The Only Woman In The Photo is the most famous woman you don’t know

The Only Woman In The Photo is a book title that really baits the hook. Why was she the only woman in the photo? In this #MeToo era it conjures up all manner of scheming or wily characters that are lurking in or out of the picture frame. In reality, The Only Woman In The Photo has a much larger and impactful scope. This is the story of Frances Perkins, a woman whose work we come across daily due to the time she spent working in the White House.

Frances Perkins isn’t a household name, but millions are impacted by her work everyday

I’m Gonna Push Through!, inspirational and divisive

How can something be inspirational and divisive?  Before we dive into that, I’m Gonna Push Through! is not meant as a threat. It’s meant as a way for kids to become empowered. This is something that they can think or say to themselves when things get challenging. You can do it! I’m gonna push through, who doesn’t want their child-or themselves to have that can-do attitude?

Great message, preachy book

You Are Home is travel and education via art in our national parks

Which came first, the art or the poetry? You might find yourself asking that question after you look at You Are Home by Evan Turk. An Ode to the National Parks You Are Home is an over sized, illustrated book that will immerse ages four through nine into just under half of the national parks in the United States. For those keeping score at home, there are 58 national parks in the United States and his book shows you a glimpse into 27 of them.

YOu Are Home has fabulous art highlighting some of the National Parks in the USA

The Wonder of Wildflowers, excellent soft sci-fi for ages 8-12

The magic of Anna Staniszewski’s book, The Wonder of Wildflowers is how it blends the familiar with the unknown areas that our imaginations are left to play in. It’s a novel that’s set in the present, with people who are in the same situations as you and I, yet there are elements happening in the book that make it as if it’s set in the future. Is ‘soft science-fiction’ a thing or has Staniszewski touched a niche that’s just begging for a USA Network genre series? Whatever it’s called, The Wonder of Wildflowers has enough dramatic elements in its science-fiction or science-fiction in its drama to hook most readers in grades 3-7 with ease.

With short chapters and a fast story this is a great read for grades 3-7

Fred’s Big Feelings, combines art and message for all the feels

Let’s assume that you don’t know who Mister Rogers is. Now that you’re in this cold, desolate, alien world, let’s look at Fred’s Big Feelings. From the moment you look at this book you’ll realize that something is different about it. It’s as tall as other illustrated books, yet it’s narrower. The cover of Fred’s Big Feelings is also irrepressibly happy. It features Rogers in his trademark red sweater and blue shirt with umpteen hearts coming from his hands and his pockets.

Fred’s Big Feelings, a welcome book for ages 4-10 (and up)

With A Little Help From My Friends, the book feels hollow and short

The title to the post, With A Little Help From My Friends-the book, might seem odd; but it’s necessary to put it that way because the song has been turned into a children’s illustrated book. This is a children’s book that’s written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, or rather, it has the song’s lyrics as the written narrative for a story.  I’m not going to go all ‘back in my day’ or ‘kids these days’ because half of the genius of The Beatles was the lyrics to the melodies that they created. It’s also undeniable that With A Little Help From My Friends is an amazingly catchy song. The illustrated book is slightly more forgettable and that’s ironically due to the song.

A great song does not necessarily translate into a good book

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business review

The core of mankind’s disagreements can be summed up into those that like seaweed as a snack and those who don’t. I am firmly in the first camp and are offering it to our children every chance that we get and since there’s always some in the kitchen that’s quite often. Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee is the first in a new children’s series that kids in first through fourth grade will enjoy for a number of reasons.

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business, for elementary aged readers or appeals to any kid who is a ‘new kid’
The perfect chapter length is key for elementary aged readers and this series has it

The Presidents, Portraits of History-education via art

One of the most remarkable things about The Presidents Portraits of History by Leah Tinari is how non-political the book is. In a time where folks can’t say the most innocuous thing without it being viewed, positively or negatively through a political lens, Tinari has created a book that respects and casts every president as human. The Presidents is a big book. On the right pages in the book readers will see large drawings of each president through 2020.  In erratic sized font around each illustration are serious or obscure facts about each person.

The Presidents, Portraits of History is art that’ll make kids want to learn
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