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Best Children's European Folk Tales

The Clown Of God (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
A once-famous Italian juggler, now old and a beggar, gives one final performance before a statue of Our Lady and the Holy Child. He's been published for over 40 years and has written and/or illustrated nearly 250 books, including Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Avenue,The Art Lesson, and Christmas Remembered.
Reviews
"She caught on to the concept that Giovanni was aging throughout the book, and had a lot of fun spotting him in each picture and saying, "There's Giovanni!" "She's not mad, she's just *stern* because Olivia wants to read five bedtime stories and her mommy just wants to read one.")."
"I read it to my children when they were little, but will NOT ever part with my copy!"
"I loved this story when we checked it out of the library."
"Granddaughter loved it."
"I was at a book fair in Chicago many years ago and Tomie dePaola was signing a book."
"My children love this book."
"I got this to read to my kids for studies about Italy, but it was so much more."
"My favorite book to read to the kids."
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Bony-Legs
The old witch Bony-legs captures Sasha and prepares to eat her, until three unlikely characters--a creaking gate, a skinny dog, and a melancholy cat--come to her rescue.
Reviews
"Perfect book for my 3rd grader to read and pull information for a small writing prompt about sharks."
"Both my daughters are fascinated by sharks and this book surely delivered."
"I'd recommend the Step into Reading series for emergent and independent readers alike."
"Good easy read for beginners."
"Great book."
"My daughter loves sharks as much as I did when I was 6."
"Great book."
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Peter and the Wolf
Maria Carlson’s translation and Charles Mikolaycak’s soft, inviting illustrations make for a fine update of Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved story. In the opening scene, instead of simply meeting Peter as he opens the garden gate early one morning, readers weave their way through "the great forest... just outside town" to an "apple tree on the bank of a pond [where] one of the tree's sturdy branches hung above the fence and over a garden."
Reviews
"I recently helped my Mom purchase a new version of the book and a CD separately but it is not the same caliber that this one was. Conclusion: The idea of teaching children about classical music and the classical instruments is wonderful enough without having a wonderful, colorful book to help feed their imagination. Even if you don't have a cassette player, the book alone would be well worth the purchase."
"For some reason I was expecting a hardback book (despite having ordered a paperback), and a landscape layout."
"To be purchased along with the audio CD of Peter and the Wolf, as narrated by Boris Karloff."
"Beautiful illustrations."
"great quality at a very fair price."
"This is my favorite version because you have the narrative on page 3 with the previews of each instrument part."
"My 2-year-old daughter asks for the music by name and sits down looking at the book while she listens to the instruments, pointing out the different animals/characters when she hears the different instruments appear."
"I probably should have guessed that this edition would be troubled, since they couldn't even spell the author/composer's name correctly, but I hoped I could use it for introducing my students to "Peter and the Wolf" prior to showing them the Disney version."
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Best Children's African Folk Tales

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (Reading Rainbow Books)
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration Caledcott Honor Reading Rainbow Book Boston Globe-Horn Book. When the king decided to take a wife and invited "The Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughters in the Land" to appear before him, Mufaro declared proudly that only the king could choose between Nyasha and Manyara.
Reviews
"I recommend this for every child to read, worth every penny."
"I remember reading this story growing up."
"Wonderful book with a great message."
"Saw this on Reading Rainbow years ago."
"The picture of the beautiful young girl will appeal to the female members of this African village."
"It is a wonderful Cinderella story written with a cultural twist."
"My kids, at 3 and 1, are not quite ready for this book."
"This was my favorite book growing up as a child and I purchased it for a friend of mine daughter, it's a great book and the moral of the story is great and relatable at any age."
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Best Children's American Folk Tales & Myths

The Green Ember (The Green Ember Series: Book 1)
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. A captivating story with sword-bearing rabbits, daring quests, and moments of poignant beauty, The Green Ember is a tale that will delight and inspire young readers to courage and creativity. I don't usually tell people that there is a book they absolutely-must-no-questions-HAVE-TO-without-a-doubt read. --Sarah Mackenzie, Author of Teaching From Rest, Host of The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast.
Reviews
"I was surprised to find something that reminded me, powerfully, of Edith Nesbit, CS Lewis and George MacDonald - while being something completely different at the same time. But, this, like Lewis, somehow lets us forget that Heather and Picket are animals and instead we relate to the heroes in these interesting characters. I have waited weeks to write this review because I want so badly to communicate the profound value of this humble and tender little story. Heather and Picket are unwitting participants in an adventure that transforms them into the very best versions of themselves - in the old fashioned way. Smith is the creative force behind Story Warren - a website dedicated to being the horns of Rohan in our lives as we seek stories of truth, goodness and beauty that point our children to the Maker. Stories which inform the moral imagination and continue to speak to the reader long after the book has been returned to the shelf. I think that it is fair to say that the intensity progresses as follows: Narnia. The Green Ember/The Black Star of Kingston. The Hobbit/The Wingfeather Saga. The Lord of the Rings."
"Smith's debut novel stands in stark contrast to most contemporary middle school fiction. Their journey begins as their parents are visited by mysterious strangers, and their father hints that the family history may be tinged with intrigue, betrayal, and great pain. Within the first few pages, Smith launches the reader along with Heather and Picket on a fast-paced flight away from their home and headlong toward something momentous. Along the way they meet wonderful characters like the unexpectedly capable Smalls whose own path may be more dangerous than theirs. There is the dark and mysterious Helmer whose mastery of the arts of war draw Picket out from the prison of crippling self-indulgence and sets him on a trajectory of great danger and self-sacrifice. Despite living in a blighted world surrounded by foes and treachery, Heather, Picket, and their new friends hold firmly to that hope."
"The world of the Green Ember is well thought out and you can really get a sense of the lore and history and legacy tied into this land and its families."
"Compelling and wonderful book."
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Best Children's Arthurian Folk Tales & Myths

The Dark Is Rising Sequence: Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark Is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree
The complete Dark Is Rising Sequence is now available as one keepsake collection. One of the most celebrated fantasy sequences of all time, The Dark Is Rising is a searing, epic rendering of the eternal conflict between good and evil. She is also the author of Victory , a Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth book and a Washington Post Top Ten for Children novel; King of Shadows , a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor book; The Boggart ; Seaward ; Ghost Hawk ; and many other acclaimed novels for young readers and listeners.
Reviews
"I read the entire series a few times when I was a kid and I was transported every time."
"I really enjoyed "The Dark Is Rising Sequence"."
"I certainly think that The Hobbit is a vastly superior book, but I agree with my son's assessment re: age-appropriateness, and frankly it was more fun to read aloud."
"Otherwise you will have a young person struggling to deal with very adult problems, dealing with good versus evil and how to tell the difference."
"I've read the whole series several times."
"As a kid I thought this was one of the best fantasy trilogies I read."
"This is a great series for anyone who loves a well told and engaging story."
"All three are ostensibly for children, yet reading (or rereading) them as an adult brings a wealth of depth and detail to the tales that truly show them to be classics in the fantasy genre."
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Best Children's Mermaid Folk Tales & Myths

Three Little Mermaids (Paula Wiseman Books)
Have a tea party undersea and practice counting with Three Little Mermaids , a sparkling interactive novelty concept book by bestselling creator Mara Van Fleet! Mara Van Fleet has worked in children’s publishing for more than twenty years.
Reviews
"A little disappointed that it came loose in a big box that was partially opened & had some minor dings in it but overall LOVE it."
"My 4 year old daughter is obsessed with mermaids and this book is perfect for her."
"I bought this for my granddaughter & she just loved it."
"bought for gift with other mermaid items....it was loved!"
"This book is adorable."
"Got this for my nieces birthday, so cute!"
"This book is absolutely adorable!"
"Very sturdy book."
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Best Children's Latin American Folk Tale Books

De Colores and Other Latin American Folksongs for Children (Anthology) (Spanish Edition)
Bursting with color and spirit, this collection of Latin-American songs is a tribute to Latino culture. Fiesta-bright folk art accompanies songs from locales ranging from Argentina to the Dominican Republic.
Reviews
"Sweet book, many delightful songs."
"Our two year old twins love this book and the cd."
"Looking forward to sharing and making memories with my daughter!"
"The grandchildren love them."
"We love this book and the cd we bought separately."
"I recommend buying this book with the "De colores" CD."
"Our son loves the songs, and it's really fun to read the song."
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Best Children's Folk Tale & Myth Anthologies

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-4: Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, and Pirates Past Noon
Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to the Age of Dinosaurs, a medieval castle, ancient pyramids, and treasure-seeking pirates. Books in this set include: Dinosaurs Before Dark (#1), The Knight at Dawn (#2), Mummies in the Morning (#3), and Pirates Past Noon (#4). MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series as well as coauthor of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series, along with her husband, Will, and her sister Natalie Pope Boyce.
Reviews
"I also like that the stories teach us something, and can be used with the corresponding nonfiction "fact tracker" series to learn about all sorts of interesting creatures and/or historical events. I know kids talk to each other this way, but I want to build an atmosphere of mutual respect, and some things just kind of hit me as bad examples, even if I am being a bit too picky. Honestly, I would say that I my kiddos and I enjoyed the companion Fact Tracker books a lot more than the actual Magic Tree House ones. The chapters are a little longer and there are more words on a page, but the adventures are just an interesting, the grammar is correct, and the characters are good role models."
"My nephew loves these books."
"I bought this for me grandkids."
"I read these books to my older grandchildren when they were young and they wanted me to share them with the youngest grandchild."
"I loved these books when I was little, and I am excited to give the to my younger brother!"
"My kids love reading these books and we had to get the next set soon after!"
"my granddaughter asked for these book so she can start to read, was so glad that i was able to find them for her."
"May 9 year old love these books!"
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Best Children's Dragon Stories

Hogwarts Library (Harry Potter)
From every sale of the Hogwarts Library , Scholastic will donate twenty percent of the retail sales price less taxes of this boxed set to two charities selected by the author J.K. Rowling: Lumos, a charity founded by J.K. Rowling which works to end the institutionalization of children (wearelumos.org), and Comic Relief, a UK-based charity that strives to create a just world free from poverty (www.comicrelief.com). J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories and translated into 79 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films by Warner Bros. She has written three companion volumes to the series in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in aid of Comic Relief; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard in aid of her children's charity Lumos.
Reviews
"It`s beautiful, love the presentation."
"The box is very good quality and very beautiful, you learn a lot about J.K.Rowling's world and annotations (that the characters have written) present in the books add a nice touch to these books."
"A gorgeous set of Hogwarts text books, these are a must have for any Potter collector."
"Beautiful books."
"Great quality and lots of interesting detail to make original series even more realistic."
"came with no bent corners or cracked spines."
"Bought this set for my Harry Potter fan son and when he opened it up on Christmas he had never heard of the series."
"As such, I owned all of these books from the day of their original releases, and remember them well. Many people reading this review (and indeed, there are even pictures posted from previous releases showing it) may remember that the original release was presented as a copy of the textbook as owned by Harry Potter. As such, it contained a lot of doodles and "handwritten" notes from Harry and his friends throughout the book, integrating a lot of humor and personality into the textbook content about the various creatures."
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Best Children's Greek & Roman Books

Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set (new covers w/poster) (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)
All five books in the blockbuster Percy Jackson and the Olympians series in paperback have been collected in a boxed set fit for demigods Now with glorious new cover art and packaged with a special poster this value priced set includes the best selling The Lightning Thief The Sea of Monsters The Titan s Curse The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian Whether it is for readers who are experiencing Percy s thrilling adventures with Greek gods and monsters for the first time or for fans who want to devour the saga again this gift will be prized by young and old Now with glorious new cover art by Rocco and packaged with a special poster this special boxed set contains paperback editions of Riordan s New York Times bestsellers The Lightning Thief The Sea of Monsters The Titan s Curse The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian Consumable.
Reviews
"I bought the entire set based on reviews and reading more information about the Percy Jackson series to see if this would hold interest."
"Great Books love them 😊. Great for teens to older ages who love books like Harry Potter and books with monsters and magic."
"I have loved this series since I was in high school."
"We love these books!!!"
"I purchased this set for my grandson for Christmas and he read them all quickly."
"I have personally enjoyed reading these books and bought this set for my nephew for Christmas."
"This book series was on a gift list."
"The only other complaint I have about the printing is that in the previous three books, every few pages or so there would be a page where a few words were almost unrecognizable because they didn't print correctly (very faded and a lot of the time many letters missing)."
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Best Children's Asian Literature

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon . After her mother ridicules what she believes to be a foolish purchase, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, who, it is told, may impart the true secret to good fortune. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot.
Reviews
"I just read this book again yesterday, because my daughter borrowed When the Sea Turned to Silver from the library, and I figured out pretty quickly that it would be better if I refreshed my memory on Where the Mountain Meets the Moon first."
"This was a story with underlying themes that older readers will pick up on but younger ones may not initially but as the stories are told by the characters each are intertwined with in each other and woven together very nicely."
"Would make a good bedtime story to read to kids about 6-10, who have longer attention spans for chapter books with minimal pictures."
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon has questions at the end of the book that I could ask my 7 year old after each chapter. Our 7 year old needed a few reminders on what had happened during previous chapters."
"This book is a family favorite I highly recommend you read this book."
"Purchased this book for my grand niece when she turned 8."
"Even as an adult I could not stop reading the chapters as we follow the characters on this interesting journey."
"A wonderful children's book that my children have highly enjoyed."
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Best Children's Norse Literature

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer
Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. I thought I knew Norse mythology, but now that I've read the gripping and hilarious Sword of Summer , I'll never see Thor the same way again. "Should pacing and wit continue unabated into the third volume, whose foretold European setting promises further freshness, fans will eagerly await numbers four and five." "Adventure fans will relish the action as their heroes confront formidable foes, while readers who have come to love the characters will enjoy following the different individuals as they take the stage in scenes that are usually dramatic, often witty, and occasionally surprising. "Riordan masterfully orchestrates the huge cast of characters and manages a coherent, powerful tale at once exciting, philosophical and tear-jerking. "The novel's winning combination of high-voltage adventure and crackling wit is balanced with scenes in which human needs, fears, and ethical choices take center stage."
Reviews
"For those who are not familiar with Rick Riordan’s writings, this is a perfectly fine book to jump into Riordan’s fantasy world, there is no benefit gained in having read his other books that deal with heroes from Greek, Roman, or Egyptian mythology. As a result of this lineage, there are obligations that Magnus is thrust with, and the story is a modern day interaction of Magnus through components of Norse mythology, ranging from characters to weaponry of the ancient belief system. Know that the structure is similar to the books in the past, the characters who are introduced throughout this book are unique in their own ways, especially Magnus’s new companions and, I especially enjoyed the history and sense of honor associated with the Valkyrie corps, especially Samirah al-Abbas, who identifies from a Muslim family."
"Just like the former series Greek Roman & Egyptian mythologies, he creates a world that is both imaginative and has some scientific plausibility."
"When I heard that Rick Riordan was starting a new mega adventure ride with Norse mythology at its centre, I was on board before you can say Yggdrasil (the world tree – how do I pronounce it?). On the successful wave of Marvel’s Thor movies and the ultra popularity of Loki, this seemed to be a gold mine, because while the named characters are known, Norse mythology itself isn’t that widespread in all its glorious details. I loved the insight into Norse mythology, all the big and small details, the nine worlds, famous and less known figures, legends, connections, diverse beings, magic, the dividing of the gods to nature and war gods, the two so called “afterlives”, etc, etc, and especially Ragnarok. Norse mythology is a lot more grimmer and fatalistic that it’s Greek counterpart, but it’s none the less fascinating and rich with imaginative stories. From the important mythological characters, Loki was confusing -- is he evil or just misunderstood? Apparently, he’s the most similar to Chris Hemsworth, so obviously, I was drawn to him… I, overall, found it funny how Magnus compared everyone to the images we are used to from Thor movies. The connection to the Heroes of Olympus series was also quite intriguing due to Annabeth being the cousin of Magnus. I did, however, notice that compared to the latter books, the new series story had a lot of info-dumping, which I didn't feel to the extent in the previous series. Further recommendations: The anime (based on the manga of the same name) Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (2003) was one of my favourites some years back and it focuses on a cursed, but cute as a button and physically little boy, Loki, a quirky wannabe detective girl student and Loki’s children – Fenrir the adorable doggy was soooo squichy (I loved how he said “daddy” to Loki all the time)."
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Best Children's Literature Collections

Aesop's Fables
In this elegantly designed volume, more than sixty of Aesop's timeless fables have been carefully selected, humorously retold, and brought gloriously to life by four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Jerry Pinkney. Aesop's wisdom spills across the pages as freely as Pinkney's glorious watercolors, alight with the many creatures who people the tales, from fiddling grasshoppers and diligent ants to wily foxes, clever crows, brave mice and grateful lions.
Reviews
"Her older sister told me she loves the stories and is very excited to have it in their bedtime stories line up."
"The book arrived quickly and was in very good condition."
"It's definitely a beautiful and well built book It's sturdy and as a hard cover will last a long time."
"Written a little above our kids level."
"Great telling of these vital tales, which are a cornerstone of our Western culture."
"Forgot what fun this book was!"
"I would give it three stars, but the sizable collection of fables pushes it closer to 3.5 stars."
"Probably totally politically incorrect, would be pulled off the shelves, but it's great."
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Best Children's Multicultural Literature

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale
Featuring the wonderful illustrations of Tim Jonke, this best-selling children’s book tells the Easter story from a new and unusual point of view. Angela Elwell Hunt is the author of numerous books, including If I Had Long, Long Hair (winner of the Lorna Baslian Prize for children's books), Nat the Brat, Mom and Dad don't Live together Anymore .
Reviews
"I remember reading this book as a child and the feeling in my heart."
"I try to share a Christmas meaning book with them each year."
"The item arrived in reasonable time."
"Great story and the book is in great condition."
"love this book, I have had one for 15years, had to order the rest of my children there own, great qualty."
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Best Children's General & Other Myth Books

The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 3)
The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan. Representing both Greek and Roman camps, the seven companions undertake a mission to prevent the imminent destruction of Rome, the awakening of Gaea, and the end of the world. --Carolyn Phelan Terrifying dreams and enigmatic prophecies mean danger for seven teen demigods, but also good times for fans of The Heroes of Olympus series. Representing both Greek and Roman camps, the seven companions undertake a mission to prevent the imminent destruction of Rome, the awakening of Gaea, and the end of the world. With his now-trademark zero-to-60 acceleration, the author engineers a ghostly possession to set Greeks and Romans at odds and initiates the Prophecy of the Seven, hurtling Annabeth, Percy, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank and Jason into a pell-mell flight on the magical trireme Argo II. As the trireme crosses the country, the pace drags while the demigods sort out relationships and work to figure out both cryptic prophecy and nightmare visions. A Luddite god rails against what he calls the "b-book," which displaced the far superior scroll technology; Annabeth gets a crash course in the cult of Mithros far below the streets of Rome.
Reviews
"Curious to see what Heracles is up to in this day age? But while the story is awesome and full of cool things like merpeople and time travel and Archimedes' lost inventions (seriously, if you love classical history and mythology then you will be rewarded with all the cool stuff found here), what I really enjoy is the whimsical irreverence. Things like a Pegasus attacking your nachos and leaving cheesy hoof prints all over the desk."
"Rick roirdan pleas pleas please make books 6 7 8. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS. We even make book clubs and all of ARE topics are based on your books. ILL REALLY TRULY BE HAPPY.I love tohave nothing to do and seeing your book on my bed or table or my backpack, and reading it for hours and hours. I have a million time have told Billions of my friends about your books and a lot of them are already read Percy Jackson and the Olympians book five."
"When the book came out last October, I deliberately held off on reading it not because I feared it would be bad but because I knew it'd be awesome - and that I'd have to wait a year for the next one. I've spent the past few weeks re-reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Lost Hero, and Son of Neptune. The seven demigods - Percy, Annabeth, Frank, Hazel, Leo, Jason, and Piper - are brought together at the beginning of the book and set off on their quest to close the Doors of Death and battle the giants who want to awaken Gaea. By switching narrators - a trend he started in The Lost Hero - Riordan took a bold risk. And while it may be true that I will never love any demigod more than Percy, there is a certain son of Mars who has found a special place in my heart."
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