This blog post outlines some places to search for "read-alikes": http://www.pbs.org/parents/booklights/archives/2009/12/read-and-read-alike-selecting-books-for-older-readers.html

I know very little about Scottish Gaelic, but my husband teaches Irish. That said, the BBC has a wonderful program for Scottish (they have similar ones for Irish as well): http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/beag_air_bheag/ For Irish, you can check the website http://www.litriocht.com/, which is an Irish-language bookstore. They can answer many questions about which materials might be right for you. For those who are interested in Irish language classes, you can also email eolas@gaelige.org (Conradh na Gaeilge New England) for more specific recomendations on Irish language learning resources. (My husband will answer the email and if you tell him where you are, he may know of classes being offered in your area.)

I cannot recommend The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden enough! I would actually read it over two nights, though it can be done in one. I will say, though -- keep the tissues close by, because I SOB every time I read it. http://www.amazon.com/Story-Holly-Ivy-Rumer-Godden/dp/0670806226

http://www.oyate.org Also, check out http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/ for posts and essays about children's lit from an Indian perspective.

Check out oyate.org, which is an excellent resource. Also, Debbie Reese's blog (http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/) takes a critical approach to many works in children's literature and I use that blog as a resource.

There are some in the newest edition that have extra pages, but for the most part the content, layout, etc. is EXACTLY the same from the oldest (1987ish) to the newest, minus the cover design. I have a lot of luck getting them at library book sales. We probably have close to 40 or 50 at this point...good luck!

We have two Chow Chows and two Shar Peis and three cats. We also have a five-year-old son and a two-year-old son. I would not own other breeds of dogs (mostly because I prefer a dog that isn't too active or affectionate) but I don't think these two breeds are for everyone. You need to be a strong leader, for Chow Chows especially, because they are pretty stubborn animals. I don't think people should leave young children alone with dogs, any dogs. When my sons were very young and learning to walk, one of the Chow Chows would always sit right next to them so that if they fell, they would fall on him and not the ground. Another would always stand by the door or the gate in the yard (depending on where we are) just in case the child felt like leaving. So, everything I read about Chow Chows (that they're horrible with kids, that they attack cats, that they'll eat anyone that comes near you, etc.) has not been true in our case. Yes, they are protective of their people. They are most certainly not for everyone. But they are most definitely for us. Feel free to PM me if you have specific breed questions; my husband has owned Chow Chows and Chow mixes for almost twenty years.

John Langstaff did some wonderful children's CDs (Songs for Singing Children and The Jackfish and More Songs for Singing Children). We listen to them constantly and they are filled with older folk songs that are great for children. (He also has a really beautiful voice.) FYI, his name may sound familiar because he compiled versions of Frog Went A-Courtin' and Over in the Meadow that were illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky.

Some shorter chapter books that my almost-five-year-old son has enjoyed are: Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm by Charla Stevens Freckle Juice by Judy Blume Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith Lotta on Troublemaker Street and The Children of Troublemaker Street, by Astrid Lindgren We've just started a (so-far wonderful) book called You're a Bad Man, Mr. Gum! by Andy Stanton There are also some nice abridged versions of classic books illustrated by Susan Jeffers -- Black Beauty and Lassie Come-Home come to mind. There's also a great abridged Wind in the Willows illustrated by Inga Moore. We read LOTS of picture books too. You don't need to do either/or. I tend to read quite a few picture books, a chapter or two from the chapter book, and wrap things up with some poems. We do tend to like chapter books that are heavily illustrated.

Irish is a less commonly studied language, and I know that both the Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin Conradh na Gaeilge/Gaelic Leagues are pretty active (and -- if someone's interested in Irish -- could probably direct to a teacher) http://www.austingaelicleague.com/ http://www.dfwgaelicleague.com/

I'm sympathetic to your concerns. I am not American Indian, but I go out of my way to find books that show them in a respectful way. Check out Oyate: http://www.oyate.org/ Also, since you're Canadian, I know that Groundwood Books/Anansi published a lot of GOOD First Nations books: http://www.groundwoodbooks.com/ Finally, there's a really wonderful, informative blog by Debbie Reese that I cannot recommend enough: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/

You may find the Wikipedia page helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lang's_Fairy_Books For other series (though not this one) the Mid-Continent Public Library website is a BIG help: http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/series/juv/

My mother-in-law just started teaching my son (4.5 years old) with My First Piano Adventures and they both enjoy it. http://www.pianoadventures.com/how.php