Reading and Books | Recommended Reading

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Eilenberg, Max
Beauty’s love overcomes a terrible spell in this elegantly illustrated classic tale.
Reserve This Title

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Nesbit, E.
An impulsive lad follows a fairy’s advice and triumphs over a gloriously repulsive giant in this witty retelling.
Reserve This Title | Read the Reviews

THE LITTLE RED HEN
Pinkney, Jerry
An industrious mother hen gives her four neighbors their traditional comeuppance in this bright and lively interpretation.
Reserve This Title

THE LITTLE RED HEN: AN OLD FABLE
Forest, Heather
“When the little red hen wants to bake, everyone helps to make the cake.” An appealing version for reading aloud.
Reserve This Title

LUGALBANDA: THE BOY WHO GOT CAUGHT UP IN A WAR
Henderson, Kathy
A young boy makes peace with monsters, gods and warring cities in this epic tale from ancient Iraq.
Reserve This Title

PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS
McKissack, Patricia C.
A favorite African American storyteller shares stories remembered from her Tennessee childhood.
Reserve This Title

THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA IN MINIATURE
Child, Lauren
Striking shadow box art enlivens this modern take on Andersen’s tale of a “real princess.”
Reserve This Title

THE SIX FOOLS
Hurston, Zora Neale
A hilarious, old noodlehead tale is recast in a Southern setting.
Reserve This Title

TALES OUR ABUELITAS TOLD: A HISPANIC FOLKTALE COLLECTION
Campoy, F. Isabel
Pérez and Martina and other favorite folk characters animate this lively and handsome collection.
Reserve This Title

Non-Fiction

5,000 MILES TO FREEDOM: ELLEN AND WILLIAM CRAFT’S FLIGHT FROM SLAVERY
Fradin, Judith Bloom
The riveting saga of a couple’s dangerous journey from Georgia to Massachusetts to England and back.
Reserve This Title

THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO
Freedman, Russell
A fresh look at the exploits of the great traveler, accompanied by handsome art both new and old.
Reserve This Title

ALIENS ARE COMING! THE TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE 1938 WAR OF THE WORLDS RADIO BROADCAST
McCarthy, Meghan
In this irreverent depiction of the infamous prank that panicked over a million listeners, bug-eyed people and drooling monsters flee each other. Could it happen again?
Reserve This Title

THE AMERICAN STORY: 100 TRUE TALES FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Armstrong, Jennifer
From the first colonies to the Great Molasses Flood, from Lizzie Borden to Pac-Man, a nonstop parade of people and places.
Reserve This Title

ANDY WARHOL: POP ART PAINTER
Rubin, Susan Goldman
An inviting look at how he turned soup cans and Dick Tracy into popular art.
Reserve This Title

BALLET OF THE ELEPHANTS
Schubert, Leda
George Balanchine choreographs a pas de pachyderm for the Ringling Brothers circus.
Reserve This Title

THE CAT WITH THE YELLOW STAR: COMING OF AGE IN TEREZIN
Rubin, Susan Goldman
A survivor of the concentration camp remembers her role as the cat in the opera Brundibar. Accompanied by many photographs of performances past and present.
Reserve This Title

A DANGEROUS ENGINE: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, FROM SCIENTIST TO DIPLOMAT
Dash, Joan
An eye-opening portrait of the multi-talented genius focusing on his many significant achievements.
Reserve This Title

AN EGG IS QUIET
Aston, Dianna
Graceful illustrations showcase the astonishing colors, textures and shapes of eggs produced by a variety of animals from the tiny field cricket to the enormous ostrich.
Reserve This Title

ESCAPE! THE STORY OF THE GREAT HOUDINI
Fleischman, Sid
New insights enliven this frank view of the “World’s Handcuff King.”
Reserve This Title

EXTREME ANIMALS: THE TOUGHEST CREATURES ON EARTH
Davies, Nicola
Wood frogs freeze and bacteria boil, but can you guess the world’s toughest survivor?
Reserve This Title

FREEDOM WALKERS: THE STORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT
Freedman, Russell
A compelling account of this pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. Illustrated with many period photographs.
Reserve This Title

THE HERO SCHLIEMANN: THE DREAMER WHO DUG FOR TROY
Schlitz, Laura Amy
The facts and fictions of the famous archeologist. Accompanied by entertaining drawings and diagrams.
Reserve This Title

ISAAC NEWTON
Krull, Kathleen
Lively writing animates this biography of one of the world’s greatest and strangest scientists.
Reserve This Title

MOVE!
Jenkins, Steve
Stunningly realistic cut-paper animals slide, slither and swim across the pages.
Reserve This Title

OH, RATS! THE STORY OF RATS AND PEOPLE
Marrin, Albert
Striking woodcuts illustrate this astounding and frightening history of man’s closest enemy.
Reserve This Title

ONWARD
Johnson, Dolores
A memorable “photobiography” of African American polar explorer Matthew Henson.
Reserve This Title

SAVING THE BUFFALO
Marrin, Albert
A fascinating history of the bison’s brush with extinction, illustrated with color photos and period art.
Reserve This Title

SU DONGPO: CHINESE GENIUS
Demi
Luminous illustrations enhance a tribute to a brilliant poet, writer, politician and diplomat from the 11th century.
Reserve This Title

TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS
Halls, Kelly Milner
A rousing gallery of mysterious monsters and other creatures that may or may not exist.
Reserve This Title

TEAM MOON: HOW 400,000 PEOPLE LANDED APOLLO 11 ON THE MOON
Thimmesh, Catherine
Behind- the-scenes details provide an unusual perspective on a gripping chronicle of the epic 1969 moon landing.
Reserve This Title

TO DANCE
Siegel, Siena Cherson
A young girl from Puerto Rico comes to New York City to fulfill her dream of becoming a ballerina. A memoir in graphic novel format.
Reserve This Title

THE TRUE STORY OF STELLINA
Pericoli, Matteo
A baby finch rescued from a busy street corner becomes a permanent resident in a Manhattan couple’s apartment. A tender picture book tale.
Reserve This Title

Picture Books

“I’M NOT CUTE!”
Allen, Jonathan
Despite what all the grown-ups say, Baby Owl insists that he is a “huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine.”
Reserve This Title

ADÈLE & SIMON
McClintock, Barbara
Despite his big sister’s best efforts, little Simon leaves a trail of lost belongings on the streets of Paris. Can you spot them?
Reserve This Title

THE ADVENTURES OF POLO
Faller, Régis
A floppy-eared puppy travels from the moon to the bottom of the sea and everywhere in between in this wordless escapade.
Reserve This Title

BESSIE SMITH AND THE NIGHT RIDERS
Stauffacher, Sue
The legendary blues singer faces down a menacing band of hooded riders in this triumphant episode inspired by actual events.
Reserve This Title

CHICKENS TO THE RESCUE
Himmelman, John
Whether it’s a watch dropped down a well or a duck hijacking the pickup it’s “chickens to the rescue!”
Reserve This Title

THE COW WHO CLUCKED
Fleming, Denise
Cow searches for her misplaced moo in this exuberantly illustrated barnyard quest.
Reserve This Title

DUCK & GOOSE
Hills, Tad
Two feathered rivals squabble over the right way to care for what they think is a giant egg. An endearing story about friendship.
Reserve This Title

FAST FOOD
Freymann, Saxton
Bananas soar, cucumbers zoom and watermelons sail red cabbage seas in a deliciously illustrated guide to transportation for the very young.
Reserve This Title

FLOTSAM
Wiesner, David
A mysterious camera washed ashore reveals an extraordinary underwater world to a young boy. A wordless journey.
Reserve This Title

FOR YOU ARE A KENYAN CHILD
Cunnane, Kelly
A small boy visits with welcoming neighbors but forgets to watch his grandfather’s cows. A warm-hearted, lushly illustrated glimpse of life in a close knit village.
Reserve This Title

HUSH, LITTLE BABY
Pinkney, Brian
Papa sings and dances to dry his daughter’s tears in this lively version of the favorite lullaby.
Reserve This Title

I LOST MY TOOTH IN AFRICA
Diakité, Penda
While visiting relatives in Mali, Amina hopes for the traditional gift from the African tooth fairy – a chicken.
Reserve This Title

JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE & BEN
Smith, Lane
The “true” childhoods of five Founding Fathers are revealed in this decidedly different view of American history.
Reserve This Title

THE MAGIC HORSE OF HAN GAN
Chen, Jiang Hong
So life-like are the horses of a young Chinese artist that one jumps off the paper to carry a warrior into battle. Illustrated with elegant paintings in a traditional style.
Reserve This Title

MANNY’S COWS: THE NIAGARA FALLS TALE
Becker, Suzy
Manny the dairy farmer needs a vacation but he can’t leave the cows behind. The humor flows freely in this hilarious field trip.
Reserve This Title

MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Powerfully moving paintings and poetic text evoke the spirit of the great American heroine.
Reserve This Title

MY LITTLE YELLOW TAXI
Johnson, Stephen T.
Turn the key, buckle up, check the mirror and go in this hands-on ride. No license required.
Reserve This Title

NOAH’S MITTENS: THE STORY OF FELT
Lunge-Larsen, Lise
Noah helps a pair of uncomfortably warm sheep and solves a problem of his own in this hand-warming legend.
Reserve This Title

NOT A BOX
Portis, Antoinette
A cardboard box becomes a robot, a spaceship and a race car in this imaginative story for the very young.
Reserve This Title

ONCE UPON A BANANA
Armstrong, Jennifer
In a wild and wordless romp, a frisky monkey creates chaos all around a city block.
Reserve This Title

PLAY, MOZART, PLAY!
Sís, Peter
Fanciful, inventive art portrays a young Wolfgang composing, performing and triumphing in the courts of Europe.
Reserve This Title

THE SHIVERS IN THE FRIDGE
Manushkin, Fran
A family suddenly finds itself in a cold, dark box. What happens when the door opens and the lights come on? A silly, chilly tale.
Reserve This Title

SO SLEEPY STORY
Shulevitz, Uri
Even the dishes and furniture nod off in this soothing bedtime story.
Reserve This Title

THIS JAZZ MAN
Ehrhardt, Karen
Satchmo, Duke, Bird and other musical greats improvise an energetic variation of a popular children’s song.
Reserve This Title

Poetry and Song

BEHOLD THE BOLD UMBRELLAPHANT AND OTHER POEMS
Prelutsky, Jack
Meet the ballpoint penguin, the pop-up toadster and more than a dozen other uncommon creatures in this new collection from the new children’s poet laureate. Fanciful paper collage illustrations add to the fun.
Reserve This Title

BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW
Sidman, Joyce
Riddles in verse invite the reader to take a close-up look at spittlebugs, milkweed and other common residents of the natural world.
Reserve This Title

CITY BEATS: A HIP-HOPPY PIGEON POEM
Rammell, S. Kelly
From a bird’s eye view, strong rhythms, vibrant clay art and die-cut windows create an urban symphony.
Reserve This Title

FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH
Rex, Adam
“And other stories you’re sure to like because they’re all about monsters, and some of them are also about food. You like food, don’t you? Well, all right then.”
Reserve This Title

JAZZ
Myers, Walter Dean
From ragtime to Be-bop, from keyboard to trumpet this celebration in verse and striking art captures the soul of an American sound.
Reserve This Title | Read the Reviews

THERE IS A FLOWER AT THE TIP OF MY NOSE SMELLING ME
Walker, Alice
In a heart-felt poem enhanced by lyrical art, a young girl joyously sings the praises of the world around her.
Reserve This Title

Stories for Older Readers

ALL OF THE ABOVE
Pearsall, Shelley
A group of middle schoolers from the worst math class ever band together to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Reserve This Title

DOGBOY
Russell, Christopher
An English boy, an orphaned French girl, and a wounded hunting dog struggle to survive in war-torn medieval France. A gripping tale of betrayal, intrigue and adventure.
Reserve This Title

A DROWNED MAIDEN’S HAIR: A MELODRAMA
Schlitz, Laura Amy
In order to run their seances, three old maids recruit a young orphan to impersonate spirits from “the other side”.
Reserve This Title

THE FALL OF THE AMAZING ZALINDAS
Tracy Mack, Tracy
A gang of street children help renowned detective Sherlock Holmes solve one of his most dangerous cases.
Reserve This Title

FLY BY NIGHT
Hardinge, Frances
A con man, an orphan and a psychotic goose turn an entire city on its head. A fast-paced tale of kidnapping, rebellion and murder.
Reserve This Title

GIDEON THE CUTPURSE: BEING THE FIRST PART OF THE GIDEON TRILOGY
Buckley-Archer, Linda
Two children suddenly find themselves in 18th century London where they befriend a noble thief and must outwit the villainous Tar Man.
Reserve This Title

THE GREEN GLASS SEA
Klages, Ellen
During World War II, ten-year-old Dewey moves to Los Alamos when her father is assigned to work on a top-secret government project.
Reserve This Title

HERE BE MONSTERS! AN ADVENTURE INVOLVING MAGIC, TROLLS, AND OTHER CREATURES
Snow, Alan
A young boy with strap-on wings, a rodent pirate crew and a host of underground dwellers join forces to thwart the schemes of Ratbridge’s evil Cheese Guild. Includes hundreds of amusing illustrations.
Reserve This Title

THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY
Patron, Susan
Fearing that her guardian will leave her, Lucky and her wonderful dog, H.M.S. Beagle, run away into the Mojave Desert. A heartening story of love and trust.
Reserve This Title

HOME, AND OTHER BIG, FAT LIES
Wolfson, Jill
Arriving at her 12th foster home, big-mouthed Termite brings fresh life to a dying California logging town. A funny story of community, endangered trees and banana slugs.
Reserve This Title

HOMEFRONT
Gwaltney, Doris
The arrival of an entirely too-perfect cousin from England disrupts Margaret Ann’s well-planned life. A tender coming-of-age story set in Virginia during World War II.
Reserve This Title

THE HOMEWORK MACHINE
Gutman, Dan
A device that automatically does homework spells big trouble for four fifth graders.
Reserve This Title

HURT GO HAPPY
Rorby, Ginny
A lonely deaf girl escapes isolation when she befriends a neighbor and his pet baby chimp who uses sign language. A deeply moving story.
Reserve This Title

THE LEGEND OF BASS REEVES: BEING THE TRUE AND FICTIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE MOST VALIANT MARSHAL IN THE WEST
Paulsen, Gary
Growing up as a slave in Texas, Bass Reeves went on to become the greatest of the frontier lawmen.
Reserve This Title

THE LOUD SILENCE OF FRANCINE GREEN
Cushman, Karen
Quiet Francine gains the courage to stand up for her beliefs as she sees her best friend’s family and neighbors persecuted by McCarthyism. A harrowing portrait of life in 1950s California.
Reserve This Title

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE
DiCamillo, Kate
A beautiful but selfish china rabbit endures years of hardship and learns to love.
Reserve This Title

THE NIGHT OF THE BURNING: DEVORAH’S STORY
Wulf, Linda Press
Two Jewish sisters, orphaned in a Polish pogrom, find new homes in post-World War I South Africa. Based on a true story.
Reserve This Title

OUT OF PATIENCE
Meehl, Brian
The return of the Plunger of Destiny to the small town of Patience, Kansas ignites an old-time curse. A side-splitting tale of treachery, toilets and a terrible tornado.
Reserve This Title

PENNY FROM HEAVEN
Holm, Jennifer L.
During the summer of 1953, 11-year-old Penny roots for the Brooklyn Dodgers, hangs out with her scheming cousin Frankie and uncovers wrenching secrets of her Italian-American family.
Reserve This Title

PETER PAN IN SCARLET
McCaughrean, Geraldine
In the first authorized sequel to the great classic, the cast reunites to save a poisoned Neverland.
Reserve This Title

PHINEAS L. MACGUIRE…ERUPTS!
Dowell, Frances O’Roark
Can fourth grader Phineas still win the science fair in spite of having to partner with the nasty new kid?
Reserve This Title

THE ROAD TO PARIS
Grimes, Nikki
A phone call forces Paris to choose between the love of a nurturing foster family and an uncertain future with her birth family.
Reserve This Title

RULES
Lord, Cynthia
Catherine fears that her autistic younger brother will spoil her chance to make friends with the new girl next door.
Reserve This Title

THAT GIRL LUCY MOON
Timberlake, Amy
An outspoken middle schooler fights injustice in a small town, squaring off against its most powerful resident.
Reserve This Title

VOYAGE OF MIDNIGHT: CHRONICLES OF COURAGE
Torrey, Michele
In the early 19th century, a young boy finds work on his uncle’s ship and becomes an unwilling participant in its horrifying trade.
Reserve This Title

WABI: A HERO’S TALE
Bruchac, Joseph
A young owl discovers that he can take human form - more or less - when he falls in love with a headstrong girl.
Reserve This Title

WEB OF LIES
Naidoo, Beverley
Now reunited with his father, Femi endangers his family when he becomes involved with a London street gang. A companion to The Other Side of Truth.
Reserve This Title

WEEDFLOWER
Kadohata, Cynthia
In this World War II story, a young Japanese American girl is forced to move to an internment camp in Arizona. There she befriends a Mojave boy and plants flowers to honor her absent father and her dreams.
Reserve This Title

WINGS
Loizeaux, William
Nick rescues a baby mockingbird, then learns how to love it and let it go.
Reserve This Title

THE YEAR OF THE DOG
Lin, Grace
Pacy and her new best friend enter the science fair, star in the school play and celebrate Chinese holidays with their families.
Reserve This Title

YELLOW STAR
Roy, Jennifer
“Out of more than a quarter of a million people, only about 800 walked out of the ghetto. Of those who survived, only twelve were children. ‘I was one of the twelve.’” Based on a true story of World War II Lodz, Poland.
Reserve This Title

Stories for Younger Readers

CLEMENTINE
Pennypacker, Sara
A quirky third grader invents bologna eyeglasses, colors her hair green with magic markers and solves The Great Pigeon War.
Reserve This Title

IVY + BEAN
Barrows, Annie
Despite their best intentions, two girls become close friends.
Reserve This Title

PHINEAS L. MACGUIRE…ERUPTS!
Frances O'Roark, Dowell
Can fourth grader Phineas still win the science fair in spite of having to partner with the nasty new kid?
Reserve This Title

RUBY LU, EMPRESS OF EVERYTHING
Look, Lenore
From new glasses to a newly arrived cousin from China, irrepressible Ruby Lu triumphs.
Reserve This Title

SHEEP AND GOAT
Westera, Marleen
Two good friends chew the grass as they chew over life’s mysteries both great and small in this pastoral tale.
Reserve This Title

TOYS GO OUT: BEING THE ADVENTURES OF A KNOWLEDGEABLE STINGRAY, A TOUGHY LITTLE BUFFALO, AND SOMEONE CALLED PLASTIC
Jenkins, Emily
Toys get into trouble as they search for a birthday present for their Little Girl.
Reserve This Title

THE WHITE ELEPHANT
Fleischman, Sid
In old Siam, a sacred elephant and a “boy with dirty ears” learn to love and trust one other.
Reserve This Title

YOUNGUNCLE COMES TO TOWN
Singh, Vandana
In the middle of monsoon season, three children meet their eccentric uncle who foils pickpockets, saves his sister from a terrible fate and puts a ghost to rest.
Reserve This Title

Children's Books, 2006: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing is published by the Office of Children's Services of The New York Public Library. If you wish to purchase copies please contact the Office of Collections and Services at 212.340.0912 or use this order form.

Children's Books 2006

Folk and Fairy Tales

Non-Fiction

Picture Books

Poetry and Song

Stories for Older Readers

Stories for Younger Readers