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The Women Heroes of World War II – An Important Book for Young Readers

Debbie Glade reviews this nonfiction book for YA readers from Chicago Review Press.

After reading a graphic book about the Holocaust in college, which kept me awake for many a night, I always wondered how this sensitive, yet important subject could ever be taught to young readers. Then a few months back I reviewed the beautifully written book, Someone Named Eva, by Joan Wolf, on my publishing blog and understood how the subject can be taught with care.

That book lead me to be come interested in reviewing Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance and Rescue ($19.95 Chicago Review Press, Young Adult) by Kathryn Atwood. Each of the 26 stories in the book feature a female, from teen to adult, who went way above and beyond the call of duty to rescue, save, feed, house, hide or otherwise help victims of the Nazis. A black and white photo of each woman hero is included in the narratives.

What I like about the book is that the author goes into the background of each hero, revealing how they came to be in a situation where they were able to help others. Some of the women actually started out supporting the Nazis until they saw, firsthand, the torture and cruelty of so many people under Hitler’s regime. Most of the women had to do a lot of lying or hiding to help the victims, thereby sacrificing their own safety and well-being.

Kathryn Atwood did a great job portraying the struggles, without terrifying the young readers. And the stories in the book are so important that all adults can benefit from reading them as well. As a reader you can really imagine yourself in the place of the women heroes of the war. For anyone who ever wondered, “What could one person possibly do to change a horrific situation?” this book is a perfect example.

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Nancy Tillman Shares The Love

You may know author and illustrator Nancy Tillman from her bestselling picture book, On the Night You Were Born or maybe from Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You. With the addition of her latest picture book, The Crown on Your Head ($16.99, Feiwel & Friends, ages 4-8) one wonderful common theme emerges –  children everywhere need to know that they are special and loved.

You will be pulled into the pages from the very first lines:

“On the day that we met and I put you to bed,
I noticed a crown on the top of your head.

It was made up of sparkling, glimmering things
like moonlight and fireflies, and dragonfly wings.”

Had this book been published when my children were young, I would have read this book to them nightly to instill in them a strong sense of self and confidence. And one of my favorites lines is just below:

“I always knew just what your crown meant.
It said that you were MAGNIFICENT.”

Tillman has an unerring ability to convey her convictions through warm, gleaming artwork, artwork that captures a little one’s inner joy and contentment at just being themselves and being loved for who they are. This book is pure gold.

The Crown on Your Head was reviewed by Ronna Mandel.

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Far from Shore – A Brilliant Book for Young Scientific Minds

In keeping with the theme of yesterday’s book review – ocean explorations – today Debbie Glade reviewed Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Voyage ($17.99, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Ages 9-12).

This is a really cool book, told from the point of view of the author/illustrator/ornithologist, Sophie Webb. It is essentially an illustrated scientific journal, documenting a research expedition on a ship through the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Each of the journal entries in the book include a date, location, latitude and longitude and are fully illustrated. Even the interior of the ship is depicted.

I love that the journal entries include detailed descriptions, not only of what the scientists saw on their journey, but also scientific explanations about how data is collected and recorded and how ocean ecosystems work. Naturally, since this is a book about oceans, birds and fish are the highlighted animals, and the illustrations of many species are incredible. While reading the book, young readers can really get an idea of what life as a scientist might be like. This is so important, because the world certainly needs more scientists, and a book such as Far from Shore may just inspire young students to choose future careers in science.

I can only imagine that the process of writing and illustrating journal books for children is really fascinating. Author Sophie Webb has written two other journal books, My Season with Penguins: An Antarctic Journey and Looking for Seabirds: Journal from an Alaskan Voyage. Both of these books have won a number of impressive awards, and I’m not surprised. I highly recommend Far from Shore as a gift for any young, aspiring scientist you may know.

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Sea of Dreams

Sea of Dreams by Dennis Nolan ($16.99, A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, ages 3-7) is one of those books you will want to share with your child at bedtime, talk about afterwards, and then watch as your little one drifts off to sleep with the beautiful images implanted in their head.

What I love most about Nolan’s book is that, without words, it speaks to children, touching on their vast imaginations and exploring awesome possibilities. The book begins with scenes, like a movie storyboard, of a young girl building a sandcastle at the beach. Then, as the sun sets, she reluctantly leaves it, knowing that the waves will wash all her hard work away.

A lone seagull appears as both witness and bridge as we cross over into a fantasy world. Dusk settles in, a light appears in a castle window and a menacing wave approaches. Readers follow a miniature family, first glimpsed through the turret window, escaping the sea ravaged sand palace aboard a boat. While it’s no surprise when a young boy falls from the boat, it’s magical when he’s rescued by seashorses, and delivered to mermaids. At last the boy is reunited with his family, arriving safely on an island. Much in the fashion of the film Ground Hog Day, a new day dawns, ushered in on the wings of the seagull, the girl once again returns to the beach and begins building another sandcastle in the knowing company of the bird.

SPOILER ALERT! Yes, a majestic castle is constructed and yes, the girl is hesitant to leave again as the high tide threatens, but I will not let you know whether or not the light comes back on. The fantastic artwork in Sea of Dreams beckons all readers to read on and join the adventure. I have a funny feeling that if I am ever on a beach as the sun sinks below the horizon, I will be looking for little people in sandcastles from now on!

 

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Not Another Nursery Rhyme Book, You Say?

Okay, I have to admit that when I was asked if I wanted to review a book of nursery rhymes, I wasn’t all that excited about it. But then when I discovered the rhymes are presented in comic book form, illustrated by 50 famous cartoonists, I perked up a bit.

The quality of Nursery Rhyme Comics ($18.99 First Second Books, Ages 3 and up) is so high, it’s sort of like a child’s version of a coffee table book, if you can imagine that. From the cover to the paper, the printing to the illustrations, this is a beautiful book. And it’s so entertaining too. Somehow reading traditional nursery rhymes while looking at cool comic illustrations, takes what were once classic rhymes to a whole new level of chic. In the front of the book is a wonderful intro by Leonard S. Marcus, historian and children’s book author. In the back of the book is a list of all the cartoonists, with short bios, so you know who is responsible for each comic.

Now that I’ve read the book, I must also admit that I love it so much, I am going to keep it for myself. It’s sitting right on top of the coffee table in the living room, for my guests to enjoy. I just hope no one walks away with it.

This book was reviewed by Debbie Glade.

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I am a Rock. I am an Alphabet Book.

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by  Leslie McGuirk ($15.99, Tricycle Press, all ages)  is just so clever you will kick yourself you did not think of it. How often have you strolled beaches or parks and picked up an unusual looking rock only to realize it resembled something else; maybe a pointing finger, a shoe, a human face or an animal? I know I have countless times, but I never could have envisioned an entire alphabet. Rereading the book as I wrote this review, I still marvel at the humor and inventiveness of every page and want to share this book with all my friends and their families.

It not only took a lot of imagination on the part of McGuirk, but dedication, too!  She began collecting all these rocks 10 years ago and patiently waited until she found just what she was seeking, a letter ‘k’! Whether you love ‘c’ is for couch potato, ‘l’ is for lemon or ‘o’ is for ouch, you will be amazed at the variety of rocks that fill the pages.  There are not only rocks forming the letters of the alphabet, but rocks in shapes that help describe the words she has used.  Consider this: would you have, while leisurely walking the same stretch of Florida shoreline as McGuirk,  looked at the very same rocks she selected in ‘t’ is for toast and seen a slice of bread begging to be buttered? I cannot wait to see what idea she comes up with next – a rock cookbook maybe? If anyone can find a rock in the shape of a measuring cup, it’s McGuirk!

This book was reviewed today by Ronna Mandel.

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Book Fair Sunday, Oct. 16 at Poly in Pasadena, CA

YOU ARE INVITED

The 30th Annual Poly (Polytechnic School) Book Fair

Reading is Magic

“Ignite Your Imagination!”

Opening Night 

Sunday, October 16th 4pm – 7pm 

Magician:

Magic by Alfonso 5:15 to 6pm

Story Time from 4:15-6:30

Author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, a graduate of California Institute of Technology, will sign her books. 

Enjoy crafts, food and of course, books, books, books! Festivities start at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 16. 20% of all purchases supports the North Campus Library and Media Center. The fair is a great opportunity to buy birthday presents and holiday gifts.  If you are unable to attend today, the fair is open through Oct. 19 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. daily.

 

POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL
1030 East California Blvd.,
Pasadena, CA 91106
Telephone:
626-396-6300


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It’s All in the Dirt

Debbie Glade reviews two titles that inspire young readers to dig in the dirt.

As an avid backyard “farmer” myself, I can’t seem to resist books that teach kids (and their parents) how things grow. An Edible Alphabet: 26 Reasons to Love the Farm, ($16.99, Tricycle Press, ages 5-8) by Carol Watterson, does just that in a most creative way. The book features fascinating facts about animals and plant-based foods, using alphabetic titles as a means to introduce various topics. How does “Flip Flop Fry” sound to you as a way to teach readers about wild salmon and protecting life in the ocean? Or how about “Stink Stank Stunk” to teach readers about how farmers spread manure in the fields? I love the creativity of that! The vivid illustrations by Michela Sorrentino really make this book extra special. And what I love most is both the author and the illustrator grow their own veggies at home, just like I do. This book is sure to inspire you and your children to start your own garden.

How Things Work in the Yard ($14.99, Blue Apple Books, Ages 4-8) is an ultra sturdy book, by Lisa Campbell Ernst, which answers many of the questions children often ask their parents. Each 2-page spread in the book features a plant, animal or object one would find in a back yard, such as a ball, firefly, caterpillar, rock or squirrel. Each item is explained in enough detail to teach young readers about how animals live, plants grow and objects come to be. The paper used for the book has an attractive matte finish, not usually found in children’s books, with a graph paper grid. The descriptions are supported by very unique and appealing illustrations, made from paper cutouts.

“When a ball bounces on the ground, it squishes a little, then pushes back to its round shape.”

Don’t all curious kids wonder about things like that? Heck, I’m not a kid, yet I still think about things like that.

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An Interview with Author Kerrie Logan Hollihan by Debbie Glade

Kerrie Logan Hollihan is the author of: The Latin American Celebrations and Festivals 4-book series; Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (For Kids series); Theodore Roosevelt for Kids: His Life and Times, 21 Activities (For Kids series) and her latest book, Elizabeth I, the People’s Queen: Her Life and Times, 21 Activities (For Kids series).

After reviewing two of Kerrie’s fabulous nonfiction books for kids, Theodore Roosevelt for Kids and Elizabeth I, the People’s Queen, I asked her if she’d answer some questions for our curious readers. She said yes, and wow did she share some invaluable information!

Meet Author Kerrie Logan Hollihan

How did you get started writing nonfiction for children?

When I was a kid growing up in Oak Park, Illinois, I lived two blocks from an African American chemist whose home was firebombed when he moved in with his family. I did some research on him and discovered that my neighbor, Dr. Percy Lavon Julian, was the first black admitted to the National Academies of Science. He developed a plant substitute for cortisone in the 1930s — from soybeans! Dr. Julian fought racism his whole life.

So … I decided to write a middle grade biography about him. To make a long story short, the manuscript hasn’t yet found a home.

I connected with a local group from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Two nonfiction authors saw me carrying a stack of books about Isaac Newton out of the library and connected me with their editor at Chicago Review Press, and that’s how I got started.

What a great story, and now you’ve got me interested in Dr. Percy Lavon Julian!

What made you decide to choose Queen Elizabeth I for your latest biography?

I figured that the Tudors always have a following, and I pitched the idea to Chicago Review Press. Over the course of a few months, the topic was refined a bit and we ended up with “Liz” as my subject. Because we develop at least 21 themed activities to our subjects, I was sure I’d have some fun thinking about what to go with. I tried to tap into a variety of activities that relate to life in Elizabethan England.

How on earth did you sort through and organize all the information out there about Elizabeth I for your book? That must have been quite a time-consuming challenge for you.

When I start with a topic like Elizabeth I, I read several adult biographies first. I try to choose one of the “classic” biographies from earlier in the 20th century, and at least another one published since 1990. That way, I have a feel of how history’s view of her has changed over the years. I also read several examples of juvenile biography to see how other authors have presented her since the 1960s. Then I dip into general histories of the time to help with context and background. My favorite go-to resource for historical overviews and authenticating details is Britannica.com.

I develop a timeline with key events and people — always keeping in mind what I want my middle grade readers to understand about Elizabeth and the backdrop of her life, the Reformation. I have to keep things simple but still explain the historical setting in which she lived. In writing about the Reformation, I tried to show both the Protestant and Roman Catholic point of view.

I use MS OneNote to organize all my research. It’s a wonderful tool. For Elizabeth, I wrote an outline for each chapter in a section and added other information that I wanted to include. By the time I start writing, I feel fairly familiar with the information I have and it goes from there.

That is quite a process! Before writing this book, did you find the British royal family tree to be as confusing as so many others do?

Yes and no…at one time I could have told you every English/British monarch from Alfred forward to Elizabeth II. I knew about the Tudor line of course, but when I studied Elizabeth’s family tree I gleaned a lot of new information…all those aunts and uncles and cousins and the sometimes crazy stories about what happened to them.

One cool thing I always enjoyed is that Elizabeth was a direct descendent (through her grandmother Elizabeth of York) of Katherine (Kathryn) Swynford, mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt. Back in the day, Anya Seton wrote a fabulous historical novel about her entitled Katherine.

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A New Touch-and-Feel Series From Nosy Crow

Today’s review comes from Ronna Mandel.

Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press, has a hit on its hands with the Noodle ($8.99, Candlewick Press, ages 1-3) baby and toddler touch-and-feel series.  These colorful board books by Marion Billet introduce little ones to the precious young panda character, Noodle, who will delight during the day as well as at bedtime.

In Noodle Loves to Cuddle, panda takes Duckie out for a stroll, plays ball, answers a phone call and most of all, loves to get hugs from Mom.  Kids will enjoy feeling the soft duck, and blankie, the ridges of the telephone and the bumps on the ball. There are even fuzzy ears to touch on the book’s cover! In Noodle Loves Bedtime, Noodle the panda makes sparkling splashes in the bath, has his bedtime bottle followed by some serious teeth brushing (including sticky, striped toothpaste). All ready for dreamland, Noodle snuggles happily with a soft plush sheep before going to sleep.  Your children will love the mirrors on the last page as their own adorable little face will be the last thing they see before closing the book.

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Just How Far, Tall, Long and Wide is That?

Debbie Glade weighs in on a helpful new book from Capstone Press.

Hooray for books that teach young children about distance and space! How Do You Measure Length and Distance?, by Thomas K. and Heather Adamson, fills a great void in educating young children about this very important, and often overlooked, subject.

What I like about this book is that large, colorful photographs are used to compare everyday objects to rulers and tape measures, so children can grasp length, height and depth. And the author makes it fun. What child wouldn’t enjoy measuring a guinea pig, a toy train or the length of a big car? The simple prose explains what is being measured on each page and includes measurements in the metric system as well. And in the back of the book are pages with cool measuring facts, a glossary of terms and resources for further learning.

This book would be a fabulous resource for elementary classrooms (PreK-2) and would be perfect for a long car trip so kids can better understand the distances they are traveling.

How Do You Measure Length and Distance? is one of four titles in the “Measure It” series by Capstone Press, and all of these titles are published in English and Spanish.

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Put a Lid on it, Mike!

BE QUIET, MIKE! ($14.99, Candlewick, ages 3-6), reviewed today by Lindy Michaels, was written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli.

What kid hasn’t blown on a kazoo, pretending it was a trumpet?  What kid hasn’t let their fingers fly on a table top pretending it was a piano?  Well, from the time Mike, the monkey, was in his momma monkey’s womb, he was drumming to his own beat.  “Kick, thump, pow!”  It was a very active pregnancy for momma monkey, to say the least.  And once Mike was born “…He played with his fingers, he played with his feet, a funky little monkey, with a beat, beat, beat.”

As Mike grew bigger, there was nothing he came in contact with that didn’t become a… drum!  Banging on a wastebasket, slapping the water in the pool, clanking on a trash can.  And how was his creativity received by his family?   “BE QUIET, MIKE!”  But that didn’t stop this monkey as he grew older.  “He played on the table like a wild baboon…”  “BE QUIET, MIKE,” was what he heard day and night, over and over again. “Mike tried to be quiet, he tried to be still, but the beat in his heart, was stronger than his will.”

And then one day, he saw in the window of a music shop, “… a real live, full-sized jamming drum set”  “… an ape with long fur, beating so fast – arms and legs a blur.”

Ah, the sheer ingenuity of little monkey Mike.  He went home and used everything he could find in his house, like coffee cans and pots and pans and two sticks, to make his very own drum set.  And then he started to beat his home-made drums.  “Zat.  Zoom.  Crash!”

And just then his parents and sister opened the door to his bedroom.  Oh, yes, Mike certainly knew what was coming.  “BE QUIET, MIKE!”

But is that what happened?  I adore books  that encourage children to explore their bliss, even if it’s very, very loud!  Leslie Patricelli, the talented author and illustrator of the popular YUMMY YUCKY, QUIET LOUD, TUBBY, THE BIRTHDAY BOX and other fun children’s books, has done it again, when it comes to engaging children on their own level.  Now all you moms and dads,  go and give your little ones some pots and pans and let them go to town.  Just don’t forget some cotton for your ears!

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Children’s Book Writer’s Conference

Pine Manor College’s Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program and The Foundation for Children’s Books are co-hosting the first in a series of biannual events, “What’s New in Children’s Books,” a half-day conference featuring authors, illustrators, and library and bookstore professionals on Saturday, November 5th at PMC from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the Pine Manor College campus.

The conference will feature illustrator Bryan Collier, winner of the Caldecott Honor Award and the 2011 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, middle-grade and teen novel writer Mark Peter Hughes, whose book Lemonade Mouth is now a Disney Channel movie; Penny Noyce, doctor, educator, mother of five, and author of Lost in Lexicon: An Adventure in Words and Numbers; and Terry Schmitz, owner of the Children’s Book Shop in Brookline, MA. The conference includes new books from the Children’s Book Shop, book sales and signing.

Solstice has partnered with The Foundation for Children’s Books (FCB), a nonprofit organization that cultivates children’s curiosity, creativity, and academic achievement by igniting in them a love of good books. Solstice is also offering four $1,000 fellowships for writers.  Applications due Oct. 14th.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

8:30 a.m.:  Registration, coffee & book sale

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Program

NEW THIS YEAR: Lower fees, free parking and a new location!

Founders Room, Ferry Administration Building, Pine Manor College. Go to www.pmc.edu/directions for directions to 400 Heath St., Chestnut Hill. Free parking available.
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Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Return To School …

SCARY SCHOOL ($15.99, HarperCollins, ages 8-12) , written by Derek The Ghost and illustrated by Scott M. Fischer, is reviewed by Lindy Michaels of BookStar on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, CA.

BOO!! Right in time for the new year of quality education, SCARY SCHOOL is open and it’s inhabited by some really strange creatures, like Mr. Spider-Eyes, the hallway monitor, T Rex, who wears, of all things, a blue dress and blue bonnet, Ms. Fang, the sweetest homeroom teacher, who has one huge fang hanging out of her mouth (had she had two fangs, she would have been called Ms. Fangs! There’s Nurse Hairymoles, named as such for obvious reasons and oh, wow, she can bring you back from the dead. Trust me, she is kept extremely busy at Scary School. Then, of course, there’s Principal Headcrusher and Dr. Dragonbreath, named, yes, you guessed it, because he has really, really, really bad breath. Oh, wait! Did I mention Archie, the giant squid, who lives in the school’s moat? And… and… ooh… how could I leave out Mr. Snakeskin, the half zombie science teacher?

A new kid, Charles Nukid… no really, that’s the new kid’s name, started at Scary School that year and what a year it would be, because Scary School is chosen to host the annual, wait for it, Ghoul Games, this year. Did I mention that most of the children attending Scary School weren’t “regular” kids, like that new kid, Charles Nukid? Oh no, they were ghouls and goblins and vampires, oh my!

Now, all the ghoulish going-ons are narrated, for your reading pleasure, by none other than Derek The Ghost, who unfortunately, last year, became … a ghost, that is, when a science experiment in class went terribly, terribly wrong. And this is his story of  “…all the horrible and wonderful things that go on there.”

But do not fear, my children, because even if T Rex, who wears a blue dress, eats you up whole, (almost) all you children will come back to life, as I already mentioned, just perhaps not in the same shape you were before. That is, if you’re lucky! As the terrific children’s author, Dan Gutman, of the My Weird School Daze series, is quoted on the book’s back cover, says, “I died laughing. Weird monsters in silly situations. Why didn’t I think of that?”

This is such a hilarious, okay, creepy read, but of course, not for the faint of heart. So get to your bookstore (hopefully BookStar in Studio City where there are autographed copies!) and gobble up the totally cool, Scary School!

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Daddy, You Can Drive My Car

Powered by Love

Mitchell’s License by Hallie Durand and illustrated by Tony Fucile ($15.99, Candlewick, ages 3-7) is reviewed by Ronna Mandel.

With some strong neck muscles, and an eager driver, Mitchell’s dad hoisted his son upon his shoulders nightly to play a bedtime game of  “Remote-Control Dad.”  According to author Hallie Durand, her husband invented the game, guaranteed to get kids in gear for a road trip to dreamland. The inimitable Tony Fucile added the V6 powered artwork making this a fun-fueled story for preschoolers to second graders with a penchant for running on empty.

Meet Mitchell who, until his dad creates this nighttime ritual, will do whatever it takes to avoid his bedtime routine. Dad, however, has another plan in mind. He makes his shoulders the driver’s seat, his head the steering wheel and his eyeglasses the windshield. Together the father-son team steer clear of boring and head straight for adventure. Once Mitchell’s been assured that his father’s in tip top, road ready condition, the duo are off! But watch out, there are obstacles ahead and no signs to warn the car or driver! And while the horn and brakes work just fine, occasionally Mitchell’s dad (aka the auto) could use a tune up, an oil change and even some gas.

This laugh-filled, creative story may become part of your own family’s ritual so get those shoulders in shape for some serious driving and remember to look both ways before turning the page.

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