I was surprised and delighted to see not one but two children’s biographies of Jane Austen pop up in 2018. Being a thorough Austen fan, I introduced my kids to her at fairly young ages, setting out tea and plenty …
wilderness adventure and ghost dogs
I recently tore through a terrific middle-grade novel, a crackling mixture of wilderness adventure, dry humor, and magical elements that captured my attention and fancy! Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, by John August published in 2018 by Roaring …
a myriad marvels
I love creative, nonfiction books. And here’s a tip: If you’ve got a kid that can’t sit still for stories, try checking out a juicy-and-true book, starting with something s/he already loves — boats or bats, dancers or daredevils, spaceships …
quirky, saucy, moonlit, booming…poetry
April is National Poetry Month… …a splendid reminder of the volcanic force, cherry sweetness, tenderness and silliness of words fitted together masterfully in poetic forms. Over the years I have included many poetry books in my Orange Marmalade posts, and …
fiction favorites: Hope in the Holler
Today, in the category of Books That Surprised Me, allow me to introduce: Hope in the Holler, by Lisa Lewis Tyre published in 2018 by Nancy Paulsen Books 209 pages This book had to sneak up on me in order …
Astrid and Crow…fiction favorites
I have two middle grade novels to share with you today. In some ways, they are utterly different stories. One is set in the 1920s on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. The other is a contemporary story taking …
buttresses, beams and bridges…architecture for kids part two
Earlier this week I posted a number of fantastic biographies of world-famous architects. Today I’ve got some books walking us through the story of architecture itself, the how, why, when, where of building rather than the who. First up, this …
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artists of metal and wood, earth and air…architecture for kids
We’re going on a little foray into architecture this week! Today I’ve got 5 exceptional books about 3 world-famous architects, plus 2 related reviews from the archives. Later this week I’ll post some excellent titles surveying architecture itself, exploring structures …
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Robinson Crusoe, dreamscapes, and pirate treasure
One of my daughters has a propensity for wildly vivid dreams which she remembers long after waking and recounts for us in all their mind-bending glory. “You have got to start drawing your dreams,” I tell her, wanting to see …
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let the sun shine in…five to gladden your hearts
Now, written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis published in 2017, a Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press One young girl lists her favorite things: Her favorite breeze. Favorite bird. Favorite tree. Favorite tooth. There’s one common denominator for all these …
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enduring, glittery, always, goofy… love
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Perhaps you’d like to tuck in a book with those chocolates for a child, grandchild, or friend. Here are five grand choices with decidedly different personalities: For a poignant valentine: Love, written by …
