The Hatmaker's Sign retold by Candace Fleming illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker*

 A Story by Benjamin Franklin

Ms. Fleming offers modern learners the opportunity to read a story Ben Franklin told Thomas Jefferson to calm his temper. When Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, he is proud of it and thinks it is perfect. The Continental Congress, however, finds many areas to change. Jefferson is mad. Franklin then relates this story to him. 

The Author's Note reveals that Franklin's story did not really console Jefferson. Jefferson remains bitter about this incident and tries to justify that his original draft was the best until he dies!

A great book to stimulate discussion: about how the fathers of our country were not perfect, accepting constructive criticism, the result of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness, how what one writes the first time will probably require many edits to make it a strong piece!

**Definitely include this book with an unusual insight into Franklin & Jefferson when studying the founding of our nation**

-Borrowed from the library

1776 Year of Independence by Genevieve Foster*

 Ms. Foster, in a narrative and an engaging style, offers the readers an overview of the events in 1776, not just in the United States, but also around the world. Three parts: The American Colonies, Artists & Scientists, and Around the World.

Ms. Foster's books are known as "horizontal history".

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

The Bremen Town Musicians text set

 The Brothers Grimm recorded this fairy tale. It takes place during the medieval era. 

1. The Bremen Town Musicians retold by Louise Simonson illustrated by Lisa Weber

A donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster are no longer useful to their owners. Fearing that their owners will put them to death, they leave their homes, meet each other along the way, and form a band. On their way to Bremen Town, they encounter a group of bandits rejoicing over their recent thievery success. They scare the robbers out of the house & secure a home for themselves.

Warnings: People believe the house is haunted. The thieves think ghosts,monsters, a witch, and a werewolf chase them out of the house.

2. The Musicians of Bremen retold & illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat

The illustrations in the retelling are beautiful. 

Warning: The one robber reports that a witch scratched him, a troll stabbe him in the leg, & a demon hit him with a club.

-Borrowed both from the library.

Saving the Liberty Bell by Megan McDonald illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington

 Ms. McDonald illuminates how the bell (eventually called the Liberty Bell) was hidden from British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. A farmer & his son haul it to Bethlehem, PA, where their wagon breaks down. Another farmer carries it to its final hiding destination-Allentown's Zion Reformed Church. I found the author's note interesting.

The bold illustrations and first person narration will make this story appeal even more to kids.

-Borrowed from the library.

Let's Go Home by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin*

 I savored the illustrations in this book. I have not read through a picture book this slowly in a long time! 

With her perfect word choice and pacing, Ms. Rylant welcomes the reader into a home and reflects with them the wonderful attributes each room contains. Her words and Ms. Halperin's images will summon memories in the reader's mind. 

The illustrations are whimsical and detailed. The reader will feel like they are visiting an actual home as they gaze at each page. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library (but if I see it in a store, I will buy it!).

The Singing Ringing Tree retold by Selina Hastings illustrated by Louise Brierley

 A Princess, spoiled by her doting father, thinks only of herself and demands that her every desire be fulfilled. Men look at her and fall immediately in love with her. She views no one worthy of herself, of course! One day a Prince proposes to her and lays a casket of pearls at her feet. She overturns the casket, causing pearls to spill all over the floor. The only way she will marry this Prince is if he brings her the Singing Ringing Tree. He travels many miles and discovers the tree. An ugly Dwarf guards the tree. He allows the Prince to take the tree. But if the Princess refuses to marry him, they must return to him under his power and in whatever form he selects. The Princess refuses. . . .

I did not enjoy the style of  the illustrations. 

This legend has its roots in Germany & Slavic folk and fairy tales.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Finn MacCoul and His Fearless Wife A Giant Tale of a Tale from Ireland by Robert Byrd

 I own Tomie dePaola's version of this legend. 

The giant Finn MacCoul lives with his wife Oonagh on Knockmany Hill. As a chieftan of the Fianna, the Irish people respect him. While building a bridge to Scotland, Finn encounters a fierce Scots giant, Cucullin. Cucullin's plan is to "make paste of" Finn. Thankfully, Oonagh creates a clever plan to subdue Cucullin.

I love the big vibrant the illustrations.  

Read also Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill by Tomie dePaola to compare. 

Consideration: Fairies and magic are the source of strength and aid in this story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Bing's Cherries by Livia Blackburne illustrated by Julia Kuo

 A Chinese tall tale based on a real Chinese immigrant

Ah Bing travels from China to work in the U.S.  An orchard owner, Seth Lewelling, eagerly hires Ah Bing because of his height. Over time Ah Bing's skills cause the orchard to thrive. When people try to attack Ah Bing and his fellow Chinese friends because of their race, Ah Bing is sad. Planting some cherry seeds, he cries. A giant tear lands on one of the seeds. This seed grows into a Bing cherry tree.

The author's & illustrator's notes about the inspiration for their story and also information about the real Ah Bing are very interesting.

Recipes included.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Gift of Dust by Martha Brockenbrough illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

 Dust is vital to habitats and people all over the world. Starting in Chad, Africa, it travels over the ocean, falls into the ocean, filters down into the Amazon Rainforest, contributing to the vitality of these locations.

Fascinating! 

Consideration: mentions global warming in the author's note

The House in the Mail by Rosemary & Tom Wells illustrated by Dan Andreasen

 Readers will experience through Emily's narration & scrapbook how a mail-order home is built in 1927. It reveals the contrast between a pre-modern way of living to modern.

Very interesting picture book to read when studying this time period.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline*

 Lavishly illustrated, this version of The Snow Queen will capture the reader's imagination and attention. Kai & Gerda are next door neighbors and best friends. When a piece of an evil troll's powerful mirror enters Kai's eye and heart, he transforms into a selfish, mean boy. Out sledding with the other children, he ventures further and attaches himself to the Snow Queen's sled. She keeps him captive. Everyone in the village concludes he has drowned in the river. Meanwhile, Gerda misses her friend and refuses to believe he has died. Bravely she searches the world until she finds him and restores him to former self.

*Higly recommend. I love the detailed, rich illustrations.

-Borrowed from the library.

Colors of the Wind by J.L. Powers paintings by George Mendoza drawings by Hayley Morgan-Sanders**

 Purple House Press (where I first read about it) has republished this book. What an amazing story and man! 

At age fifteen, George became legally blind with a rare form of blindness, fundus flavimaculatus. It destroys the person's central vision. Even with his blindness, he pursued running (set world record for the mile by a blind runner-4:28!) and painting. His vision causes him to view explosive colors, which he paints. This book contains his paintings.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL but I ordered it to own I liked it so much!

I just read online that a screenplay is being developed based on his life.

The Giraffe That Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton illustrated by Roger Roth**

 What a delightful story! In picture book format Ms. Milton shares a unique tidbit of history. In 1827 the pasha of Egypt, Muhammad Ali, sends a giraffe to the King Charles X of France to amend the strained relationship between their countries. This account relays how the giraffe travels from Egypt to Paris and the challenges its handlers/transporters encounter. It's a joyous story that focuses not on agenda but a fun event in history.

The illustrations are expressive (especially the people's and the giraffe's faces). The author's note provides more historical background. 

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL (but I may purchase it. Purple House Press has republished it.)

Star Mother's Youngest Child by Louise Moeri illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Although this Christmas story is quite odd, it is well-written and engaging. 

An old, lonely woman longs to experience Christmas "just once" in her life. Meanwhile, in the heavens, the exasperated Star Mother, sends one of her star children to earth to experience Christmas "just once". The two spend Christmas day irritating the other one, and yet at the same time, enjoying the special day.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Water of Life retold by Barbara Rogasky illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

 A Grimm Brothers Tale

A king is dying. His three sons are sad. While the sons are weeping in the castle garden, a little man appears and informs them that he knows of a cure for their father-Water of Life. The oldest son sets off to find this cure. Along the way he scorns a dwarf. The dwarf secretly curses him and causes him to become stuck in a ravine. This interaction and curse are repeated with the second son. Both of these sons have impure motives. They believe if they cure their father, then he will leave the kingdom to them. The youngest son, however, really cares about his dying father with no thought of inheriting the kingdom. He, of course, finds the cure but is treated poorly by his older brothers. Will the truth be discovered?

A captivating tale  I thought the end was a bit rushed.

The illustrations are lavish and intricate.

-Borrowed from the library.

Little Red Riding Hood retold & illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman*

 -a Caldecott Honor Book -1984

I love this retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale becaue of the illustrations! Ms. Hyman's attention to detail whisks the reader into the world she has created. I loved the abundant flowers, cats/kittens slinking and tumbling on the pages, the cozy clutter in the homes, and the borders. Seeing the rumbled rug at Grandmother's front door reinforced how Ms. Hyman's goal seems to be to create realistic scenes.

*Highly recommend.

Considerations: This story is by the Brothers Grimm. . .so there will be some gruesome details- like the wolf eating Grandmother and Little Red Riding, the huntsman killing the wolf with a knife and slicing him open. Children may find it creepy or odd that Grandmother and Little Red step out of the wolf, whole & unharmed. A warning was glued to the front of this library book about wine (Little Red delivers wine to her sick grandmother) and how CA & FL challenged this book because it seem to be promoting alcohol to minors (in 1990).

-Borrowed from the library.

The 13th Day of Christmas written & illustrated by Adam Rex

 Mr. Rex demonstrates via a picture book the results of the 12 Days of Christmas. Although humorous and at times, sweet, this book places the woman as the leader in the relationship. She is the one who gives the gifts and asks him to marry her.

-Borrowed from the library.

All Creation Waits-The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings by Gayle Boss illustrated by Sharon Spitz

 Children's Edition 

This beautiful book celebrates animals' ways to survive the winter. Two-page spreads feature detailed illustrations and a poetic verse about the animal's unique survival methods. At the end of each day, the repeated phrases are included: "The dark is not an end. It's a door. It's the way a new beginning comes."

The introduction illustration displays each creature except the trout, bees, and fireflies. It would be fun before beginning the book to count and name each of the animals with the child who is listening. December 24 has Christ in the manger with the stable animals surrounding Him. Although this book exhalts animals, I am glad it ends with Christ (BUT it does not focus on His salvation explicitly). 

In the back the author includes more facts about each creature-very interesting facts and questions to ponder.

Considerations: animals are the focus not Christ

A Christmas Like Helen's by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock illustrated by Mary Azarian*

 I am partial to woodcut illustrations. Ms. Azarian, a Vermont resident, depicts Helen's life in rural Vermont. The author, Ms. Kinsey-Warnock, a Vermont native, bases this story off of her grandmother's childhood. Readers will learn about the time period and Christmases long ago. Although most of the story takes place during Christmas, a few times the reader is transported back to a different season in which the family was preparing/harvesting something that they will use at Christmas.

--Ms. Azarian is the illustrator for Snowflake Bentley.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Traveling Taco by Mia Menjen illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong*

 Favorite foods' origins are presented and also how they evolved over time. Each page has the same format: a rhyming introduction, a description of what it is, where it came from, an interesting fact, and then how it has changed. 

Foods featured: al pastor taco, pasta, ceviche, cheesecake, pavlova, french fries, fish & chips, ice cream, jerk chicken, rice pudding, pizza, churros

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.