To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles.
November, 2008 – Story Collections
The Complete Tales: The Twenty-Three Original Peter Rabbit Books and Four Unpublished Works by Beatrice Potter. The well-loved tales presented in chronological order with a brief note about the origins of each. Grades K-3. Cassette book RC 48836.
Frederick's Fables: A Leo Lionni Treasury of Favorite Stories by Leo Lionni. Thirteen of Lionni’s picture books in one volume. Some of the stories are "Frederick", "Alexander and the Wind-up Mouse", "Swimmy", and "The Alphabet Tree". Grades P-2. Cassette book RC 24444.
Ackamarackus: Sumptuously Silly Fantastically Funny Fables by Julius Lester. Six original fables about animals and insects. Each ends with both a serious and a silly moral. In "Anna the Angry Ant," a big snake makes the mistake of annoying Anna when her feet hurt. Grades K-3. Braille book BRW 986. Cassette book RC 53629.
Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel. Papa Mouse tells seven funny bedtime stories, one for each of his boys. Grades K-3. Braille book BR 10172. Cassette book RC 40722.
I Can Read By Myself by Jennifer Jordan. Longer stories with easier vocabulary about Spooky the Ghost, Tilly the Witch, Bigwig the Giant, and Sizzle the Grumpy Dragon. Grades 2-4. Large print book LP 13147.
Paddington’s Storybook by Michael Bond. Ten popular stories about the beloved stuffed bear who is eager to explore the human world around him, despite the fact that the way he goes about it often gets him into trouble. Grades 2-4. Braille book BR 6261. Cassette book RC 22800.
The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. Seven-year-old Julian shares six funny stories from his life - things like getting in trouble with his brother, losing a tooth, and having a girl as a friend. Grades 2-4. Braille book BRW 664. Cassette book RC 26478.
Happy Birthday From Carolyn Haywood by Carolyn Haywood. A collection of stories about birthday celebrations. Some feature characters that readers will recognize from her many popular novels. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 6237. Cassette book RC 23155.
The SOS File by Betsy Byars. Twelve of Mr. Magro’s students read stories about their biggest emergencies, and a 13th tale from a mystery author. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 16073.
Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. Twelve magical animal tales set in the "high and far off times" that explain how and why things have turned out "just so". some stories include human characters as well. Grades 4-7 and older readers. Braille book BRW 281. Cassette book RC 25503. Large print book LP 15563.
Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre. When Carmen Teresa receives a journal as a New Year’s present, she records stories told by the guests about growing up in their Latin-American homelands. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 50432.
The Ribbajack and Other Curious Yarns by Brian Jacques. Six short stories featuring monstrous characters created by the author of the Redwall series. In the title piece, 11-year-old Archibald Smifft, terrorizes everyone with black magic. Grades 5-8. Braille book BR 15609. Cassette book RC 59136.
Five Impossible Things Before Breakfast by Jane Yolen. Twelve fantasy stories featuring everything from fairies to sea monsters to aliens. A portion are teen variations of old standards like "Alice in Wonderland", "Three Billy Goats Gruff", and "Peter Pan." Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 45662.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six Others by Roald Dahl. Seven storiea by the famous writer. In the title story, a modern-day Robin Hood brings joy to orphans and fear to casino owners. Grades 5-8 and older readers. Braille book BR 8676. Cassette book RC 32741.
American Eyes: New Asian-American Short Stories for Young Adults edited by Lori M. Carlson. Ten stories about assimilation conflicts faced by Asian-American teens. Grades 6-9 and older readers. Braille book BR 10108. Cassette book RC 43701.
Five Minute Mysteries: Cases from the Files of Ed Noon by Michael Avallone. Based on a 1950’s radio series, 13 short mysteries, each solvable in only a few minutes -- if you’re as smart as Ed Noon. Grades 6-9 and older readers. Braille book BR 4311. Cassette book RC 14680.
Not What You Expected by Joan Aiken. Twenty-one stories in which magic, merriment, and suspense create a world where anything is possible. A telephone conversation with an ancient king, a dragon running a museum, and the devil conducting a pop music group. Grade 6-9. Cassette book RC 10116.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.