This post is part of a weekly series of synopses of children’s books, written by First Book staff members.

Little Red Hen, by Diane Muldrow, illustrated by J.P. Miller. Little Red Hen asks for help from her animal neighbors to cultivate her wheat and make it into bread. But her neighbors don’t want to help and so, when the the hard work is done, they do not get to share the scrumptious product — delicious, hot bread! Moral: help those in need and you shall be rewarded greatly. Grades K-2.


Knights of the Roundtable, adapted by Gwen Gross. Join King Arthur, the wizard Merlin, and the Knights of the Roundtable as they solve riddles, slay dragons, and rescue damsels in distress. This book recounts some of their most famous adventures, from the time Arthur pulls the sword from the stone to his final battle against the evil Mordred. Grades 3-4.


Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes. Johnny Tremain is a gifted young silversmith in prerevolutionary Boston’. His talent is squandered, however, when he injures himself while working on a project for the wealthiest man in town. Unable to use his hand anymore, a humbled Johnny seeks work elsewhere. He is hired as a horseman for the newspaper, but is suddenly thrust into the events that would lead to the Revolutionary War. Grades 5-6.