Sharing stories told and retold time and again can be a wonderful aspect to your relationship with your children. Hearing about characters from all corners of the earth stirs emotions and resolves issues in the inner being of the child.

The Sun Seed

A little Sun Seed follows the cycle of spring into summer into fall into winter as she grows from seedling to golden flower. The illustrations were created with naturally-dyed wool fibers, needle felted in layers to create depth and details to tell this charming and simple story for the young child. A sweet and gentle tale of metamorphosis. Ages 3 to 5. Hardcover.

The Secret Garden

She put the key in and turned it...
And then she took a long breath...
She was standing inside the secret garden.
It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place anyone could imagine.

In what is certainly the most beautiful full-color edition of this acknowledged childrens' classic, we come to know (and eventually love) Mary Lennox, the spoiled and sullen orphan sent to the dour moors of Yorkshire to be magically transformed by the powers of nature, young Dicken, and the discovery of a secret, walled garden. This is a book (and this is the edition) that should be in the library of every child. First published in 1911, this title has never been out of print and is still as fresh today as it was when first published. My favorite book as a child! Color illustrations by Graham Rust. Hardcover. Age 9 and up.

George is playing boats but there is no wind to make them sail. Then, one of the Wind Children comes along and blows just for him, and together they embark on a great adventure. The Wind Child blows dandelions in the meadows, shakes apples from the tree, blows the leaves around, and eventually blows George back home on a cloud.  From the author of The Story of the Root Children, Sibylle von Olfers, here is another classic children's story with beautiful illustrations in the art nouveau style akin to Elsa Beskow and Kate Greenway. Large format, hardcover. Ages 3-7

Poppy is gazing out of the window at the snow when, all of a sudden, she sees that the snowflakes are really little Snow Children dancing and whirling in the garden. Soon, they whisk her away to the Snow Queen's wintry kingdom. From the author of The Story of the Root Children, Sibylle von Olfers, here is another classic children's story with beautiful illustrations in the art nouveau style akin to Elsa Beskow and Kate Greenway. Large format, hardcover. Ages 3-7

A timeless collection of twenty of Aesop's best-loved animal fables punctuated by the age-old morals that have instructed countless generations. Accompanied by beautiful, full-color illustrations from award-winning artist Don Daily, this volume highlights such fables as "The Goose Who Laid the Golden Eggs," "The Mouse and the Frog," "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse" and the one and only "The Tortoise and the Hare."  It's best when children are allowed to simply enjoy the fables, maybe one or two a day, without being subjected to actually hearing the one-sentence moral found at the bottom of each page.  This allows the moral implicit in the story itself to sink into the subconscious where it can remain to provide food for the soul as the child grows. Hardbound. Ages 4-8.

This is a classic, much-loved collection of stories, legends of saints, fairytales, fables, and poems - 99 in all - for young children from seven to nine. First published in England in 1951 and based on the first (1928) reader of the Stuttgart Waldorf School in Germany. Full of imagination, fantasy, and wit - in the spirit of George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis - and still well-suited to lead children to a love of the world and the word. Ages 7-9.

A Journey through Time in Verse and Rhyme

Collected by Heather Thomas. A resource book to treasure, it will awaken a love of poetry in both young and old. The poems are arranged in accordance with the development of the child from six to fourteen and provide support for the subject matter of lessons, from botany and physics to ancient history and astronomy. Especially compatible with the curriculum of Waldorf education.

Shakespeare, Blake, Wordsworth, Browning together are juxtaposed with the refreshingly unfamiliar and sections on alliterative verse, riddles, tongue-twisters, action verses, seasons of the year and meditative verses for adults. The collection encompasses a wide variety of moods from gratitude and wonder at the natural world to courage and heroism of individuals pitted against the odds, and range from ancient Egypt to modern times. Hardcover. Contents are recommended for children ages 6-14.

A mysterious orange egg has fallen into the woods. "It's a sun egg!" declares the elf who finds it nestled on the forest floor. Soon she and her friends find out what it really is, but not before the little elf goes off on one of the best adventures she has ever had. This little Elsa Beskow book measures 7 x 5 inches. Hardbound. Ages 4-9.

Children of the Forest ~ mini

Deep in the roots of an old pine tree live the children of the forest. Playing hide-and-seek with the squirrels, snowballing in the winter, each season brings its own adventures - perhaps spring holds the best surprise of all. Elsa Beskow's picture books for children have been known and loved for over a century. 7" x 5". Hardbound. Ages 4-6.

Peter in Blueberry Land ~ mini

Peter is looking for blueberries for his mother's birthday and he can't find a single one. Suddenly he feels a light tap on his shoe - and a strange and magical adventure is about to begin. From Elsa Beskow, Swedish author and illustrator. Originally published in 1901. Measures a cute 7" x 5". Hardbound. Ages 4-6.

The Story of the Root Children ~ mini

The root children spend winter asleep deep underground under the care of their wise Mother Earth. When spring comes they wake up, sew new gowns and capes, clean and paint the beetles and bugs, and go forth into the world for summer playing. In autumn, they are once more welcomed back into their home underground. Sibylle von Olfers, originally published in 1906. 5" x 7", hardbound. Ages 3-7.

Stories of the Saints

An invaluable treasury of the stories of the Saints - over 30 stories of devotion, self-sacrifice and faith. Designed for easy reading and reference, this book covers a wide range of saints from many times and lands. Retold by Siegwart Knijpenga for ages 7 through 12.

The Seven-Year-Old Wonder Book - by Isabel Wyatt

Sylvia lives with her mother in a white cottage at the edge of the woods. In the evening, Sylvia’s mother tells her wonderful stories, and during the night, the Rhyme-Elves paint pictures and write poems in her Wonder-Book.  Join Sylvia and the Rhyme-Elves in this tale of the tales as you are taken through the highlights of the year, through Christian holidays and birthdays.  Written in 1958, this book will appeal to the seven-year-old and any others who can remember that remarkable year.  Ages 6 and up. 144 pages, paperback.

King Beetle-Tamer - by Isabel Wyatt

A collection of 15 fairy tales written by the "weaver of magic," Isabel Wyatt. The tales are filled with unicorns and fairies, magic and wonder. Appropriate for ages 8-11, but particularly magical for the 2nd grade child.

The Book of Fairy Princes - by Isabel Wyatt

A wonderful collection of stories which transport us to ivory towers, great forests, golden lands and kingdoms of beautiful colors. Especially appealing to the 3rd grade child.

Thorkill of Iceland (Viking Hero Tales)

The Vikings were the world's greatest adventurers and undertook astonishing journeys. These stories are beautifully and dramatically retold from the old sources. Especially for the 4th grade child.

WALDORF READERS SERIES

Written by Arthur M. Pittis • Illustrations by Ausa M. Peacock

Not just for "Waldorfians," this five book series of familiar stories provides engaging and age appropriate reading material for children. Written to complement the language arts curriculum and methods of Waldorf schools, the readers use progressively controlled and increasingly rich sight and phonetic vocabulary. Sentence structure and grammar build in complexity from story to story.

Over 125 multi-cultural stories and poems ranging from fairy tales, fables, saint stories and folk tales with poems and verses throughout; written to be read by children. Imagine the joy to be able to read on their own stories they've been told and love! Oh, I wish these were available when homeschooling our oldest child. Enjoy this marvelous series and count your blessings.

Fee Fi Fo Fum! - A Waldorf Reader for Late Second Grade

Magical fairy tales and poems abound in this first reader. Jack and the Beanstalk, Bremen Town Musicians, The Fisherman's Wife, and more to capture the reader's imagination.

As My Heart Awakes - A Waldorf Reader for Early Third Grade

From cultures around the world come fables, saint stories, a Buddhist tale and more. Enriching stories which entertain and teach the heart kindness, peace and compassion.

When I Hear My Heart Wonder - A Waldorf Reader for Late Third Grade

Another serving of fables and saint stories. More fables from Aesop, two from Leo Tolstoy, and others. Saint stories include two from Persia, a Buddhist tale, an Hassidic story, stories of Saint Francis, Sister Claire, and even more. All good food for the soul.

Snip, Snap, Snout! - A Waldorf Third Grade Reader for Extra Lesson Work

In Waldorf education remedial work is referred to as Extra Lesson. Snip, Snap, Snout! is a superb reader for the third grader having difficulties. The fables and saint stories are shorter and extra emphasis is given to vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation without being obviously remedial. This book does an excellent job of enabling the third grader to work with the same material even if taking longer to grasp reading.

Sun So Hot I Froze to Death - A Waldorf Reader for Advanced Fourth Grade

A collection of over 30 folk tales from the United States and it's unique regions. Readers will eagerly devour tall tales of Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, Brer Rabbit, Keelboat Annie and more - complete with local dialect and harmless slang. Also included are the lyrics for old favorites "Oh! Susanna" and "Home on the Range". This book is sheer delight and fun!

The Power of Love ~ a pedagogical story

Inspired by the author's children (when five and seven) after they spent the night at the house of an 8-year-old boy who took delight in telling them scary stories. Her children shared a room and would no longer go to sleep unless she was with them. Upon the advice of a wise elder to "tell them a pedagogical story" to help them work through this challenge, and unsure as to what she might tell, she sat down with her children, asked for guidance and this was the story that came through. That night she tucked her children in and they went to sleep without her present. Written and illustrated by Doris Rainville, a Waldorf kindergarten teacher in California.

The Girl Who Never Let Her Mother Brush Her Hair ~ a pedagogical story

Created when the author's fourth child was about three years old. According to her mother, Anna was a lovely girl with a sensitive head and a stubborn streak. Doris needed to use her imagination quite a bit to get her to do what was needed. One day Anna did not want her hair brushed and Doris said, "But didn't I ever tell you about the girl who never let her mother brush her hair?" Then she made up this story and Anna heard it day after day, until she started to brush her own hair. Written and illustrated by Doris Rainville, a Waldorf kindergarten teacher.

The Magic Knot and other Tangles by Reg Down

The Magic Knot is a making-tale comedy starring Pine Cone and Pepper Pot. High in the branches of a great oak lives their friend, Tiptoes Lightly. Her house is an acorn, and it has no furniture ~ aside from two downy feathers given to her by Lucy the Goose to sleep on. Soon it will be Tiptoes' birthday, and Pine Cone and Pepper Pot decide to make her one table and three chairs ~ which should be a simple task for two clever gnomes! When her surprise party finally rolls around, Tiptoes tells the enchanting tale of how she came to live in the Great Oak Tree as a daughter of Father Sun and Mother Wind. Wonderful tales set in nature for children ages 6 to 9. 

Big-Stamp Two-Toes the Barefoot Giant by Reg Down

These tales follow Tiptoes Lightly and friends through springtime. Ompliant the Elephant has his leg pulled by Chit-Chat the Chipmunk, and gets to see Jeremy Mouse’s babies (he just can’t believe they are pink – and with no fur!). Tom Nutcracker follows giant footprints deep into the forest and gets himself hopelessly treed (luckily the ‘giant’, Ompliant the Elephant, helps him down), and Tiptoes and the gnomes sail down Running River to Pixie Island and hear how Forget-me-nots got their name. Wonderful tales set in nature. Wonderful tales set in nature for children ages 6 to 9.

The Festival of Stones by Reg Down

Autumn and Winter Tales of Tiptoes Lightly ~ Tiptoes and her friends - including Farmer Johns children, Tom Nutcracker and June Berry - celebrate the festivals of Michaelmas, Halloween, Martinmas, Advent and Christmas. Wonderfully captures the inner mood of nature during autumn and winter.  You'll find these illustrated tales to be reverent, humorous and sacred. Wonderful tales set in nature for children ages 6 to 9.

The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly by Reg Down

The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly is made up of three adventure series: 'The Bee who lost his Buzz', 'Pumpkin Crow' and 'Lucy Goose and the Half-egg.' Each series is comprised of 14 different short tales or chapters; over 40 in all and the sweetest stories I've ever read. Lavishly and lovingly illustrated by the artist-author, the stories are humorous, sanguine and droll. They are innocent and magical nature tales of Tiptoes, a fairy who lives in an acorn high up in the branches of Great Oak Tree. Suitable for reading to children ages 3 and up or for young children to read. Wonderful tales set in nature for children ages 6 to 9.

Not only an author and illustrator, Reg Down is also an experienced Waldorf teacher and trained Eurythmist (an art of movement and gesture).

Mia's Apple Tree by Nancy Jewel Poer

 "Once upon a time there was a shiny red apple, and inside the apple was a star, and inside the star was a little brown seed, and inside the seed was a secret. The secret was a dream ..."

A full-color children's book that celebrates the wonder of nature's elemental helpers, the fairies and gnomes, and the birth of a little girl and how she comes from heaven (on the rainbow bridge) to her waiting parents and grows up with her apple tree.  Nancy wrote this special book for her grandchild, Mia, and dedicates it to her and all grandchildren everywhere.  Hardbound.

Seasonal Boardbooks - Gerda Muller

Back in print at last!  These colorful books are a series of four sturdy boardbooks without text. The series takes young children through the four seasons of the year with fun, active beautifully illustrated pictures.  My children and I enjoyed many hours of cozy lap-time looking at wordless books.  The pictures provided lots to talk about and helped to develop their language skills. 7"x8" Ages 1-5.

Autumn  ~ See children playing in leaves, collecting conkers, flying kites, making jam...

Spring ~ Shows children playing with lambs, sowing seeds, painting Easter eggs, watching baby birds... 

Summer ~ Portrays children fishing for tadpoles, playing at the beach, eating ice-cream, enjoying evening picnics... 

Winter ~ Children shovel snow, ice skate, feed birds, celebrate Christmas... 

Puck the Gnome

This story written by the master storyteller, Jakob Streit, is one of the most delightful children’s stories to appear in quite awhile. The story of Puck, who has one foot facing forward and one backward, illuminates the world of the hard-working gnomes. The moral insights, wisdom, humor, and true goodness found in Puck’s adventures will delight both children and adults. The illustrations by Georges Feldmann are truly magical. Softbound • 100 Pages. Ages 4-10 years.

Winter, Awake!

The tired trees need to rest. Their fallen leaves have made a leafy blanket for the sleeping seeds. All the woodland creatures try to tell Winter their work is done. They scold and mock and urge, but Winter will not wake, until, at last, the round red ladybug in her small, soft voice whispers something gently in his ear—and mighty Winter wakes! Beautifully and colorfully illustrated. Ages 5–7.

The Wind Boy

A delightful story and magical fantasy about two children who encounter the Clear Land and befriend the Wind Boy when Nan answers their artist mother’s ad for household help. A favorite bedtime chapter book. By Ethel Cook Eliot, originally published in 1923. Ages 5-12 years.

The House Above the Trees

Tree Mother put her hand on the dark trunk.
" This is the stair to my house," she said. " We must climb."
The branches were very close together and the climb was rather like going up difficult stairs. As they ascended, the moonlight grew brighter and brighter. And when they had almost reached the top, there was the moon, large, round, beautiful, away off at the edge of the world, flooding the wood with light.

Charlie Needs a Cloak

Charlie the shepherd shears his sheep, cards and spins the wool, weaves and dyes the cloth, and sews a beautiful new red cloak. Pictures and humorous story by Tomie dePaola. Ages 5-9

The Goat in the Rug by Geraldine

Geraldine is a goat and Glenmae, a Navajo weaver. One day, Glenmae decides to weave Geraldine into a rug. The reader learns in a fun way about the care and pride involved in the weaving of a Navajo rug - and about cooperation among friends. Ages 4-8.

LMNOP and All the Letters A to Z

This fun book of lighthearted poems is a playful presentation of the written word and brings an imaginative approach to language learning. For each letter there's a fun verse and colorful illustration that embodies the shape of the letter. Helpful introduction includes ways to also use LMNOP as a resource and tool for teaching the letters of the alphabet. Poems by Howard Schrager. Illustrated by Bruce Bischof.

LMNOP Companion CD

A companion CD of LMNOP's unique alphabet songs. 13 minutes.

 

 

B is in bowl, bag, Basket, and bin. All manner of places To keep berries in. A brawny brown bear Called Big Belly Beholds a bee buzzing; Oh our busy B.	Eagle of light I seek in the heights; Toward your beam Now I reach, As you stream From the east. E's in the elbow I bend when I eat; E's doubly there In my knees and my feet...

LMNOP Alphabet Wall Cards

A super learning tool.  On the front of each laminated card there is a beautiful colored-pencil illustration of one of the 26 letters found in the LMNOP book. The accompanying rhyme on the back tells us what the letter has to say! 

Some suggested uses ~ Mount them on the wall, forming a children's art gallery or display one at a time on a stand as the focus of a particular lesson.  Hold in your hand and use like flash cards. The child can make a game of mixing them up and putting them back in order or find the pictures within the pages of the book LMNOP.  As the child learns to read, the cards can be arranged and rearranged to make words. Each card measures 8 1/2" x 11".