When Luli stays in childcare while her mom attends an ESL class, she plays alone. Everyone plays alone.The children do not share a common language. Then Luli fills her backpack with items to serve tea. Tea connects all of the cultures represented.
A sweet story! I loved the endpages (tea cups from the each of the countries that the children in the classroom used to live).
The author's note about how the different cultures enjoy tea was interesting.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I liked Joe Lasker's knight book so much, I searched for more books illustrated by him.
This story, written by Joe's son, relates the events leading up to composer and music director, Haydn's composition, "Farewell" Symphony. An intriguing and humorous story
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
This summer, my mom, my sister-in-law, and I attended a baby shower for my cousin. Instead of a card, we were to bring a book we had signed. My sister-in-law gave this delightful book. I had never heard of it (even though I love Pippi Longstocking!).
On Easter Day, the normally mild bull, Goran, becomes angry. The farmer cannot calm him. The village gathers around the farm to watch the "show". Who can restore Goran to his pleasant demeanor?
I like the illustrations just as much as the story.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
Starting with Bill Pickett's father, Mrs. Pinkney explains how Blacks journeyed west to Texas and how they established communities. As a child, Bill was curious, fast, and observant. One day he spies a dog biting the lower lip of a cattle to subdue it. Bill tries this method on a calf and amazes cowboys with his ingenuity. They call it "bulldoggin'". A new style is born! Through hard, tedious work, Bill proves his dedication and skill as a cowboy. His performances at rodeos beckons crowds.
*Highly recommend. I appreciated Mrs. Pinkney's explanation about Black cowboys after the main text.
-Borrowed via ILL.
A wordless graphic "novel"
A boy kicks his soccer ball into an abandon building. As he explores it, he realizes that building once housed plays. He selects a costume, emerges on the stage, and at 4 pm (when all of Shakespeare's plays began in the midsummer) he is transported to the Globe Theater. He is standing before a crowd. The Bard (Shakespeare) dashes from behind the curtain to remove the distracting boy but slips on the soccer ball. A chase ensues. The reader and the boy experience the streets of Elizabethan London with lots of adventures.
-Borrowed from the library.
A collection of five Christmas short stories by British novelist Anthony Trollope
I had never heard of this author who wrote prolifically during the 1800s. These stories are heart-warming with some humor. Reading about a story with the setting of the U.S. Civil War by a BRITISH author was interesting! I like these short stories better than the modern Christmas stories by American authors.
I learned about this anthology from Lanier Ivester in her book, Glad and Golden Hours.
-Borrowed from the library.
My favorite aspects of this retelling of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare are the bold illustrations and the oversized book. The retelling is a bit stilted. Also, the pronoun switch (from she/her to he/him) for Viola, who is disgused as a man, Cesario,may be a bit confusing. BUT the original story is confusing, so it is a challenge for anyone to retell it well for a younger audience!
I am glad I have it in my collection. (I own this book.)
Through a narrative about Justin, a young knight about to fight his first tournament, readers learn how a typical tournament was set up and run. They also learn what is at stake for the loser!
This author/illustrator has also written/illustrated two other books about this time period. My county library system does not own them, so I bought used copies. (Merry Ever After: The Story of Two Medieval Weddings & Pearl in the Egg: A Tale of the Thirteenth Century).
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
with an introduction by Catherine Marshall (the author of Christy)
I read this teeny, precious book because Mrs. Ivester recommends it in Glad and Golden Hours (I wrote down a lot of titles she recommends!). Mr. Marshall, a Scottish-American preacher, shares the importance of Christmas and keeping it in our souls. I would love to buy this book (especially this 1952/1953 edition illustrated by Barbara Cooney!) and read it each Christmas.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library (the former owner who donated it to the library was from my hometown!)
While visiting his family in Palestine (Israel), Ali helps them harvest olives from his favorite tree, Hilwa. During his stay, he learns about the myriad of gifts Hilwa bestows on the family.
A sweet, multi-generational story set in a region not often featured in children's books.
Discussion: How the author calls the region Palestine, not Israel
-Borrowed from the library.
After WWII, in 1947 Europe faces a cold winter without food. The U.S. government proposes a plan to help, but government plans take a lot of time to enact/pass. So Drew Pearson, a newspaper journalist, rallies the American people to make donations to these countries. The U.S. sends 500 boxcars of food! Children contributed a lot of these donations and were a huge force for raising money toward the cause. In return, France expresses its gratitude by sending forty-nine boxcars with gifts to the U.S.
In the author's note, tinges of her political leanings peek through her writing.
*Highly recommend because of this little known piece of history! (at least to me!)
-Borrowed from the library.
In her book Glad and Golden Hours Lanier Ivester mentions books by Kate Douglas Wiggin several times. I then realized that I had never read this classic by her (nor any books by her)!
This book is a delight. Spinster aunts, Miranda and Jane Sawyer, agree to host one of their sister's children. They are hoping for Hannah. Rebecca, however, arrives at their doorstep with an imagination and a zest for life. Soon the town embraces her. Aunt Miranda continues to be harsh and strict. Despite this treatment, Rebecca flourishes and becomes a source of pride.
This book was published before Anne of Green Gables but does not receive as much recognition. I still like Anne better but this book is at the top of my "favorite classic list". Anne contains more drama, a meatier plot, and more flowery writing. I feel like by the end of these novels, readers know Anne better than they know Rebecca (plus there are more books about Anne than Rebecca).
I especially like this edition with illustrations by Barbara McClintock (one of my favorite illustrators). If I ever see this edition in a bookstore, I will most likely want to buy it!
*Highly recommend. I think every preteen and teen girl would benefit from reading this novel! 😉
-Borrowed from the library.
Simon, an orphan, is living in a monastery and longs to draw pictures for the manuscripts. Under Brother William's guidance, Simon learns about the various tasks in a scriptorium. When Brother William inquires about Simon illustrating the illuminated manuscripts, Father Anselm concedes IF Simon proves to have the ability to capture mice. Simon slowly solves Father Anselm's riddle and experiences the joy of drawing!
I liked the writing and the storyline, but the illustrations did not appeal to my preference.
-Borrowed via ILL.
An Illuminated Alphabet of Medieval Beasts
My eighteen-year-old son would have loved reading this book as an elementary and junior high student!
Mr. Hunt creates an illuminated alphabet book depicting various creatures, both real and fantasical, from the medieval era. Thoroughly researching his subject manner, he exposes readers to the lore of that time.
*Highly recommend (but some of the creatures are evil and violent in nature! Not for sensitive readers).
-Borrowed from the library.
A family of four packs up for a day and evening at the local beach to celebrate the 4th of July. Two pies are tucked into a picnic basket. Joining other children, the two siblings share many things with their friends throughout the day and night-a book, a ball, a tree, a boat, a best friend . . . I love how the book begins and ends with pie. It features many different ethnicities. The illustrations are the meat of the story and give the words meaning.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
This book is recommend in Soul School by Amber O'Neal Johnston.
Tamika loves spending time with her grandfather-listening to his stories, taking talk-walks, and watching him perform in plays at the local theater. His face and expressions proclaim that he loves her, even when he is scolding her. One day she witnesses him practicing his lines in front of the mirror. His face and eyes are cold-full of hatred. What if he looked at her with that face one day? Tamika withdraws and misbehaves until Grandpa takes her on a talk-walk.
A sweet story featuring the unique relationship between a grandparent and grandchild
-Borrowed from the library.
Young Cervantes and His Dream of Don Quixote
Through narrative poems, Ms. Engle animates Miguel de Cervantes's life, focusing on his tumultuous childhood (his father would consistently gamble away his barber's earnings and be thrown in debtor's prison), his imagination, and his resiliency. The historical, biographical, and cultural notes were extremely interesting. The oversized, tall book reminds me of windmills! Each poem is accompanied by a full-page or more illustration.
**Highly, highly recommend. I would have teens read this before reading Don Quixote for great background knowledge.
-Borrowed from the library. It's only $10.48 for a new hardcover on Amazon . . .maybe I will buy it!
What an enthralling biography about Columcille, an Irish monk and bard! His love for books caused a war and his explusion (by his own accord) from Ireland. Living out the rest of his life in Iona, Scotland, he witnessed to the Picts and continued copying books, bringing light to the Dark Ages.
I do not care for Mr. Brown's style of illustrating, but his story-telling skills are superb! Mr. Brown's diagrams were concise and easy to understand (how to assemble a book, build a coracle).
*Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library. (I would love to purchase this book.)
Below are a few books featured/recommended in Soul School, which I recently reviewed. I borrowed all these books from the library. I do not "highly recommend" all of these books. Please read carefully.😀
1. Saving the Day by Karyn Parsons illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
In rhyme, Ms. Parsons shares Garrett Morgan's childhood and his idea for the traffic signal. She imagines a story to highlight his invention. She also reveals he that invented many other helpful objects but only shares one other device-a gas mask.
Christmas in July!
I heard this book advertised on several podcasts before 2024 Christmas. How excited I was to discover that a library in my county had purchased the book!
My initial goal in reading the book was to establish a list of new, meaningful ideas to celebrate Christ at Christmas. I, however, found the ideas a bit too fancy and time-consuming for my current stage in life (plus, I am the only female in the house . . .my attempts to mimic her ideas may not be appreciated nor tolerated!!!😉😁). Instead, I relished in the beautiful writing, the word choice, her stories, and book lists-of course!! (The book lists contain titles that I long to read--older stories. Most of the titles are available via ILL. I am tempted to purchase several and read aloud to my teenage boys.) Setting up an advent wreath with real candles (although not novel) is one idea I would like to implement in Christmas 2025.
Mrs. Ivester shares magical Christmas stories and traditions from her childhood and as a newly married plus heart-breaking stories about her sorrow over infertility, a house fire, and the deaths of parents. She embraces the loveliness of the season but does not ignore the sadness that naturally occurs in this life.
Ms. Trafton's illustrations are beautiful. I, however, would have liked to see actual photos of Ruff House festooned in its Christmas glory.
*Highy recommend (for reasons above).
-Borrowed from the library.
