Lafayette and the American Revolution

One of my favorite topics is the American Revolution. I have not had more than a moment to glance through this book, but the layout is impressive--hopefully, the content is too! I like to post things here to remind me, this is a good book!

Lafayette and the American Revolution (Russell Freedman's Library of American History) by Russell Freedman, 2010.

Take Command Captain Farragut!

Take Command, Captain Farragut! by Peter and Connie Roop.

I have yet to read a book by this husband and wife team that I did not like. Always a good story and always something interesting to learn. In this short biography we learn about Captain Farragut's younger days as a midshipman in the US Navy during the War of 1812. He was 10 years old at the time. Written as letters to his father while he is imprisoned, he relates his exploits as sea and with his shipmates as he struggles to gain their confidence and gain his courage.

Monet's Impressions

Monet's Impressions Words and Pictures by Claude Monet, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

In this lovely picture book, a full-spread picture of a Monet's painting is opposite simple words that describe the picture as well as Impressionistic painting. These short phrases are culled from Monet's letters to family and friends. For example, the words "setting gloriously" (referring to the sun) are opposite a stunning picture of a sunset. The last pages identify where the painting is located, what type of painting, when painted, etc. A great way to introduce young children and even older children to beautiful art.

Green, seeing Green All Around Us

Green: Seeing Green All Around Us (Colors) by Sarah L. Schuette.

This is part of a series of books about colors. Ideal for very young children, it contains eye-popping visuals and a simple text for wiggly children to easily follow along. The choice of visuals offers interesting conversation starters.

Bumpety Bump!

Bumpety Bump! by Pat Hutchins.

If you are getting impatient to begin your gardening, this colorful picture book will get little people into the spirit. A little red hen follows a young boy as he goes bumpety bump in his grandfather's wheelbarrow as they go around the garden picking ripe fruits and vegetables until the end when they follow the little red hen into the barn for a pleasant surprise.

You will find more books about gardening here: Garden Books

Annie Rose is My Little Sister

Annie Rose Is My Little Sister by Shirley Hughes.
This is just one of many books by this author that we enjoy. What I particularly like is the attitude of the brother and sister. It gets to be a bit tiresome to read about siblings not liking each other. Rather Shirly Hughes presents a far better and more realistic picture. Loving patience by the older brother is beautifully expressed in this story.

Picture Books with violins

Mole Music by David McPhail.

Mole spends his life digging tunnels, but he feels he is missing something, until one day he sees a man playing a violin on TV.  Mole thinks the man plays the most beautiful music he ever heard and wants to play beautiful music too.  Mole then sends away for a violin and when it arrives practices faithfully.  At first it does not sound very good, but he keeps on trying.  In the end, his beautiful music not only inspires himself, but others as well.

The Bat Boy And His Violin (Aladdin Picture Books) by Gavin Curtis.

While most boys would rather play baseball, than play an instrument, let alone a violin, not Reginald. In the end, his violin playing inspires the team his father manages.



Bravo, Ernest and Celestine! by Gabrielle Vincent

Ernest is unhappy.  The roof leaks.  How will he pay for it?  Celestine devises a clever plan that involves Ernest dusting off his violin, practicing, and performing.  But somehow, that is not enough.  Celestine joins in the act with her lovely voice.

 Rosie's Fiddle by Phyllis Root 

When the devil comes to Rosie's door, she enters into a fiddling duel with the devil himself. Has Rosie gone too far?

Elsie's Bird

Elsie's Bird by Jane Yolen, illus. by David Small, 2010.

After her mother dies, Elsie's father takes her on an adventure to the great, vast plains of the west. This is quite the dramatic change from Boston, a big city by the ocean. A lovely story about a sweet, little girl.

First Snow in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy

First Snow in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick, 2007.

The photos are gorgeous! Just breathtaking! Although the text can be poetic at time, the story is only mediocre. For one thing, animals are not human and do not reason. The pictures are definitely worth looking at.

The Doll People series

The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin.








The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin, Laura Godwin, and Brian Selznick








The Runaway Dolls (The Doll People) by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin.









The girls (10 and 13) have been listening to this series on audiobook CD. The links do not match. We have been fortunate enough to get them from the library. Lynn Redgrave does a wonderful job of bringing to life the story. The recording can be found on Listening Library. The stories include plenty of drama, excitement, and adventure.

The Racecar Alphabet

The Racecar Alphabet by Brian Floca, Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003.

This larger than life ABC book takes readers through the alphabet with words related to cars racing. We travel back in time and with each turn of the page enter another age of car racing, beginning with a Ford 1901 and ending with a Ferrari in 2001. Zooming, jarring, colliding, and daring drivers are sure to please little boys.

The Violin: Poem

The Violin

The little dwelling called a violin,

Is fashioned with a single room within;

So empty does it seem, and dim, and bare,

You would not look for any body there.

But if you touch a string upon the door,

A voice responds where silence was before;

And, if a friend of music you should be,

That voice is many voices instantly.

--Stephen Tracy Livingston

Folk Tales from Many Lands