Thus, this carpenter was prepared at all points, and alike indifferent and without respect in all. Teeth he accounted bits of ivory; heads he deemed but top-blocks; men themselves he lightly held for capstans. But while now upon so wide a field thus variously accomplished and with such liveliness of expertness in him, too; all this would seem to argue some uncommon vivacity of intelligence. But not precisely so. For nothing was this man more remarkable, than for a certain impersonal stolidity as it were; […]
Accessible, exciting historical fiction for the tween set
Almost accidentally, author Susan Hood stumbled upon a historical event that has gone mostly overlooked and it is the basis of her exciting middle grade novel Lifeboat 12. The book is told in verse format by narrator and actual survivor Ken Sparks, who is thirteen years of age right before London is destroyed in the Blitz. His life in London is troubled by things large in scope (like running to bomb shelters nightly when the alarms go off and living off rations and hand-me-downs) and […]
What do you need more? A good book or a good hug? How about a book ABOUT a hug?
I Need a Hug is a year-round reading book, but also a great book for the upcoming holiday of President’s Day! (Oh wait, wrong kind of snake). Kidding aside, it is a sweet Valentine’s Day book. That “prickly thing” (a porcupine) wants a hug! Just a little cuddle! But all the other characters (Joe and Ken and such) rhyme their very strong No! Along with running away. Quickly! But at the end they are all just as quickly coming back! Do they want a hug […]
26 ways to say Love
L is for Love: A Heartfelt Alphabet is one of those odd little gems that looks like it is from 1950 but is very 2018. The illustrations show you the alphabet of love and friendship. The illustrations are casually modern. Nothing is forced, and things flow with the diversity of people (bi-racial copy, people of color). In fact, the P is for Poetry shows the girl reciting “How do I love thee?” (Or I assume she is…. She is kneeling, with paper in hand, boy […]