To Hear, and Things To Do chapters that are interspersed between accounts of wondrous happenings in spring in the great out of doors. Special emphasis is placed on the rewards to be gained by selecting and coming to know one particular place intimately. Ages 12-15

The Fall of the Year
by Dallas Lore Sharp
Stirring accounts of the author's autumn adventures in the out of doors, interspersed with specific suggestions for tramps afield in the fall of the year providing things to look for and hear and do as the world turns toward winter. Includes six bits of sound advice about going afield at any season that are not to be missed! Ages 12-15

The Living Year
by Richard Headstrom
A month by month account of the pageant of nature that can be observed outside your door, all through the year from snowfall in January to hibernation in December. The highlights of each month are recounted, along with background information about the particular insects, birds, trees, flowers, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, or fish that are featured. Each chapter concludes with a list of natural events to watch for during that month. A great book to read slowly over the course of a year. Ages 12-18

Ways of Wood Folk
by William J. Long
"All crows are alike" a wit once said of politicians, but in fact, to find two crows exactly alike one must approach them blindfolded. Every one of Nature's creatures has its uniqueness, ways of being in the world that are peculiar to it, just as a small boy's smile exactly fits his face and no other. In this work, Long introduces readers to the fox, the merganser, the moose, and more, focusing always on those traits of character and action that are individual to (or constitute a kind of "signature" of) the creature under observation. Warning: Reading may induce a strong urge to go outdoors. Ages 9-12

Countryside Rambles
by W. S. Furneaux
A guidebook to the four seasons, calling attention to many of the more striking objects and phenomena which reveal themselves to the country rambler. The awakening of nature dominates the discussion in Spring. In Summer the focus shifts to the various habitats—woods, hedgerows, wastes, streams, heaths, bogs, marshes, fields, and meadows—and what can be found there. Fruits and seeds and preparation for winter are the main topics in Autumn. The condition of plants, animals, and trees in Winter round out the year. The 171 illustrations depicted in 46 Plates at the beginning of the original book are separated in this edition and inserted as individual illustrations where they are referenced in the text. Ages 12-18

Summer
by Dallas Lore Sharp
While recounting highlights of one of his summer vacations, the author gives hints on how you can make the most of yours. Go with some purpose, he urges, to visit some particular spot, see some bird, find some flower, or catch some fish! If you are short on ideas, chapters on Things to See, Things to Do, and Things to Hear are chock-full of enticing suggestions of what to focus on during your tramps in fields and woods. A clarion call to venture outside in summer with all your senses alert, wherever you go. Ages 12-15

Winter
by Dallas Lore Sharp
At the first snowfall the author urges the reader to head out of doors in search of tracks and the stories they tell. He continues to point out the sounds and sights, the things to do, the places to visit, the how and why, that children may catch the spirit of the season, come to know the wild life of winter, and through that knowledge come to love winter for its own sake. Ages 12-15

The Burgess Flower Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
With the advent of spring, new life stirs in the Green Forest and Peter Rabbit wants to find all the flowers he possibly can. Peter is a great lover of wildflowers, and you will be, too, after following him on his adventures! Whether he's stumbling upon a magnificent bloom, or chasing down a tip from a woodland friend, Peter never ceases to wonder at the beauty of spring. Illustrations and detailed flower descriptions will help you make the same discoveries that delight Peter so much within these pages. Ages 6-9

The First Book of Birds
by Olive Thorne Miller
An engaging introduction to bird-life, calculated to interest children in birds by a colorful account of their habits of eating, sleeping, nesting, and so forth. Illustrative anecdotes, many from personal observation, enliven the narrative, as do suggestions for attracting birds and beginning a study of them. Ages 9-11

Literature

The Age of Fable
by Thomas Bulfinch
A comprehensive collection of Greek and Roman myths, with a sampling from Persia, India, and Scandinavia—stories enjoyable in and of themselves, but also valuable because allusions to them are so common in modern parlance. How the myths are employed by modern writers is demonstrated by the inclusion of one excerpt after another of British poetry in close proximity to the myth that inspired it. Ages 12-18

The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy
by Padraic Colum
Masterful reshaping of the stories of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey into a single narrative by Irish poet Padraic Colum. His simple yet vigorous prose brings the adventures of Odysseus to life for younger readers, especially when paired with attractive illustrations in both color and black and white by Willy Pogany. Ages 10-12

Historical Tales from Shakespeare
by Arthur Quiller-Couch
Eleven of Shakespeare's historical plays retold in narrative form, with emphasis on the characters, making them stories of men's motives and feelings, as well as of the actual events they gave rise to or resulted from. These vivid historical pictures provide readers both the impetus to read the plays themselves and the background to understand them. Ages 11-18

The Chaucer Story Book
by Eva March Tappan
A selection of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales rendered in prose for younger readers. Includes an introductory chapter in which the pilgrims are introduced and the stage is set for the telling of tales, followed by eleven of the tales the pilgrims tell on their journey. Especially recommended for the sense of medieval life it imparts. Ages 9-12

Tales of Troy and Greece
by Andrew Lang
The stories of Ancient Greece, its heroes and its gods have captivated us for millennia. Andrew Lang's vivid retelling in this collection of some of the most famous of those tales is a perfect introduction for younger readers. Here, they will learn of the heroic deeds of Achilles and Ulysses, Theseus and Perseus—stories that will inspire and amaze, no matter the age. Ages 10-12

The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived before Achilles
by Padraic Colum
A lively account of the story of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece, beginning with the construction of the Argo and the gathering of the heroes. Further adventures of many of the Argonauts are also recounted, including Theseus and the Minotaur, and Heracles and His Labors. A book sure to delight younger readers! Ages 10-12

The Champions of the Round Table
by Howard Pyle
About the Round Table of King Arthur, the noblest knights in all Christendom were gathered. Having told of some of their gallant deeds in The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, Pyle proceeds, within the present work, to relate adventures that befell Sir Tristram, Sir Percival, and that wonderfully brave-hearted warrior, Sir Lancelot of the Lake. The ringing words and lavish illustrations of this book may prove a means by which Arthur's champions pitch a permanent encampment in the reader's imagination. Ages 11-14

Geography & Government

Home Geography
by C. C. Long
A series of short lessons on geography designed to awaken and stimulate children's interest in that small part of the earth's surface lying just at their doors. In lesson after lesson children are directed to make their own observations and think about what they have seen, the idea being that from the geographical forms they observe near their homes, they will create mental images, that will help them imagine similar forms which are distant and unknown. Ages 7-9

Conversations on Government
by Jane Marcet
After Willy, with a sixpence allowance, gets into debt at boarding school, he makes a chance remark to his mother when he is home on holiday that he wished he had as much money as the king so he could buy whatever he wanted. That leads his mother to launch into a conversation with him about the king's finances. On subsequent days Willy's questions prompt all sorts of interesting discussions on topics such as government, despotism, republics, and slavery that even a seven year old can understand. Ages 7-10

Nursery Rhymes and Poetry

A Book of Nursery Rhymes
by Francis D. Bedford
A collection of familiar nursery rhymes, accompanied by lovely illustrations. Bedford's book is both a wonderful introduction to these classic rhymes for young readers, and a visual feast, sure to delight young and old alike. Ages 4-6

Ring o' Roses
by L. Leslie Brooke
An illustrated collection of Mother Goose rhymes including such favorites as Humpty Dumpty and Baa, Baa Black Sheep. Lyrical, spritely, and more than a little whimsical, these timeless rhymes will brighten any child's day. Brooke's classic full-color illustrations are not to be missed. A book to treasure. Ages 4-6

The Farmer's Boy
by Randolph Caldecott
In this lovely children's book, The Farmer's Boy (for the edification of a pretty lass) lists the various animals he has tended and their characteristic sounds. Beginning with horses, he names his charges one by one, not neglecting, each time a new creature appears, to go back over all its predecessors, mimicking their quacks, grunts, baas, et cetera. The chorus of noises grows quite rapidly, in a manner that (paired with the quiet contentment of Caldecott's illustrations) will bring a smile to any reader's face. A book to return to again and again. Ages 4-7

The House That Jack Built
by Randolph Caldecott
The classic rhyme about the many inhabitants of "The House That Jack Built", complemented by Randoph Caldecott's fine illustrations. Working in both pen-and-ink and color, Caldecott fills out the words of the rhyme with a loving attention to detail that will captivate even the most reluctant reader. A must-see, at any age. Ages 4-7

The Tale of Tom Kitten
by Beatrix Potter
Here we have a tale of three little kittens—Mittens, Tom Kitten and Moppet—whom their mother, Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, dresses in fine—but very stiff!—clothing, as she is expecting guests for tea. So they won't be underfoot while she is making toast, Mrs. Tabitha sends her offspring outside, where the combination of earth, kittens, and newly washed-frocks leads to several. . .adventures. Tom Kitten's bright eyes will likely remain fresh in the reader's mind a good while after the book has closed. Ages 4-7

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher
by Beatrix Potter
Mr. Jeremy Fisher lives in a little house among the buttercups on the edge of a pond. His rooms are all quite damp, and there are puddles in the passageways, which many people would find unpleasant, but since Mr. Fisher is a frog, he loves it! One day, seeing a drizzle out his window, he decides to try his luck at a bit of quiet fishing, hoping to catch some minnows to share with his friends. His excursion, however, is . . . rather more eventful than he'd anticipated. Simple words and heartwarming illustrations take readers into Mr. Fisher's watery world, and bring them home thoughtful, and richer for the visit. Ages 4-7

THE HORACE MANN READERS: New Primer
by Walter L. Hervey
A delightful collection of stories and rhymes for the beginning reader with fetching pictures on most every page. Familiar cumulative tales are presented in new dress with the characters Billy Boy, Nellie Gray, and Peter Pup appearing in one tale after another, providing a continuity lacking in many primers. Short rhymes that pop up at natural places in the narrative between the longer tales furnish a pleasant change of pace. Ages 5-7

The Pelican Chorus and Other Nonsense Verses
by Edward Lear
A selection of wonderful nonsense verses from a master of the genre. Lear is, as always, a joy to read, telling playful tales of walking tables and chairs, tophat-wearing sparrows, a Crumpetty Tree, and an overconfident pobble, among others. Leslie Brooke's marvelous illustrations only add to the magic of the verse. Strongly recommended for ages 6 to 96! Ages 6-96

The Jumblies and Other Nonsense Verses
by Edward Lear
Take a journey into nonsense-land, where the Jumblies sail off in sieve, a pig serves as a parson, and an elderly gentleman's wardrobe can get . . . mighty strange (hint: a coat made of pancakes is involved). Lear's delightfully zany verse, and Leslie Brooke's cheery illustrations are likely to light sizable twinkles in one's eyes. Note (from experience): readers should not be surprised if they find themselves wandering the house murmuring favorite lines under their breath. Ages 6-96

A Child's Garden of Verses
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson makes an ideal companion for children, and in this joyous collection of poems (accompanied here by Jesse Willcox Smith's richly-textured illustrations) he participates in the excursions of childhood, with enormous zest. From bed in the summertime, to fires in the fall, from homemade boats to high hay-carts, he sees smells and hears all. One of the little people (but with a great mustache), Stevenson's marvelous. Read him. You won't regret the choice. Ages 5-8

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
by Beatrix Potter
This a story of squirrels—and an owl. Squirrel Nutkin and his family live on the shores of a lake, in which lies an island covered in nut-bushes. While his cousins bring gifts to propitiate Old Brown (the owl who lives on the island), Nutkin sings, dances, asks riddles, and generally makes an owl-pestering nuisance of himself. His antics (and their eventual result) come wonderfully alive in this book. On par with the best of Peter Rabbit. Ages 4-7

Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes
by Beatrix Potter
This genial book of original nursery rhymes opens tiny windows on the lives of certain animal inhabitants of the house, garden and woods. In these pages readers will meet the luminous eyes of Appley Dapply, find Mr. Pricklepin seated by his ash-stump (as always, radiant with good cheer), and puzzle over a mysterious visitor bearing carrots. Potter's illustrations add life to her rhymes with characteristically gentle touches. A wonderful companion on a rainy day. Ages 4-7

A Roundabout Turn
by Robert H. Charles
A heartwarming tale of a restless toad who longs to see what the world is like beyond the confines of his little heath. However, when the world comes to meet him, he is in for quite a few surprises! Marvelous illustrations, rollicking verse, and the eminently lovable person of the toad himself combine to make this a true gem of a book. Highly recommended. Ages 7-10

Johnny Crow's Garden
by L. Leslie Brooke
This playful nursery rhyme about a large collection of animals gathering for a garden party, will enchant readers of all ages. Every line of verse comes paired with a beautiful illustration, often in full color. Not only is this a wonderful book for children, it is a true work of art. Ages 5-8

Science

Our Humble Helpers
by Jean Henri Fabre
Through conversations with his three young nephews, Uncle Paul shares fascinating details about the very animals on which we depend, including the cock and the hen, the horse, the pig, the cow, the sheep, the cat, the dog, the duck, the pigeon, and the turkey. He frequently calls on experiences of his own or historical anecdotes to illustrate his points. An engaging read for all ages. Strongly recommended Ages 9-12

The Family of the Sun
by Edward S. Holden
A sequel to Earth and Sky, dealing descriptively with the planets that orbit the sun—their appearances in the telescope, and the deductions that can be drawn from these appearances. All the planets are described in turn, their resemblances and differences brought out, and their relationships explained. Above all, the child is encouraged to observe phenomena for himself, becoming familiar with the phases of the moon and making a model of the solar system, using common objects ranging in size from a mustard seed to an orange. Ages 9-12

The Spark of Life
by Margaret Warner Morley
While Molly and Johnny are gardening or puttering around the yard, they wonder again and again how new life arises. The questions they ask lead to lively conversations with their parents about the manner of reproduction of a variety of plants and animals, beginning with flowers and vegetables, then moving through butterflies, fish, and birds before ending with kittens. In a gentle way lays the foundation for a subsequent discussion of human reproduction. Ages 8-10

Star Stories for Little Folks
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Join Helen as she learns 15 constellations over a year of monthly observations from one November to the following October. Starting with the Big Dipper and Little Dipper, each subsequent constellation is introduced by relating its position to ones that have been seen before, so that by the end of the year, all of the prominent constellations will be old friends. Ages 7-9

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Along the Way
by Lisa M. Ripperton
The second of two fairy tale anthologies for 5 year olds, each containing 36 stories specially selected for their literary merit, ethical soundness, and child appeal. Includes many well-known nursery tales, as well as a number of less familiar stories from a variety of sources. Attractive illustrations, many in color, accompany most of the tales. Ages 4-5

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Beneath the Tower
by Lisa M. Ripperton
The second of two fairy tale anthologies for 7 year olds, each containing 36 stories specially chosen to appeal to this age. Five tales in this volume come from Andersen, five from Pyle's The Wonder Clock, and three from the Norse, with the remaining selected from 19 different books, representing German, Irish, Czech, Finnish, Italian, and Russian traditions. Numerous illustrations, some in color, enliven many of the tales. Ages 7-9

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Upon the Rock
by Lisa M. Ripperton
The second of two fairy tale anthologies for 9 year olds, containing stories specially chosen to appeal to this age. Two complete books are included in this volume: Mulock's The Little Lame Prince and Dunbar's Sons o' Cormac. Almost all the other selections are literary fairy tales as well, including four from Kipling's Just So Stories and three from Browne's Granny's Wonderful Chair. Seven different books are the source for the rest of the tales. Numerous illustrations, some in color, accompany many of the selections. Ages 9-11

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Up the Stairs
by Lisa M. Ripperton
The second of two fairy tale anthologies for 6 year olds, each containing 36 stories specially chosen to appeal to this age. Four tales in this volume come from Uncle Remus and three from Kipling's Just So Stories, with the remaining selected from 24 different books, representing the Norse, German, English, Czech, and Japanese traditions. Numerous illustrations, some in color, accompany many of the tales. Ages 6-8

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship
by Lisa M. Ripperton
The second of two fairy tale anthologies for 8 year olds, each containing 36 stories specially chosen to appeal to this age. Three selections in this volume come from Andersen, five from Grimm, three from Ewing's Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales, and three from Pyle's Wonder Clock, with the remaining selected from 17 different books, representing the Norse, English, Czech, Finnish, Russian, and Swedish traditions. Numerous illustrations, some in color, add interest to many of the tales. Ages 8-10

Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Out of the Cave
by Lisa M. Ripperton
The second of two fairy tale anthologies for 10 year olds, containing stories specially chosen to appeal to this age. Three complete books are included in this volume: Thackeray's The Rose and the Ring, Lang's Prince Prigio, and Fouque's Undine. Almost all the other selections are literary fairy tales as well, including The Reluctant Dragon and individual stories from Nesbit, Stockton, de Morgan, and Hauff. Numerous illustrations, some in color, accompany many of the selections. Ages 10-12

History

A History of France
by H. E. Marshall
Starting with the triumph of the Gauls over Rome nearly four centuries before Christ, and continuing up to the successful establishment of the Third Republic, the author of Our Island Story guides readers through France's complex past by means of numerous colorful stories. Marshall's words are simple and well-measured, providing a good place to begin reading and thinking about the subject of French history. Ages 9-12

Grandfather's Chair
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
When the children beg Grandfather for a story about his chair, he obliges by telling them not just one, but a whole series of stories about it. For Grandfather's Chair, built in England of sturdy oak with back curiously carved and topped with the likeness of a lion's head, traveled by ship to New England shores, and thereafter trudges diligently from one scene to another, seeming always to thrust itself in the way, whenever an historical personage happens to be looking around for a seat. As Grandfather recounts the history of the chair from its arrival through Revolutionary times, he shares stories of early American history in a way his listeners are sure to remember. Ages 10-12

The Story of Liberty
by James Baldwin
What is liberty as exemplified in American institutions? Where and how did it originate? Through what struggles and triumphs has it advanced? It is in order to answer these questions that the author presents these brief sketches, supplemented by extracts and selections, so the reader can have a panoramic view of the beginnings and growth of political liberty among English-speaking peoples. Ages 10-12

Four American Pioneers
by Frances M. Perry
Four compact biographies of American pioneers. These depictions of Daniel Boone's settling of Kentucky, Colonel George Rodgers Clarke's battles with the British during the Revolution, Davy Crockett's defense of the Alamo, and Kit Carson's exploration of Oregon, California and other portions of the West) can serve as a starting point for the study of the United States' Westward expansion. Ages 10-12

Four American Explorers
by Nellie F. Kingsley
Four brief biographies which relate the exploits of some of 19th century America's principal adventurers. Guided by Kingsley's vivid prose, readers go along for the journey as Lewis and Clark explore the vast tracts of the Louisiana Purchase, John Fremont ventures into Oregon and California, and Elisha Kent Kane pushes north toward the Pole. Full of brave deeds in the face of daunting odds, this book will leave even a restless child hungry for another chapter. Ages 10-12

The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc
by Viola Ruth Lowe
Engaging account of the life and death of the peasant girl of Domremy, who at a young age was called to the aid of France, becoming a warrior-maid and martyr. Many beautiful color illustrations by the author bring the story to life. Ages 10-12

Marco Polo
by George Makepeace Towle
Readers of this well-crafted narrative will follow Marco Polo from his Venetian home, across the entire continent of Asia to the court of Kublai Khan, and in his various adventures and journeys while in the far-off Orient, with eager curiosity and ever-deepening interest. The central figure of the story is heroic, for Marco Polo was in all things manly, brave, persevering, intelligent, and chivalrous; and the scenes and incidents in which he was the leading actor were in the highest degree thrilling and dramatic. Ages 11-14

Stories of American Life and Adventure
by Edward Eggleston
An interesting collection of historical anecdotes sure to captivate the younger reader—stories of Indian life, frontier peril and escape, of adventures with the pirates and kidnappers of Colonial times, of daring Revolutionary feats, of dangerous whaling voyages, and of the scientific exploration of our continent. With them are intermingled sketches of the homes, the food and drink, the birds and animals, the schools, and the children's plays of olden times. Ages 7-9

Lafayette
by Alma Holman Burton
A biography of the Marquis de Lafayette, a general who fought in both the American and French Revolutions. Burton sketches the life of this 'friend of liberty' in a pithy and engaging style, providing an excellent introduction to a fascinating man. Young students of the Revolutionary era stand to gain a great deal from this inspiring story. Ages 10-12

On the Trail of Grant and Lee
by Frederick Trevor Hill
Follow the strangely interwoven trails of Grant and Lee, Civil War generals on opposing sides, as they are recounted in this book. Both were Americans, and widely as they differed in opinions, tastes and sympathies, each exhibited qualities of mind and character which should appeal to all their fellow countrymen and make them proud of the land that gave them birth. Neither man, in his life, posed before the public as a hero, and the writer makes no attempt to place either of them on a pedestal. Theirs is a very human story, requiring neither color nor concealment, but illustrating a high development of those traits that make for manhood and national greatness. Ages 10-14

Animal Stories

The Adventures of Prickly Porky
by Thornton W. Burgess
Another stranger comes to live in the Green Forest, and while its inhabitants aren't sure what to make of him at first, Prickly Porky quickly earns his place, thanks to a run-in with Farmer Brown's dog, Buster. Meanwhile something dreadful is moving in the shadow of the trees: an odd creature without hands, legs, or tail, has entered the Forest, causing no end of upset. Follow Prickly and his friends as they investigate the mystery and meet with several surprises along the way. Ages 5-8

The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver
by Thornton W. Burgess
Paddy the Beaver is simply the hardest worker in all the Green Forest! All the animals come to watch him as he builds his dam, but Paddy just pays them no mind and continues with his work. Of course, such hard work has a way of changing the look of things around the Green Forest and the Smiling Pool, much to the surprise of Farmer Brown's boy. It seems everyone has a thing or two to discover about the ways of Paddy the Beaver! Then again, when Old Man Coyote comes looking for him, Paddy finds that he has things to learn as well and that the other animals are perhaps much better friends than he first realized. Ages 5-8

The Adventures of Bobby Coon
by Thornton W. Burgess
Bobby Coon suffers a rude awakening as well as a broken leg when Farmer Brown chops down the hollow tree where he has been hibernating. Farmer Brown's boy cares for Bobby while his leg is mending, then releases him by the stump of the old tree. Bounding away, Bobby encounters one adventure after another on his way to finding a new home in the Green Forest. Ages 5-8

The Adventures of Bob White
by Thornton W. Burgess
When Mr. and Mrs. Bob White come down from the Old Pasture to live beside Peter Rabbit in the Briar Patch, they attract the unwanted attention of some of the predators, like Old Reddy Fox. Through care and cunning, the Bob Whites raise their family of fifteen baby quail and prove to be very welcome neighbors indeed to Farmer Brown and his son. Ages 5-8

The Adventures of Old Man Coyote
by Thornton W. Burgess
The residents of the Green Forest are alarmed one day when they hear a strange voice in the woods. It does little to lessen their fear when they discover that the voice belongs to a newcomer—Old Man Coyote. Nearly all the animals are terrified at the prospect of being eaten by Old Man Coyote! Only Reddy and Granny Fox put aside their fear of the newcomer, and set about figuring out some way to outsmart him. But Old Man Coyote is quite a trickster himself. Will Granny Fox and Reddy find a way to outfox him? Ages 5-8

The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack
by Thornton W. Burgess
Separated from her mate during their hazardous northward migration, Mrs. Quack makes her way to the Smiling Pool where she is befriended by Peter Rabbit. With help from Peter and Sammy Jay, she finds her mate and together they set up housekeeping by the Laughing Brook. Ages 6-8

The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk
by Thornton W. Burgess
Peter Rabbit and Jimmy Skunk are two of the biggest pranksters in the Green Forest. But when Peter Rabbit plays a prank that goes awry, everyone gets a lesson in why Jimmy Skunk is better left alone! As Peter Rabbit, Reddy Fox and Unc' Billy Possum all learn, Jimmy Skunk can be a temperamental beast, and one can get into a good bit of trouble by crossing him. Ages 5-8

The Adventures of Ol' Mistah Buzzard
by Thornton W. Burgess
There is a great disturbance in the Green Meadow when a mysterious shadow goes soaring overhead. It's not an animal that anyone knows! Fortunately, the new guest, Ol' Mistah Buzzard, is friendly enough, and he has enjoyable stories to tell that he shares with the usual residents of the forest and meadow. Unlike any of the others around, Ol' Mistah Buzzard is a strange bird, indeed! Ages 5-8

Art and Music

Knights of Art
by Amy Steedman
Delightful stories of eighteen of the artists of the Italian Renaissance, including Giotto, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Titian. The tales are drawn from The Lives of the Painters by Giorgio Vasari, and retold in engaging prose for children, so that their eyes might grow wise, having learned something about these great artists and their wonderful pictures. Numerous illustrations are included. Ages 10-12

Mozart's Youth
by George P. Upton
Mozart was a musical virtuoso from an early age, and went on to become one of the most prolific and most famous Western European composers. This short biography, written in a pleasant narrative style, tells the story of his early life as part of a large family and the almost accidental discovery of his prodigious talent. Ages 8-12

Johann Sebastian Bach
by George P. Upton
George Upton's brief biography of one of the greatest classical composers of all time is written in an engaging narrative style, making it read more like a historical novel than a dry biographical text. The highlights of Bach's life and career are all here, making this a wonderful introduction for any student of music or western culture. Bach's music is wonderful on its own, but one's appreciation of it can only be enriched by gaining a sense of the character of the man who wrote it. Ages 8-12

Joseph Haydn
by George P. Upton
Joseph Haydn, a mischievous and jovial child, began his famed musical career as a choir boy, but went on to become the "Father of Instrumental Music," paving the way for other great composers such as Bach and Beethoven. This fascinating and informative biography tells the story of his life from youth to death, tracing the career of one of Europe's most important composers. For any student or music or of the history of Europe, the story of Haydn's life is a crucial one. Ages 8-12

Story Collections

The Boy Apprenticed to an Enchanter
by Padraic Colum
An epic story of intrigue and adventure, this book is written by one of the most acclaimed Irish storytellers of all time. Eaen, a humble fisherman's son, must set out to vanquish the evil Zabulun. He is aided in his quest by Merlin the Magician, Bird-of-Gold, and the King's horses. His journey takes him far, to the Tower of Babylon and to the Isle of the White Tower. Children are sure to be drawn in by this powerful, magical tale. Ages 10-12

The Sons o' Cormac
by Aldis Dunbar
Vividly told stories of kingdoms lost and kingdoms won by Cormac of the magical green jerkin and his three sons, by a masterful storyteller in the Gaelic tradition whose language conjures up the hearth-side of long ago with its tales of happenings in a world filled with Kings, Princesses, and Champions. In his introduction to the book, Padraic Colum says of Dunbar, "Here is a writer who has not merely entered into, but who has possession of, a real vein in story-telling." Ages 9-12

The Rose and the Ring
by William Makepeace Thackeray
A fireside pantomime for children great and small, who delight at the twists the plot takes when the rose and the ring change hands, for whoever has either one becomes charming in the eyes of any beholder. Prince Giglio, Betsinda, Gruffanuff, and Bulbo all have their affections turned multiple times in the course of the story. Illustrations by the author are not to be missed! The couplets at the head of each chapter in the book are here combined into a single poem at the end. Ages 9-11

Kristy's Christmas Surprise
by Olive Thorne Miller
When illness keeps Kristy at Grandma's for Christmas, she comes up with a most ingenious way to keep the holiday. She invites neighbors and relatives to a Christmas Eve gathering, announcing only after they arrive that they are all to tell a story of the oddest, most miserable, or most agreeable Christmas they ever spent. There follow 14 heartwarming tales that will call forth tears, dismay, laughter, and surprise. A fine collection of stories for family reading that embody the true spirit of Christmas. Ages 7-10

Hauff's Fairy Tales
by Wilhelm Hauff
A collection of the best of Hauff's fairy tales selected from the three books of fairy tales he published just before his untimely death at age 24. Though writing at the same time as the Brothers Grimm, he did not collect his stories; rather he composed them using various sources in his grandfather's library. Some of the stories are set in his native Germany, but most have an Oriental setting. A fine storyteller, Hauff holds the attention of his readers with his carefully crafted plots, alternating action with dialogue to build suspense. Ages 10-14

The Joyous Travelers
by Maud Lindsay
One May day in an inn on the King's Highway, a number of travelers meet, and discovering that they are going in the same direction, they decide to continue the journey together. A Squire and his little son are among the party, and to amuse the boy, it is agreed each time they stop to rest, one of their number will tell a tale. And marvelous tales they tell! Mysterious smiths, royal riddles, wishing wells and ancient harpers chase one another through these pages, stirring the heart, and lingering in the imagination long after the last story reaches its end. Highly recommended. Ages 10-12

The Joyous Guests
by Maud Lindsay
It is Christmastime in England, and laughter fills the great hall where the Squire's guests have gathered to commence their holiday festivities. No sooner has the Yule Log been heaved onto the fire, then the Squire's little son asks for a tale, and in the blink of an eye the reader is transported to a realm of enchantment, where a dog can rule as king, a clever tailor saves a kingdom, and apples given as gifts may lead to strange turns of fortune. Writing in both prose and verse, Lindsay guides readers alternately through the world of stories, and the equally lovely world of a medieval Christmas, with deep love, and a clarity of vision not quickly forgotten. Ages 10-12

The Choosing Book
by Maud Lindsay
A contest of tales between two storytellers—Tintil, the rover who spins magical yarns about the Enchanted Wood, and Dicomill, a stay-at-home who tells stories that might have happened anywhere in the Border Land. They take turns telling tales to the children, and WHICH is the better? Well, YOU be the judge! Ages 6-8

Undine
by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué
Romantic tale of the knight Huldbrand, who ventured alone into a haunted forest, there meeting and falling in love with a mysterious young woman, not knowing her true nature, whereupon tragic events ensue. Many of the characters in the narrative are full of interest, including the malicious Kuhleborn, the quaint old fisherman and his dame, good Father Heilmann, the worldly Bertalda, and the gallant but fickle Huldbrand, but most beautiful and lovely in her supernatural form of watersprite, and afterwards in the suffering wife when she had found a soul, is Undine. Few characters in romance have surpassed her in grace, refinement, and poetical beauty. A tale that has inspired many others, possibly even Andersen's The Little Mermaid. The exquisite illustrations by Arthur Rackham that accompany this text are not to be missed! Ages 10-14

Bible Commentaries

Seven volumes in The Bible for School and Home series (St. Mark is NOT included), intended for parents and teachers to use in preparing Bible lessons for the children in their charge. Each of the volumes contains two dozen or more lessons, preceded by the same lengthy introduction to sound teaching practices, a section which is well worth reading. For each lesson, Smyth specifies the Biblical passages to cover, then provides background information you can incorporate in your telling of the story to gain the interest of your children, carefully framed questions you can use to draw their attention to the main points, and ways you might direct the conversation to stir their affections and their actions.

The Book of Genesis
by J. Paterson Smyth
This first volume in The Bible for School and Home series covers the Creation, the Fall, the Flood, the call of Abraham, and the story of Joseph, with Smyth showing at every turn how the individual stories fit into God's overall plan. Ages 14-18

Moses and the Exodus
by J. Paterson Smyth
This second volume in The Bible for School and Home series follows Moses from his infancy all the way to his passing, through the special training he received that prepared him to become the deliverer, leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and guiding them as they wandered in the wilderness. Ages 14-18

Joshua and the Judges
by J. Paterson Smyth
This third volume in The Bible for School and Home series is divided into two parts, the first chronicling the conquest of West Palestine under Joshua and the subsequent allotment of lands, and the second dealing with the Book of Judges where one story after another recounts instances of Sinning and Punishment, Repenting and Deliverance. Ages 14-18

Prophets and Kings
by J. Paterson Smyth
In this fourth volume in The Bible for School and Home series, Smyth handles the prophets TOGETHER WITH their kings, rather than discussing the kings first followed by the prophets according to the order they appear in the Bible. He treats the whole subject in bold, broad outline, exciting interest in this era through a series of biographies. Ages 14-18

When the Christ Came—The Highlands of Galilee
by J. Paterson Smyth
This fifth volume in The Bible for School and Home series begins with the long-awaited birth of Jesus, then considers the significance of His visit to the Temple, and His Baptism and Temptation. With the calling of the disciples, we move to the primary focus of this volume: His public ministry in Galilee. Some of the highlights include the discussions about the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, and the Parable of the Sower. Ages 14-18

When the Christ Came—The Road to Jerusalem
by J. Paterson Smyth
In this sixth volume in The Bible for School and Home series, the scene shifts to Jerusalem where Jesus is going to die. Knowing His time is limited, Jesus packs these last days full of powerful teachings, including the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, the Ten Virgins, and the Talents. All of these are well covered in this commentary, as are the moving scenes from Holy Week leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Ages 14-18

St. Matthew
by J. Paterson Smyth
With this seventh volume in The Bible for School and Home series, the focus is on Christ's great enthusiasm, which was the founding on earth of what he called THE KINGDOM OF GOD, as described in the Gospel of St. Matthew. More of Christ's teachings are considered, and some of the ones treated in earlier volumes, are revisited in this commentary in the context of THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Ages 14-18

Stories of Everyday Doings

The Swiss Twins
by Lucy Fitch Perkins
With Father and Fritz going to the high alps all summer to make cheese, responsibility for the family goats falls on Seppi and Leneli, the ten year old twins. They had never even been to the goat pasture in the alps before, but after three days of tagging along while older brother Fritz drove the goats to their pasture in the alps in the morning and led them home at night, they would be on their own. On their first day they had just settled the goats in their pasture, when a fierce storm broke. Gathering the goats to them, they looked on in dismay as the storm triggered an avalanche which blocked their homeward path. How they eventually manage to get home with the goats is a story you won't want to miss! Ages 7-9

About Harriet
by Clara Whitehill Hunt
Join four year old Harriet as she explores the world in and about her apartment home in New York City a century ago. What wonders she experiences in the course of a week as she bakes cookies on Friday, rides the trolley to the beach on Saturday, goes to church on Sunday, enjoys a neighborly tea party on Monday, buys groceries on Tuesday, shops on Wednesday, and visits the library on Thursday, all in the company of a loving family. It is a joy to read about the activities of a child whose mind has been richly furnished by many storybook experiences and whose senses are so alive that she eagerly anticipates the coming of each new day. Ages 4-6

When Molly Was Six
by Eliza Orne White
Twelve chapters full of action relate month-by-month happenings to busy little Molly as she is six going on seven. Whether making valentines in February or hosting kittens in September, Molly finds that every month has its own attraction. A lovely book to read over the course of a year to a little girl who is already six, or soon to be! Ages 5-7

The Seasons: Spring
by Jane Marcet
Willy and his mother observe the trees closely as they begin to bud and bloom. As he is almost four, Willy still has a lot to learn about the world. In this volume of the The Seasons, his mother teaches him about animals and plants, buds and blossoms. In addition, she shows him how to water a plant and read a weathercock, while also helping him understand how a bellows works, why days grow longer in the summer, and why objects look smaller when they are distant than when they are close. Join Willy as he learns to trundle a hoop with his friend, Harry, and explore the spring season with his mother as guide. Ages 5-8

The Seasons: Summer
by Jane Marcet
Summer has arrived and Willy's family prepares to leave for Ash Grove. As Willy greets each day with curiosity and wonder, he finds out how much there is to learn! Guided by his patient and articulate mother, Willy learns many lessons about God's goodness, about nature's complexity, and about the practical skills required in everyday life. Join him for wonderful days in the garden, haymaking festivities, and illuminating encounters with the people who live nearby. Ages 5-8

Outdoor Secrets
by Margaret P. Boyle
A wonderfully imaginative exploration of the natural world, conveyed through a series of stories. Whether they are meeting the Apple Tree in spring, learning about Mr. Worm's odd dining habits, or watching a small Goldenrod seed break through rocky earth, readers will find much to engage them in every one of these tales. Ideal reading for any season. Ages 6-8

Poetry

The Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 1
by Arthur Quiller-Couch
The Oxford Book of English Verse brings together the best poetry in English. Part 1 offers the reader a surprisingly impartial cross section of British poetry from the 13th to the 16th centuries, including madrigals, ballads, devotional works, and much more. From the ornate language of Edmund Spenser to wild and vigorous lines by Scottish poets such as Robert Henryson and William Dunbar, readers are likely to find words here that sing the workaday mind to sleep, and open their heart's eyes on new countries. Ages 12-18

The Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 2
by Arthur Quiller-Couch
This second part of The Oxford Book of English Verse introduces the reader to Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and the writers of the generation that followed. Especially noteworthy are the riches of the Bard himself, the bluff certainties of Ben Jonson, Robert Herrick's lyricism, and the contrasting devotional poems of John Donne and George Herbert, though golden lines are plentiful throughout this work. Readers may quite possibly discover that this is their favorite period in English poetry, as many others have before them. Ages 12-18

The Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3
by Arthur Quiller-Couch
This third part of The Oxford Book of English Verse guides the reader through the poetic work of one of the more tumultuous periods in English history. The ringing words of Milton, the delicacy of Andrew Marvell, the straightforwardness of Bunyan, and the wit of Pope and Johnson (among others) call on readers to open their ears and eyes. An enlivening read at any time, but even more so when one recites some of the poems aloud out-of-doors! Ages 12-18

The Courtship of Miles Standish
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A tale in verse concerning the early days of the Plymouth Colony, and its captain Miles Standish. His wife has recently died, and Standish desires to marry again, so he asks his friend John Alden to court for him the loveliest maiden of Plymouth—whose name is Priscilla. An unwelcome task for Alden, who has long loved Priscilla from afar! But he puts aside his qualms, and resolves to act as advocate for his friend—with results neither he nor Standish could foresee. A classic poem, joined to evocative illustrations, this work makes an excellent first introduction to the Pilgrims. Ages 10-14

Math

Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics, Book 1, Part 1
by Strayer and Upton
The first 152 pages of the first book in the popular Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics three-book series. The whole of Book 1 includes lessons for grades 3 and 4. This part of Book 1 includes lessons for the first 5 months of a third grade year. Topics include Addition, Subtraction, Counting Money, Using a Calendar, Measuring Height, Buying and Selling, and Simple Fractions. Answers are included in a separate section at the back. Ages 10-12

Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics, Book 1, Part 2
by Strayer and Upton
Pages 153 to 256 of the first book in the popular Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics three-book series. The whole of Book 1 includes lessons for grades 3 and 4. This part of Book 1 includes lessons for the last 4 months of a third grade year. Topics include More Addition and Subtraction, Roman Numerals, Multiplication, Short Division, More about the Calendar, Magic Squares, and Measuring Weight. Answers are included in a separate section at the back. Ages 10-12

Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics, Book 1, Part 3
by Strayer and Upton
Pages 257 to 370 of the first book in the popular Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics three-book series. The whole of Book 1 includes lessons for grades 3 and 4. This part of Book 1 includes lessons for the first half of a fourth grade year. Topics include More Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division, Averages, Two-Step Problems, and Measuring Time. Answers are included in a separate section at the back. Ages 10-12

Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics, Book 1, Part 4
by Strayer and Upton
Pages 371 to 496 of the first book in the popular Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics three-book series. The whole of Book 1 includes lessons for grades 3 and 4. This part of Book 1 includes lessons for the second half of a fourth grade year. Topics include Measuring Temperature, Fractional Parts, Mixed Numbers, Adding and Subtracting Fractions, and Measuring Area. Answers are included in a separate section at the back. Ages 10-12

Fiction

Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
Heartwarming story, set in New England of the 1860's, of the four strikingly different March girls: Meg, the sensible homemaker; Jo, the literary genius with impulsive ways, a warm heart, and a fiery temper; Beth, the music lover presiding as the gentle angel of the hearth-side; and Amy, the artistic one, adored by all. The Marches are a family like no other, living through all sorts of everyday experiences in a delightful way, each of the girls working out her destiny in turn. This wonderful picture of wholesome home life has deservedly been beloved for generations. Ages 11-14

Little Men
by Louisa May Alcott
After inheriting a big old house, Jo joins forces with her professor husband to open Plumfield as a school for boys. And not just any boys, but those who don't fit in elsewhere. Like Jo herself, her school was anything but conventional. All manner of jovial games were allowed under the once decorous roof of Plumfield, but the lads had learned that liberty must not be abused. So, in spite of many dark predictions, the school flourished, and manners and morals were insinuated, without the pupils exactly knowing how it was done. The story revolves around the challenges some new boys present and how they are resolved to everyone's satisfaction. Ages 11-14

Jack and Jill
by Louisa May Alcott
A sledding accident sends friends Jack and Jill to bed for months, one with a broken leg, the other with an injured back. After a short period of self-pity, they decide to make the most of their convalescence. And so with the help of their friends and their mothers, they find all sorts of imaginative ways to keep themselves amused. Ages 10-12

Kim
by Rudyard Kipling
Kim, a street-waif from Lahore, half-Irish, half-native, strongly self-reliant and uncannily shrewd, attaches himself to a wandering lama, and together the two journey through fruitful India, each on his own quest. A continually changing view of India's kaleidoscope of life. Considered by many to be Kipling's best work. Ages 12-18

Captains Courageous
by Rudyard Kipling
A millionaire's pampered son, swept off a liner on the Grand Banks, is picked up by a crew of Gloucester fisherman and forced to live and work with them for months, thereby learning from these gruff but kindly men valuable lessons in manly conduct. An excellent story of character development as well as a vivid sketch of the life of the New England fishermen. Ages 10-12

The Call of the Wild
by Jack London
A magnificent dog, stolen from a comfortable home for use as a husky in the Klondike, develops, through his varied life on the team and among men, a remarkable sense of responsibility and an unbounded capacity for love and hate. Upon the death of his master, his only friend, he responds to the call of the wild and becomes one of a great wolf pack. A powerful story, vivid in background and dramatic in incident. Ages 12-18

At the Back of the North Wind
by George MacDonald
The story of Diamond and his adventures with the North Wind, sometimes portrayed as the tiny fairy who blows the primrose, and again as the glorious woman whose home is all Out-Doors, and who sweeps through the skies with little Diamond nestled in her hair. Her beautiful friendship for the boy—one of "God's fools"— wonderfully symbolizes strength and tenderness closely interwoven with this fanciful plot, and set within the narrative of Diamond's home relationships, and the incidents of his everyday life with father, mother, baby, and Big Diamond (the horse), which are told with great simplicity. This modern fairy tale inspires in the reader a stronger faith in things unseen. Poetically conceived and masterfully written. Ages 8-12

The Wouldbegoods
by Edith Nesbit
Further tales of the Bastable children—Oswald, Dora, Dickie, Alice, Noël and H.O.—whom the reader may know from Nesbit's The Treasure Seekers. The Bastables have moved to the Blackheath House and are becoming increasingly bored, when their cousins Daisy and Dennis come to visit. These cousins really don't know anything about how to play, and Oswald decides to teach them—beginning a series of misadventures that even a Society of Wouldbegoods can't resolve! Follow the Wouldbgoods' trials and tribulations through this occasionally infuriating, but quite jolly book. Ages 10-12

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
by Kate Douglas Wiggin
When Rebecca, blessed with a lively imagination and a weakness for poetry, goes to live with two stern old New England aunts who have not a trace of either, she predictably turns their household upside down. How this impulsive young girl, with her warm heart and original ways, injects new life into the community of Riverboro, winning friends to her side and melting the hardest of hearts, makes for a captivating story. Ages 10-12