“When God was leading his people through the wilderness and laying down his laws, he gave instructions for things that were to be set up for worshiping him and remembering his deeds. He gave detailed directions for setting up the tabernacle. Often, he commanded an altar or monument to be set up as a sign…
Category: Book Reviews
Book Review: Kensuke’s Kingdom
“In this story, there is an accident while Michael is sailing, but he is with his parents at the time. They are a small, happy family on a trip around the world in their yacht. It’s not an every-day situation, to be sure, but I found it refreshing that the parents aren’t the bad guys….
Jupiter Rising
I pre-ordered Jupiter Rising for my kindle. I don’t often do that, because I seldom read new books. But this is Gary D. Schmidt, one of our beloved authors. It’s a short book. I read it in about two and a half hours. It was over so quickly, I had to think for a bit…
Shipwrecked: The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy
What a coincidence that Shipwrecked was donated to my library just as Sara and I were putting the finishing touches on our Kensuke’s Kingdom book club packet…
Jenny: The Airplane that Taught America to Fly
In Jenny, David Weitzman gives the reader a fascinating look into the construction of Jenny. I love Weitzman’s engaging writing and beautiful illustrations.
The Enigma Girls – Heroes of WWII
The majority of the staff at Bletchley Park were actually women, and more incredible still the vast majority of them were between the ages of 17 and 21.
The Animal Hedge – A Lovely Fairy Tale
The Animal Hedge by Paul Fleischman and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline is a delightful fairy tale about a poor farmer and his three sons.
True Story from Holland: Katje the Windmill Cat
Inspired by this true story, Gretchen Woelfle created an absolutely charming story about Katje and the baby that she saved that day.
Dear Peter Rabbit – Parents’ Choice Honor
Dear Peter Rabbit is a clever and comical story about the friendship between some of the most famous storybook characters.
Heckedy Peg: A New Fairy Tale
Published in 1987, Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood is a gorgeous new book with an old-fashioned fairy tale feel.
The Great Kettles: A Tale of Time
The writing is lovely, the story creative, and the illustration is museum-worthy. I am shocked that it did not at least get a Caldecott honor!
Rags: Hero Dog of WWI
Complete with lush illustration and engaging prose, the true story of Rags: Hero Dog of WWI is a delight to read and share.
Stubby The Dog Soldier: WWI Hero
This summer I had the joy of reading two dog-themed WWI picture books that I can wholeheartedly recommend. The first is, Stubby the Dog Soldier: WWI Hero.
Edith Cavell: Under the Cover of Mercy
Under the Cover of Mercy tells the story of English woman Edith Cavell and her work as a Red Cross nurse during WWI in German-occupied Belgium.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
A truly lovely retelling and a gorgeous picture book, if you were only going to read one Snow-White, this would be the one.