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In this story, Robert and Peter struggle with how they can remain best friends after Peter moves away. Aliki’s simple illustrations and text capture the boys’ loneliness while sending a reassuring message that your child will appreciate.

Perfect for: Kids who like making friends.

Find at your local library.

My Dad’s a Birdman, originally a play, is a chapter book that is whimsically illustrated and darkly comic in a very British way. The story of Lizzie and her dad bonding over the Great Human Bird Competition has both the strange lightheartedness and the emotional maturity of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. I dare anyone to read it and not laugh — or cry.

Perfect for: Kids who like fantasy stories.

Find at your local library.

Mr. Keene, an exuberant principal, loves his school so much that he decides to have school every Saturday and even during holidays and summer vacation. Your child will love finding out about Tillie’s creative plan to save her vacations.

Perfect for: Kids who like school.

Find at your local library.

Although older children and adults will certainly notice that several of the characters in the book wear yellow armbands with a Star of David, and that Brundibar, with his bristly, cropped mustache, bears a strong resemblance to Hitler, the historical context is not necessary to an appreciation of the story. All children are familiar with bullies, and the small children’s triumph in the story is cheering and satisfying. In the end they say to the reader, “Remember, please be brave and bullies will behave!” Unfortunately, justice is sometimes a long time coming.

Perfect for: Kids who like realism.

Find at your local library.

Inspired by a 300-year old Ukrainian story, this tale teaches a lesson about the dangers of gossip, the power of words and how rumors can cause harm to others. With its warm illustrations and important message, this is an amazing children’s book, one that should be shared at an early age.

Perfect for: Kids who like realism stories.

Find at your local library.

Ah, my fantasy… Everything our hero John Midas touches turns into chocolate! However, he soon finds out you can certainly have too much of anything, even chocolate. A cross between Bread and Jam for Frances and King Midas and the Golden Touch. For a strong reader or a bedtime “read to me.”

Perfect for: Kids who like classic stories.

Find at your local library.

Every child goes through the plot of this book at some point in his or her school career: It’s the day before school starts and you haven’t read the book that was required for summer reading. You’ve got this pit in your stomach because you know that you’re in trouble, but you just can’t bring yourself to do the reading. Moxy is in the same boat. It’s not that she hates to read — she just doesn’t want to read what somebody else tells her to read. This laugh-out-loud book is full of wit and charm. Moxy is a lovable character, even if her schemes are scatter-brained. The action takes place in the course of a fateful day in which a bowl of peaches, a garden hose and Moxy’s mother’s garden play vital roles. The story will leave you with a smirk on your face.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find at your local library.

Tacky is back, getting himself into predicaments that can only result in delighted, yet understanding, young readers. This time, Tacky is surfing while his more subdued penguin pals are napping on their iceberg. Tacky’s flowered shirt catches a mighty gust of wind and he is transported to a tropical island. An elephant (Tacky thinks she’s a large grey rock) mistakes Tacky’s shirt for a perfect bouquet of flowers to grace her kitchen table. What can Tacky do to escape? He does “penguinish” things to prove he is not a table dressing: He marches, dives, slides and hops until the tablecloth is covered with food. As usual, Munsinger’s watercolor illustrations are hilarious, and the story is told in Lester’s dry, witty tone. Tacky will certainly find new fans with this book, while old fans will be reminded to reread the other Tacky books!

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find at your local library.

This charming mouse has starred in six of her own graphic novels and in this seventh in the series she does not disappoint. Babymouse has the chance to show what she is best at after all her friends are named best at something. When she is discovered by a famous ice-skating coach, her fun hobby treads on thin ice. Jennifer L. Holm is the Newbery Honor-winning author of Our Only May Amelia, so the writing is wonderful. Her brother Matthew draws Babymouse whimsically. You’d be hard pressed to find a 9-year-old girl who isn’t pining for this icy Babymouse book.

Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.

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The yellow haze of unrelenting heat steams off every page of this beautifully water-colored story of leggy little girls waiting for rain. Just when everyone in the city is wilting, a delicate breeze through the kitchen window brings hope for refreshing rain. Little girls who dance in the welcome downpour are joined by their Mamas, who can’t resist the cleansing storm either. With rich word choice that sizzles, thunders, drenches and simmers, the story concludes with a parched city now glistening after a rain storm that refreshes even the reader.

Perfect for: Kids who like realism stories.

Find at your local library.

Monsieur Gator is teased mercilessly by a pack of pesky swamp critters who clearly haven’t read about Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby or they wouldn’t get so close to his bubbling cauldron. Monsieur may not be as young as he used to be but his wits and his maman’s recipe get him both dinner and revenge. A beautifully illustrated tale with just a touch of Cajun dialect will delight the ear of the giggling listeners who will know what Mr. Gator is up to long before his tormentors do.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find at your local library.