The Children's Hour

09/22/2026

https://mailchi.mp/31c2faedb4d1/the-storytellers-newsletter?e=b1249e5f29

Welcome to The Storytellers, a monthly newsletter of outstanding children’s literature to read and read aloud from preschoolers to teens.

09/21/2026

The Storytellers Newsletter -

Welcome to The Storytellers, a monthly newsletter of outstanding children’s literature to read and read aloud from preschoolers to teens.

07/10/2026

Check out the July issue of The Storytellers Newsletter

Welcome to The Storytellers, a monthly newsletter of outstanding children’s literature to read and read aloud from preschoolers to teens.

07/10/2026

Check out the June issue of The Storytellers Newsletter

Welcome to The Storytellers, a monthly newsletter of outstanding children’s literature to read and read aloud from preschoolers to teens.

12/22/2025

Check out the latest newsletter. Lots of great Christmas books to read to your children.

Welcome to The Storytellers, a monthly newsletter of outstanding children’s literature to read and read aloud from preschoolers to teens.

12/22/2025

Great children’s books should contain Heart, Hope, Humor, & Heroes:

MR. WILLOUGHBY’S HEAD OVER HEELS CHRISTMAS
written & illus. by Robert Barry, (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, Oct. 2025, $18.99, ISBN 978-0-593-70819-4), 40p, Ages 4-7

On Christmas Eve, Mr. Willoughby’s delivery truck becomes stuck in a snowbank and cannot deliver his Christmas tree. Barnaby Bear realizes the problem, finds a perfect tree at the top of a mountain, and rides it down the mountain. Along the way the tree scoops up friends Frisky Fox, Dusty Duck, Benjamin Rabbit, and Mistletoe Mouse.
As they crash through Mr. Willoughby’s front door and become stuck in the fireplace, kids will love the jolly old man who comes to the rescue and save Christmas for Mr. Willoughby’s tree and the animals. “From his sleigh in the sky, / Santa shouted with glee, / ‘Happy Christmas to all! / What a wonderful tree!’”.
Filled with laughter, surprises, fun, frolics, and Christmas magic, kids will love this perfect holiday read-aloud. The afterword by Robert Barry’s son provides details surrounding the discovery of the long-forgotten manuscript.
Themes: Adventure, Animals, Holidays, Humor, Series
Other book in the Series: Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree

12/09/2025

LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL
written by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Joe Sutphin, (Moody Publishers $29.99, 2024, ISBN 978-0-802-43283-4), 144p, Ages 10+
Charles Dickens originally wrote “A Christmas Carol” in 1843 as a tale of greed, regret, loneliness, reflection, compassion, hope and redemption. This adapted edition for young readers features delightfully, illustrated woodland animals as the characters, while lightly editing some of the original text and expressive vocabulary.
With its rich language, delightful animal illustrations, and messages of caring for others, this adapted classic will make for a perfect family read-aloud during the Christmas season, and maybe all through the year.
As Charles Dickens once said, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.”
Themes: Classics, Families, Holidays, Values

11/26/2025

TRAINS
written by Ian Graham, illus. by Stephen Biesty, (Templar Books, 2017, $6.47, ISBN 978-0-7636-96474), 16p, Agen 8+
This award-winning, fact-filled, lift-the-flap, detail-oriented board book features eight well-loved trains over the years. Readers will find a large amount of information on Early Steam Trains, American Steam Trains, The Golden Age of Steam, Diesel Replaces Steam, Electric Trains, Heavy-Duty Diesel Trains, High-Speed Trains, and Trains of the Future.
For example, Early Steam Trains includes a history, information on the various carriages, the inner workings, workers on the train, specific cars and their purposes, Construction of Early Railway Line, and Evolution of Early Railway Locomotive Design.
The illustrations are stunning and will delight readers who love trains, even those who don’t. With over forty flaps to lift, kids and adults will thoroughly enjoy pouring over this award winning book of Trains.
Themes: Adventure, Concept, Inventions, Trains, Series
Another book in the series: Flying Machines

10/24/2025

THE GHOST OF SIFTY SIFTY SAM 7-10
written by Angela Shelf Medearis, illus. by Jacqueline Rogers, (Scholastic Press, 1997), 40p, Ages 7+
“Deep down in the East Texas woods, there stands a beautiful old house that folks in those parts say is haunted by the ghost of Sifty Sifty Sam.” When a realtor, unsuccessful in selling the house, offers a $5,000 reward to anyone who can spend one night in the house, a chef named Dan decides to try. Armed with pots, pans, and food, he encounters a very hungry spirit. Scared witless, Dan soon realizes that delicious food is the way to Sifty’s heart, and prepares a banquet for the ghost who hasn’t eaten in 20 years. Dan wins the reward, opens a café, and Sifty agrees to wash the dishes exchange for food and board.
Themes: Food, Holidays, Humor