Tiff's Top Titles

A perfect first chapter book read-aloud for young children (or solo read for newly independent readers)!  Short chapters, lively black-and-white line drawings, and engaging animals capture readers' and listeners' attention as boy adventurer Elmer sets off to rescue a baby dragon in danger. (Ages 5-10)

I love this gentle fable. The Chinese Emperor gives every child a pot and a seed; whoever grows the most beautiful plant will become his successor. Ping loves plants and flowers and tends his pot faithfully, but nothing ever grows. On the day of the event, Ping's parents tell him to present his empty pot because he tried his best. Out of all the children with beautiful flowers, the Emperor chooses Ping--with the empty pot--to be his heir. He reveals that all of the seeds were tainted and unable to grow, and Ping was the only honest child. Delicate art captures traditional Chinese landscape, fauna, and architecture and illuminates the subtle message of the story. (Ages 4-8)

Another favorite from my childhood, back in print thanks to Purple House Press! Shy Miss Twiggley lives in her tree house with Puss the dog and a couple of bears, and she never comes down, leading the townspeople to mistrust her. But when a hurricane strikes and Miss Twiggley opens her home to everyone, she and the townspeople discover the value of friendship and the joy of helping others. Rhyming text and humorous art make for a rollicking read. (Ages 3-8)

Several past and present Grass Roots employees, including me, loved this series of books--Swallows and Amazons is the first--in childhood. Arthur Ransome's characters enjoy the freedom of a simpler and safer time (the books were written in the 1930s and 40s), allowing them to sail, canoe, hike, and camp in the English Lake District without adults. Today's children may not have such total freedom, but readers can still share the Walker family and Blackett sisters' exciting adventures. (Ages 8-12)