Cuore: The Heart of a Boy

Cuore is a kids' classic from Italy. It's the story of the events of one boy's school year, interspersed with didactic stories, used in the boy's classroom, about people who have done inspiring things. It's a bit ooey-gooey in places, but in a gentle way, and it serves as a palate cleanser for all of the starkly realistic adult reads I've been swilling lately.

A 1001 Children's Books You Must Read book.