My Heart Glow: Alice Cogswell, Thomas Gallaudet, and the Birth of American Sign Language
by Emily McCully
A warm retelling of how one small deaf girl’s need opened up the first school for the deaf in America. Picturebook.
Ages 5-10
Recommended
Available from public libraries
Reviewer: Doreen
When checking out nonfiction books on a famous life like this one, there are so many options, that it can be overwhelming. Disappointing, too, if you order books without seeing them, and they turn out to be dull. So here are a variety of books for a variety of ages on Helen Keller.
Hand in Hand: based on the real-life story of Helen Keller and Martha Washington, by Jean Little
The author develops this historical fiction novel based on the real relationship that Helen had as a girl with Martha, the cook’s daughter, who was her first friend. Chapter book, ages 7-10.
Annie and Helen, by Deborah Hopkinson and Raul Colon
A picture book that begins with Helen’s inability to communicate and ends with the joy of her first letter written home by herself. A thorough and clear explanation of Annie’s methods, with large illustrations for children, and real excerpts from Annie Sullivan’s journal at the time. Picture book, ages 5-10.
Helen Keller and the Big Storm, by Patricia Lakin, easy reader
Helen Keller’s Best Friend Belle, by Holly M. Barry, picturebook
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, by Doreen Rappaport
This picture book is similar in style to Annie and Helen, but covers Helen’s whole life from babyhood to death. The large pictures make it attractive to children, and the text is very clear, interesting and informative. Quotes sprinkled throughout are from Helen’s journal this time, instead of Annie’s. Well-done. Picturebook, ages 5-10.
By Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Katie Kath
This is a fun, easy reader that takes you to dozens of countries around the world, emphasizing different lifestyles but the universal welcome of an open door and an invitation to “Come over to my house! Come over and play.”
For kids who have been studying geography, an enjoyable challenge is to identify every country mentioned, based on the illustrations.
Ages 2-8
Available from public libraries
Recommended
Reviewer: Doreen
Favorite Poems Old and New selected by Helen Ferris
A thick volume of poems for children that is sure to contain many old favourites, plus introduce some new friends. The word “wholesome” comes to mind.
The Children’s Book of Virtues edited by William J. Bennet
This large (not thick) richly illustrated picture book contains about 20 short stories and 10 well-chosen poems.
Leaves from a Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
With illustrations by Donna Green
Stevenson’s poems are almost a must as a first introduction to poetry for kids. There aren’t many full colour illustrated copies of his work available, that I know of, and so I appreciate these illustrations by Donna Green.
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children: A treasure of 572 Poems for Today’s Child selected by Jack Prelutsky
Mostly humorous poems, but some gems hidden in between. Kids will laugh and learn to love the rhythm and rhyme of poetry through some of these pieces. The illustrations are aptly silly.
A Child’s Book of Poems by Gyo Fujikawa
For those who find the book above a disgrace to all serious poetry, here is an alternative. About half as thick, this picture book is full of gems with a few humourous poems hidden in between. The illustrations are simple in colour and line.
The Ideals Treasure of Best Loved Poems
Contains many classic favourites for teens and adults; is fully illustrated throughout with photographs from nature. A good variety of well-known poems.
Poems for Children: A Delightful Collection for Boys and Girls
A slimmer picture book, illustrated in an old-fashioned style that matches the tone of these old classics for children. This volume has fewer (if any besides R.L. Stevenson) modern poets than the others.
When We Were Very Young
And Now We are Six
Or compiled in one volume as The World of Christopher Robin
By A.A. Milne
Very true to the style of the original Winnie-the-Pooh books. These poems are a light and over-all fun read if you enjoy that whimsical ho-hum what am I thinking of train of thought… A thick volume with line illustrations on each page.
The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies
By Cicely Mary Barker
A volume that contains the flowers of each season, then the flowers of the garden, trees, and wayside, and lastly the flower alphabet. Each page introduces another flower or two.
With children dressed up with wings on each picture, this is an odd place to turn for nature study, one would think, but Cicely Barker’s beautiful paintings have realistic flowers that are accompanied by just as realistic poems that tell one or two striking characteristics for each flower.
Out and About: A First Book of Poems
By Shirley Hughes
I was a little disappointed in this thin picturebook. The pictures and topics are very suitable for kids, but although I know poems don’t need to rhyme or have rhythm, I did miss it throughout, and I think kids would too.
Winter Poems
Selected by Barabara Rogasky
I loved this book for the beautiful watercolour scenes that gave such a rich background to the winter season. This book is intended for teens, however, I find, with more difficult language and the theme of death in one poem. Not as satisfying as some poetry collections, since for every classic favourite author, there were a few more stilted poems in between (personal opinion!)
by Margaret Hodges
History comes to life in this picture book with lovely illustrations throughout. The story is well-told and children will learn of how the Austrian priest Father Mohr’s dilemma one Christmas season brought the world this carol.
Ages 4-12
Available from public libraries
Reviewer: Doreen
By Sheila keenan
A great, short picturebook on….crows! We see them and hear them, but how much do we know about them? This well-illustrated, living book for young children, will help you and the kids learn a little about crows’ habits.
Available from public libraries.
Ages 3-7
Recommended
Reviewer: Doreen
By Sonja Danowski
This author does something amazing with her illustrations, pencilling and painting a warm, wonderful world, with houses overflowing in creative activity.
Tony gives up his stuffed animals for the animal shelter cause, then misses his animals, but in the end gets a real live cat. A warm simple story, although the animal shelter raffle and prizes does take place on a Sunday.
Also by Sonja Danowski: The Forever Flowers. The story-line again is quite simple, although the lesson is not as clear (about letting go), but may open the door for a discussion.
Ages 4-8
Available from public libraries
Reviewer: Doreen
By Miriam Weiner
A first introduction to Shakespeare! In picturebook form, these mostly nature-themed verses have been chosen and copied out in this book with creative paper-work illustrations to accompany them. A fun introduction to the “great bard.”
Recommended
Ages 6-12
Available from public libaries
Reviewer: Doreen
By Alma Fullerton
This story of a girl and her school friends’ whose trip home from school is made shorter by use of the bicycle lending library, takes place in Tanzania. Nicely illustrated. Fullerton’s books gives a taste of children like us, living far different lives around the world.
A Good Trade takes place in Uganda Nicely illustrated.
Community Soup takes place in Kenya Nicely illustrated.
When the Rain Comes takes place in Sri Lanka
Recommended
Ages 4-10
Available from public libraries
Reviewer: Doreen
by Tasha Tudor and Richard Brown
Best known for her children’s artwork from half a century ago, this book gives a photographic look and biography into Tasha’s later life as an elderly lady in America who was convinced she should have lived 150 years ago.
Her story and pictures will inspire adult readers who love the idea of being self-sufficient, working with pioneer-time tools, corgis, or true English-style cottage gardens.
Ages 16 and up
Available from public libraries
Reviewer: Doreen
