Beth Anderson is no stranger to my blog. Her outstanding nonfiction biographies find little-known stories within a historical character's well-known life. Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose! (Calkins Creek, 2024) is her latest contribution to her other great curriculum resources for grades 2-5. The engaging illustrations by Jeremy Holmes amplify the text and… Continue reading THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway
Today it is my pleasure to introduce a new teen blogger, Janelle Ekpo. The last time I saw Janelle she was about eight--but now she's in high school and a fantastic writer. I trust you'll enjoy her debut book review and her interview with the author, Gretchen Woelfle -- no stranger to my blog. REVIEWIf there were more… Continue reading HOW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BECAME a REVOLUTIONARY in SEVEN (Not-So-Easy) STEPS : Review & Interview by Guest Blogger Janelle Ekpo
Have you ever wondered who invented the dishwasher? Read my review and you'll find out!REVIEW of Josephine and Her Dishwashing MachineThis STEM picture book by Kate Hannigan starts with an introduction that gives the reader an idea about this spunky woman and the historical context of the story. And I love how illustrator, Sarah Green, shows… Continue reading JOSEPHINE AND HER DISHWASHING MACHINE: A STEM Picture Book Giveaway
Every once in a while you read a book and feel the passion that the author brings to the topic. That is the way EVICTED! (Calkins Creek, 2022) struck me. This upper-level narrative nonfiction will be a welcome addition to classrooms when studying African American history and civil rights. I have featured both the author, Alice Faye Duncan, and the illustrator, Charly… Continue reading EVICTED! The Struggle for the Right to Vote: A Middle Grade Picture Book Review, A Giveaway, PLUS MORE!
Last week I introduced you to Claudia Friddell's book, Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls. Today you're going behind the scenes on the story as well as learn interesting tidbits about the illustration process from the illustrator, Elizabeth Baddeley. There is one thing that all of the nonfiction authors I have interviewed have in common: curiosity. Claudia's… Continue reading GRACE BANKER AND HER HELLO GIRLS ANSWER THE CALL- Part II. Author & Illustrator Interviews + Giveaway
Claudia Friddell is no stranger to my blog. A year ago I featured her book, Saving Lady Liberty: Joseph Pulitzer Fight for the Statue of Liberty. Today I have another fantastic informational picture book, Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls (Calkins Creek, 2021). In Part II Claudia and illustrator Elizabeth Baddeley provide the back story to this glimpse… Continue reading GRACE BANKER AND HER HELLO GIRLS ANSWER THE CALL Part I- A Review and Informational Picture Book Giveaway
"This is the house that the Hinkle sisters lived in, and that's the muddy river where Thomas and Jackie fished together." Joyce Hostetter pointed out the car window as we drove around around her hometown, Hickory, NC--the setting for her Bakers Mountain Series. "See that old building? That's the hosiery factory where Junior worked for a few days. Over there… Continue reading STORIES IN JOYCE'S BACKYARD: A "PICK-YOUR-OWN" GIVEAWAY!
"I don't know but I may succeed in governing the nation, but I do believe I shall fail in ruling my own household." Abraham LincolnAuthor Beth Anderson uses that quote to draw readers into the life of Abraham Lincoln's boisterous son, Tad. You'll see why that quote is a fitting preface to another great picture book published by… Continue reading TAD LINCOLN'S RESTLESS WRIGGLE: A Informational Picture Book Review, Giveaway, and Author Interview
I'm starting off the new year by joining a blog tour for a new book by award-winning Selene Castrovilla, SEEKING FREEDOM (Calkins Creek, 2022). The expressive watercolor illustrations are by award-winning artistrator, E.B. Lewis.REVIEWAlthough most of this informational picture book for 7-10 year-olds is presented in a journal format, the book opens with a quote from… Continue reading SEEKING FREEDOM: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America- A Nonfiction Picture Book Review and Giveaway
I am happy to be part of the Calkins Creek blog tour for Larry Dane Brimner's new informational book, Without Separation. INTRODUCTIONSince I'm interested in writing nonfiction picture books, I've taken several webinars recently with The Writing Barn. (BTW, they're affordable and a fantastic way to learn a new genre!). The last one I took was… Continue reading Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez- Picture Book Biography and Giveaway