Ellen's Lion — Crockett Johnson

Originally published in 1959 and out of print for two decades, this collection of very short stories chronicles Ellen's relationship--complete with two-way conversations--with her floppy stuffed lion. Ellen's temperament is a bit like Christopher Robin's (though her appearance is a clone of Harold, from Harold and the Purple Crayon fame), but her lion is a no-nonsense, tougher-minded Pooh, with the voice of reason and reality to counter Ellen's high-flying imagination. The stories range from fear of the dark and being sad to playing doctor, being a fairy princess, and dealing with a new toy that almost replaces lion.

Parents will find the subtly droll stories as entertaining as children, and a child who reads chapter books will find especially rewarding.