Published on: 2026-10-11
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On weekends, employees of Moscow reading rooms talk about books that can help you spend time interestingly and usefully. Irina Soboleva from Library No. 219 recommends paying attention to the works of Sergey Georgiev, Maria Agapova, and other authors.
You can book the publication that interests you using the service “Libraries of Moscow”.
For little ones
“The Colorful Butterfly Margarita” by Sergey Georgiev
For reading with the very little ones, I want to recommend a collection of short stories about the inhabitants of the green meadow. The main characters are the first beauty butterfly Margarita and her friends: the bumblebee, the bee, the dragonfly, the firefly, the caterpillar, and others. They constantly get into funny situations that the little one will enjoy. The book is written in an easy conversational language understandable to a child, and the bright and vivid illustrations by Natalia Perevezentseva not only decorate the pages but literally bring you back to a sunny summer.
“Ears on the Top of the Head” by Alexandra Bodrova
“Ears on top of the head” is a series of educational books for the very young. One of them was created with the participation of activists from the search and rescue team “Liza Alert,” which means it is based on the experience of those who search for lost children every day.
When a child knows simple safety rules, the world becomes less frightening for them. When reading and discussing the book, adults should help the child understand that safety is not a list of prohibitions, but clear actions that should not be forgotten in difficult situations. Simple advice will help children and parents feel calmer and more confident.
For older children
“My Brother is a Watermelon” by Laurent Rivleg
“My Brother Is a Watermelon” is a concise novella by French author Laurent Rivière that can serve as a great reason for a family conversation about change, fears, and support.
At the center of the story is a little boy named Yulik. He is eagerly awaiting the birth of his little brother and has already thought of a name for him — Bananyol — after his favorite chocolate pudding. But something didn’t go as he imagined: his mother came back from the maternity hospital without the baby. His relatives are in no hurry to explain anything to Yulik, and he finds his own, childlike, but in his view, logical explanation: his brother is a watermelon lying in the fridge…
How to Engage a Child in Reading: Librarians’ Life Hacks
“The Unique Me” by Marina Gentsar-Osipova
This book will help parents take the first step towards an important conversation with their child about feelings and experiences. The thing is, sometimes children find it very difficult to understand their emotions: anger, fear, hurt, and envy. The characters in the book go through exactly what children often face in groups: they are teased, they fear failure, they feel like they are different from everyone else. Step by step, together with the characters, the child will learn to accept themselves and others and strengthen their self-esteem.
“My Impossible Mom” by Maria Agapova
Seryozha’s mother is completely unlike the mothers of his classmates: she sings on the street, talks to trees, stands up for the weak, and generally seems to live by her own special rules. At first, Seryozha feels awkward because of his mother’s behavior — he wants her to become ordinary and calm. But gradually, the boy begins to notice something special in his mother’s character. Her sincerity, compassion, and ability to see beauty in small things slowly pass on to him as well.
In 2018, the novella was a finalist for the Vladislav Krapivin Prize. I believe it is definitely worth reading for adults as well: it helps to understand how love and care can look very different, and that sometimes even the most “impossible” people become the most necessary.
For teenagers
“Journey to the Edge of the Earth” by Petr Vlasov and Olga Vlasova
The work of Petr Vlasov and Olga Vlasova is a kind and mischievous fairy tale about one unusual adventure. The red-haired little witch Koldunchik, the cheerful student Keks, and the gnomes Khasuoshki set out on a journey to discover what lies beyond the edge of the earth.
They are awaited by the Boundless Ocean, the island of Spiritland, the mysterious Mossyfoot in the labyrinth, and the city of Grottorole, where everyone must wear iron masks. Each hero of the book has their own weaknesses and strengths, but throughout the story they learn to negotiate and support each other. The book is perfect for reading during the autumn holidays to take a little break from school routine.
More great books, vetted by readers of children’s libraries and their staff, can be found in the section “Librarian’s Tips”.
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