Wow. Truly, wow! It is safe to say that Blackout and All Clear are on my top twenty if not top ten list. Thank you, Connie Willis. This one is special.
Author: Sara Masarik
Curators of things Good, True, and Beautiful
The Mark of the Thief Series
The Mark of the Thief Series is one of my favorite Nielsen stories so far, because it is set near the end of the Roman Empire.
The Fifth of March
I am frustrated and disappointed in The Fifth of March. I can only speculate that Rinaldi thought she was inviting young readers into challenging questions…
The Shakespeare Stealer
There is a lot to enjoy and appreciate about The Shakespeare Stealer, especially for lovers of theater and Shakespeare…
Because Barbara
Because Barbara by Sara Mackenzie is a beautiful picture book. If you love picture book biographies, this book is not to be missed…
The Wonders of Donal O’Donnell
In The Wonders of Donal O’Donnell, Gary D. Schmidt weaves together several folk tales into one new story about a grieving couple who have lost their only son…
Finding Winnie
Recently, I reviewed a delightful picture book about the true story behind Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally Walker. I love that book and think that every fan of Winnie-the-Pooh would appreciate it. Shortly after discovering that book, I learned of this book by Lindsay Mattick (the great-great-granddaughter of Harry Colebourn) and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Like Winnie, Finding Winnie is absolutely charming. And, for older readers, there is a rich chapter book also by Mattick and Blackall.
A Packet of Seeds
Why is A Packet of Seeds out of print!? I just cannot fathom how this beautiful and heartwarming prairie story was allowed to slip out of print.
Life Story
This book is a marvel. It is the very definition of a living book. It invites our children (and ourselves) into the wonder and awe of life. And it does it with beautiful, thoughtful, teaching illustration and exceptional storytelling. It is science the way science should be taught.
Winnie: True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
In 1914, Army Veterinarian, Harry Colebourn, was on a train traveling through Ontario, Canada when he saw a man sitting at the train station with a bear cub. Harry bought the cub from the man for $20 and named her Winnipeg after his company’s hometown. Winnie, as she came to be called, quickly became a mascot for the entire section. This is a must-have for all Winnie-the-Pooh fans.
John Brown: His Fight For Freedom
Written and illustrated in that unique style that John Hendrix is famous for, John Brown: His Fight For Freedom is a powerful and exciting (while also tragic) picturebook biography of the 1850’s abolitionist John Brown. Published on the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, this picture book tells the tragic tale of John Brown’s attempt to make slavery economically untenable.
Big Machines
Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by John Rocco is a perfect picture book biography.
While Everyone is Sleeping
Oh, how beautiful this book is! While Everyone Is Sleeping is a brand new book written by Sarah Mackenzie and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard that has all of the charm and beauty of the older books that we love so much. This delightful picture book is a joy to read and a delight to behold.
Night Is Coming
Night is Coming by W. Nikola-Lisa is a sweet and tender picture book that would be perfect for the bedtime routine of many little ones.
Jade
And, here’s where I struggle with this book: the people and prejudices that Jade is raging against deserve her wrath and our scorn. The racism of her family is vile. The English laws regarding women as little more than property are equally vile. She is right to be outraged by these things. And so, I have a hard time objecting to her war against all of society.
I am, however, left reading this with a key question: what good will my readers find in this story?