Windows to the Past

When she was a little girl my mother would have loved these books. She read a lot, and passed that love of reading onto me. I still have her dog-eared, broken spine, illustrated, notes in the margins, and missing last few pages of Little Women. I would have to walk to the library to borrow their copy to finish it, many times over. It was printed in 1929, and it is inscribed "Xmas 1930" from Barbara Jean, her cousin.
Little Women, like Eunice Boeve's books, gives one a sense of history as it was lived. Could it be that this reading of history in literature is as important a lesson about our past as facts and figures in history class? It sure adds to it. When my children attended Waldorf schools history was interwoven with literature, such as enacting the Greek plays while studying ancient Greece. About the most dramatic thing I remember during a droning high school history class was the rumbling of a little earthquake in northern California. Do read Eunice Boeve's books. I bet you and your young teens will become fans!

A Window to the World

For a twelve-year-old Annie Duncan has a lot to worry about. What if her Pa never comes back from looking for gold in California? What if her Ma then marries “Bug Eyes,” Mr. Snell, who is bossy and thinks it’s okay to own slaves? What if her big brother Patrick can’t get to law school or her little brother Jackson doesn’t recover from his illness? Her biggest concern of all is whether she can help Henry, the run-away slave, when the slave catchers come knocking at the door of their remote West Virginia farm? Her only chance is for them to climb through her bedroom window her Pa built her before he left. Author Eunice Boeve tells a good story with a nicely laid-out plot and plenty of action to keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next in the likeable Duncan family. The reader will also be able to identify with protagonist Annie Duncan as she is not only brave and intelligent, but she is also compassionate and polite. History, especially the fate of fugitive slaves after The Compromise of 1850, is interwoven into the story so that it is absorbed with ease. That is the mark of historical fiction at its best. This young adult book is highly recommended for readers 10 years of age and up.

Maggie Rose and Sass

Maggie Rose and Sass are both twelve years old and they both love reading books. But in 1888 they are from two different worlds. Maggie Rose was born in Georgia, and after she was orphaned a bitter and prejudiced grandmother raised her. Sass lives in Solomon Town, Kansas where her father publishes the local newspaper. Solomon town is a nearly all colored community settled by ex-slaves. After her grandmother dies Maggie Rose has no choice but to move to Solomon Town to live with her Uncle Caleb who owns the general store. With the prejudicial conditioning from her grandmother will Maggie Rose adjust to living in a colored community especially when her uncle and aunt live in a dugout while prosperous coloreds live in fine granite houses? Will she make friends with Sass and other colored girls? Will Sass overcome her notion that Maggie Rose is “An Uppity White Girl” and invite her into her circle of friends? Again, Eunice Boeve creates a readable, page turning tale while at the same time weaving in fascinating historical fact and detail. For instance African Americans in 1888 in the plains of Kansas could not stay in the nearby all white town overnight. Instead they had to camp out in a dugout on the outskirts of town no matter the weather. Ms. Boeve also creates believable characters whose personalities are true to the time, instead of becoming revisionist, which is all too common in literature these days. The book will be highly enjoyed by middle grade and young adult readers. It is also a must-have book for classrooms as a resource for history, culture, and civil rights studies.

Frogs in the Snow!

I met Louise Flodin at a networking forum in Los Angeles last month, and she is as delightful as this her first picture book. What a treat to meet her and Sherman! The best is that she donates "a generous portion of the profits..." from her book sales to "Children and Animal Charities!"

Sherman the Frog Meets the Snow Princess

Sherman is a green frog who is at once endearing, intrepid, and eager. Imagine a frog that would rather see snow than to hibernate all winter! Sherman's wish is heard by the Snow Princess. Will he get his wish? You guessed it, and that's when his adventures really begin.

This charming book, written by Louise Flodin and delightfully illustrated, in watercolors, by her daughter-in-law Elayna Flodin, is writing in the manner of fairy tales. That gives children an opportunity to engage in imagination and to learn through an imaginary character that it is all right to have one's dreams come true, no matter how illogical they may be. Elayna's paintings are lively adding even more to the story, and that is an example of great harmony between text and illustration in a picture book. Kudos to Louise and Elayna on their first venture into the world of picture books. The book ends way too soon. The young reader will want to read more about Sherman and the Snow Princess. We will wish for a sequel soon! This book is recommended for children 3 - 8 years old!
www.shermanandfriends.com
ISBN: 0974505250

Resumes for Children? Cool Concept!

When my children were young I tried to find ways to boost their self -esteem and to help them find their deep-seated interests. Before that when I was young, oh so many years ago now, self-esteem and finding one's life-long dream was an alien concept. It would never have occurred to me that I could become a writer, an artist, an astronaut, or a pilot. Today's children, thanks to a broader educational programs and that thing we call television, which can be both a blessing and a bane, know they have scads of choices. However, today's world is ever so much more complex and I observe some children can get lost in all the choices. Now, there's a book that can help organize the choices, preferences, and talents of children.
As an additional plug I have just created a site on Squidoo.com where I post articles about preschoolers for parents, teachers, and caregivers: www.squidoo.com/preschoolteacher/

Resumes for Children

Resumes for children, what a good idea! Donna Kristine Manley, in her desire to support children in this ever more complex world, has come up with an idea so simple and so useful one wonders why it has not been thought of before.
Ms. Manley says it herself on page vii, "Parents can boost their children's self-esteem by taking the time to capture their accomplishments, activites, gifts, talents, and interests on paper." A resume for a child is an important addtition to report cards that only record a child's academic standing at one given point in time. A grade of"C", for instance, doesn't necessarily mean a child is average. Perhaps that semester her parents were divorced or the family moved from another state. However, a resume documents a child's achievements, goals, and budding interests beyond the academic and over a period of time.
Resumes for Children is an organized and highly practical book with 21 sample resumes plus sample references and cover letters. And, there are blank pages where children can jot notes, brainstorm, and draft their resumes. Not only will the book show children and their parents and teachers how to write resumes, but it will also be an enlightening read for children who may want ideas on what it is possible for them to achieve at their young age. They will see how other children turned their hobbies into income or became teen pilots, marine biologists, or radio broacasters. Ideas are limitless.
Do consider this remarkable and highly recommended book for your child. Teachers will also find it to be a useful writing lesson, or can make it a basis for a unit in English or Social Studies. Go to Kris' web site to see more about the book at www.resumesforchildren.com