Without a bit of shame, I admit it. I'm a Beth Anderson groupie. Ever since I read Tad Lincoln's Restless Wriggle and Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine and discovered Beth's relentless research to discover the heart of each biography--I want to read and study each book she writes.REVIEWDeborah Sampson's Spirit was always a little too large. Maybe it was the stories of… Continue reading CLOAKED IN COURAGE: A NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK REVIEW and 2 MINI-INTERVIEWS
North Carolina picture book author, Shana Keller, is no newcomer to my blog. Some of you may remember Bread for Words, Tick Tock Banneker's Clock, or Fly, Firefly--her three other engaging books published by Sleeping Bear Press. Her fourth book, Peach Pit Parade is illustrated by Margeaux Lucas. The soft tones Ms. Lucas used speak of Polly's love… Continue reading THE PEACH PIT PARADE: A World War I Story. An Historical Fiction Picture Book Review and Giveaway
When Jackie Kennedy became the First Lady in 1961, everyone loved her, and everyone wanted to be like her. In turn, Jackie wanted everyone to love art and culture as much as she did. JACKIE AND THE MONA LISA (Sleeping Bear Press, 2022) is a new picture book biography that shows how with "sway, style and… Continue reading JACKIE AND THE MONA LISA- PART I: An Informational Picture Book Review and a Giveaway!
I can't seem to get enough of beautiful nonfiction picture books. I'm particularly drawn to "unknown heroes" who authors discover and bring to life. As my husband's 91-year-old uncle has said to me many times, he wishes he had books like those when he was a child. REVIEWThe Kite That Bridged Two Nations (Calkins Creek, 2013) is the second picture… Continue reading THE KITE THAT BRIDGED TWO NATIONS: A Picture Book Review
I'm happy to share another new release by Sleeping Bear Press, Summer of the Tree Army: A Civilian Conservation Corps Story written by Gloria Whelan (who is still publishing books at 97!) and illustrated by Kirbi Fagan. REVIEWThis is a fictional account of a young boy, Charlie Brightelot, who encounters the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) building cabins in the woods near… Continue reading Summer of the Tree Army: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway
Congratulations to Linda Phillips who won a copy of Back On Earth from last week's blog. Alice Faye Duncan reached out to me through Twitter and asked if I was willing to review her two new picture books. Since I'm always interested in highlighting new books for you, of course I said yes! Here's the first… Continue reading Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: A Review and Giveaway
Congratulations to fellow blogger, Rosi Hollenbeck, who won an autographed copy of Maggie Dana's book, "Riding for the Stars." ****** Liesl's Ocean Rescue, an historical picture book struck a personal chord for me. It begins with the awful events that surrounded Krystallnacht; an event which deeply affected my paternal grandparents. Like Liesl the main character in… Continue reading Liesl's Ocean Rescue and a Giveaway!