Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

Running with the Horses

Nina and her father live in a beautiful riding school famous for their Lippizaners–precious, rare performing horses. Nina loves the horses that her father looks after, but she also loves Zelda, one of the old carriage horses who she sneaks out to see. It’s a perfect world for a little girl, although she has to compete with her father’s work for his attention. But a war is coming, one that will threaten their lives and the very existence of the school. When the city is under attack, Nina and Father are in charge of fleeing with the horses to a safe place across the border, but can they pass enemy soldiers, bombed out bridges and the fearsome cold of the Alps to get there? And can Nina save her beloved Zelda, too?

The Little Polar Bear

Your favorite little polar bear in a BIG board format.  What makes Lars, the little polar bear, so special?  Stories that “incorporate the unexpectedness of life events, the power of experiences to help form personal values, and the importance of both friendly help and self-reliance.” (School Library Journal)  Now available as a 9×9 “lap edition” board book!

Up and Away with the Little Witch!

When Trixie comes to visit, Lizzy, the Little Witch, decides to conjure up a magic carpet for them.

“Abracadabra, abracaduss,
Carpet, oh, carpet,
Fly away with us!”

She chants, and PRESTO! they’re up and away on an all-night adventure! Fly with Lizzy and Trixie as they visit the Caravan Witch, the Boat Witch, and, most fantastic of all, the Balloon Witch.

For the Love of Music

By the time she was 12, she was considered one of the finest pianists in Europe, but today few people know her name. Maria Mozart, like her famous brother Wolfgang, was a musical prodigy. The talented siblings toured Europe, playing before kings and empresses, were showered with gifts and favors, and lived in a whirlwind life of music and travel. They were best friends, collaborators, and confidantes. As they grew older, Wolfgang was encouraged to pursue his musical ambitions, while Maria was told she must stop performing and, ultimately, marry. But she was determined to continue playing the piano every day, for the love of music…. From the Hardcover edition.

The Curious Little Witch

What happens when a little witch gets curious? An international bestseller comes to the US!  Lizzy is a curious little witch. Late one night she spots an old house all lit up when everyone else is asleep, and she can’t help herself. She just has to investigate. The Little Witch books have been favorites around the world for years. Now, at last, the irresistible Little Witch comes to America! NorthSouth is excited to launch this new Picture book series here in the United States.

My Name is Celia/Me Llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/La Vida de Celia Cruz

An exuberant picture-book biography of the Cuban-born salsa singer. From its rhythmic opening, the first-person narrative dances readers through Cruz’s youth in Havana, a childhood bounded by scents of nature and home, the sweet taste of sugar, and the sound of music. A singer from an early age, Cruz sang so continually that one of her teachers finally urged her to share her voice with the world. Thus encouraged, she entered competitions, undeterred when her racial heritage prevented her from competing – undeterred, even, when the advent of Castro’s communist regime forced her to leave Cuba as a refugee. Positive even in exile, Cruz made New York City her own and took Miami by storm. The salsa-influenced prose presented in English and in Spanish is followed by a straightforward vita of the singer, noting her death in July 2003. Lopez’s distinguished, luminous acrylic paintings are alive with motion, lush with brilliantly layered colors, and informed with verve and symbolism. This is a brilliant introduction to a significant woman and her music. The only enhancement required is the music itself.

Sami and the Time of the Troubles

A ten-year-old Lebanese boy balances his life in a war-torn city.

This book has been included in WOW’s Kids Taking Action Booklist. For our current list, visit our Boolist page under Resources in the green navigation bar.