INTRODUCTION My writing “to-do” writing list includes a graphic novel, Nightmare in Nuremberg, based on an event in my German family’s history. So, when Rosi Hollinbeck offered Risk, Resilience, and Redemption on her blog, I grabbed the chance to win it. Written by a friend of the author, Frank W. Baker, is the story of how Bluma… Continue reading Exploring Risk, Resilience, and Redemption in Holocaust Literature
How do you tackle something as complicated as gravity in a picture book? Author Henry Herz (author of I am Smoke) and Illustrator Mercè López did just that in another impressive picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press. Because it tackles an advanced scientific concept, I recommend this book for middle-grade classrooms as well as… Continue reading I AM GRAVITY- How’s That For An Intriguing Picture Book Title? A STEM Review and Giveaway
Introduction What happens when a little girl grows up near train tracks loving the sound of a train whistle? If you're picture book author extraordinaire, Marsha Diane Arnold, that means when you grow up you'll want to write a picture book about one of the legendary 600-ton locomatives who were called Big Boys. And that's… Continue reading BIG BOY 4014 And The STEAM TRAIN: Climb on Board for this Picture Book Review
Lori Keating reviews JUST FLOWERS.
A review of Nancy Stewart's new MG novel, ME AND THE MISSOURI MOON.
Lori Keating reviews Laura K. ZImmermann's beautiful STEM book, Mushroom Rain.
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
I wouldn't have believed that a book about matter and energy would be read by the picture book crowd, except that my third-grade and kindergarten grandkids are studying physics at school right now. Go figure. At their age, I would have had no idea that a catapult uses a fulcrum---or even what a fulcrum was--let alone build… Continue reading PUSH-PULL MORNING: Dog Powered Poems About Matter and Energy
Some of you may remember a few years ago when I shared Sue Gallion's unique board book, OUR WORLD (Phaidon, 2020). Since that book came out, she published OUR SEASONS: THE WORLD IN WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, and AUTUMN and now has another book in the series. OUR UNDERWATER WORLD: A FIRST DIVE INTO OCEANS, LAKES, and RIVERS (also… Continue reading OUR UNDERWATER WORLD by Sue Lowell Gallion: A Nonfiction Picture Book and a Giveaway
It seems as if we just celebrated New Year's and now it's time for Valentine's Day! To help celebrate, I have the perfect book for your child, grandchild, classroom or library-- VALENTINES FOR ALL: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart by Nancy Churnin and illustrated by Monika Rosa Wisniewska. REVIEWFrom the opening of the story where Esther… Continue reading Celebrate Valentine's Day with a Giveaway of VALENTINES FOR ALL by Nancy Churnin