African Americans and American Indians Fighting in the Revolutionary War: Non-Fiction, Informational

African Americans and American Indians Fighting in the Revolutionary War, written by John Micklos, Jr.

Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Pages: 48

Genre: Non-Fiction, Informational

Rating: Thumbs Up

This book informs on how both African Americans and American Indians had to make critical decisions and contributed to both British and American colonist sides during the Revolutionary War that began in 1775. It is reported that many slaves or African Americans signed up with the militia or American colonist after being promised freedom for doing so from their masters. Still some slaves wanted to return to England where they could be free from ownership. Many times the American Indians would side with the British because they believed the British would help protect them from the land-greedy settlers.

All of the information presented depicts a side of the Revolutionary War seldom heard. I appreciated the simple way that intricate legal documentation was presented in the text. This would be an excellent literary peice to use in conjunction with social science text and I rated it at a "Thumbs Up".

What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy?: Non-Fiction, Informational

What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy? written and illustrated by Abby Cocovini

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, LLC

Pages: 22

Genre: Non-Fiction, Informational, Childrens Book

Rating: Thumbs Up!!

This is an informative journey for children (and adults!) on the growth of a baby when in the mothers uterus. In each set of pages, illustrations are drawn as if the baby is inside the belly/lap of the reader (book facing out towards the child with book on your legs/lap). Each stage of development is discussed, reminding of the size of the baby, the physical facts of the baby and the special needs of mom. The final page is a fold-out size of a full-term baby in uterus and then a introduction is given on how to interact with the baby once it arrives.

I really LOVED!! this book and wished it had been around for my daughter during my pregnancies. The pictures are draw in simplistic fashion and the information is presented in bulleted form. This makes the text easy to understand and follow and I gave it a "Thumbs Up!!"

Madam C.J. Walker, Entrepreneur: Non-Fiction, Biography, Intermediate

Madam C.J. Walker, Entrepreneur, written by A'Lelia Perry Bundles

Publisher: Chelsea House Publishers

Pages: 112

Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography

Rating: Thumbs Up!!

In this biography we learn of the life, times and contributions of millionaire Madam C. J. Walker. Her life was not always easy, and within her lifetime she went from a washing maid to an entrepreneur in hair products/care. She was inspired at the age of 37 by a speech given by Margaret Murray Washington (wife of Booker T. Washington).

In this time, women were to have tiny waist and long hair. The long hair was very hard to achieve for African American women, until Madam C.J. Walkers natural and vegtable based hair solutions came along. In the long run, this woman not only changed the appearance but the mindset of her peers. She is an inspiration.

I enjoyed learning about Madam C.J. Walker and the impact she has made on the African American community. Not only was the book easy to read, but the pictures add meaning and understanding to the times. The effort of the author in research is shown over and over and I rated this book at a "Thumbs Up!!"

Genre:

Keep Your Eye On the Kid, the Early Years of Buster Keaton: Non-Fiction, Biography, Primary

Keep Your Eye On the Kid, the Early Years of Buster Keaton, written and illustrated by Catherine Brighton
Publisher: RB FlashPoint, Roaring Book Press

Pages: 33

Genre: Biography, Picture Book

Rating: Thumbs Up!!

This biography is on a fun stage acting family that includes Buster Keaton and is written through his eyes. He was raised as a backstage child and began acting or doing shows at the age of three. Buster was also known for his dangerous physical moves, like rolling down stairs. Buster was exposed to movies as a youth and went on to become an actor, comedian, producer and stunt creator. Though his father did not approve of movie work at first, by the end of his career his father had worked with him for many years.

The cartoon-like illustrations accurately depict life from another time and motion. This was very cleaver of the creator. I also liked learning about someone I really have never heard of and the detailed serious biography given in the final pages of the book. I rated this book at a "Thumbs Up!!" for these reasons.

Papa and Me: Multicultural Literature

Papa and Me, written by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
Publisher: Rayo: An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Pages: 26

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Multicultural Literature

Rating: Thumbs Up!!

As we go through this story, we share a glimps in the day of an English and Spanish speaking father and son. They wake up, eat, sing, walk and play, and finally ride the bus to see family. All of the activities listed are given in English and some Spanish.

I really liked the artistry of the illustrator, as the colorful pictures seemed to dance off the page. The father and son we almost appearing to fly through their day together and the color choice was happy/cheerful. I also appreciated the way both English and Spanish were combined in the text, to share with any reader. This book received a "Thumbs Up!!"

Planting the Trees of Kenya, the Story of Wangari Maathai: Multicultural Literature

Planting the Trees of Kenya, the Story of Wangari Maathai, written and illustrated by Claire A. Nivola

Publisher: Frances Foster Books

Pages: 30

Genre: Multicultural Literature, Biography, Non-Fiction

Rating: Thumbs Up!!

This is the true story of Wangari Maathai and her contributions to her native homeland of Kenya. We first learn of her early thoughts on the greenness and life of the landscape of Kenya. She talks of her favorite things to play with in nature and the respect given to the fig trees.

When Wangari is of age, she goes to America and studies Biology at college. She is away for 5 years and then return to Kenya. She is very disturbed by the changes that have occured in her homeland and the failing health of her people. Through this book we discover how the efforts of Ms. Maathai, the planting of trees, and the hard work of many women in her village has changed the future of Kenya.

I liked the aspect that it is not only a true, but also inspirational story. One person can make a difference. The colorfully drawn illustrations showed the greenness and then the devestation of Kenya, seen by Wangari. At the end of the book, there are also additional related facts. For all of these reasons, it was given a "Thumbs Up!!"

The Legend of Sleeping Bear: Traditional Literature - Legend

The Legend of Sleeping Bear, written by Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press with print and binding in Canada by Friesens, Altona, Manitoba

Pages: 50

Genre: Traditional Literature, Legend, Picture Book

Rating: Thumbs Up!!

This is the legend of a mother black bear of Wisconsin and her two cubs. A fire starts from a stike of lightening and the bears must seek safety in the waters of Lake Michigan. The mother attempts to swim across with her two cubs, but only she survives.

As the legend goes on to tell, she waits so long on the beach for her cubs that she becomes the overlooking hill. Finally, the forces of nature feel her pain and her two cubs reveal themselves as islands, overlooked by the mother bear hill. Currently these islands are known as the Manitou Islands.

I had never heard this legend and found it to be very creative and thoughful. It was interesting to hear of a story that comes from landforms in North America and made me curious to seek out more. I rated this legend a "Thumbs Up!!"