This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press. All opinions are my own.
I'm always looking for wonderful children's books that can help parents talk to their children about difficult subjects, and The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey is one!
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey
Written by Pat Black-Gould Illustrated by Katya Royz Ages 8+ | 40 Pages Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press ISBN-13: 9781955119207 Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary? In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died. The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.
Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman. Book Review
Themes: Holocaust, religious freedom, empathy, compassion, bravery
I'm always looking for wonderful children's books that can help parents talk to their children about difficult subjects, and The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey is one! This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young Jewish girl. At her mother's urging, she removes her Star of David necklace and replaces it with a rosary of crystal beads. She moves into a Catholic school in order to survive the Holocaust. Written from the girl's point of view, this book is a must read for people of all ages. From Mama who sacrifices herself so her daughter may live, to Sister Teresa who shows religious tolerance and love to the scared Lalka, the characters in this picture book are examples of compassion and empathy. Following the reading of this book, use the included question/ study guides to start a meaningful and important conversation with your children about the Holocaust and how this horrible event in history in important to discuss today. Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey!
Four (4) winners receive: A signed copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey Giveaway ends August 11, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Riverlet Press. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
My Old Friend, Then
Written by Katherine Davis-Gibbon Illustrated by Allie Daigle Ages 4 and up | 40 Pages Publisher: Riverlet Press LLC ISBN-13: 9781737957607 Publisher’s Synopsis: A child ponders … who is her best, most loyal friend? Is it her constant companion, Then, who regales her with extravagant stories of their shared past and imagined future? Or is it precious, patient Now, with whom she sensitively explores each new moment that unfolds? My Old Friend, Then explores mindfulness the same way that kids approach life: with curiosity, humor, and unspoiled sincerity. Pairing accessible and relatable language with vivid, quirky illustrations, this book invites readers to share in a young girl’s journey as she grapples with the trappings—and delights in the boundless potential—of her own brilliant mind.
Katherine Davis-Gibbon is a yoga teacher, a longtime practitioner of Vipassana meditation, and most importantly a mother of two. She is also the founder of Riverlet Press, a children’s book company for conscious parents raising mindful kids.
For more information, visit www.riverletpress.com Allie Daigle is an illustrator who strives to create immersive and expressive images that stimulate the imagination. Whether for a children’s book, a product label, or her original pieces, Daigle’s works implore the viewer to linger and explore the details within. Allie primarily works with traditional watercolor & ink as well as digital mediums. For more information, visit www.alliedaigle.com. Kid-Friendly Activities to Cultivate Mindfulness
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Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of My Old Friend, Then, along with a box of You're Wonderful Thoughtfulls!
One (1) winner receives: An autographed hardcover copy of My Old Friend, Then A box of You're Wonderful Thoughtfulls pop-open cards by Compendium Inc. Three (3) winners receive: An autographed hardcover copy of My Old Friend, Then Giveaway ends May 4 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT. |
This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Kelly Tills. All opinions are my own.
This book is a wonderful introduction to neurodiversity and reminds us all that being different should be celebrated!
~ Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
Meow Is Not a Cat
Written by Kelly Tills
Illustrated by Max Saladrigas
Ages 4+ | 44 Pages
Publisher: FDI Publishing LLC
ISBN-13: 9781736700488
Publisher’s Synopsis: Meow is definitely not a cat. Cats lick their butts. Follow along as this wild child’s unique way of following instructions ends up going a little bananas.
Meow Is Not Cat is a completely goofy story, guaranteed to make kids laugh. With a cynical cat, wild monkeys, butt jokes, and a banana cannon, even pre-readers will love shouting out their favorite parts as you read aloud. Nestled among the laughs is a lesson about how embracing a person’s different way of interpreting the world can lead to surprisingly good results —and bananas, lots of bananas.
Written by Kelly Tills
Illustrated by Max Saladrigas
Ages 4+ | 44 Pages
Publisher: FDI Publishing LLC
ISBN-13: 9781736700488
Publisher’s Synopsis: Meow is definitely not a cat. Cats lick their butts. Follow along as this wild child’s unique way of following instructions ends up going a little bananas.
Meow Is Not Cat is a completely goofy story, guaranteed to make kids laugh. With a cynical cat, wild monkeys, butt jokes, and a banana cannon, even pre-readers will love shouting out their favorite parts as you read aloud. Nestled among the laughs is a lesson about how embracing a person’s different way of interpreting the world can lead to surprisingly good results —and bananas, lots of bananas.
Kelly Tills is the creator of her own uniquely shaped family. Kindness, neurodiversity, and potty humor are her jam. She writes silly stories for kids and believes even the smallest hat-tip, in the simplest of books, can teach our kids how to approach the world. Kelly’s children’s stories are perfect to read aloud to your little humans or to have your older kids read to you (hey, let them flex those new reading skills!). Either way, you’ll enjoy the giggles.
Me TWo Books Review
Themes: humor, neurodiversity, embracing differences
Meow is a child who sees the world differently. Sometimes those differences cause her teacher to lose patience. But during a trip to the zoo, Meow's unique ideas save the day.
This book is a wonderful introduction to neurodiversity and reminds us all that being different should be celebrated. The humor in the story is just right for kids, and it's sure to make your littles laugh while they learn important lessons about acceptance.
This book is a wonderful introduction to neurodiversity and reminds us all that being different should be celebrated. The humor in the story is just right for kids, and it's sure to make your littles laugh while they learn important lessons about acceptance.
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Meow Is Not a Cat!
Five (5) winners receive:
Five (5) winners receive:
- A copy of Meow Is Not a Cat
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, Brooke Hartman, and a grant from the Alaska Writers Guild. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Pega Sisters Go To Camp Written by Brooke Hartman Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley Ages 4-8 | 32 Pages Publisher: Page Street Kids ISBN-13: 9781645674719 Publisher’s Synopsis: Lilly has waited for this day all year: It’s Pegasus Camp! And it’s finally here! But this year, Lilly’s little sister, Filly, is tagging along. And wherever Lilly goes, Filly’s right underhoof, turning rainbow leaping, mane braiding, and cake baking into crashing, tangling, splattering messes! When Lilly’s temper finally snaps, Filly canters sadly away. Lilly wanted her Pega Sister to go―so why can she no longer have any fun without her? | The Littlest Airplane Written by Brooke Hartman Illustrated by John Joesph Ages 4-7 | 32 Pages Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books ISBN-13: 9781513128641 Publisher’s Synopsis: A rhyming picture book about how sometimes it’s not the biggest, strongest, or the fastest, but the littlest who can get the job done! |
Giveaway
April 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT. Enter for a chance to win a Pega Sisters Goes to Camp or The Littlest Airplane prize pack!
One (1) winner receives:
The Pega Sisters Prize Pack!
Includes a signed copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp by Brooke Hartman and MacKenzie Haley, your own pegasus plushy, Pega Sisters activities, stickers, and accessories to “glam up” just like Lilly and Filly!
One (1) winner receives:
The Littlest Airplane Prize Pack!
Includes a signed copy of The Littlest Airplane by Brooke Hartman and John Joseph, a “build your own wings” craft activity, Littlest Airplane word search and maze, Littlest Airplane stickers, a set of markers, and your own fox plush to take with you on all your flights!
One (1) winner receives:
A copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp and The Littlest Airplane
Giveaway ends April 30, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
One (1) winner receives:
The Pega Sisters Prize Pack!
Includes a signed copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp by Brooke Hartman and MacKenzie Haley, your own pegasus plushy, Pega Sisters activities, stickers, and accessories to “glam up” just like Lilly and Filly!
One (1) winner receives:
The Littlest Airplane Prize Pack!
Includes a signed copy of The Littlest Airplane by Brooke Hartman and John Joseph, a “build your own wings” craft activity, Littlest Airplane word search and maze, Littlest Airplane stickers, a set of markers, and your own fox plush to take with you on all your flights!
One (1) winner receives:
A copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp and The Littlest Airplane
Giveaway ends April 30, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and David Horn. All opinions are my own.
I like the optimistic feel of children’s books. And I like making my kids laugh.
~David Horn, author of Eudora Space Kid
Book Information
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale
Written by David Horn
Illustrated by Deven Hoover
Ages 6-10 | 88 Pages
Publisher: David Horn
ISBN-13: 9781736677421
Publisher’s Synopsis: Freedom for lobsters! The second in the Eudora Space Kid series: a hilariously funny, early reader sci-fi chapter book perfect for elementary-aged kids. Can Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, rescue her favorite lobsters from becoming the next meal at the spaceship’s New Year’s buffet?
Eudora is a normal third-grader who just happens to live on a 36 deck AstroLiner. In SPACE! As a math and science whiz who’s been adopted by what you might call . . . aliens, she has normal ambitions—like being the chief engineer on an AstroLiner. But when her favorite lobsters on board appear on the menu at Chef Franklin’s dinner buffet, Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, hatch a plan to break them out. Will they save their crustacean friends? Or will they end up locked in the ship’s brig? Again . . .
Written by David Horn
Illustrated by Deven Hoover
Ages 6-10 | 88 Pages
Publisher: David Horn
ISBN-13: 9781736677421
Publisher’s Synopsis: Freedom for lobsters! The second in the Eudora Space Kid series: a hilariously funny, early reader sci-fi chapter book perfect for elementary-aged kids. Can Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, rescue her favorite lobsters from becoming the next meal at the spaceship’s New Year’s buffet?
Eudora is a normal third-grader who just happens to live on a 36 deck AstroLiner. In SPACE! As a math and science whiz who’s been adopted by what you might call . . . aliens, she has normal ambitions—like being the chief engineer on an AstroLiner. But when her favorite lobsters on board appear on the menu at Chef Franklin’s dinner buffet, Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, hatch a plan to break them out. Will they save their crustacean friends? Or will they end up locked in the ship’s brig? Again . . .
Author Interview
I'm excited to share my interview with David Horn. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters, and a funny dog named Trixie. He is a huge science fiction fan and loves reading science fiction books from both the old and new greats. His daughters inherited his love of science fiction and love watching sci-fi shows like Star Trek, Babylon 5, Stargate, and Star Wars. The Eudora Space Kid early reader chapter book series started as funny stories he told his daughters at dinner to get milk to come out of their noses. He hopes your children love Eudora’s silly antics in space too and milk comes out of their noses too! For more information, visit https://www.eudoraspacekid.com/
Where did you get the inspiration for the Eudora series?
It all started because one day at dinner, for some unknown reason, my kids asked me to tell them a story. They love books and reading, so maybe they thought they could get stories from me too? I’m not really sure. I’ve always been a science fiction fan, so I just started telling them a story about a girl their age living on this weird, but fun, spaceship with alien parents. I wanted the girl to be a positive role model, so the girl loved learning, but I also had to make them laugh. So… Eudora and her cunning plans!
What was your writing process like for this book?
The writing process for The Lobster Tale started during a subsequent dinner time. My kids asked me to tell a Eudora story again, but by then they would suggest things to me to include in the stories (kind of like writing prompts). And that night they suggested lobster. So… The Lobster Tale. Both Eudora books so far started out as storytelling improv comedy.
What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
I like the optimistic feel of children’s books. And I like making my kids laugh. I hope I can make lots of kids laugh and interested in reading.
What are you working on now?
I’m actually getting the art started for Book 3. That will be exciting! We’ll get to meet some new shipmates in that one.
What is your favorite book?
The most fun and exciting book I have ever read is a Star Trek: The Next Generation young adult novel called Capture the Flag by John Vornholt. I thought that book was so exciting and the characters were so real, emotional, and colorful. My kids loved it too.
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives
One (1) grand prize winner receives
- A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.
- A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Bright Lights Books. All opinions are my own.
Oi Gets Lost teaches that you can be friends with someone who is different than you, which is a wonderful lesson for all.
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
Oi Gets Lost
Written by Lorna Likiza
Illustrated by Yevheniia Melnyk
Ages 6+ | 124 Pages
Publisher: Bright Lights Books
ISBN-13: 9781739985318
Publisher’s Synopsis: Set in Kenya, Oi is a naughty kitten who lives with his Mummy and siblings in an outdoor shed. Despite Mummy’s warnings, Oi has a tendency of wandering off and exploring. But one day, after nearly being attacked by a dog, Oi ends up in an unfamiliar neighborhood. And this time, he’s not sure he’ll be able to find his way back home…
Written by Lorna Likiza
Illustrated by Yevheniia Melnyk
Ages 6+ | 124 Pages
Publisher: Bright Lights Books
ISBN-13: 9781739985318
Publisher’s Synopsis: Set in Kenya, Oi is a naughty kitten who lives with his Mummy and siblings in an outdoor shed. Despite Mummy’s warnings, Oi has a tendency of wandering off and exploring. But one day, after nearly being attacked by a dog, Oi ends up in an unfamiliar neighborhood. And this time, he’s not sure he’ll be able to find his way back home…
Lorna Likiza is a Kenyan writer, tutor of French, and Founder of the Heroe Book Fair. Oi Gets Lost is her first published book. She considers literature as one of her passions and lives in Mombasa.
Me Two books Review
Themes: travel, adventure, friendship, celebrating differences
Get ready to set out on an African adventure with an adorable little kitten named Oi, who gets lost but finds friendship!
Even though Oi's mother cautions him about leaving the safety of the shed where he and his brothers and sisters live, the draw of the food at the local market is too strong. But one day, an angry dog turns his usual market trip into an exciting and sometimes scary adventure. During this time he learns how to hunt for himself, gains a better understanding of humans and even makes a new friend.
It's an excellent early chapter book with an interesting but gentle story perfect for the budding reader. Oi Gets Lost teaches that you can be friends with someone who is different than you, which is a wonderful lesson for all. It also gives a glimpse into the culture and daily life in Kenya.
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Oi Gets Lost!
Ten (10) winners receive:
Ten (10) winners receive:
- A copy of Oi Gets Lost
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press . All opinions are my own.
Book Information
The Kindness Machine
Written by Christina Dankert Illustrated by Chad Dankert Ages 4+ | 32 Pages Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press ISBN-13: 9781955119085 Publisher’s Synopsis: Creative and artistic 2nd-grade teacher, Mr. Wilson, wants to teach his students about kindness. Mr. Wilson creates The Kindness Machine, a special machine that shows the students exactly what they can do to bring kindness to their classroom and into their hearts! Instead of telling his students to “be kind,” which is something children hear from a very early age, they learn exactly what they can do in their own lives by pressing the special buttons. In the end, Mr. Wilson teaches his students that they each have their own Kindness Machine within them to help make kind decisions for others and themselves. |
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win!
One (1) winner receives:
A classroom set (30 copies) of The Kindness Machine will be sent directly to the winners' school of choice, along with autographed bookplates personalized for each student and the teacher.
Five (5) winners receive:
A copy of The Kindness Machine, with bookplates autographed by author Christina Dankert
The giveaway ends April 22, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
One (1) winner receives:
A classroom set (30 copies) of The Kindness Machine will be sent directly to the winners' school of choice, along with autographed bookplates personalized for each student and the teacher.
Five (5) winners receive:
A copy of The Kindness Machine, with bookplates autographed by author Christina Dankert
The giveaway ends April 22, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Bruce Nemovitz. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Written by Bruce Nemovitz
Illustrated by Ani Ghosh Ages 4-8 | 22 Pages Publisher: Book House Publishing ISBN-13: 9781952483257 Publisher’s Synopsis: Follow the wondrous and challenging life of our friend, the leaf, living alone and happy and confident that only he controls his surroundings and his good fortune. Then one day, Mother Nature teaches a lesson we all can learn from. Through the journey in this heartfelt book, you will gain a new appreciation when taking a walk past your favorite tree. Our friend, the leaf, is given a gift of knowledge and understanding about the beauty and wonder of the world around us. |
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Leaf & The Tree, autographed by Bruce Nemovitz!
Three (3) winners receive:
An autographed copy of The Leaf & The Tree.
The giveaway ends March 7, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT
Three (3) winners receive:
An autographed copy of The Leaf & The Tree.
The giveaway ends March 7, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, K. I. Knight, and Jane R. Wood. All opinions are my own.
The students in this story learn they are more alike than they are different, and the reader will learn this as well.
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
Finding Family Treasure
Written by K. I. Knight and Jane R. Wood
Ages 7 and Up | 142 Pages
Publisher: Melting Pot Press LLC
ISBN-13: 9781737337102
Publisher’s Synopsis: “Who are we?” Ms. Johansson asks her class of fifth graders. Her perplexed students soon discover the lesson she wants them to learn. While studying the founding of their country, the class is challenged to understand the melting pot that makes up the American people-both past and present.
With the help of a genealogist, students learn to navigate websites that introduce them to written records that have documented their families’ histories. One by one, the young people hear family stories connecting them to America’s earliest immigrants and settlers.
As the story unfolds, some personal conflicts occur among the students, long-standing family tensions surface, and intergenerational relationships evolve. Complex issues such as privacy, adoption, diversity, immigration, slavery, and antisemitism are addressed in an age-appropriate manner.
As a result of their research project, the students not only discover personal connections to the past but also, in some cases, to each other.
Written by K. I. Knight and Jane R. Wood
Ages 7 and Up | 142 Pages
Publisher: Melting Pot Press LLC
ISBN-13: 9781737337102
Publisher’s Synopsis: “Who are we?” Ms. Johansson asks her class of fifth graders. Her perplexed students soon discover the lesson she wants them to learn. While studying the founding of their country, the class is challenged to understand the melting pot that makes up the American people-both past and present.
With the help of a genealogist, students learn to navigate websites that introduce them to written records that have documented their families’ histories. One by one, the young people hear family stories connecting them to America’s earliest immigrants and settlers.
As the story unfolds, some personal conflicts occur among the students, long-standing family tensions surface, and intergenerational relationships evolve. Complex issues such as privacy, adoption, diversity, immigration, slavery, and antisemitism are addressed in an age-appropriate manner.
As a result of their research project, the students not only discover personal connections to the past but also, in some cases, to each other.
Kathryn Knight, who uses the pen name K I Knight, is an international award-winning Author, Genetic Genealogist, American Historian, Keynote Speaker, and Cemetery Preservationist. Over the last thirteen years, Knight has documented more than 20,000 hours researching the first recorded Africans to arrive in the English settlement of Virginia in 1619. Her passion is unrivaled and strongly evident in her published writings.
Her literary work includes Fate & Freedom, a five star – Gold medal historical trilogy detailing the lives of the 1619 Africans, as well as her nonfiction work, Unveiled – The Twenty and Odd, for which she was awarded the Phillis Wheatley Literary Award by the Sons and Daughters of the US Middle Passage. The mother of three adult children, Knight, lives in North Florida with her husband, Tom.
Jane R. Wood is the author of five award-winning juvenile fiction books where she weaves history and science into stories filled with mystery, adventure, and humor for young readers ages 8-14. Students like her books because they’re fun. Teachers like them for their educational value. Wood is a former teacher, newspaper reporter, and television producer. She has a BA from the University of Florida and an MEd from the University of North Florida. Wood lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and is the mother of two grown sons and five grandchildren.
Her literary work includes Fate & Freedom, a five star – Gold medal historical trilogy detailing the lives of the 1619 Africans, as well as her nonfiction work, Unveiled – The Twenty and Odd, for which she was awarded the Phillis Wheatley Literary Award by the Sons and Daughters of the US Middle Passage. The mother of three adult children, Knight, lives in North Florida with her husband, Tom.
Jane R. Wood is the author of five award-winning juvenile fiction books where she weaves history and science into stories filled with mystery, adventure, and humor for young readers ages 8-14. Students like her books because they’re fun. Teachers like them for their educational value. Wood is a former teacher, newspaper reporter, and television producer. She has a BA from the University of Florida and an MEd from the University of North Florida. Wood lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and is the mother of two grown sons and five grandchildren.
Me Two Books Review
Themes: adoption, diversity, immigration, slavery, and antisemitism
This educational chapter book begins with a class assignment to learn about American History and ends with a 5th grade class that are bonded by their collective stories. Through genealogical research, the students discover their families' pasts and how the past affects the present. Interwoven into the narrative are historical facts about the founding of America. This book doesn't shy away from issues like slavery, racism, and antisemitism, but instead serves as a jumping off point for conversations with your child. The students in this story learn they are more alike than they are different, and the reader will learn this as well.
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Finding Family Treasure, along with a 1-hour genealogy consultation!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- An autographed copy of Finding Family Treasure
- A 1-hour genealogy consultation with Kathryn Knight, a genetic genealogist, and co-author of this book. Knight will provide guidance to establish a genealogy line for the recipient’s family, tailoring it to their needs.
- An autographed copy of Finding Family Treasure
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey. All opinions are my own.
Whether you know of painter Alma Thomas or are learning of her work for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of art, joy and determination.
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Loveis Wise
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 9780063021891
Publisher’s Synopsis: Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.
Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.
Ablaze with Color includes extensive backmatter with photos, an author’s and illustrator’s note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women’s History Month and Black History Month units.
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Loveis Wise
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 9780063021891
Publisher’s Synopsis: Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.
Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.
Ablaze with Color includes extensive backmatter with photos, an author’s and illustrator’s note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women’s History Month and Black History Month units.
Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a longtime docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just like Alma Thomas, Jeanne believes that art brings us joy. Her other picture books include Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines and My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. Jeanne studied literature and psychology at Stanford University. She lives in Northern California.
Loveis Wise is an illustrator and designer from Washington, DC. They are currently based in Los Angeles and their work often speaks to themes of joy and liberation. Their work can be found through the New Yorker, Google, Adobe, and the New York Times.
Loveis Wise is an illustrator and designer from Washington, DC. They are currently based in Los Angeles and their work often speaks to themes of joy and liberation. Their work can be found through the New Yorker, Google, Adobe, and the New York Times.
Me Two Books Review
Themes: breaking down barriers, art, real-life story, female empowerment
How does a young nature-loving girl born in the segregated South become the first African- American woman to have a painting displayed in the White House? Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas is a biographical picture book that beautifully answers this question. Alma learned early in life that helping others is important as her family and community provided the education and support that she was denied outside of her home. After her family moved to the North, she studied art and devoted her life to helping children through art education programs and opportunities. It wasn't until she was 70 years old that she switched her focus to her own work. Work that was inspiring, uplifting, and ablaze with color. Whether you already knew of painter Alma Thomas or are learning of her work for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of art, joy and determination.
This book was a joy to read and a joy to look at. The illustrations by Loveis Wise capture the colors and happiness that are a hallmark of Alma's work beautifully.
This book was a joy to read and a joy to look at. The illustrations by Loveis Wise capture the colors and happiness that are a hallmark of Alma's work beautifully.
Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a classroom set of the picture book Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas!
Three (3) winners receive:
A classroom set of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, autographed and personalized for each student and the teacher by Jeanne Walker Harvey (no more than 30 books per set).
Three (3) winners receive:
A classroom set of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, autographed and personalized for each student and the teacher by Jeanne Walker Harvey (no more than 30 books per set).