Chaucer for Children by Mrs. H. R. Haweis

Published May 25, 2023

An introductory guide to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales with much explanatory material including a prologue introducing the poem, biographical material about Chaucer the tale-teller, and introductions to all the pilgrims. Excerpts from the poem itself are laid out side by side with the Old English version on the left and a modern English version on the right, with glosses in the margin explaining unfamiliar words, as well as footnotes to provide further information. Prose summaries are interspersed with the poetic selections. The title of this book may be misleading to modern audiences. It is definitely not for children below the age of 13, but will serve as a great introduction to Chaucer for both young adult and adult readers. Ages 13-18.

The Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 1: Medievals to Marlowe by Arthur Quiller-Couch

Published March 25, 2023

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 13-18.

Everyday life in Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman Times (Black and White Edition) by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell

Published March 25, 2023

Fourth and final volume in The Everyday Life Series by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell. An attractive and vividly written book about life during Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman times in England, with dozens of delightful illustrations depicting structures and artifacts up to the time of the Norman Conquest. Ages 13-18.

Everyday Life in Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman Times (Color Edition) by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell

Published March 24, 2023

Fourth and final volume in The Everyday Life Series by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell. An attractive and vividly written book about life during Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman times in England, with dozens of delightful illustrations depicting structures and artifacts up to the time of the Norman Conquest. Ages 13-18.

Lessons in Experimental and Practical Geometry by H. S. Hall

Published January 30, 2023

A short preliminary course of practical and experimental work in geometry to give the beginning student clear mental pictures of geometric objects and constructions. Early chapters introduce easy exercises in drawing to illustrate definitions, measurement of lines and angles, and the use of compasses and protractor. Next come problems on bisection, parallels, and perpendiculars, followed by the use of set squares and the construction of triangles and quadrilaterals. Problems are explained informally, with the results verified by measurement.  Ages  13-16.

This Way to Christmas (Color Edition) by Ruth Sawyer

Published November 22, 2022

Stranded in upstate New York with just seven days to go until Christmas, a lonesome boy comes up with an ingenious way to bring Christmas to the equally lonesome inhabitants of his small mountain community, all of whom were spending the winter far from home. Visiting each in turn, David befriends his neighbors and delights in hearing the Christmas stories they share with him, stories they heard in their homelands long ago. A final celebration brings all the neighbors of different nationalities together, forging relationships that will outlast the holiday season and sending a message of hope to a war-torn world. Appealing color illustrations by Maginel Wright Barney accompany the text. Ages 9-12.

The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess

Published October 30, 2022

A delightful story relating how Santa chooses his reindeer and how two Eskimo children, Tuktu and Aklak, experience the selection of the reindeer and come to know the spirit of Christmas. Admirably told by Thornton W. Burgess, author of dozens of books for children.  Ages  6-9.

The Bears of Blue River by Charles Major

Published November 10, 2022

Balsar, a pioneer lad, enters manhood at the age of 13 when he encounters a great bear while fishing on the river and proves his mettle. This book, full of harrowing adventures, great danger, and many acts of valor, tells of Balsar's subsequent encounters with bears, wolves, Indians and the legendary one-eared 'demon' bear, offering a dynamic portrait of the daily life in Indiana during the 1820s. Ages 7-10.

Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright

Published October 20, 2022

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  7-9.

Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright

Published October 10, 2022

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.

The Topaz Story Book by Ada and Eleanor Skinner

Published October 6, 2022

The Topaz Story Book is an engaging collection of stories and legends from near and far about Autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Poems that match the season are sprinkled among the narrative selections to add variety. This is one of four seasonal collection the authors have compiled, the others being The Emerald Story Book for Spring, The Turquoise Story Book for Summer, and The Pearl Story Book for Winter.  Ages  8-12.

Surprises by Edith M. Patch

Published September 21, 2022

A series of investigations into objects, life forms, and forces that children encounter in their everyday life, written to arouse their interest and curiosity in their surroundings. Opening with a study of natural fibers and food from plants, focus shifts to two topics that alternate: forces of nature (earth, air, fire, and water) and sketches of animals (mammals, insects, and birds). A final section on earth, sun, moon, and stars directs the gaze outward. Science Games appear after every topic to encourage further action and reflection.  Ages 9-11.

Hunting (Color Edition) by Edith M. Patch

Published September 21, 2022

Join Ann and Ted as they set out to scour their neighborhood hunting for holes, prompted by a casual remark from their Uncle Jim. They are well rewarded for their efforts when they locate ant holes, mole holes, and woodpecker holes, to name just a few. They continue their hunting expeditions in the school garden, the neighborhood park, and the city zoo, becoming so observant they encounter new plants and animals at every turn. Their enthusiasm for the sport may be contagious, inspiring readers to take up the game themselves. Large print text with attractive illustrations.  Ages  6-8.

Forest Neighbors by Edith M. Patch

Published September 6, 2022

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

Published September 6, 2022

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.

Teaching the Essentials of Arithmetic by Philip Boswood Ballard

Published August 26, 2022 

A thoughtful discussion of best practices for teaching arithmetic processes and the order in which to teach them. The author urges that methods adopted early on smooth the way for more advanced calculations taught later. Lots of food for thought for home educators as well as classroom teachers.  Ages: Adult.

Practical Arithmetics, Book 2 by Strayer and Upton

Published August 12, 2022

Intended for children in grades 4 through 6, Book 2 of the Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics series builds upon the foundational operations introduced in Book 1.  Ages  10-12.

Practical Arithmetics, Book 2, Part 1 by Strayer and Upton

Published August 12, 2022 

Intended for children in grades 4 through 6, Book 2 of the Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics series builds upon the foundational operations introduced in Book 1. Covered in the first part 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.

Practical Arithmetics, Book 2, Part 2 by Strayer and Upton

Published August 12, 2022

Intended for children in grades 4 through 6, Book 2 of the Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics series builds upon the foundational operations introduced in Book 1. Covered in the second part of Book 2 are the topics of dividing fractions, areas, measures, scale drawing, volumes, and graphs, with a large portion devoted to decimals, including reading and writing decimals, adding and subtracting decimals, and multiplying and dividing decimals. Answers are included in a separate section at the back.  Ages  10-12.

Practical Arithmetics, Book 2, Part 3 by Strayer and Upton

Published August 12, 2022 

Intended for children in grades 4 through 6, Book 2 of the Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics series builds upon the foundational operations introduced in Book 1. Covered in the third part of Book 2 are the topics of problem solving, fractions, and decimals. After an introduction to fractions, the topics of adding and subtracting fractions, and multiplying and dividing fractions are taken up. Building on the introduction to decimals in Part 2, further work on reading decimals, adding and subtracting decimals, and multiplying and dividing decimals is presented. Answers are included in a separate section at the back.  Ages 10-12.

Practical Arithmetics, Book 2, Part 4 by Strayer and Upton

Published August 12, 2022

Intended for children in grades 4 through 6, Book 2 of the Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics series builds upon the foundational operations introduced in Book 1. Covered in the fourth part of Book 2 are the topics of bills and receipts, checks, percentage, graphs, and measures. Answers are included in a separate section at the back.  Ages  10-12.

Heidi (Color Edition) by Johanna Spyri

Published June 30, 2022 

The well-loved tale of Heidi, the young Swiss mountain girl, whose joyous nature transforms the lives of all those around her. Brought as an orphan to the Alm Uncle's rude Alpine hut, Heidi soon softens his heart and comes to delight in gamboling on the mountainside with Peter and his goats. But her aunt procures for her a position as companion to the ailing Clara, so she reluctantly leaves behind her primitive life and sweeps, like a breath of fresh air, into the sophisticated city home. Her love for the Alpine pastures is so strong, however, that she grows ill herself for want of the bracing mountain air. On her return home, she brings joy to the Alm Uncle and the grandmother and quickly regains her vitality.  Ages 8-10.

The See and Say Series, Book 1 by Sarah Louise Arnold

Published June 26, 2022

Book One of The See and Say Series is a Picture Book, which, by means of its pictures and stories, presents and teaches the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, with simple lessons in word building.  Every new sound is taught in this order: the story, the story picture, the sound, the letter, the type word with its initial. All lessons which do not present a new sound provide drill upon the sounds already learned. The book presents all the letters of the alphabet, with ck, ch, sh, ow (ou), ng, ee, oo, oy (oi), th. Finally, the fact is impressed that every letter stands for a sound; that letters are combined to form the printed or written word; that sounds are combined to form a spoken word; and that a word may be separated into its sounds or built up from sounds.  Ages  5-7.

The Story of Architecture throughout the Ages by P. Leslie Waterhouse

Published June 22, 2022 

A detailed tour of architecture in the western world beginning with the Egyptian pyramids and ending with the skyscrapers of the early 20th century. In between the reader encounters the architecture of the Greeks, the Romans, the early Christians, and the Saracens, followed by a treatment of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectures and how they manifested differently in different countries. Amply illustrated with dozens of line drawings detailing architectural elements and floor plans, and plates showing representative buildings in their entirety. In this fine supplement to historical studies for the older student the author emphasizes the close association between the architecture of an era and the civilization that produced it, helping us see that through architecture we may grasp much of the spirit of past eras: their emotions, their aspirations, and their beliefs.  Ages 15-18.

Schools of Painting (Color Edition) by Mary Innes

Published June 20, 2022

Masterful account of the schools of painting beginning with early Christian art and legends of the Virgin Mary and the saints, followed by the awakening of art in Italy, northern Europe, Spain, France, and England. Over 100 illustrations, almost all in color, accompany the text. Sections on painting in America and later painters in France and England were added by Charles McKay to the original text by Innes.  Ages  16-18.

The Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 4: Nineteenth Century by Arthur Quiller-Couch

Published May 30, 2022 

The Oxford Book of English Verse in its entirety is a choice collection of over 800 poems spanning the period from 1250-1900, selected and edited by the eminent British literary figure, Arthur Quiller-Couch. This fourth part, roughly covering the nineteenth century, leads the reader through one of the most productive periods in English literature.
This volume includes 376 poems by 128 different poets, arranged in order by the year of their birth. As you might imagine, the Romantic poets are well-represented in the collection, as are the Victorians. There are also many fine poems from less familiar poets for the reader to discover. Most of the poems were penned by British poets, with a handful from American authors.
Having set his heart on choosing the best, the compiler consulted existing anthologies, but only after making his own choice. As he says, "The best is the best, though a hundred judges have declared it so."  Ages 13-18.

The Beacon First Reader by James H. Fassett

Published May 10, 2022

The "Beacon First Reader" differs from other first readers in that all the material has been carefully arranged with reference to its phonetic difficulties. In selecting material the plan has been to present only stories that have stood the test of time, stories which the child delights to hear repeated again and again. Since our language is so richly endowed with these masterpieces, it seems absurd to give to children made-up stories which are in no sense comparable, as examples of literature, to the old folklore. The interest with which the child reads the classic tales he loves proves a most effective stimulus to his reading power. He does not need to be urged to master them, sentence by sentence, but seizes upon them with avidity. The power which this element of interest lends cannot be emphasized too strongly.  Ages  4-6.

Chimney Corner Stories by Veronica S. Hutchinson

Published April 12, 2022 

Sixteen nursery tales for little children collected and retold by Veronica S. Hutchinson, a noted librarian and storyteller. Six full page color illustrations and dozens of black and white drawings by Lois Lenski enliven the text. The stories included are Henny Penny - The Old Woman and Her Pig - The Pancake - The Three Bears - The Three Billy Goats Gruff - Peter Rabbit - The Three Pigs - The Little Red Hen and the Grain of Wheat - Little Black Sambo - The Cock, the Mouse and the Little Red Hen - The Travels of a Fox - Epaminondas - Mr. and Mrs. Vinegar - The Elves and the Shoemaker - Bremen Town Musicians - Cinderella.  Ages 4-8.

Life and Her Children by Arabella B. Buckley

Published March 31, 2022

An engaging introduction to the invertebrates, beginning with the simple amœbæ and concluding with the complex centipedes, spiders, and six-legged insects. In between the reader encounters a number of groups of animals of increasing complexity, beginning with the living sponge, the traveling jelly-fish, and the wondrous coral-builders, then passing on to the star-fish, sea-urchins, and sea-cucumbers. Next come mussels and snails, cuttle-fish and oysters, followed by creeping worms, and arriving at last at the joint-legged division including crabs that live in the water, as well as the aforementioned centipedes, spiders, and insects that breathe only in the air, which comprise more than four-fifths of the living beings on our globe. All creatures are described in such a way as to arouse an abiding interest in them and their behavior. Dozens of labeled ink drawings suitable for copying into notebooks are included, encouraging close attention to details.  Ages  13-18.

The British Empire and the Great Divisions of the Globe by Charlotte M. Mason

Published March 30, 2022 

A stimulating survey of the continents of the world depicting in broad brush strokes the position of land masses and oceans, the general contours of the land, and the location of mountains and rivers. The text is peppered with numerous anecdotes, some historical, some showcasing activities in the region under consideration, with the goal of interesting children in lands and peoples the world over. Geographical features, such as lochs in Scotland and glaciers in Switzerland, are brought into the narrative naturally. Readers should consult the included maps of each of the continents in connection with the questions at the end of each chapter. Having a supplementary atlas available with large color maps illustrating elevation differences would enrich the experience.  Ages 7-10.

Africa, Australia, and the Islands of the Pacific by Nellie B. Allen

Published March 28, 2022

Take a guided tour of the various countries on the continent of Africa, then proceed to Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand before concluding your journey with visits to principal island groups in the Pacific. Along the way author Nellie B. Allen will introduce you to how geographical features influence the way of life of the residents in significant ways, from clothing and housing to food and occupational pursuits. You will learn how topographical features and proximity to bodies of water affect the climate, which in turn determines what foodstuffs naturally grow in a region and what crops may thrive there if planted. This comprehensive tour will lead you to a greater appreciation for the peoples you encounter along the way, their various ways of living, and the agricultural and industrial pursuits they engage in. Questions throughout the text and suggested activities at the end of each chapter encourage you to consider the material more thoughtfully.  Ages  10-12.

The Burgess Animal Book (Color Edition) by Thornton W. Burgess

Published March 18, 2022 

To answer Peter Rabbit's questions about his relatives, Old Mother Nature holds a school for the animals every day at sun-up for a month. Encouraging the animals to notice the differences between them and to offer their observations of animal behavior, Old Mother Nature helps them all gain a greater understanding of the mammals of North America. Starting with the animals close to home, the school moves in ever-widening circles to encompass the animals of the far west and the extreme north, as well. All the color illustrations from the original book are included and placed in the text where the animal is first described. A fine introduction to mammals for students in the primary grades.   Ages 6-9.

Elementary Geography by Charlotte Mason

Published March 14, 2022

Introduction to key concepts in the study of geography, beginning with the Earth's basic orientation, its hemispheres, and the imaginary lines for measuring latitude and longitude. The reader then learns about the earth's motion in relation to the sun and how a country's location affects its temperature and the rotation of seasons. The final topics covered are the fundamentals of map-making and descriptions of land and water features. Carefully selected poems accompany the text.  Ages 6-9.

Number Stories of Long Ago by David Eugene Smith

Published February 25, 2022 

Join the Story-Teller as night after night he entertains a crowd of children gathered round the fire with stories of what might really have happened when the world was young. He shares stories of how boys and girls used to write numbers in long ago times, with Ching writing on palm leaves, Lugal on bricks, and Hippias on parchment. And how through the ages they devised various ways of adding, multiplying, and div­iding. At the close of each evening he leaves the children with questions to ponder or situations to puzzle over. The book concludes with a series of number puzzles and curious problems for further reflection by all ages.  Ages 13-18.

Lafayette by Alma Holman Burton

Published February 8, 2022

A stirring biography of the Marquis de Lafayette, who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, and upon returning to his native France did the same in the French Revolution, afterward suffering exile and imprisonment in Prussia for his efforts. In 1824 Lafayette was invited by Congress and President James Monroe to pay a return visit to the United States. In his year-long travels around the country, he was warmly welcomed in one community after another, and sailed back to Europe impressed by the possibilities for the future of the United States he helped found.  Ages 10-12.

Lyrica Heroica by William Ernest Henley

Published February 14, 2022 

A choice introduction to heroic poetry for English readers. This wide-ranging collection of poems is designed to stir the imagination and inspire lofty thoughts in those approaching maturity. As Henley states in the preface, his ambition is "to set forth the beauty and the joy of living, the beauty and blessedness of death, the glory of battle and adventure, the nobility of devotion-to a cause, an ideal, a passion even-the dignity of resistance, the sacred quality of patriotism." The compiler gives first place to "Agincourt" by Shakespeare, thinking "that a book of heroism could have no better starting-point than that heroic pair of names," and closes with "The Flag of England" by Kipling, fitting bookends for this fine anthology. In between are 124 other poems by 57 other poets with only Milton, Burns, Wordsworth, Scott, Byron, Macaulay, Longfellow, Whitman, Arnold, and Swinburne represented by three or more poems. The poems of each poet are grouped together, with ordering of poets by birthdate. A section of ballads is included, as a transition between the older poets and the newer ones.  Ages 13-18.

Music and Its Story by Robert T. White

Published February 8, 2022

Engaging introduction to the history of music, beginning with the earliest instruments playing simple notes in a primitive setting and proceeding to follow over the long course of history the development of instruments, the increase in musical complexity, the variety of musical forms, and expansion of settings in which music is played. Advances in these four strands were not independent though, and the author takes pains to show how advances in one led to advances in another. In the course of the book the reader learns much about the development of solo instruments and the growth of the modern orchestra, the introduction of harmony and development of musical forms such as fugues, sonatas, symphonies, and concertos, and the role music has played in both religious and secular settings. Includes over four dozen melodic excerpts illustrating the concepts described.  Ages 13-18.

Studies of Great Composers by C. Hubert H. Parry

Published January 25, 2022 

A great book to follow Scholes' The Complete Book of the Great Musicians, which familiarizes the reader with the boyhood experiences of composers as well as a few of their major works. With that background the student is now ready to learn about the positions which the most important composers occupy in the historical development of the art. Parry shows the relations of the composers to one another, how they followed in each other's footsteps, often sparking one another's musical interests through personal contact. For each of the eleven composers he makes clear the social, personal, and historical conditions under which they became the acknowledged masters of various branches and phases of musical art. Much emphasis is placed on the immediate external influences and traits of character which had so much to do with the style of their works, and the lines of art which they pursued.  Ages 13-18.

History Stories for Primary Grades by John W. Wayland

Published January 12, 2022

A collection of real history stories, simple enough for little children, that can be read to children early on, and later read by the child himself. The subjects have been chosen mainly from the history of the United States, but a few Old World stories have been included. The characters are few and distinct: there are women as well as men, girls as well as boys, in a variety of settings. A large number of these little stories have been especially adapted for use in connection with the various holidays and anniversaries that fall within the school year, and may be used in an order following the annual calendar rather than in the order in which they appear in the book. At the end of the book are supplementary notes for many of the stories that are addressed to the teacher. These supply additional information and make suggestions for activities in connection with the stories. Includes 27 illustrations by Maud and Miska Petersham.  Ages 4-8.

Architecture Shown to the Children by Gladys Wynne

Published January 16, 2022 

A first book of architecture-Greek, Roman, Byzan­tine, Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, and Renaissance-with a chapter devoted to each style, presented in such a way as to awaken the interest of the reader in the buildings around them. We are first introduced to the distinctive elements in each style and how they are combined into larger structures, but it is through the stories the author shares that the buildings come to life for us as we gain an understanding of the purpose of each building in the context of the culture from which it emerged. The author also gives us an appreciation for how the different styles influenced each other, with borrowings from the past, and innovations inspiring further developments. Over forty photographs of buildings and ninety drawings positioned near their description in the text form the backbone of this book.  Ages 13-18.

Star Stories for Little Folks by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Published January 1, 2022

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.

Reading-Literature: Fourth Reader (Black and White Edition) by Harriette Taylor Treadwell

Published December 30, 2021 

The Fourth Reader has been made essentially the book of myths and legends because it is held by the authors that these stories represent the next step in the development of the child's interests in literature. In this book the child reads eighteen of the best myths and legends, including some from Greek, Norse, German, Austrian, and American sources. The poetry is selected with the same care as in the earlier books, with special reference to the child's feeling for rhythm, love of animated nature, and enjoyment of fun. Includes 37 black and white illustrations.  Ages 9-11.

Reading-Literature: Fourth Reader (Color Edition) by Harriette Taylor Treadwell

Published December 30, 2021 

The Fourth Reader has been made essentially the book of myths and legends because it is held by the authors that these stories represent the next step in the development of the child's interests in literature. In this book the child reads eighteen of the best myths and legends, including some from Greek, Norse, German, Austrian, and American sources. The poetry is selected with the same care as in the earlier books, with special reference to the child's feeling for rhythm, love of animated nature, and enjoyment of fun. Includes 37 color illustrations.  Ages 9-11.

The Story of My Boyhood and Youth by John Muir

Published November 4, 2021 

Born in Scotland where learning was beaten into him and Saturdays spent in the wildness of the moors were his greatest delight, John Muir emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 11. Upon arrival in Wisconsin, he and his brother worked hard with their father to build a dwelling and establish a farm, but with the little free time they had, they explored the wildlife of prairies and lakes. Working from dawn to dusk gave Muir no time to study, so when his father granted him permission to get up early, he started rising at 1 A.M. to study and work on inventions. Learn more about his adventurous boyhood by reading this stirring account of his life and times in both Scotland and America.  Ages 10-14.

Story-Lives of Master Musicians by Harriette Brower

Published November 2, 2021 

An engaging introduction to 22 of the world's greatest musicians, highlighting their struggles and triumphs, beginning in boyhood and lasting until the end of their days. Much emphasis is placed on the ways they learned their craft, whether at a father's knee, by copying musical scores, or in company of great masters who had gone before. Their travels and greatest successes are recounted in detail, making the musicians and their works all the more memorable for the youthful reader.  Ages 13-18.

A History of Everyday Things in England, Volume II 1500-1799 (Black and White Edition) by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell

Published October 16, 2021

A treasure trove of information about the trappings of life in England in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, when everything was crafted by hand, either in the home or in the workshop of a skilled craftsman. Profusely illustrated with drawings and other illustrations showing the buildings they inhabited, the clothes they wore, the ships they built, the conveyances they used, the games and occupations they enjoyed, as well as the implements used in all endeavors, including agricultural pursuits and the preparation of food. A fine book to round out the picture given by history books that focus primarily on political events and the people involved. For each century a timeline is provided listing kings and queens, famous men, great events, and principal buildings that helps the reader connect the things of a century with the people and events of that era. A book that is enjoyed as much by adults as it is by youth. The four color illustrations in the original edition are rendered in black and white in this edition.  Ages 13-18.

A History of Everyday Things in England, Volume II 1500-1799 (Color Edition) by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell

Published October 15, 2021 

A treasure trove of information about the trappings of life in England in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, when everything was crafted by hand, either in the home or in the workshop of a skilled craftsman. Profusely illustrated with drawings and other illustrations showing the buildings they inhabited, the clothes they wore, the ships they built, the conveyances they used, the games and occupations they enjoyed, as well as the implements used in all endeavors, including agricultural pursuits and the preparation of food. A fine book to round out the picture given by history books that focus primarily on political events and the people involved. For each century a timeline is provided listing kings and queens, famous men, great events, and principal buildings that helps the reader connect the things of a century with the people and events of that era. A book that is enjoyed as much by adults as it is by youth. Includes 4 illustrations in color.  Ages 13-18.

Paper Modelling by Mildred Swannell

Published September 28, 2021

An introduction to a handicraft for young children that strengthens skills of paper folding, paper cutting and pasting, and ruler drawing while constructing models from paper. Plans for 44 models are included in the book, some simpler and others more complex. The first ten models start with a square piece of paper to form simple objects such as a box and a basket, or more complex ones such as a cart or a barn. Next come 23 models that begin as oblongs, and a final 11 from various irregular shapes. Detailed instructions accompany the plans. Rather than a series of projects to be worked through from beginning to end, consider starting with projects with a few simple pieces and few instructions, and then, as skills increase, choosing projects that match your skill level and catch your fancy.  Ages 6-12.