Category: Picture Books

The Crab Ballet

Someone gave me a couple of readers from All About Learning, and I had never seen that series before. I also had never heard of the author, Renee M. LaTulippe, so I went to her website and discovered this book. Miraculously, our public library had it. This illustration made me laugh out loud. I know…

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Casey Over There by Staton Rabin

“When Aubrey was seven, his brother Casey joined the army.” Aubrey lives in Brooklyn, New York. Casey is fighting in the Great War in France. Aubrey writes letters to his brother and waits and waits for an answer. It takes a long time for mail to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Casey waits for packages Aubrey…

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Because Barbara

There are many kinds of wonderful picture books. But my favorite, has always been the kind that invites me into a beautiful world that is lush with color, alive with whimsy, and still grounded in something substantial and firm. Because Barbara by Sarah Mackenzie and illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen is just such a book.

The Wonders of Donal O’Donnell

Any storyteller who tells folktales looks for ways to show how such tales speak powerfully to new listeners. Sometimes they speak powerfully when several of them come together and, in coming together, show something that any one of them alone might not have shown. – Gary D. Schmidt

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 this book out of print!? I just cannot fathom how this beautiful and heartwarming prairie story was allowed to slip out of print.

A Packet of Seeds by Deborah Hopkinson is a tender tale of a family who moved West because as Pa told Momma, “folks around here are getting as close as kernels on a cob.” Momma is grieved by the decision and does not want to leave her sister and friends.

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

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.

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.

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin

A Plumfield Kids Book Review by Elsa, age 11

In a day when pumpkin pies are bought from the store, this book made me wish I knew how to make a “rich, spicy, luscious, crisp pumpkin pie.” I am not the greatest judge of children’s books but I’d say this one is a great story. The illustrations are simply stupendous. For instance, in the pictures on pages 18, and 31, the pumpkins look somewhat like they have faces. Also on the cover you can vaguely see a face on the pumpkin in the lower right corner. This seems to allow the child the opportunity to imagine the pumpkins as characters.

Virginia Hall, an Extraordinary Woman

Whether they loved her or hated her, everyone who knew her considered her an amazing and memorable woman. Klaus Barbie, the infamous Butcher of Lyon became obsessed with finding the “Limping Lady of Lyon.” He had posters made and offered a huge reward for information leading to the arrest of “The Enemy’s Most Dangerous Spy.”

Officer Buckle and Gloria

When Greta and I were used-book treasure hunting this week, we came across Officer Buckle and Gloria. I may have squealed a little when I saw it! I lied up above. Ok, not lied exactly. I didn’t tell the full truth. I may have turned on those dvds for shower time and lunch prep . . . but I also frequently climbed on the couch with my babies to enjoy the videos too. And, Officer Buckle and Gloria, was one of my hands-down favorites. This Caldecott Medal book is just about perfect and absolutely demands many re-readings. It is the perfect blend of silly, sweet, and smart.