T R E A S U R Y     4

Art and Music

Willie's First Drawing Lessons by Philip H. Delamotte A young boy learns to identify geometry at work within the natural world, as well as in man-made structures through imaginative interactions with his father and mother. The author of this short primer is well aware that training the eye to understand the architecture of space is as important as training the hand to draw with care and precision. A beautiful introduction to geometry for beginning readers and artists. Ages 7-9 Stories of the Painters by Amy Steedman In this sweeping introduction to the great painters of the western canon, Stories of the Painters presents relatively brief biographical sketches of the men who shaped the world of art as it is known today. Each story underscores the style and signature techniques for which the artist was best known, and also provides insight into their upbringing, careers, and even the political climate in which they worked. In all, a wonderful collection of stories about a wonderful collection of painters. Ages 10-14

The Story of Music and Musicians by Lucy C. Lillie In a chapter on how to feel about practicing the piano, Lucy Lillie encourages the reader to think of the keys of the keyboard and the notes written on the page as characters, each with their own part to play, waiting to be brought to life. Through anecdotal stories of great composers such as Bach and Beethoven and brief histories of things such as the pianoforte and orchestra, this is precisely what Lillie attempts to do in this book—to bring music to life by telling the stories of the characters and objects that are a part of its history. For anyone leaning to play the piano or some other instrument, this fascinating book is sure to be enriching and inspirational. Ages 11-14

British Historical Fiction

In Freedom's Cause by George Alfred Henty Although Sir Archibald Forbes is fatherless and a mere youth at the outset of this tale, he readily proves himself to be one of the most accomplished knights in all of Europe throughout the Wars of Scottish Independence. Fighting alongside Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Archie champions Scotland's freedom from England against all odds, and refuses to surrender his body or spirit, no matter how dire or seemingly impossible the circumstances may be. Ages 12-18 Jim Davis by John Masefield The adventures of a Devonshire lad who is unwillingly involved in the affairs of the night riders. An exciting tale, with clear, moral issues and vivid atmosphere of early nineteenth-century England. Ages 11-14

Martin Hyde: The Duke's Messenger by John Masefield A young country boy living with his uncle in London longs for adventure, when by a strange turn of fate he finds himself swept into the service of the Duke of Monmouth and involved in a web of plots and strange happenings which make a daring lady his enemy and himself an upriser in the Rebellion of 1688. A spirited yet restrained narrative, admirably realizing the atmosphere of the period and sincerely characterizing a brave young lad in his complete fidelity to a lost cause. Ages 12-15

Nature

Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright Introduces beginning readers to an assortment of fascinating creatures including crabs and mollusks that inhabit the sea, and wasps, spiders, and bees that live on land, in language both attractive and comprehensible. With several short chapters devoted to each type of animal, readers learn how to identify them, what they eat, where they live, how they defend themselves, and how the next generation is produced. At intervals, animals are compared and contrasted and review questions posed. Ages 6-8 Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Any hill covered with blossoming blueberries, checkerberries, and cranberries must be a very special place indeed. In the fall, the hill will be covered in autumnal gold; in winter, one may attempt to sled down it! But no matter when one goes, they are sure to encounter gigantic boulders to clamber over, a venerable pair of garter snakes, a set of American elm trees, and perhaps even Little Snowshoes the rabbit. Ages 8-10 Holiday Meadow by Edith M. Patch Within a sentence, this book takes the reader to the edge of a meadow thick with flowers. He must cross a bridge to reach it, but once safely on the other side, he can stretch and look about. Refocusing his senses, the child is free to listen to a crow's call, pat the old cow Daisy who is munching contemplatively away, notice the rustle of a mouse in the grass...and learn the first of many curious things about this 'holiday meadow.' A refreshing read. Ages 8-10 Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Holiday Pond opens by inviting the reader to set aside their cares for an afternoon, and, after a refreshing dip in the pond and some wild blueberries for refreshment, sit in the cool of the shade and watch as the many creatures of Holiday Pond reveal their stories. You may see for yourself a painted turtle who has traveled far and wide, a mother raccoon and her nursery, a yelping frog, pond lilies, and many other fascinating plants and animals. It is a lovely place indeed and you will doubtless feel sorry to have to leave it! Ages 8-10 Holiday Shore by Edith M. Patch The shore is full of wonders as it defines the boundary between sea and land, and is the one place where the two are mingled together. As waves wash over and over upon the land, the coastline itself is changed, and at Holiday Shore, these waves eventually washed away a little cove that then became a bay. It is in that bay that the subjects of these imaginative stories dwell. There, the reader will find eels, barnacles, king crab, starfish, and many other shoreline wonders to learn about and to marvel over. Ages 9-11

Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright In this second volume of the Seaside and Wayside series, beginning readers make the acquaintance of a variety of life forms, such as barnacles and starfish that they are unlikely to have encountered before, and deepen their appreciation of some that are probably more familiar, including ants, flies, beetles, and earthworms. Whether the animals are new to them or not, they will come away from their reading with plenty of interesting stories to share about all aspects of these creatures' lives. Ages 6-8 Desert Neighbors by Edith M. Patch Readers will soon imagine themselves nestled amid mesquite trees and yucca plants through this depiction of desert life. Describing both flora and fauna, these stories capture the excitement of the desert, as well as its quiet beauty, and are likely to leave readers curious to learn more and to see for themselves the wonders of the desert west. Ages 9-11 Forest Neighbors by Edith M. Patch Immerse yourself in the north woods by becoming acquainted with two dozen of its residents, as you follow each in turn through a typical year. Along the way, you will encounter some familiar mammals such as chipmunk, beaver, and white-tailed deer, but also some harder to spot ones such as moose, lynx, and marten. Among the birds you will come to know chickadees, ruffed grouse, Canada jays, and great-horned owls that are year-round residents of the forest, as well as others that migrate every spring and fall, among them the loon and merganser that inhabit the ponds, and vireos, warblers, and thrushes that flit among the trees. Eighteen chapters of stories well-illustrated and delightfully told that bring the forest to life for readers of all ages. Ages 9-11 Prairie Neighbors by Edith M. Patch A fine introduction to animal life on the prairie including stories of birds of the grasslands (bobolink, prairie chicken, and bobwhite), as well as mammals that live in their midst (pocket gopher, prairie mole, cottontail rabbit, spotted skunk, white-footed mouse, and prairie squirrel) and insects that flit about (locusts, grasshoppers, walking sticks, and monarch butterflies). But the prairie also has groves of trees where fox squirrels scamper along branches and barred owls and red-tailed hawks perch in the tree-tops looking for prey. And dotted throughout the landscape are ponds and marshes where muskrats, killdeer, and red-winged blackbirds can be found. Through well-illustrated stories that follow each of these through the course of a year, the reader becomes familiar with the life of the prairie in a delightful way. Ages 9-11

American History

The Men Who Found America by Frederick W. Hutchinson An excellent introduction to the exploration of the Americas through short adventure-packed biographies of Columbus, Cortez, Pizzaro, Hudson, La Salle, Balboa, De Vaca, Raleigh, Champlain, and many others. The author is very even- handed in his treatment of explorers and Indians, and makes moral distinctions between the most abusive conquistadors, and the relatively noble missionary explorers. Ages 7-10 Lincoln by Lucy Madison Abraham Lincoln is one of America's most famous and important Presidents, the man who led the country through the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. This biography of "Honest Abe" tells the story of his life, from childhood to adulthood, giving the reader a sense of his powerful character while also offering an overview of the important events in his life. Not only is the story of Lincoln's life important to any student of American history, it is also an inspiring story of a great and admirable leader. Ages 11-14 The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane An account of one young man's active service during the Civil War, showing how circumstances operate to make him appear a hero. A psychological analysis of the state of a man's mind under fire; quiet, deliberate, yet immensely effective in its realistic portrayal of the irrationality and futility of war. Ages 12-18

Builders of Our Country, Book II by Gertrude van Duyn Southworth A lively account of American history told through 31 biographies, beginning with Patrick Henry at the start of the Revolution and ending with Andrew Carnegie at the close of the 19th century. The biographies are so chosen as to acquaint the reader with the chief personages and events in our national life, by including many vivid pictures of each. Ages 10-12 Short Stories from American History by Blaisdell and Ball From the arrival of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock through the War of 1812, Short Stories from American History imaginatively chronicles acts of heroism and ingenuity performed by patriotic men, children, and especially those performed by women. These vignettes depict scenes of valor from the Revolutionary war, both friendly and fraught encounters between the Pilgrims and Natives, and other moments of great historical import. Here the reader is given a glimpse of the many difficulties that early settlers faced and all that they did to meet them courageously. Ages 8-10 The Story of Our Constitution by Eva March Tappan As the American colonies fought to wrest themselves from British rule, it became increasingly clear that the Articles of Confederation was a document ill prepared to foster the development of a strong and perpetual union between the states. It became necessary, then, for delegates from each state to work together draft a new constitution to supersede the Articles and serve as supreme law of the land for centuries to come. The Story of Our Constitution tells of the founding of America as it is known today, and presents the reader with the central questions addressed during the drafting of the constitution, as well as the many compromises made for the sake of unity. Here, the reader is also introduced to many of our nation's preeminent statesmen and given a glimpse of the vigorous debates that occurred amongst them, as together they worked to shape a great and democratic nation. Ages 11-14

Fiction

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 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Great Expectations gives us many of Dickens' best-known and beloved characters—Pip the idealistic orphan, the reclusive Miss Havisham, and Abel Magwitch, the escaped convict. In this coming of age tale, Pip aches for a better life and learns as he grows that many things and people are not as they seem, and that our actions have effects far beyond those we might have imagined. Ages 12-18 Penrod and Sam by Booth Tarkington Penrod and Sam is the sequel to Penrod, a humorous novel about the misadventures of an eleven-year-old boy growing up in the Midwest USA before World War I. This second book in the series centers on the relationship between Penrod, the hero of the first novel, and his best friend, Sam. This classic and episodic novel of American literature is written in the great tradition of books like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Ages 12-15

Jan of the Windmill by Juliana Horatia Ewing Brought to the windmiller's home as a foundling on a dark and stormy night, the infant Jan soon won his way into the hearts of his new family, especially that of little Abel who served as his nursemaid. Together they lay for hours watching the clouds. Once Abel showed Jan how to draw them in the dirt, he wanted to do nothing else. He drew on slates at school, then as a pig-minder fashioned pictures with colored leaves that blew away in the wind. The schoolmaster encountering him at this occupation befriended him, providing supplies for the budding artist and raising his aspirations. The story begins slowly with rich descriptions and carefully etched characters, then accelerates as the plot twists and turns, and finally gallops to a fine finish fitting for such a talented lad. Ages 13-18 A Flat Iron for a Farthing by Juliana Horatia Ewing The narrator of this book is asked by his wife to tell their children the tale of how he once bought a flat iron for a farthing, and he does so, along the way recounting his motherless childhood in the countryside, education and upbringing at the hands of the steadfast Nurse Bundle, friendship with the neighborhood Rector, boundless love for his red and white spaniel Rubens, and antics with his five female cousins from London. These musings on youth are at once poignant and humorous, and show their owner to possess an inquisitive mind and sympathetic spirit. The reader also comes to learn that, despite the seeming insignificance of a flat iron, it is an object that may hold far more meaning than one might at first have guessed. Ages 10-12

Ancient Rome

Stories in Stone from thw Roman Forum by Isabel Lovell A chronicle of the heart of Rome as told from the perspective of the Forum. It presents a portrait of Rome that includes images of the everyday life of the Roman people, as well as depictions of many Roman statesmen who are revered and remembered to this day. The reader is simultaneously told of the construction and history of a number of the most important temples and basilicas surrounding the Forum, and of the changes in Roman government that occurred over centuries. Ages 9-12

Children of the World

The Scotch Twins by Lucy Fitch Perkins Her own mother dead, twelve-year-old Jean Campbell finds herself acting as woman of the house and struggling to keep her twin brother Jock out of mischief. Yet, Jean soon finds herself making mischief as well when the twins discover a terrible secret about one of their neighbors. Together with their friend Alan McCrae they form the "Rob Roy Gang" to frighten away anyone who dare poach animals in their glen and to restore peace to the woods. Woe betide anyone who dares to cross Jean Campbell when she has on her "Saturday face!" Ages 7-9 The Belgian Twins by Lucy Fitch Perkins Little do twins Jan and Marie suspect that their neutral homeland of Belgium will be invaded, despite rumors of German activity in neighboring countries. Still less do they expect their own father to go off to war, and their beloved mother to be driven out of the village after she hides Jan and Marie from the attacking Germans. Before parting, however, mother promises Jan and Marie that she will find them again someday even if it means she must swim the seas to do so. Never doubting their mother, the twins bravely set out after her, encountering threatening foes and unexpected allies along the way. Ages 10-12

Bobby and the Big Road by Maud Lindsay Young Bobby moves into a new house in the countryside along "the big road" with his mother and father where he begins to discover the pleasures of living in nature. Each day the road brings new delights and adventures to Bobby's door, as well as the opportunity to forge friendships. Ages 4-6

Poetry

Rainbow Gold by Sara Teasdale A rich and varied feast of poems for the young or the young at heart. From fairy stories to hero tales, from the natural to the spiritual, Miss Teasdale's always-judicious selections are sure to stir the soul, rouse the imaginative capacities, and nurture a love of the poetic. This anthology well merits the "gold" in its title, and is sure to be treasured for many years. Ages 10-14

Myths and Legends

A Child's Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price A collection of Greek myths suitable for the youngest listeners, richly illustrated by Margaret Evans Price. Includes the stories of Pandora's Box, Hercules, Jason and the Golden Fleece, Pegasus and Bellerophon, Daedalus and Icarus, and over a dozen more classic tales. Ages 6-9 The Boys' Cuchulain by Eleanor Hull An engaging and poetic retelling of the adventurous tale of Cuchulain, who for centuries represented the chivalric ideal of the Irish Gael. Ages 10-12

The Children of Odin by Padraic Colum As creative retellings of the Poetic Eddas, these Norse hero-tales describe the birth of the world then follow the trajectory of the gods as they strive with the giants of Jotenheim, with men, and even with themselves to stave off the twilight of the gods and the dawning of the mortal age. Many of these myths will be well known and loved by readers, and many more will present new and stirring adventures. Recounted with beautiful imagery and the power of dramatic narrative, this book will be enjoyed by young and old together. Ages 9-12 The Forge in the Forest by Padraic Colum A band of brothers strikes a bargain with a seasoned blacksmith and it is agreed upon that the smith will shoe their wild horse in exchange for their stories about the four elements. The imaginative stories shared by the brothers include tales of Greek and Norse mythology, legends from ancient Scotland and from Brittany, and stories of Saints and other biblical heroes. All these imaginative tales are told at the forge of the man who 'makes shoes without leather' and who, as the brothers will learn, has a story of his own to share. Ages 8-12

Kindergarten

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter Benjamin Bunny and his cousin Peter Rabbit find themselves in Mr. McGregor's prized vegetable garden on an errand to retrieve a lost shoe, and one may well be assured that any fright the two cousins felt when confronted by Mr. McGregor's cat pales in comparison to the sheer terror they knew when old Mr. Benjamin Bunny discovered what the two young rascals had been up to. Ages 4-7

Firelight Stories by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey This collection of nursery tales takes readers and hearers on journeys that are sure to delight. As traditional folk stories, the narratives included deal with such things as teeny tiny ladies and huge, huge cows, elephants, foxes, and frogs, not to mention the occasional magically-materializing visitor! There is much here, both in old favorites and in less well-known tales, to engage and nourish the young imagination. Once upon a time . . . " Ages 5-7

Christmas

Pepin: A Tale of Twelfth Night by Evaleen Stein This magical tale follows the life of Pepin, a peasant lad of Medieval France, and circles around the twelfth day after Christmas (the Feast of the Three Kings) as his story unfolds. Raised by his grandfather after the death of his parents, Pepin lives quietly and industriously in a small hut by the edge of the forest. From his grandfather, Pepin learns the story of the wicked duke, Gundebold the Wolf, and learns, too, a consistent generosity that guides him through the twists and turns of his own growing up. A generosity that Pepin will need as the story progresses! Beautifully crafted, and subtly told, this tale will make a welcome addition to any child's bookshelf ! Ages 9-12

The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke In The Story of the Other Wise Man, the reader follows the travels of Artaban, the fourth wise man and a magus, who has read the coming of one who shall be born King of Israel in the stars. His fellow magi express skepticism toward his divination and none will accompany him on his journey, so Artaban sets out on a pilgrimage through the desert alone, traveling first to Jerusalem then on to Bethlehem. Bearing with him three precious jewels to offer as a gift to the newborn, this mysterious wise man spends 33 long years searching for the King and serving him as best he can until at last they meet. Ages 11-14

Faith

St. Mark by J. Paterson Smyth This eighth volume in The Bible for School and Home series focuses on the spreading of the Kingdom of God on earth. It consists of the lessons on St. Mark and the first eight chapters of Acts, extracted from the Church of Ireland Sunday School Lessons, Calendar III. Also included are chapters on the three church festivals referenced in these lessons: Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost. Ages 14-18 The Golden Windows by Laura Richards Brief vignettes that illustrate the beauty of everyday life and show that miracles are often housed in the most ordinary of things. The characters of these short stories include mothers, children, farmers, and even angels. Through them, we come to learn that a mother with a clubfoot may well be a veritable angel, and that even the lowliest of homes may have golden windows when regarded from just the right perspective. Ages 5-9

The Book of Saints and Heroes by Mrs. Lang Fancifully retold legends of Christian saints and other memorable figures from European history. The men and women featured in these lively tales demonstrate a bravery of heart and generosity of spirit that every person young and old should aspire to emulate. A wonderful introduction to characters with whom readers will be glad to be acquainted. Ages 9-14

Math

Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics, Book 2, Part 1 by Strayer and Upton Intended for children in grades 4 and 5, Book 2 of the Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics series builds upon the foundational operations introduced in Book 1. Covered in the first portion of Book 2 are the topics of more complex addition and subtraction problems, making change, short and long division, proper and improper fractions, whole number place values, Roman numerals, magic squares, finding the least common denominator, and fraction addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. Answers are included in a separate section at the back. Ages 10-12