Author: Luisa LaFleur

The Weird Series tackles the ongoing problem of bullying in our schools. It is a unique three-book series that aims to change how we view bullying, those who do the bullying, those who are bullied and those who stand by and watch.

The concept of a superhero—someone who has special powers to fight evil and protect humanity from dangers seen and unseen—appeals to most all children and to most all adults. Following is a handy guide to all the classic superheroes and a few new superhero books.

Most friendships have their ups and downs. Here are some precious friendship stories—books about Friends for the younger set about trials and tribulations and the joys of having a best friend.

“Lizzy the Lucky Lab” is a fun, frolicking tale of a dog, her family and friends and the health club that binds them all together.

Dennis Shoe is a happy-go-lucky young boy with a great smile and a winning manner. He is enthusiastic so sometimes he speaks fast and when he says his name, it comes out sounding like Tennyshoe. He’s an instantly likeable character and most readers will either identify with him or want to be like him.

There have been many times when my kids have stumped me with questions about their surroundings or about how things work or about why things happen. I wish that I had seen any one of the following books at those times; they would have saved me lots stress and my kids would have gotten some answers.

Sometimes, it’s more important to engage children in the process rather than force them to act. Following are some books that pre-teens will surely enjoy because of their irreverent characters, intriguing situations or simply contradictory messages. They are sure to entice even the most reluctant pre-teens.

Teaching children to be compassionate—to understand someone else’s suffering and to try and alleviate that suffering—is not easy. Here are a few books that can help impart the message that being kind to one another is essential and that the golden rule is paramount.

September is just a few short weeks away and children going into kindergarten will enter a whole new realm that is really quite different from Pre-K or daycare settings. The following books will help explain the school setting and hopefully clear up any doubts or lingering fears in preparation for the first day of school.

In The Word Collector, Sonja Wimmer playfully weaves an intricate tale of words as objects, to be collected and saved and treasured.