Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

A Crash Course For Molly

Watch out! Here comes Molly! Molly is big enough and smart enough to ride a bike now – and she loves it! Trouble is, Molly can’t seem to stop running into things. She keeps her eye on the objects in her path – like poles and people – but for some reason she still hits them. Luckily, she bumps into a driving instructor one day, and he gives Molly some useful advice. Using warmly colored and expressive illustrations, Eva Eriksson once again gives readers an adorable little girl to cheer for as she takes a crash course in bike riding.

Snake Charmer

A little boy in India longs to become a snake charmer. Vishnu dreams of being a snake charmer like his father. He already knows how to handle cobras and he is learning to play the special flute. He longs to go to the city to charm snakes while the tourists watch. But his father thinks that education is more important, so Vishnu must stay home. Life in the village is never dull, though. There are plenty of games and chores to keep everyone busy, and then there’s school, which is taught outdoors. And every few weeks Vishnu’s father-and the snakes-return home to visit. A striking introduction to life in India as seen through the eyes of one little boy.

The Horse of Seven Colors

One night, Don Isidro and his three sons heard a stampede of horses crashing through their gardens. They were shocked to see horses of every color of the rainbow. When they shot at them, the horses fled the garden, leaving the vegetables completely destroyed. Don Isidro ordered his sons to guard the crop during the night. The oldest son failed, the middle son failed, and then it was the youngest son’s turn to guard. He succeeded in capturing one of the horses, which asked him to let it go. “Then I will rescue you when you are in danger,” it said. The youngest son agreed and freed the horse.

The Wise Fool

The riotous adventures and misadventures of Mulla Nasruddin introduce a new generation to one of the most-loved characters in the Muslim world. Nasruddin always has a twinkle in his eye, a sliver of wisdom in his ramblings, and a few good surprises up his sleeve!

The Black Shadow

From the south of Brazil passing through Uruguay to the south of Argentina, spreads “the Pampas,” one of the best natural grazing lands of the world. The term “pampa” comes from the Quechua language and means “plain,” an open countryside without vegetation. In this region lives the gaucho, a unique character with typical custom, clothing and language.

The Owl Who Wanted To See The Sun

There are birds that live under the light of the sun and others that only know the night. The owl was a great admirer of the moon. As a true night bird, she had no idea what the sun does. It was only natural, then, that the conversation of the great toad awoke her curiosity. A curiosity that kept growing until it dominated her completely. She had to see the sun, no one could stop her. But the adventure cost her dearly. Caught un an argument witha daytime bird, she ended up with exposing her vision to the sun’s rays, leading to a tragic end: the permanent loss of her vision. A tragedy in the animal world serves as a life lesson for the world of men.

The Sky Of Afghanistan

“I look at the sky, and I close my eyes, and my imagination begins to fly… The sky can be full of kites, I think, but also full of dreams. And my dream flies high, high up towards the stars. I’m a little Afghan girl who doesn’t stop dreaming. And my dream flies towards all of the regions, entering houses, in homes, in families, and in hearts. A little girl, a dream, a song for peace.”

Luis Paints The World

Nico doesn’t have to join the Army to see the world–that’s what younger brother Luis tries to show by painting a mural in the neighborhood alley. But Nico is deployed and his small brother paints the world in the alleyway to hold on to him.

Luis Paints the World is a WOW Recommends: Book of the Month for December 2016.