Reviews
'Maestro Stu Saves the Zoo' by Denise Brennan-Nelson: A must have picture book
“Maestro Stu Saves the Zoo” by Denise Brennan-Nelson and illustrated by Tim Bowers is a picture book that can be read over and over. Kids will love the story because kids always love stories about animals. Adults and teachers will love the book because it is chock-full of… View →
'Elena's Story' by Nancy Shaw: a multicultural story of a young Guatemalan girl
“Elena’s Story” by Nancy Shaw and illustrated by Kristina Rodanas is a touching story of a young girl, her mother and her two siblings. They live in rural Guatemala and try to support themselves because Elena’s father is off working on a… The stor View →
I, Q: Independence Hall
One of my favorite middle grade publishers is Sleeping Bear Press, a publisher I first discovered at BookExpo America (BEA) a couple of years ago. I’ve loved every book of theirs I’ve read and was looking forward to giving Roland Smith’s I, Q… View →
A Review of "Smudge and the Book of Mistakes: A Christmas Story" in Booklist
Young Cuthbert, small for his age of 15, is sent to a monastery because his father thinks he would be hopeless as a warrior. But when he is sent to the scriptorium, Cuthbert couldn’t be happier. He loves forming letters, though he always smudges the ink, earning him the nickname of… View →
The Quilt Walk
It’s 1864, and when Pa announces that the family is heading west via wagon train to set up a business supporting gold mining in Colorado, Emmy Blue is game, though Ma hesitates, loath to leave friends and home. With more pressure from Pa, they go, and “Ma made up her mind to like it.”… View →
'I, Q (Book Three: Kitty Hawk)' by Roland Smith: Another non-stop thriller
In the latest book in the “I, Q” series, Roland Smith showcases the kind of writing that has made him a favorite of young readers — believable characters, exciting plot, and writing that places the reader right in the middle of the action. This story picks up where… View →
A Review of "The Quilt Walk" in Reading Today
Conflicted about her father’s decision to leave the safety of their farm in Quincy, Illinois, for Golden, Colorado, where he plans to sell supplies to the gold miners, ten-year-old Emmy Blue Hatchett is also excited about the adventure. From the beginning, the journey is not easy as… View →
A Review of "F is for Friendship: A Quilt Alphabet" in Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Review
Many people have colorful quilts on the beds in their homes, and they never really think too much about them. They do not realize that quilt designs often have a story, and that making a quilt takes many hours of painstaking… In this very special nonfiction picture book, Helen View →
A Review of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in Kirkus Reviews
This version of the traditional holiday carol features a restrained, streamlined interpretation intended for younger children who may not be familiar with the song’s complicated cast of characters. Most illustrated editions of this song use a cumulative approach, resulting in concluding… View →
A Review of "The Town That Fooled the British" in The Midwest Book Review
The Town That Fooled the British: A War of 1812 Story" is a historic reconstruction tale from the Tales of Young Americans series, introducing the character of young Henry Middle, a fictional but realistically based hero from St. Michaels, Maryland, a town of shipbuilders. The… View →