Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
Finding great books for children makes them lifelong readers.

When you give your children books they love, you give them a gift that lasts forever. But finding books that appeal to kids when there's so much else competing for their time has become really tough. Our recommended lists by theme and topic will help you find books for children of all ages and interests, from All Things Harry Potter to the best books to share with dads.

Show Reviews for:

New Book Reviews

showing: fairy tale
lips_touch_three_times_book.jpg
Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor
Parents Need to Know...

that, like all fairy tales, these three tales have a dark side. The third and longest story is the darkest and most adult, with a land of demons who can take over human bodies and make them have (barley described) sex. The first two ... read more

Age 15+
Lips Touch Three Times
5
birdie.jpg
The Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie's Book by Jan Bozarth, Andrea Burden
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some scary incidents, including a girl falling from high in the air, girls being attacked by plants, and girls being chased by a large sea creature. Also, a child has a rocky relationship with a parent. read more

Age 9+
The Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie's Book
4
hyacinth1.jpg
Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated
Parents Need to Know...

that the heroine in this whimsical fantasy doesn’t want to be weighed down by her unusual problem. Kids might be alarmed when the princess begins to float aloft, but her concerned parents keep watch over her and Hyacinth feels joy and ... read more

Age 4+
Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated
4
tiger.jpg
Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some mature situations in this novel, including discussion of a man's lust for a woman, consummation of a marriage, harems, women murdered by their husbands, and a man being a eunuch. There is also discussion of many ... read more

Age 12+
Tiger Moon
3
finfersma.jpg
A Finder's Magic by Philippa Pearce
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a fairy tale with enchantment, magic, and the mention of witches. It's also a book with riddles, precise vocabulary, and talking animals. read more

Age 8+
A Finder's Magic
3
AuntieTiger.jpg
Auntie Tiger by Laurence Yep
Parents Need to Know...

that this Chinese version of the traditional Little Red Riding Hood story includes the eating of the little sister, and the killing of the tiger. Older kids should be fine with it, but it's not for younger readers. read more

Age 6+
Auntie Tiger
4
9263_orig.jpg
The 13 Clocks by James Thurber
Parents Need to Know...

that there is little to be concerned about here, aside from some non-graphic references to people being killed and fed to geese. read more

Age 8+
The 13 Clocks
4
9206_orig.gif
Carmine: A Little More Red by Melissa Sweet
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing scary about this retelling of the Red Riding Hood story. read more

Age 4+
Carmine: A Little More Red
4
8409_orig.jpg
Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale
Parents Need to Know...

that they will appreciate the humor and the artwork in this twisted fairytale, and older kids, especially those familiar with the Sleeping Beauty story, will get the silly jokes. However, some of the language, and even some of the twists, ... read more

Age 5+
Snoring Beauty
4
8329_orig.jpg
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Parents Need to Know...

this book has some classic fairytale situations including romance and an evil queen. There is talk of love, marriage, adoption, and murder by poison. read more

Age 9+
Once Upon a Marigold
4
7612_orig.jpg
Little Red Riding Hood by Jerry Pinkney
Parents Need to Know...

that this version of Grimm's traditional fairytale is true to the original. The leering wolf eats the grandmother and then is killed by the heroic woodsman who saves the day. However, nothing too gory is shown. Some illustrations, ... read more

Age 4+
Little Red Riding Hood
5
7629_orig.jpg
The Castle Corona by Sharon Creech
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a classic fairy tale. There is mild fairy-tale violence and, of course, budding romance. A storyteller tells a story in which parents and siblings die and thieves are killed; the killings are shown as unjust. read more

Age 8+
The Castle Corona
4
7156_orig.jpg
Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner
Parents Need to Know...

that children, including a toddler, are in constant peril -- injured, kidnapped, enslaved, threatened, tormented, and manipulated. Some children may find the parents, neglectful and disinterested at best, disturbing, especially when the ... read more

Age 9+
Into the Woods
3
5968_orig.jpg
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Parents Need to Know...

that in this fairytale from the author of Ella Enchanted, the heroine, Aza, is refreshingly less attractive than your average protagonist and suffers from quite a bit of self-doubt because of it. Aza is tricked and imprisoned in a dungeon ... read more

Age 10+
Fairest
4
5851_orig.jpg
Simeon's Gift by Julie Andrews-Edwards
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing objectionable in this beautiful fairy tale from the Julie Andrews Collection. read more

Age 5+
Simeon's Gift
5
3160_orig.jpg
Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth by Lloyd Alexander
Parents Need to Know...

that by today's standards some of this is uncomfortably stereotyped: For instance, the Japanese emperor Ichigo actually says, "Ah so!" read more

Age 8+
Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth
3
3134_orig.jpg
The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber
Parents Need to Know...

that extrapolating the lives of fairy-tale characters before and after their stories take place can make for interesting discussions. read more

Age 10+
The Witch's Boy
4
2397_orig.jpg
The Fairy's Mistake (The Princess Tales, Book 1) by Gail Carson Levine
Parents Need to Know...

that the behavior of both sisters is filled with points for discussion, as the bad sister gets what she wants through blackmail, and the good sister marries a man she does not love. read more

Age 7+
The Fairy's Mistake (The Princess Tales, Book 1)
4
1102_orig.jpg
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Parents Need to Know...

that highly imaginative twists on an old tale and a fast pace will keep readers turning the page. This spunky heroine keeps you rooting for her until the end. read more

Age 11+
Ella Enchanted
4
1463_orig.jpg
Catherine and Laurence Anholt's Big Book of Families by Catherine Anholt
Parents Need to Know...

that families are the theme of this set of poems that vary from lighthearted to zany. Illustrations show appealing cartoonlike characters with a great variety in backgrounds. read more

Age 4+
Catherine and Laurence Anholt's Big Book of Families
4
1408_orig.jpg
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Parents Need to Know...

that the main character, Alexander T. Wolf, tells his version of the "Three Little Pigs" story from prison. (He's accused of killing and eating two of the three pigs.) The wolf presents his side of the story as the truth, but there's also ... read more

Age 4+
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
5

Recommended Book Lists

See more lists >

Find Books by Title


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

About Our Reviews

Common Sense Media's book reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.