Reviews
A Review of "Stella Batts: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow" in Greatest Books for Kids
Stella Batts feels she is a very lucky girl. After all, it’s not every day you get to have parents who own a candy store and have their children as official taste-testers! So, when her Dad brings home his new magical gum, Stella and her younger sister can’t wait to try it out. View →
A Review of "That’s What Friends Are For" in School Library Journal
Gr 1-3–In this warmhearted beginning reader, best buddies Tugg, a lovable gorilla, and Teeny, an eager monkey, help a sad hippo find her self-esteem, a rhinoceros locate his missing horn, and avoid making their friends angry when Teeny leaves wet, violet-colored paint on the picnic-table View →
A Review of "The People of Twelve Thousand Winters" in Children's Literature
Walking Turtle of the Lenni Lenape lives with his people along the Passaic River in what will one day become the state of New Jersey. He is very kind to his young cousin Little Talk who with his crooked foot depends on Walking Turtle to carry him wherever he goes. Walking Turtle’s… 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 →
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 Voyage of the Sea Wolf" in School Library Journal
Gr 5-7–Marooned on an island in The Pirate Captain’s Daughter (Sleeping Bear, 2011), Catherine and William are rescued by the pirate crew of the Sea Wolf at the start of this story. The two lovers vow to stay together, but they are not prepared for what awaits them. Catherine is… View →
A Review of "T is for Twin Cities: A Minneapolis/St. Paul Alphabet" in Midwest Book Review
“T is for Twin Cities: A Minneapolis/St. Paul Alphabet” is a historically based colorful alphabet book that explores famous landmarks and traditions of the Minneapolis/ St, Paul area in Minnesota. Every page features a letter related to a special Twin Cities feature, subject, View →
A Review of "Twice as Good" in School Library Journal
K-Gr 3–For third-grader Willie Powell, the new golf course was a beautiful sight. One day, he approached two white golfers and asked the kinder looking of the men to teach him to play. His reply was, “Son, didn’t anyone ever tell you that your kind is not welcome here?” “Of course,… View →
A Review of "Smudge and the Book of Mistakes: A Christmas Story" in School Library Journal
A talented but easily frustrated young man is transformed by the encouragement and belief of the right mentor. Like many boys, Cuthbert is impatient, lacks discipline, and doesn’t like making mistakes. After his annoyed father sends him to a monastery, he ends up in the scriptorium,… View →
A Review of "Smudge and the Book of Mistakes: A Christmas Story" in Publishers Weekly
National Book Award–winner Whelan (Homeless Bird) writes a substantive story about the value of perseverance. It’s set in a medieval monastery, where the hard-of-hearing and vainglorious abbot mistakenly appoints young “Smudge,” so-called for his sloppiness and tendency to give up… View →