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Grandma and Maxine share a secret that started in the light of the blue moon – the second full moon in a month. Maxine finds a moon ring that transports her magically to any place she wants to go. Energetic illustrations depict Maxine’s fantastic journeys, punctuated by the silver-colored moon ring.

When Louis’ uncle sends a tadpole from a certain lake in Scotland, the small tadpole grows to enormous proportions. With the help of a resourceful librarian, Louis figures out a way to feed his large and ever-hungry Alphonse as well as determine a permanent solution. Humor abounds in this contemporary classic.

Residents of Chewandswallow were accustomed to their predictable weather which kept them in juice and mashed potatoes (and more) three times a day. That is, until the weather took a strange turn; foods falling not only got larger, but so did the portions! This outrageous tale was released as a film in September 2009.

A princess is bored by the goings-on at the castle but finds adventure with dragons when she runs away. She willingly becomes the captive of Kazul, a grumpy but good-hearted dragon, and the two of them save the other dragons from mean-spirited wizards. Sequels are equally light and engaging and include: Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons.

A boring summer turns into a fantastic series of adventures when Jane and her three siblings find an ancient coin that makes wishes come true – but only halfway. Other magical titles by Edward Eager include: Knight’s Castle, Magic by the Lake, The Time Garden, Magic or Not, The Well-Wishers, and Seven-Day Magic.

While their parents are out, Judy and Peter play a board game called Jumanji. The remarkable game creates a threatening, animal-filled jungle in their suburban house until at last the game is complete. Highly realistic illustrations juxtapose the familiar with the unexpected in this book that won the Caldecott Medal.

Like another English boy, Charlie discovers his unique mysterious abilities and goes off to Bloor’s Academy, a school for specially gifted students. Twists and turns, exceptional magical skills, and remarkable characters make this an adventure not to miss.

Mufaro had two beautiful daughters but each had very different personalities. Manyara was as haughty Nyasha was kind — and the behavior of one led to a royal wedding. Lush illustrations set in Zimbabwe and a straightforward telling make this a memorable book sometimes likened to a “Cinderella” story.

Ugly ogre parents make an even uglier ogre son named Shrek. Of course Shrek seeks (on the back of a donkey) and finds a bride — an ogress even uglier than he! Enjoy the rich language used in the now 20-years-old and still-funny picture book that inspired a movie adaptation.

Under the spell of a vengeful fairy, Princess Aurora sleeps for a hundred years until she is awakened by the kiss of her true love. Lush illustrations place this retelling of the familiar story in a dramatic Baroque-like setting, rich in detail and suspense.

Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, and a host of memorable characters set out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil. Drawing inspiration from the colorful tales of Welsh mythology, The Chronicles of Prydain continue in The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King.

While on vacation in an English village by the sea, Simon, Jane, and Barney Drew, the protagonists of Over Sea, Under Stone, begin a quest to retrieve a relic from King Arthur’s time. Different characters join their quest through The Dark Is Rising, Greenwitch, and the Newbery Award winning The Grey King, until the Drew children, Will Stanton, and Bran Davies defeat the forces of the Dark in the exciting conclusion of the series, Silver on the Tree.

Recommended by Michelle – Not only was this one of my favorite children’s books, it was also a favorite of my former students. This story leaves you hanging to the edge of your seat because of the many surprises found throughout. I also enjoy the very clever characters. Even though they find themselves in many sticky situations, they always find ways to escape.

Miss Hester’s disagreeable dog, Fritz, escapes young Alan’s care and runs into the forbidden garden of Abdul Gasazi. When the boy unsuccessfully tries to find the dog in the mysterious garden, he meets the stern magician himself. Stunning black and white illustrations magnify the magic of Van Allsburg’s first book.

Bilbo Baggins leaves his comfortable Hobbit-hole when selected by Gandalf the wizard to become part of a dangerous adventure in this prequel to Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy.

When siblings, Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund are sent away from London air-raids during World War II, they are placed with an old man in the country. There, they enter another time and place through an old wardrobe found by Lucy. This is the first book in the Narnia Chronicles.

Princess Elizabeth saves the kingdom (and the prince) from a fire-breathing dragon – and is told by the ungrateful Prince Roland that she looks a mess. The princess shows her stuff as she strikes out on her own, leaving the prince in the dust. A light touch and plenty of humor make this parody successful and its message clear.

Often as children grow up, they “stop hearing their toys,” as did the girl who made the paper princess. So the wind whisks Princess off on a magical journey, ultimately carrying her to a new home where she can once again be loved by a little girl. Highly detailed illustrations are used in this sequel to The Paper Princess, though each book stands on its own.

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. This holiday classic earned a Caldecott Medal.

The secret Island is perfect — with one exception. It’s missing its prince, who was stolen years before as a baby. Now a hag named Odge Gribble, an old wizard, and other memorable characters have set off on a quest to London to rescue the child and reunite him with his parents.

The incomparable author and illustrator team retells traditional tales such as the “Gingerbread Man” and the “Little Red Hen” in inventive and hilarious ways, sure to make readers familiar with the originals laugh out loud. Even the traditional format of the book is changed to suit the absurdity of the new versions, for a memorable reading experience.

Who is the stranger that Farmer Bailey accidentally bumped in his pickup truck? The young man recovers but can’t remember who he is until one day it becomes clear that autumn has arrived everywhere except the Bailey farm. Richly colored, highly realistic illustrations convey the story’s mystery and beauty.

You know what they say: “If the wolves come out of the walls, it’s all over.” So, when Lucy hears wolves crinkling, crackling, sneaking, creeping, and crumpling in the walls, she futilely attempts to warn her family. Once out of the walls, the wolves proceed to dance “wolfish dances up the stairs and down again” until Lucy, with the help of her pig-puppet, bravely leads her family to confront their fears. Gaiman crafts a tale of surreal and sinister adversaries who are bested by a young girl’s determination to set things right. The slyly deadpan text, rich in language and wordplay, never doubts Lucy’s capacity to manage the chaos, but McKean’s illustrations take the day, creepily animating the world inside Lucy’s walls.

A sailboat far from the water is intriguing; how could it have gotten there? In haunting text and luminous full color illustrations, a story of uncontrolled ambition unfolds as a story within a story.