Sea Captain from Salem

Sea Captain from Salem (Treegate Series) by Leonard Wibberly, Bethlehem Books, 2010, reprint, pbk. 167 pp. Ages: Mature Teen, Young Adult.

In this continuation of the Treegate Series, Dr. Franklin (Benjamin Franklin) has a mission for Peace of God Manly. He wants him to take his ship, a brig, and harass the British navy (much larger and better equipped ships) and merchants if needed. What makes this plan different? He wants him to attack them in their own territory.

Benjamin Franklin is living in France. He has done everything he can think of to convince the French government of the American cause in their war for independence. Now, he comes up with a daring plan for Peace of God Manly, a Yankee fisherman from Maine, who would rather be home checking on his lobster pots, to search out and destroy British ships. Franklin hopes it will take the British by surprise and open the doors to aid from France. Can Peace of God do it? This is a story of one man's courage, perseverance and daring.

Once he takes to the sea, the action is non-stop. Can he beat the British? Will the stormy weather and raging sea sink his ship? How will he outwit his stubborn opponents: a crafty spy, an ambitious Naval officer, a  troublesome master gunner, a cunning Irish fisherman and more?

Reading with Dad

Reading With Dad by Richard Jorgensen, Waldman House Press, 2000, hc, 40 pp. Ages: 4-8.

Pull out the hankies! This is a book more for an adult who has fond memories of his or her dad reading to him or her, than for a squirmy two year old who wants an exciting adventure book. But, nonetheless, it is a book for adults to pause and reflect on because it is too easy to be too busy to take the time to read to your children. Even older children enjoy their parents reading to them. Reading aloud is not just for little kids. Why the hankies? My older children are no longer here for us to read to them. But at least they hopefully have the same fond memories as the daughter in this story.

We the People The Story of Our Constitution

We the People: The Story of Our Constitution by Lynne Cheney, Simon and Schuster, 2008, hc, 40 pp. Ages: 8-12.

Who says history is dull? With her animated prose, Cheney brings to life and strife and turbulence of the times after the American Revolution. The gorgeous illustrations sweep across the page, drawing the reader in. Each two page spread also includes a quote from someone experiencing the situation, giving greater depth to the text. Cheney paints a realistic portrait of the time, yet in understandable terms for the younger child.

The Longest Night

The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer, illus. by Ted Lewin, Holiday House, 2009, hc, 24 pp. Ages: 4-8.

The snow lies deep in the cold, dark forest. The animals long for the morning sun. Who will bring the morning sun? A crow brags, "I'll poke with my sharp beak and wake the sun." "Not you," sighs the wind, "not you." Not the crow, not the clever fox, not mighty moose, who will bring the morning sun? The beauty and stillness of the forest night is brought to life with Bauer's lyrical text and Ted Lewin's breathtaking illustrations.

Ruth Law Thrills A Nation by Don Brown

Ruth Law Thrills a Nation (Reading Rainbow Book) by Don Brown, Sandpiper, 1995, pbk, 32 pp. Ages: 4-8.

My family loves to read books about airplanes and aviation; therefore, I was suprised to learn about Ruth Law, who I had never heard of before. She is a rather remarkable woman of courage, ambition, and fortitude. In 1916, Ruth Law set an American record for flying non-stop cross country, starting in Chicago and flying east. Brown's enthusiam carries the reader as we learn about this extaordinary woman and her amazing adventure.

Seeds by Ken Robbins

Seeds by Ken Robbins, Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005, hc, 32 pp. Ages: 4-8.

Seeds combines artistry, photography, and science. "Seeds come in many, many sizes and shapes." The picture displays a very large seed, peas, and very tiny seeds. The reader learns about how seeds grow, spread, their shapes and sizes and unusual seeds. The text is simple, yet informative for young readers.

Related books: A Seed Is Sleepy
The Reason for a Flower (World of Nature)

Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart

Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart, illus. by Constance R Bergum, 2009, hc, 32 pp. Ages: 4-8.

What happens to all the animals in winter? When it snows, children like to sled and skate and do all sorts of wonderful things outside, but what about the animals? Where do they go? "Under the snow in a field. . .  . . . dozens of ladybugs pack themselves into a gap in an old stone wall." The reader learns about a number of animals and other creatures (fish, insects) and what they do in winter. The pictures create a magical yet realistic world for children to use their imagination.

Fix-It by David McPhail

Fix-It by David McPhail, pbk, 1992, hc, board book, 24 pp. Ages:4-8.

When spoiled little Emma wakes up one morning, the TV doesn't work. She demands that her mother and father fix it, but the results are surprising. While I don't approve of the catering parents (bad idea! it reinforces spoiled behavior) it is good book to discuss naughty children and sometimes what we want is not the best choice.

If You Were Born a Kitten

If You Were Born A Kitten by Marion Dane Bauer, illus. by JoEllen McAllister Stammen, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, hc, 1999, pbk, 2001, 32 pp. Ages: 4-8.

With poetic language and beautiful, large over-sized, double-page spread pictures, we are introduced to interesting, little known facts about baby animals at their birth. "If you were born a kitten, you'd . . ." But what every young child loves to hear the most is what about "me" being a baby. Lovingly portrayed, "You rode curled beneath your mother's heart, growing and growing. . . ., its message will touch young lives.

Robert Henry Hendershot

Robert Henry Hendershot: True Stories from America's Past by Susan E. Godman, illus. by Doris Ettlinger, 2003, pbk, 64 pp. Ages: 9-12.

In this true story, Robert Henry Hendershot runs away from home to join the Civil War to become a drummer boy. His heroism during the battle of Fredericksburg earns him the honor of meeting President Lincoln. Instead of the usual readers, this is a great story for the child who is beginning short chapter books (i.e. Magic Tree House). At the end of the story, there is a short explanation about his life and the battle of Fredericksburg and the Civil War.

This is part of the Brave Kids series (Ready for Chapters).
Cora Frear

The Three Little Tamales

Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Valeria Docampo, Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009, hc, 40 pp. Ages: 4-8.

In this clever spoof based on the three little pigs, three little tamales leave their mother to create new homes, and in the process, foil senor Lobo. We have read this so many times to the 3-year-old twins, we could probably recite this in our sleep.

Eric A. Kimmel is a prolific writer of children's books.

An Orange for Frankie

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco, Philomel Books, 2004, hc, 48 pps. Ages: 4-8.

Frankie is the youngest boy in a family of nine children. They live along the railway line during the Great Depression and that means hobo visitors. His mother generously serves them hoecakes and coffee. But the family's generosity goes beyond good, warm food, even Frankie contributes in his own way. In the meantime, their father has driven the horse and buggy to Lansing, Michigan to pick up a box of oranges, but the winter snow will not subside and all the roads are closed. They worry that he will not return in time for Christmas. Frankie wonders, "Will they have a real Christmas without their oranges? Will he be back in time to see him in the Christmas pageant?" This is a heartwarming story expressing the true meaning of Christmas.

Museum ABC

Museum ABC by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Little Brown Young Readers, 2002, hc. 60 pp. Ages: 4-8

This book could be used in a number of ways: learning phonics, picture study, or learning the alphabet. Each letter picture is isolated with one word on one page and on the opposite page there are four paintings with that word. For example, "E is for EGG." On on opposite page is Flowers by a Stone Vase by Peter Faes, Brown and White Eggs by Brian Connelly, Lela and the Swan by Bacchiacca, and The Broken Eggs by Jean Baptiste Greuze. These are all "details" that have eggs in the paintings. How did I know the titles of the paintings and the painters? At the end of the book each letter of the alphabet lists the information about the paintings: title, painter, years he/she lived, type of painting, and more.

Other titles in this series: Museum 123
                                     Museum Shapes
Also: Museum ABC Nesting Blocks

A Year at a Construction Site by Nicholas Harris

A Year at a Construction Site (Time Goes By) by Nicholas Harris, Millbrook Press, 2009, pbk, 24 pp. Ages: 4-8.

Can you tell we have little boys in the house! That means, cars, trucks, trains, tractors, airplanes and . . .  For the little boy who loves trucks and tractors and the mom and dad (or older brother and sister) who are tired to looking at the same ol', This is a clever book that shows what happens in a year at a construction site with lots of action for little people to talk about while learning at the same time.

Other books in this series: A Year at a Farm (Time Goes By)
                                       A Day in a City (Time Goes By)
                                       A Day at a Zoo (Time Goes By)
                                       A Day at an Airport (Time Goes By)