Fanny & Annabelle - By Holly Hobbie

This is a great book for introducing children to the art of creative writing! It teaches that ideas for stories can come from anywhere, but especially from real-life experiences.  Fanny not only manages to write a cute story about her doll Annabelle, but she also learns a valuable lesson in honesty.  The phrases "holy cow" and "heavens to Betsey" are used, but the book has a very wholesome story line.  The fun illustrations alternate between drawings of the main characters and sketches from the story Fanny is writing.

Corduroy - By Don Freeman

This delightful book is about a little stuffed bear who lives in a department store.  Even though the teddy bear is missing a button, an African-American girl named Lisa immediately falls in love with him. The story not only teaches children that they can save their own money to make purchases, but also that it is important for them to ask a parent's permission before doing so. The adorable illustrations look like sketches splashed with watercolors.