(Part 3) Top products from r/childrensbooks

I have a 9-year-old daughter, too. For Roald Dahl, don't miss Danny the Champion of the World, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (the latter is for older kids, so I'm not sure about the six more, but Henry Sugar is indeed wonderful).

Redwall is a bit on the graphic side. Best skim one first. A substitute for the time being is the Warriors series. My wife and daughter read them independently in unison (my wife reading after her bedtime) and discussed them.

Harry Potter is conspicuously missing from your list. Intentional? I hope you haven't pegged this one as having cruelty as its main theme. It's jam-packed with great themes of friendship, loyalty (within reason), trust, love of parents and family, standing up for what's right, and a whole bunch more. It's one of those book series you want a notebook for, to jot down quotes because there are so many gems.

Dear America is a fictional diary series of girls living in various periods in history.

The Mary Poppins series shouldn't be overlooked. It's quite different from the movie.

I'm putting my money on The Enchanted Forest Chronicles series, first book: Dealing with Dragons. The head-strong princess has no interest in the idiot prince she's supposed to marry, is quite comfortable once she's in the company of a dragon, and no thank you, she has no need for being rescued.

Also, The Mysterious Benedict Society series. It all starts with a newspaper ad seeking "gifted children looking for special opportunities."

I may be misinterpreting what "low-stimulus" means for Story time, but I think Waiting by Kevin Henkes is a lovely, even-keeled story with moderate pacing and beautiful simple illustrations. Lots of consistency from page to page, but very nice.

Over in the Meadow

Little Blue Truck

One Duck Stuck

Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?

Sheep in a Jeep

Jamberry

The Napping House

Hand Hand Fingers Thumb

Bubble Gum Bubble Gum

This brought back great memories. Also, type any title into youtube to listen to a reading so you know if you like the book before buying. As for category, "animal noises" or "onomatopoeia" are good search terms.

Not sure about number 2, but I'm pretty sure Arrow to the Sun is the first book you're looking for.

I shop at an independent book store, and they put out great flyers on good reads in the middle readers section. Try going to "school library journals" site too.


http://www.slj.com/

Maile meloy is another one, she wrote The apothecary and also the Apprentices
Also as a twist, she is Colin Meloys sister ( the wildwood chronicles)


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0142422061/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SL500_SY115

For divorce, my favorites for this age group are Two Homes, Always Mom Forever Dad, and Living with Mom and Living with Dad.

For a transgender parent, I second the recommendation of Introducing Teddy. There aren't really any good picture books about transgender parents that I'm aware of, they all focus on trans or gender non-conforming children (or in this case, a teddy bear). Red: A Crayon's Story is also a fantastic metaphor for being transgender, but will definitely go over the 2-year-old's head (and maybe the 5-year-old as well).

Here's a few we've picked up for our daughter (these also count among her favorites):

Brave Irene by William Steig

Imogene's Antlers by David Small

I like me! by Nancy Carlson

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelman

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

I liked Bill Nye The Science Guy as a kid...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0201608642

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0786805439

For color books, I remember:
Mouse Paint
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0152001182/kinderkorner

&

White Rabbit's Color Book
http://www.amazon.com/White-Rabbits-Color-Little-Rabbit/dp/0753452545/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZD9DXG3V5DMA5ACJTNB

But I have a feeling that neither of these are what you're seeking.,, I feel that plot is super familiar but I can't put my finger on it...

They're called flip books. Here are some others...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wallace-Gromit-The-Dog-Diaries-Curse-Wererabbit/dp/0141318880

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coping-Girls-Boys-Peter-Corey/dp/0590550446/

https://www.bookdepository.com/Teachers-Tales-Terror-Traction-City-Chris-Priestley/9780956627698

Is this it?

Could it be The Story of May by Mordicai Gerstein? It follows the journey of a young girl named May who interacts her family members who are different months on her way to meet her father December. Excerpts of the illustrations from the book, along with some more details about the story can be found on this blog.

[Amazon link to book] (http://www.amazon.com/Story-May-Mordicai-Gerstein/dp/0064433919/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410840973&sr=1-1&keywords=the+story+of+may)

Goodreads link

Link to another blog w/some pics of pages