Jane Yolen
Reading Rockets recommends the following books by Jane Yolen.
Children of the Wolf
Two young girls who have been raised by wolves are brought to Mohandas's orphanage, and Mohandas tries to teach them the ways of humans.
Commander Toad and the Space Pirates
Commander Toad and the crew of the Star Warts are back, this time to confront villainous space pirates. As in other Commander Toad books, puns and silliness are complemented by humorous illustrations.
Commander Toad in Space
Sort-of-serious illustrations are perfect for this comical parody of familiar science fiction films. The brave commander of the Star Warts spacecraft is a Toad who saves his ship from the dangers of a watery planet and its resident monster, Deep Wader.
Here There be Dragons
Yolen wrote all of these varied entries about the delightful dragon, and relates the poems, and short stories from a variety of genres, complete with a background as to their inspiration.
Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry
A young child's world is presented in a variety of poems, each illustrated with verve and humor. The large pages support the well-organized collection sure to be appreciated by young children and the adults who share the poems with them.
Hoptoad
A boy and his father in a big red camper come to the aid of a toad attempting to cross a desert road. This surprisingly tense story is told in few words and strong illustrations from a toad’s eye view.
How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?
They’re back! This time, the creators of How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? take on obnoxious and downright gross behaviors at mealtime. While kids will find delight when the Amargasaurus flips his spaghetti into the air or the Lambeosaurus blows bubbles in milk, adults will appreciate the presentation of calm and more appropriate behavior.
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
Short rhyming text contrasts with illustrations of huge dinosaurs who are ailing with sniffles and coughs. Of course, the dinosaurs (with their names tucked into each page) are being helped by a caring but seemingly small adult in this companion to How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
Ten sleepy dinosaurs get ready for bed in this celebration of funny, endearing, and naughty bedtime behavior. Young children will laugh out loud as they recognize themselves in this larger than life silliness.
Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys
Instead of brawn, imagination and intelligence save the day in these tales from various countries around the world.
Mirror to Nature: Poems about Reflection
A variety of animals in their natural habitat are presented here in handsome full color photographs accompanied by a range of short poems that they inspired. Both words and pictures present reflections, literal and figurative, and will likely generate discussion.
Naming Liberty
The story of a Russian family's emigration to the United States parallels the travel from Paris of Bartholdi’s statue of Lady Liberty. Both tell moving sagas and intersect in a unique way. poignant illustrations make this a memorable presentation.
Nocturne
A mother and son celebrate the gentle coming of nighttime as they walk in the countryside. Textured illustrations are as poetic as the simple text.
Owl Moon
A father and daughter go out “owling” on a cold, snow-filled evening with only moonlight to guide them. An introduction by the author to this edition opens the now-classic, luminously illustrated story in which hope "…flies on silent wings under a shining Owl Moon."
Passager (The Young Merlin Trilogy, Book One)
After being abandoned in the woods by his parents, a young boy is resuced and adopted by a falconer. With his years of hardship and danger behind him, this boy begins to discover his magical future.
Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World
Not all pirates did their dirty work on the sea and not all of them were men. The stories in history and lore of the Sea Queens are presented in an evocative format with bold illustrations, separating fact from fiction.
Sleep Black Bear Sleep
The long, cold nights of winter are the time when bear, frog, and a host of animals hunker down for sleep. Soft watercolors illustrate the drowsy text as the animals await spring and hibernate. Humorous touches augment the tone of the lullaby as everyone — including the listener — settles down.
Sleeping Ugly
What is beautiful and how beauty is demonstrated is the subject of this funny and rather surprising Sleeping Beauty parody. Comic illustrations augment the humor and satire.
The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories
A brief history of classical ballet opens this handsome, richly told collection of seven stories from ballets. Each story is introduced with information on the production and time period in which the ballet was first performed.
The Devil's Arithmetic
In this historical fiction novel, 12-year-old Hannah find herself transported back in time. As she experiences the horrific events of the Holocaust that were often recounted by her grandparents, Hannah finds new reasons to embrace her family and culture.
The Emperor and the Kite
Though largely ignored by her family, it is the youngest daughter, tiny Djeow Seow, who saves her father, the Emperor, from imprisonment. Handsome illustrations evoke traditional Asian art to create a memorable portrait of love and loyalty.
The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Andersen
Life as fiction comes together in this attractive and engaging picture book biography of the man who is known for his fairy tales. Excerpts from these tales are juxtaposed with real events in Andersen’s life to provide a fresh look at the stories and their creator.
This Little Piggy: Lap Songs, Finger Plays, Clapping Games & Pantomime Rhymes
Even the uninitiated adult will be able to follow the clear directions and language in this handsome oversized book, ideal for sharing one to one, adult and child. A lively music CD of select rhymes from the text accompanies the book but is not essential for the sharing.
Wild Wings: Poems for Young People
This book contains artful photographs in full color with the rich images evoked by short poems. The result is a handsome and memorable aviary for young people.
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