Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully.

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully.

Mirette is a young girl whose interest in a retired performer’s art helps him regain his confidence. Teach your child perseverance and dedication with this title, beautifully set in Paris, 100 years ago. This title was inspired by a tightrope walker Blondin, who walked over Niagara Falls, and will open up many conversations about the desire to achieve new things.

 

The Glorious Flight Across the Channel with Louis Blériot by Alice and Martin Provensen.

This Caldecott Medal Winner is splendid. This book is a great inspiration for any child. It shows passion in a wonderful light and the reader is very excited to see Louis Blériot reach his goal of flight! Many failures don’t discourage this man, but instead teach him to try new things – what an excellent example for anyone! My children also enjoyed seeing his family members age through his trials and memorized the family names.

 

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift and Lynd Ward.

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift and Lynd Ward.

This book is so wonderful, truly one of the top ten best books we have ever read! The little red lighthouse (based on a real lighthouse on the Hudson river) feels so proud doing its daily job. Then a large grey bridge (The George Washington bridge) is built and it feels it may not be useful anymore. My preschooler and toddler LOVE this story, the illustrations are so beautiful with just red, black and blue! We don’t want to give this one back to the library! The story is nicely paced and by all means not too long at all! My toddler sits for the whole thing, interested, easily!

 

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton.

The illustrations in this book could keep your toddler and preschooler busy for hours. Tiny detailed illustrations surround large illustrations and the story moves along quickly as Katy must race to help the citizens of the city do their jobs. This story is a great introduction to cities, including maps, and the jobs people have in these cities.  It’s also a great story about determination, and understanding why it is important to finish a job. Now that description sounds really boring, but the book really is NOT. Virginia Lee Burton is an amazing author and illustrator and this book you will find yourself reading again and again.