Readers will find a great read in the oldie-but-goodie THE EGYPT GAME by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. A group of six children, ranging in age from four to eleven, create a game using old Egyptian artifacts they find in a storage shed, along with their growing knowledge of the Egyptian culture. The author’s incredible descriptive abilities leave just enough to the imagination to make the experience an individual one. Mystery, excitement and friendship abound throughout the novel. Don’t miss the sequel, written nearly thirty years later, THE GYPSY GAME. (Paperback, $6.99) Recommended by Raven customer Amber Keck.

Anything by Daniel Pinkwater. Lisa recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

Madeleine L’Engle’s AUSTIN series. $6.99 Starting with MEET THE AUSTINS, this series makes you wish you had grown up in a large family. The focus is on the issues of people living in community and how to practice compassion and yet do your own growing. They offer wonderful role modeling. Julie recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                           

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl. $6.99. As creepy and delightful as the movie. This is a great chapter book to read aloud. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                      

CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White. $8.99. Some of the most beautiful writing out there, and a sure cure for a fear of spiders. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

CHRISTOPHER MOUSE: THE TALE OF A SMALL TRAVELER by William Wise. $5.95. With shades of Stuart Little, this book will have readers rooting for Christopher through perils of life in a pet shop to being trapped in a sink at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This hero will not disappoint. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

Cornelia Funke titles INKHEART, INKSPELL, INKDEATH, DRAGON RIDER, and THIEF LORD are all favorites of 11-year-old Raven customer Eli Jost.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAIN by Lloyd Alexander. This five-book series is a fantasy tale based on Welsh mythology with room for a young hero to help save a country, and meanwhile encounter evil and good in manageable amounts. Julie recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE by George Selden. $6.99 This Newberry Award winner tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a boy, a cricket, a mouse, and a cat in a New York city newsstand. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

THE DARK IS RISING, GREENWITCH, OVER SEA, UNDER STONE by Susan Cooper. $5.99. In these classics, a little evil and goodness go head-to-head while kids take part. Lisa and Julie recommend.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

The DRAW 50 books by Lee J. Ames. $.8.95. Ames teaches you that everything you see is made up of shapes and that drawing things is just a matter of attaching shapes to each other. John recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

Eva Ibottson’s WHICH WITCH, THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13, and ISLAND OF THE AUNTS. Eli Jost (11-year-old Raven Customer) recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER by E. L. Konigsberg. $9.99. Frustrated by struggles at home, 11-year-old Claudia and her little brother take refuge in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

THE HEADLESS CUPID by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. $6.99. A very scary, very rewarding and spooky story about two families coming together to live in a new house. John recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

The HENRY Series by Beverly Cleary (HENRY AND THE PAPER ROUTE, HENRY AND RIBSY, etc.). $5.99. All written before the brat and usurper Ramona came along. They’re as wholesome as homemade bread.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

JUST SO STORIES by Rudyard Kipling. $5.99. These classic, fanciful stories of how the things in the world came to be will never go out of style. Make sure you buy a copy with Kipling’s original woodcuts. Ages 5 - 10. A great read-aloud book. Heidi recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                               

MEET M & M and M & M AND THE HAUNTED GRAVE by Pat Ross. $4.99. Two girls living on different floors in an apartment building have fun suing their imagination. John recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN by Jean Craighead George. $6.99. This novel follows a precocious runaway in his nearly successful attempt to survive a year in the wilds of the Catskills on little more than wits alone. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

NARNIA Series by C.S. Lewis. Take the next generation of readers through the wardrobe into the world of Aslan. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Nature books by Thornton W. Burgess. In these ageless books, children can follow the lives of the creatures of the Smiling Pool, the Green Meadow and the Briar Patch and realize their lives are much like ours. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

THE RETIRED KID by John Agee. $16.99. A funny and absurd story about a kid who’s tired of school and chores, so he retires. It’s expertly and amusingly drawn, like everything by Agee is. John recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

REDWALL series by Brian Jacques. $8.99. A substantial series of historical fantasy novels sure to please a voracious reader. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

STARGIRL by Jerry Spinelli. $8.95. Eli Jost (11-year-old Raven customer) recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

STUART LITTLE by E.B. White. $5.99. Stuart isn’t like his other family members; no one, including him, seems to understand he’s a mouse. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

TRUMPET OF THE SWAN by E.B. White. $6.50. Louis the mute goose compensates by excelling at reading and writing. Another White classic. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                    

A WRINKLE IN TIME and others in the TIME series by Madeline L’Engle. $6.99. These fabulous science fiction books follow self-assured Meg Murray and her siblings into other worlds full of both danger and wonder. Kelly, Julie, and Eli Jost recommend.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

WINTER HOLIDAY series by Arthur Ransome. $14.95. This delightful series of novels is set mostly in the Lake District and the Norfolk Broad of England. Many of the books involve sailing, fishing and camping. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls. $6.99. This novel tells the rich and heartbreaking story of a boy and the two redbone coon dogs he saves to buy. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

THE YEARLING by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. $6.99. Set in the backwoods of central Florida, this Pulitzer Prize winner is a beautiful story of love and loss between a boy and a deer that should never have become his pet. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

YOUNG PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES by Howard Zinn. $17.95. This is a book parents and especially teachers will want to share with their middle school or junior high school children. It retells our history from the point of view of the people who lost. For example, it describes how the Indians on the shore of the Caribbean Islands or Florida might have felt upon seeing the first armed Europeans. Pat recommends.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series by L.M. Montgomery. This series of novels set in turn-of-the-century Canada follows the joys and misadventures of indomitable orphan Anne Shirley. Kelly recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

HARRIET THE SPY by Louise Fitzhugh. $6.50. The classic tale of the loner artistic child who spies on everyone and ultimately has to live with the consequences. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                           

JULIE OF THE WOLVES by Jean Craighead George. $5.99. The young protagonist, a native of Alaska, is befriended and eventually accepted into the life of a wolf pack, who she is later able to help save from poaching. This Newberry Award winner is exquisitely written. Kelly recommends.

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott. Far and above the best of Alcott’s semi-autobiographical childhood novels. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

LITTLE HOUSE series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Like no other novelist, Wilder captures America’s pioneer experience in a way children can taste, see hear, and feel. Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

NANCY DREW series by Carolyn Keene. Need I say more? Kelly recommends.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

RAMONA series by Beverly Cleary. $5.99 Revel in the misadventures of Ramona Quimby, neighborhood mischief-maker. Kelly recommends.

Alice’s Adventures Underground: A Facsimile by Lewis Carroll. $24.95 Handwritten and illustrated version written for Alice Liddell.  It’s slightly different than the published version that came out two years later.  Girls ages 8 – 14. Heidi recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Andrew Henry’s Meadow by Doris Burn.  $12.95 This is the delightful classic story of young Andrew Henry who loves to build things, but his creations get in the way of everyone in his family.  So he goes out to Burdock’s meadow and builds himself a house.  Soon, other “misfit” children come to the meadow, and he builds each of them a house that suits their interests.  Perfect for kids who like to make things and to foster creativity and resourcefulness.  Ages 4 – 9. Pat recommends.

 

                                                                                                                                                                             

Big Book for Toddlers by Wong and Tabori. $24.95 This book contains activities, nursery rhymes, games, songs and more, with charming old-fashioned illustrations.  Rochelle recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

Creep! Crawl!, Flutter! Fly!, and Wiggle! March! By Kaaren Pixton. $4.95. Each page is a simple, colorful image of an animal or bird or insect against a rich, textured background.  Great for making up your own stories.  Indestructible, chew-proof, rip-proof, nontoxic, and 100% washable.  Ages 9 months – 3 years. Heidi recommends.

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

An Eye for Color: The Story of Joseph Albers by Natasha Wing. $16.99.  A simple, colorful book for young artists.  It’s all about believing in yourself and what you want to create.  Ages 7 – 12. Pat recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                

Julie Andrew’s Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies. $24.95. This is a lovely assortment.  It’s beautifully illustrated and includes a CD of Julie and her daughter reading the poetry. Rochelle recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

No Matter What by Debi Gliori. $6.95. A little board book about a baby fox who wants to know if his mother will always love him.  Sweet and reassuring, for children from birth to three years.  Rochelle recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

Paper Astronaut by Juliette Cezzar. $27.50.  This has great photos from the NASA archives and other space agencies.  It also has 20 punch-out spacecraft projects for space-loving children and adults.  Rochelle recommends.

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod.  $7.99. This is a funny alphabet book: “K knows karate, he’s kind of kooky, but can he play the kazoo?” Perfect for children ages 3 – 6, especially boys.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. $6.99. This is a beautiful, atmospheric, quiet, cut-paper book that describes what it’s like to be outside in the winter on a snowy day.  John recommends.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

Tikki Tikki Tembo retold by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Kent. $6.95.  This is an absolute classic for kids from 2 – 10 (well, all ages, really).  The protagonist of the story is a little boy named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.  He’s the firstborn son, and the favorite, but his ridiculous name, which is frequently repeated in the story, causes a major problem for him.  Funny and unforgettable.  Pat recommends.

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker. $16.99. This is a funny, sweet story about a bear who thinks he doesn’t like visitors coming to his nice home, and the friendly mouse who causes him to change his mind.  It’s perfect for ages 4 – 8. Rochelle recommends.

 

 

Fourth Thursdays
BIG TENT: Stories & Poems in Three Acts
7PM @ The Raven

BIG TENT in OCTOBER

Thursday, October 22
7PM @ The Raven

Act 1: Adam Desnoyes prose
Act 2: Krista Gammper prose
Act 3: Jennie James poetry

OCTOBER 4 Sunday 3PM
@ THE LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Co-sponsored by The Raven
READING, SIGNING AND FUN EVENT

Stephen Johnson
MY LITTLE RED FIRE TRUCK
Award-winning artist and author Stephen Johnson has created a new movable board book, My Little Red Fire Truck. Stephen will read the book and talk about how it was created. Firefighters from the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical will be on hand to talk about fire safety and show off a real fire truck!

Read more about Stephen Johnson.

LOOKING AT PICTURES by Joy Richardson is a grand introduction to art appreciation for the older child. It’s filled with great illustrations from London’s National Gallery and pointers about how to “read” a painting as well as basic fun facts about historical origins, genres, and artists of many pieces. (Hardcover, $21.95). Recommended by Kelly.

THE WITCHES by Roald Dahl

The story is great, but it’s the writing and imagery that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Dahl’s depiction of the thoughts, actions, and appearance of the witches is chilling! It’s tricky how he does it, too, since the book is also really, really funny.  Recommended by John.  Softcover, $11.95.

FIVE NOVELS, by Daniel M. Pinkwater

There are five novels in here, and each of them is ten times funnier than the funniest thing you’ve ever read. If you read all of them, you’ll discover why it’s sometimes a good idea to serve an ice-cream-based dessert in a backpack. Also note that one of these novels is the sequel to the amazing Fat Men from Space, which you didn’t even know existed!  Recommended by John.  Softcover, $6.99.

A VISITOR FOR BEAR written by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton will delight reader and child alike.  Bear’s resistance to visitors of any kind in his tidy but lonely home finally gives way under the pressure of Mouse’s persistent friendliness and modest requests for “a bit of cheese and a cup of tea.”  This is a delightful tale about the reward of making a new friend.  Recommended by Kelly.  Hardcover, $16.99.

WHEN THE MOON FORGOT by Jimmy Liao is a sweet, dreamlike story about a lonely boy who finds the fallen moon in a field.  People miss the moon and factories crank out moons for them on assembly lines.  The boy has adventures with the moon, then gently helps it remember its home in the sky.  A lovely story of love and courage.  Recommended by Rochelle.  Hardcover, $17.99.