Published on: 2026-10-18
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On weekends, employees of Moscow libraries tell mos.ru readers about books that can bring coziness on the rainiest day. Yulia Tikhonova from Central Library No. 224 named after F.V. Gladkov recommends works by contemporary domestic authors, including Tatyana Kiryushatova and Olesya Belenikina.
You can book the publication you’re interested in using the service “Libraries of Moscow”.
For toddlers
“Encyclopedia of Fairy Tale Tranquility” by Tatyana Kiryushatova
For reading with little ones, I want to recommend the “Encyclopedia of Fairy Calmness” — I believe it must definitely be in the home library.
Children are often afraid of something, and the task of adults is to help them cope with their fears. The main character of the book, a little hare named Perezhivayka, finds himself in various situations, and parents always come to the rescue, explaining how important it is to deal with what scares you in time, to be honest, to ask for forgiveness if you are at fault, to rejoice for friends, and not to be greedy. Short stories from Perezhivayka’s life will help the child overcome the first difficulties of communication in kindergarten.
“Snowstorm and the Falling Star” by Anna Monakhova
If you are looking for a sweet and kind winter story about magic, friendship, and not-so-scary monsters, take a look at the book “Vyuizhik and the Fallen Star.” In the cozy world created by Anna Monakhova, friendly snow creatures catch fallen stars and give them to people, while little fir trees gather all the good and bring luck. And while the adults have no idea what is happening right under their noses, the girl Sonya has become friends with these amazing beings.
The book contains very touching illustrations that a child will definitely like and that will help better capture the atmosphere of this fairy tale.
For older children
“Uncle’s House” by Olesya Belenikina
In the book “Uncle’s House,” the imaginary world intertwines with the real. In the village of Kostenki, where Zakhar came to visit, an ordinary measured life flows, but nearby there is an ancient labyrinth that from time to time casts shadows from the past.
And Zakhar turns out to be the only person capable of contacting these shadows. He tries to understand what is happening, but suddenly a threat hangs over the village: developers plan a large-scale reconstruction. Now Zakhar will have to not only unravel the mystery of the shadows but also help the local residents: they all want to preserve the unique labyrinth and the local history museum.
Olesya Belenikina’s story teaches careful respect for the past. I’m confident it will be interesting to read not only for children but also for adults.
How to engage a child in reading: librarians’ life hacks
“How One Boy Became a Scientist: Dmitri Mendeleev, the Chemistry of Cheese, and Adventures in the Sky” by Lilit Mazikina
The book introduces the biography of Dmitri Mendeleev: it touches on his childhood in Tobolsk in a large family, his studies at the gymnasium, and his move to the capital. Casually, the author also provides interesting information about Russian society at the end of the 19th century, and most importantly, motivates young readers to be purposeful and curious. At the end, you can choose and discuss with the child those events, habits, and character traits that helped the scientist become the person we know.
For teenagers
“The Question of Choice” by Tatyana Shiposhina
The mother of 15-year-old Sasha died of cancer, and his father remarried. All this happens at the beginning of the book, and the reader might mistakenly assume that what follows is a story of a grim teenage rebellion: poor grades, bad company, and other problems.
But Tatyana Shiposhina guides the hero through a series of small but important decisions: where to go, what to do, whom to talk to, which activity to choose. Sasha finds his path in life and grows up, and most importantly — he once again feels part of a family where he is loved and always supported.
I think this is a very necessary book about how important it is not to shut yourself off in your grief, but to try to overcome it by helping other people.
“Look Fear in the Face” by Nadezhda Vasilieva
Two teenagers, Vitia and Anton, decide to spend a few days during their holidays in the taiga: living in a tent, fishing, cooking food on a campfire. It turned out that all this is quite challenging and requires great effort. But the time spent away from civilization was filled with conversations, memories, reflections — after this adventure, the boys will become friends for life.
In addition, the book contains many tips on wilderness survival. A modern teenager will surely find it interesting to imagine themselves in the place of the main characters and experience an environment unfamiliar to a city dweller.
More excellent books, verified by readers of children’s libraries and their staff, are in the section “Librarian’s Tips”.
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