Every time one of my children picks up a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (by Betty MacDonald) book, laughter ensues. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle does not have any children of her own, but she is surrounded by plenty of children. In fact, parents in her town send their problem children to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to be cured. "What kind of problems?"... Continue Reading →
Caddie Woodlawn
If you like Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, you will love Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. I read and reread Wilder's Little House books as a child, but hadn't read Caddie Woodlawn until a few years ago. I wish I had read it as a girl! Caddie is really Caroline... Continue Reading →
A Boy, A Dog and a Frog
A friend of mine reminded me of this little storybook series after she had read my review about Mercer Mayer, one of my favorite children's authors. Although I put it in the "Read-Aloud" category, these are picture books - literally. None of them have any words - which I love! Preschoolers can 'read' these books... Continue Reading →
Shakespeare’s Secret
When I first saw the cover for Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (author of Masterpiece), I thought, "Oh, a Chasing Vermeer knock-off. I wonder how good it is?" I discovered it's very good. And in my opinion, much better than Chasing Vermeer. (I haven't reviewed Chasing Vermeer because while I like that the book, and... Continue Reading →
Masterpiece
Marvin is a bug - a very unusual bug. He not only enjoys swimming, but he's also become friends with a human boy. His parents are horrified, concerned about Marvin stepping outside their safe little world in the wall behind the Pompaday's sink. But Marvin, through his artwork, finds an unexpected friend in James -... Continue Reading →
Dark Life
In Dark Life, author Kat Falls introduces her readers to Ty, the first child to be born in Benthic Territory. He helps his parents & his sister on their subsea farm, and explores the rest of the continental shelf - and even parts of the open ocean, even though it's dangerous. Ty is more comfortable... Continue Reading →
Clyde Robert Bulla
If you or your child is studying early American history, you will want to become familiar with Clyde Robert Bulla's works. Bulla has authored a whole, huge long list of books - including two books I've already reviewed, Donald's Duck and The Sword in the Tree. I really appreciate Bulla's sensitivity to children and their... Continue Reading →
The Bridge to Neverland
Fans of Peter and the Starcatchers rejoice! Authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have teamed up again to write another series about Peter Pan, Neverland, Starcatchers, starstuff, and Lord Ombra. This time, they set the story in modern day America and London, featuring two teens - 17-year-old Sarah and 15-year-old Aidan. This brother and sister... Continue Reading →
Bad News for Outlaws
In Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson tells the story of Bass Reeves, one of the first Deputy U.S. Marshals in Indian Territory. Reeves grew up as a slave, but after the Civil War settled down in Indian Territory. He was U.S. Marshall for... Continue Reading →
Little Critter
When my kids were little, some of the books we read over and over and over again were Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books. Little Critter is a... well... critter who finds growing up hard at times. He tries his best, but makes mistakes. He learns to love his little sister in The New Baby. He... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 