Summer is a great time to catch up on your reading!
Whether you are a teacher looking for
inspiration, a parent seeking insight, an administrator pursuing solutions, or a child long-
ing for adventure; we can point you in the right direction! Our carefully compiled book lists
make it easy to find great books to enjoy during the long, lazy days of summer! All of these
books are available to purchase on our website. Books marked with ❊ are available for
PDF download at no cost in The Online Waldorf Library (www.waldorflibrary.org)
Nature Stories
by Margaret Peckham
(read aloud PK+)
These 7 glorious outdoor original fairy
tales, by a former Waldorf teach-
er, were written for young children
centered on nature. “And the Seed
Children began to push off their winter
wrappers and to push themselves up
through the earth. And all the while
the happy Little Song Sparrow sang
on a small branch singing: “It is Spring! It is Spring!”
Tiptap the Gnome
by Lucia Grosse
(read aloud PK+)
This beautifully-illustrated book has
engaged generations of young chil-
dren. Six short stories and poems
in rhyme - with beautiful, colored
illustrations. The first is about a
gnome waking up and rejoicing
in the springtime; next, a little girl
named Annie is caught outdoors in a rainstorm; in the
third, a balloon and a kite take a trip; then, Rosalind has a
great dream; the fifth is about wintertime activities; and the
last piece is an account of the Christmas story.
Nature Ways in Stories
and Verse
by Dorothy Harrer
(read aloud PK+) This beautifully illus-
trated children’s book was created out
of Gertrude’s love for the hare thistle,
a tall relative of the dandelion, which
grew around her home. As a gifted
mother, teacher, and artist, she found a
way of presenting the development of this plant to children
through a delightful story-book!
The Bee Who Lost His Buzz
by Reg Down
(grades 1&2 and read aloud PK+)
The Bee Who Lost His Buzz is the first
adventure from the book, The Tales
of Tiptoes Lightly. It follows Tiptoes
and Jeremy Mouse as they help Bee
whose buzz has been snagged by
grumpy Mr. Cactus.
Lazy Jack
King Thrushbeard
Sylvain and Jacosa
The Prince and the Dragon
by Kelly Morrow
(grades 1+)
Available as a set or individually,
these early chapter books require
a basic mastery of decoding and
simple punctuation. When used as
a set they build on the skills used
in the previous book. This set in-
cludes Lazy Jack, about a boy who goes off into the world
on his own. He tries to do as his mother has told him but
things don’t always turn out so well. King Thrushbeard
tells the tale of a supercilious princess who thinks she is
too good to marry any of the suiters her father has picked
for her. In The Prince and the Dragon, a fire breathing
beast has threatened nearly devoured an entire kingdom.
Can the prince conquer the dragon and return the peace to
his kingdom? Finally, in Sylvain and Jocosa, two friends
become unhappy after being separated and lost from each
other. Searching high and low, it is finally help from a fairy
that returns their happiness.
The Dandelion’s Cousin
by Gertrude Teutsch
(grades 1&2 and read aloud PK+)
This beautifully illustrated children’s
book was created out of Gertrude’s
love for the hare thistle, a tall relative
of the dandelion, which grew around
her home. As a gifted mother, teacher,
and artist, she found a way of present-
ing the development of this plant to
children through a delightful story-book!
Puck the Gnome
by Jakob Streit ❊
(grades 1-4 and read aloud PK+)
Puck is a hard-working fellow whose
one foot faces forward while the
other faces backward. Streit’s de-
lightful tale illuminates the world of
the hard-working gnomes through
the courage and antics of the one
who’s literally coming and going at
the same time. The moral insights,
wisdom, humor, and true goodness
found in Puck’s adventures will delight both children and
adults.
 Liputto
by Jakob Streit ❊
(grades 1 - 4 and read aloud PK+)
These wonderful stories of the
North will delight children of all ages
with the humanity and grace of the
gnomes. The first few stories in this
collection recount the exploits of a
disagreeable troll, who ensnares
unsuspecting creatures - a goldfish,
butterflies - in his net and keeps
them in his dark cave; other animals help to free the cap-
tives. Then begins the story, in short chapters, of Liputto, a
gnome whose job it is to bring drops of sunlight deep into
the earth. The rest of the book is devoted to his journey.
Tales of Tiptoes Lightly
by Reg Down
(grades 1 - 4 and read aloud K+)
Tiptoes Lightly lives in an acorn high
up in the branches of a Great Oak
Tree. One morning she finds a note
lying on her floor. It says: “Please
help! Bee has lost his buzz!” Thus
begins the adventure! The ‘Tales
of Tiptoes Lightly’ is comprised of
three adventures: ‘The Bee who lost his Buzz’, ‘Pumpkin
Crow’ and ‘Lucy Goose and the Half-egg.’ Lavishly and
lovingly illustrated by the artist-author, they are humorous,
sanguine and droll. They are innocent and magical nature
tales that will become favorites!
Big Stamp Two Toes
by Reg Down
(grades 1 - 4 and read aloud K+)
Tiptoes Lightly is a fairy who lives
in an acorn high in the branches
of a Great Oak Tree. Big-Stamp
Two-Toes the Barefoot Giant follows
her adventures - and those of her
friends - through springtime at Farm-
er John’s. Along the way tales and
legends are told: Miranda the spring
pixie tells how the little blue and
yellow Forget-me-not came to be; Mr. Rabbit tells all the
mouselings about the Legend of Oak Knoll Warren, and
the spirit of ‘The Rock’ reveals how he came to be lying in
the middle of the forest far away from the mountains.
Rukia Goes to School
by Susan Cook
(grades 2 - 4) ❊ (grades 2 - 4 & read aloud PK+)
Rukia lives with her mother, father,
and sister on the outskirts of Nairo-
bi, Kenya. She is looking forward to
beginning Class Three at her Steiner/Waldorf school. The
first day back to school is always full of anticipation and
excitement.
The Magic Knot
by Reg Down
(grades 1 - 4 and read aloud K+)
The Magic Knot is a making-tale
comedy, starring Pine Cone and
Pepper Pot the gnomes.
They decide, since it is soon to be
Tiptoes’ birthday and she has no
furniture in her little house, to make
her one table and three chairs.
A simple task for clever gnomes-
so we would think! But, from the
finding of the “perfect” branch, to
getting the table and chairs to the top of the Great Oak
Tree where Tiptoes’ acorn house swings back and forth,
things go awry. An additional, brief, story, The Tale of
None, is found at the end of the book. It is about a lady-
bug who had no spots-none at all - until she completes
her spot-finding journey to India, Africa and America.
Little Gnome Tenderroot
by Jakob Streit
(grade 2 and read aloud PK+)
A sweet collection of stories about
Little Gnome Tenderroot. While
caring for the plants and the soil, he
meets the tree spirits, fairies, sees
the seasons change and meets a
dragon. A happy little fellow, he lets
the stars and the angels help in all
he does. Our favorite little gnomie
by far!
Lost Lagoon
by Reg Down
(grades 2 - 4 and read aloud PK+)
It is spring and Running River is
in full flood. Tiptoes Lightly and
Jeremy Mouse visit Greenleaf
the Sailor and they venture forth
in Greenleaf’s newly made boat.
Soon they are joined by Pine Cone
and Pepper Pot the Gnomes and
together they search for the Lost
Lagoon the frogs have been so
beautifully singing about. What happens on this night, with
its majestic, rising moon, is filled with a wonder and magic
that won’t soon be forgotten.
What Animals Say to Each Other
by Jakob Streit
When two so very different animals
such as a squirrel and a toad start
talking, we can enjoy the poetry of
their conversation as well as the hu-
mor. We get to know the creatures through their differenc-
es and learn to love them for those differences. Included
also are several well-known animal fables.
 Columban
by Jakob Streit
(grades 2 - 4)
❊
Jakob Streit’s Columban tells the
story of St. Columban (540-615
AD), also known as St. Colum-
banus or St. Columbano. Colum-
ban is largely credited with the
development of monasteries and
monastic life, and revered for his
tireless travels and the develop-
ment of “Celtic Christianity,” there-
Fee Fi Fo Fum by merging the Celt’s reverence
As My Heart Awakes of nature with Roman Christianity. As a reader, Columban
When I Hear My Heart Wonder serves as an interesting story of a fascinating life, told well
Snip Snap Snout by a master storyteller. The story takes us from his early
Sun So Hot I Froze to Death years through to the completion of his life, and lifeworks.
by Arthur Pittis
(grades 2 - 4)
A five-book reader series that includes more than 125
Brother Francis
multicultural stories and poems for grades two through
four. Fee Fi Fo Fum contains 24 fairy and folk tales from
by Jakob Streit
(grade 3)
❊
Francis of Assisi - beloved and
around the world retold with a crisp and clear voice that is
admired for more than 700 years.
great for second graders. Warm, meaningful and humor-
And yet, we are always moved
ous, the third grade reader, As My Heart Awakes, is full of
anew by his life and his acts of
fables and tales of saints. When I Hear My Heart Won-
kindness and faith. Beautifully
der, continues with fables and stories of saints. Uplifting
retold and translated, these stories
and captivating, this reader builds on the books before it
are sure to charm adults and chil-
and is geared towards late third graders. For third grade
dren alike!
extra lesson work, Snip Snap Snout contains charming
stories that are kept short but captivating. Finally, for the
late fourth grade, Sun So Hot I Froze to Death is full of
American hero folk tales and poems from African and
Bee Book
by Jakob Streit
❊
European traditions. Introducing various narrative voices (grades 4 & 5)
and non-standard English, this volume compliments the In the Swiss Alps, little Koen helps
upcoming grade five geography curriculum. All five books his grandfather take care of the
in the series use language that is progressively controlled bees. He sees how they go into
and increasingly rich in sight and phonetic vocabulary hibernation, how they collect hon-
development from story to story and from book to book. ey and pollen and what happens
Sentence structures also progress from story to story. when they go into a swarm. This
These readers complement the pedagogical intentions of exquisite reader factually and sci-
the language arts curriculum. entifically allows one to enter into
the magic and mysterious world of
Saint Odealia the bees.
by Jakob Streit
(grades 2 - 4)
❊
Little bee Sunbeam
The story of Saint Odelia, patron by Jakob Streit
saint of the Alsace region in France,
is one of the most beautiful legends
(grade 5) ❊
This story relates the adventures
known from the middle ages. It is of a honeybee named Little Bee
about the destiny of a child, born Sunbeam. The little bee is in a
blind and turned out by her father, search for a particularly good nec-
who gains her sight through a mir- tar to make honey when it sudden-
acle at her baptism. The young girl ly becomes very cold. Honeybees
goes her way, unerringly, against all cannot fly when the temperature
odds, and establishes the convent drops so abruptly and our little bee
must spend the night alone in the
later named for her: Odilienberg.
forest where an exciting adventure
unfolds.
 At the Hot Gates
by Donald Samson
(grade 5)
It’s the year 480 BC and the
greatest army ever gathered in the
ancient world is on the march to
conquer all of Greece. An irre-
sistible force, they are destroying
whatever dares to stand in their
path. One man steps forward to
stop them, followed by 300 com-
panions. His chances are next to
nil; yet he goes. This man is Leonidas. And his compan-
ions are Spartans. They go to stop the Persian advance
and meet their destiny at the narrows known as The Hot
Gates....
The Star Rider and Anna
McLoon
by Jakob Streit ❊
(grade 6)
This book contains two wonderful
stories from master storyteller
Jakob Streit.‘The Star Rider’ is
a retelling of an ancient Celtic
legend. It tells of a young man who
is destined, by the position of the
stars at his birth, to have a terrible
thing happen to him. It’s a story of
destiny, acceptance, integrity and
injustice, with a heart-warming ending. ‘Anna McLoon’
is a Celtic story from modern times. It demonstrates the
rhythms of the world, through the story of Ireland’s last
traveling storyteller, and addresses issues of life and
death.
The Falconer
by Christopher Sblendorio
(grade 6) ❊ Invisible Boat
This is an intricately researched
and wonderfully written book about
the life and times of Federico II,
who became Holy Roman Emperor
in the 13th century. The Middle
Ages in Europe were a time of both
turmoil and heroic deeds, and both
are tied up in Frederick’s story,
which is told here with humor and
warmth by an experienced Waldorf
teacher. Many historians call Frederick II the first Europe-
an or the first modern ruler because of the style of govern-
ment he established. He was a serious patron of science
and the arts, promoting literature and poetry during his
rule. This book will bring the medieval period alive!
Geron and Virtus
by Jakob Streit
(grades 6 & 7) ❊
The remarkable story of two boys
during the Roman campaign to
conquer the Germanic tribes.
That particular period in history is
important, because the encounter
between the Romans and Ger-
mans produced the birth of a new
Europe and the transition to a new
time. The story is about friend-
ship, slavery, honor, and adventure. The text is rich with
spiritual insights provided by druid priests and their stories
of Nordic mythology, the foundation of the Germanic folk
soul.
Copernicus
by Heinz Sponsel
(grades 7 & 8)
❊
Also known as the founder of
modern astronomy, Nicolaus
Copernicus was the first person to
devise a comprehensive heliocen-
tric cosmology, which displaced
the Earth from the center of the
universe. Copernicus’ heliocentric
theory acted as the catalyst for the
scientific revolution of the 16th and
17th centuries, which is some-
times known as the Copernican revolution. His work forev-
er changed the place of man in the cosmos; no longer
could man legitimately think his importance greater than
his fellow creatures. Besides an astronomer he was also
a great mathematician, physician, quadrilingual polyglot,
classical scholar, translator and artist.
by Eric G. Mueller
(grades 4 +)
This adventure story of two – then
three – young people answers
questions about beings who help
when you least expect it and who
sometimes need your help, too!
Ride along in a magical boat pro-
vided by the powers of the earth.
Join youngsters like you who help
to solve the problems made by
other human beings, problems
like polluting things without cleaning up after themselves!
Join three friends in a fast-moving, sometimes dangerous
tale of cooperation between the powers of the earth and
the powers in young hearts. Solutions are possible with
open-minded listening, careful planning and undaunted
courage.

The Star Trilogy
The Dragon Boy
The Dragon of Two Hearts
The Dragon, the Blade, and the Thread
by Donald Samson
(grade 4+)
...“I see you have a good eye for dragons,” the old man
said, indicating the carved figure in the knight’s hand.
“There are many kinds of dragons, you know. There are
the wild ones, like Scorch. But there are Luck Dragons as
well. Like the one you’re holding there. They do exist, you
know, in spite of what people say.”
The story begins with The Dragon Boy, orphaned twice
by the time he was nine, he was living on the streets and
did not even know his own name. He was not allowed to
set foot in the one place he was determined to find work.
To complete the disaster of his young life, he was in love.
The object of his affections was Star, an immense, em-
erald-green dragon. But here good fortune finally smiled
upon him: Star was a Luck Dragon.
The story continues with The Dragon of Two Hearts. The
curse of the wild dragon, Scorch, lies heavy upon the land
of Gladur Nock. Scorch holds the people hostage to his
ravenous and bloody demands. Michael, who has wan-
dered for years as a knight errant, hears of the dragon’s
bane and realizes that the Luck Dragon Star had trained
him for this moment. Full of foreboding he rides to their
aid.
The story concludes with The Dragon, the Blade, and
the Thread. Frustrated by his father’s expectations to fol-
low in his footsteps, Prince Corin prefers sewing to sword
fighting. His Cousin Elinor has the eagerness for skills at
arms which he lacks and, b a stroke of luck, uncovers a
plot to overthrow the crown. Both cousins are befriended
by a marketplace magician, whom the queen suspects
is a master of the black arts and the cause of their Luck
Dragon’s baffling illness. When their lives and the destiny
of the kingdom are at stake, Corin must choose either to
trust this mysterious old man or heed the warnings of his
parents.
The Star Trilogy is great for those in 4th grade and up.
At home or in the classroom, parents and teachers will
love reading these stories aloud. In the 5th or 6th grade
classrooms, it could be used as a reader to begin conver-
sations around good and evil, bullying, destiny, persever-
ance, and courage.
Three Knight Tales
by Jakob Streit
(grade 6&7)
This book brings the reader back
to the Middle Ages and presents
an episode from the life of three
different Knights, Henry the Afflict-
ed, Gerald the Good, and Mage-
lone the Beautiful. It was a time
when chivalry, gallantry, following
a strict code of conduct and being
part of a brotherhood striving to be
the perfect courtly Christian warrior was a life goal.
Invisible Guardians
by Jakob Streit
(read aloud grades 1+)
Jakob Streit, a master storyteller,
here presents a remarkable col-
lection of stories that he gathered
both from his own experience,
and from true stories told to him
by others. The inspiring stories
are all about guiding forces, such
as angels, intervening in human
destiny just before a fatal acci-
dent or a near death experience.
It holds the possibility of giving children a clear idea that
they will always get help when needed!
Coming Soon!!
The Sun with Loving Light
A reader worthy of childhood – connected to the first
Waldorf School!
This carefully translated and illustrated collection of
poems, verses, songs, and stories is designed for the chil-
dren in the early grades (grades 1, 2 & 3) in the Waldorf
school. At the first Waldorf school in Stuttgart, Germany,
Caroline von Heydebrand designed the first reader titled
Der Sonne Licht. In association with Waldorf Publications,
Stephen Bloomquist, seasoned class teacher and story-
teller, has transliterated an American version in collabora-
tion with the European publishers.
Children will gain from these a sense of beautiful lan-
guage in poetry, stories (some by Rudolf Steiner), and
songs in the Mood of the Fifth and from some Native
traditions. Through reading children will sense a connect-
edness to Waldorf schools around the world. These bring
cultural literacy! Lightly illustrated by nationally acclaimed
Scherenschnitte artist, Pamela Dalton, this book will be a
lifetime treasure.
Imagine the hardbound version as a staple reader in all
English-speaking Waldorf schools!
Hardbound and paperback versions will be available.
Size: 8.5 x 11 inches, 120pp, with illustrations
Publication date: Autumn of 2014.