Published on: 2026-09-13
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On weekends, employees of the city libraries talk about books that are guaranteed to captivate the whole family. Maria Klocheva from Children’s Library No. 121 has selected five books, including works by Andrey Usachev, Tamara Kryukova, and other authors.
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For babies
“Amai and Her Mysterious Friend. A Fairy Tale About Trust, Love, and Friendship” by Tatyana Grigoryan
“Amai and Her Mysterious Friend. A Tale of Trust, Love, and Friendship” is a story about true friendship, which is important to cherish from early childhood. It is perfect for reading aloud, looking at the pictures, and discussing the plot. The main character, little girl Amai, lives in the middle of the savannah. One day, she gets into a predicament that will forever change the life of her tribe.
As a librarian, I appreciate the style and the author’s skill in creating a cozy fairy-tale atmosphere without excessive preaching in this book. And as a mother, I note the precise psychological emphasis: the story delicately explains the value of friendship, teaches to notice the good in others, and to be true to one’s word. It definitely made it onto our family’s list of favorite children’s books.
The book is perfect for a child’s first independent read-aloud: it immerses the child in a world of kindness without overloading the plot with complex twists. I recommend putting it on the shelf for evening reading; I’m sure it will leave a very pleasant aftertaste.
“Mimi Ballerina” Helga Bansch
Austrian writer and artist Helga Bansch created a very cozy story about a little gray mouse named Mimi, who desperately dreamed of being a real ballerina and twirling in pointe shoes on stage. The book will help children think about how important it is to have friends who can applaud the loudest for someone who has finally fulfilled their cherished wish, and it will remind adults that they must definitely lend a shoulder to a child and support them.
For older children
“The Wizard’s Galosh, or An Entertaining Guide to Rules of Conduct” by Tamara Kryukova
Over the years working in the children’s library, I have learned a simple truth: it’s best to talk about the most important things with a smile. The writer Tamara Kryukova masters this art perfectly, and her book “The Wizard’s Galosh, or An Entertaining Guide to Rules of Conduct” is probably the coziest and wisest etiquette textbook I have ever held in my hands.
Imagine an old rubber galosh that lived with a absent-minded Wizard for so long that it learned to perform miracles itself. Having gotten lost, it set off on a journey through the city and met children with difficult temperaments: cowards, bullies, and lazy ones. For each mischievous child, it found a fitting magical story that changed them for the better.
“12 Owls” by Andrey Usachev and Galina Dyadina
First of all, I want to reveal a little secret that seems to be waiting for readers: the promised 12 stories are not in the book; inside, there are as many as 15 fairy tales collected. Where the additional ones came from you will find out if you read the book.
“12 Owls” is a large verbal game. Andrey Usachev and Galina Dyadina call themselves “OWLauthores,” with the word “owl” being key. The bird hides everywhere: in the names of characters, in the names of objects, and even in ordinary words that suddenly become funny and new. Children love such word flips, and parents often smile as they notice yet another joke.
No one here lectures about the need to be good. The heroes get into trouble, learn to make friends and imagine. The book has no villains that make it scary to fall asleep, but it has plenty of laughter and warmth. And the most valuable thing: the work is equally interesting to read to a child before bedtime and to an adult in the evening with a cup of tea.
For teenagers
Dan Gemainhart’s “Rare Courage”
This is the story of 12-year-old Joseph, who travels across the Wild West to find his stolen horse Sara. Along the way, the boy meets a stranger in trouble and realizes that true courage is about staying kind when you are feeling very bad yourself.
I think that after reading this book, a teenager will understand that they really have no special reasons to complain about life. Joseph copes with ice rivers, hunger, and loneliness, and his only support is the promise made to his father. He doesn’t have fast food deliveries, a computer, or a television, only a campfire and boundless freedom. Suggest that the teenager read the book under a blanket with a cup of cocoa so that, in this absolute comfort, it will be easier to empathize with the hero and realize how insignificant our everyday whims seem.
How to Engage a Child in Reading: Librarians’ Life Hacks
More excellent books, recommended by readers of children’s libraries and their staff, can be found in the section “Librarian’s Tips”.
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