Stories for Cozy Nights
By Tari Hendrickson, Reviewer
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
If, like me, you love reading aloud to your grandchildren, Charlotte's Web is the perfect chapter book to share with them, or with any young child (ages 5-7 ideal) in your life. This American classic offers a rare kind of magic; it appeals to young hearts and adult wisdom simultaneously. Balancing gentle humor with genuine emotion, the story is beautifully crafted for shared reading. Wilbur's innocent questions and Charlotte's patient explanations form natural conversation starters. The friendship between a pig and a spider feels fantastical and yet deeply real. Children understand loyalty and sacrifice, even when they can't yet articulate these concepts. When you read this book to a grandchild, you may find yourself rediscovering layers of meaning you might have missed as a child. Charlotte's legacy living on through her children resonates profoundly when you're the one passing down stories and wisdom. Lincoln City Libraries has 15 copies of this book. Available electronically.
Run by Ann Patchett
In telling the story of a Boston family whose lives change dramatically in a single evening, this book raises meaningful questions about family, faith, and doing what's right. Bernard Doyle is a former mayor who adopted two Black sons, Tip and Teddy, when they were young. He raised them with strong values and high expectations, hoping they would follow his path into politics and public service. Everything changes when the family has a chance encounter with a young woman. A shocking discovery about the boys' past forces the entire family to question what they thought they knew about themselves and each other. Patchett writes beautifully about complicated family relationships. She shows how even families seemingly built on unselfish love can have secrets and misunderstandings. The story explores what it means to be a parent and what children owe their families in return for the love and nurture they receive. Patchett reminds us that while these acts aren’t always enough to solve life's problems, love is still worth fighting for. Lincoln City Libraries has five copies of this book. Available electronically.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Kimmerer's award-winning book beautifully weaves together scientific knowledge with Native American wisdom. As both a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she offers a unique perspective on our relationship with nature. The book's central message challenges how we see our natural world. Instead of viewing plants and animals merely as resources to consume, Kimmerer presents them as relatives deserving of respect. Through personal stories, traditional teachings, and scientific discoveries, Kimmerer shows how forests function as communities where trees share nutrients and care for each other. The book offers practical and spiritual guidance, including the concept of "Honorable Harvest"—taking from nature respectfully and sustainably. Braiding Sweetgrass provides hope during our environmental crisis by showing that ancient wisdom can guide us toward a more sustainable future. She writes: “I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” It's a powerful reminder that we're not separate from nature but part of an interconnected family of life. Lincoln City Libraries has eight copies of this book. Available electronically.