Book Description

In My America, Lee Bennett Hopkins weaves together fifty poems -- grouped by geographic region -- to create a remarkable portrait of the United States. Here is America in all its stunning variety, from the dramatic seacoast of the Northeast and the rippling cornfields of the Plains States to the shimmering deserts of the Southwest and the majestic redwood forests of the Pacific Coast. But here, too, are the ties that bind this nation together -- the hopes and dreams of those who live in our cities and towns and on farms.

The voices of beloved poets like Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Nikki Giovanni, and Lilian Moore blend with new voices to sing not just of landmarks like the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades, but of daily life across the land. Complementing these personal, moving visions of America are maps of the regions and fascinating facts for each state.

Stephen Alcorn's brilliant, textured artwork makes this book a feast for the eyes as well as for the imagination. Impressive for its breadth, depth, and beauty, My America is a volume readers will savor as they read it time and time again. It is fitting homage to our wideranging, ever-changing land. ... Read more

Book Description

The train of states is rolling by --
rush to the window and watch it go!
The very first car? The very first state:
Delaware, of course,
followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia ...
fifty in all.
The caboose? Washington, D.C.!

Look closely! What do you see?
State birds, state flowers, state trees ...
forty-three presidents! Can you find them all?
Can you spot the flags, heroes, animals, and landmarks
adorning the train of states?

Clickety clack, clickety clack.
Rush out the door, rush to the track.
Where is the train going? Come along!
Over the prairie, over the mountains,
down a green valley, and into a billowing tent.
It's time for a party --
it's time to celebrate
the fifty states!

Book Description

In her classic books, Laura Ingalls Wilder lovingly described the many little houses she and her family lived in as they traveled across the American frontier. Today, these houses have been preserved as sites and museums that thousands of fans visit every year. The Little House Guidebook contains detailed information on these sites, as well as guidance on where to eat and stay, and other places to explore in the surrounding areas. Special features included colored tabs on each chapter for easy reference, a room-by-room tour of Laura's Rocky Ridge Farmhouse, and a walking tour and street map of De Smet, Laura's little town on the prairie, as well as guidance on how to get to the sites, where to eat and stay, and other places to explore in the surrounding areas.

Lavishly illustrated throughout with beautiful full-color photographs of Laura's houses and memorabilia, and gently colorized versions of Garth Williams' original art from the Little House books, this guidebook is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to visit Laura's little houses or just read about them.

Reviews (7)

Invaluable Resource for Little House Fans
William Anderson has done a fabulous job in painstakingly documenting everything there is to see from New York to South Dakota that has anything to do with Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" series. Ever wondered what happened to Pa's fiddle? Or if the house dug out from the banks of Plum Creek is still intact? This book has the answers. Complete with color photographs, addresses, phone numbers and maps, as well as ample background information, The Little House Guidebook is a must have for Little House fans everywhere. Even if you never get to visit these places, this book will take you there.

Good source for touring sites, rehash of some old material.
If I were to take any books along with me on a LIW journey, it would be this one. The reason for a lower rating is because I was disappointed in a rehash of what to find at the Little House sites that was already published in another of Anderson's titles.

Great Book!
Laura!

Superb Reading and Travel Planning Book
The Little House Guidebook is filled with the museums, houses and visitors sights about the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.

Beautiful, accurate photography amazes your eyes as any fan dreams of visiting each and every place. The first photo on the page dedicated to Walnut Grove, only 45 minutes from my hometown, is exactly how it looks today. A large sign just uphill from Plum Creek states where the sod house was.

Thanks to this wonderful book, our family knew all the best places to visit, shop at, and devour historical facts of. It even led us right to the church bell Pa had given his last three dollars for. We'll use it again on all our future adventures.

This book was well researched, written and photographed. It glorifies my Little House ongoing collection.

If you are a fan, or know someone who is, this book would be a fabulous gift, just as it was given to me for my birthday.

Excellent Little House site resource!
We used this book to plan our May trip to Kansas and Missouri. The directions were accurate and the information definitely added to our trip. We stayed at the Rosewood B&B (in the book, Kansas) and had a good time. This book is a must for any Laura Ingalls Wilder fan! ... Read more

Book Description

Honor America-and Woodie Guthrie's 90th birthday-with this beautiful gift package. Featuring the complete lyrics and musical notation to the beloved anthem "This Land is Your Land," as well as a photo-essay about Woody, a note from his daughter Nora Guthrie, and a tribute by beloved folk singer Pete Seeger, this stunning book paints an unforgettable picture of our diverse land.Now an award-winning CD containing nine popular folk songs performed by Woody and Arlo Guthrie is bound into the book, making this a treasure for the whole family or classroom to share. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Good
My sons 3 and 5 really enjoy this book and singing along. One word of caution the CD that comes with the book, although enjoyable, does not follow the book words. It is a classic book and the illustrations and tune are memorable and something I am proud to share with my children.

Must Have
This has always been a favorite song of mine and it's great to share it with my daughter, along with the beautiful illustrations. We love to sing along with our books, and this one is a real winner!

Wonderful Book!
My daughter received this book as a present when she was 2 years old. I thought it was "too old" for her, but it quickly became her favorite. Not only does she love the song (we sing it at least once every night before bed) but she also loves the intricate illustrations and looking for Woody and his guitar. There are many nights when I get all choked up hearing a 2 year old born in China and now a U.S. citizen singing "This land is your land, this land is my land" and saying "I love you, Woody!". I recommend this book for the young and old alike.

A real kick!
My children love "singing" books and this is one that should be sung more often and with great gusto! The illustrations are wonderul and display the diversity that is so prominient in the American landscape. We selected it as a gift for family friends who have two sons with Korean heritage, now American citizens. We also utilized it for a 4th of July celebration and it was very well received by multi-age children. It also has great appeal from an adult perspective...love the page toward the back with all of the various artists on stage...picking out the places I have traveled and those which still call to me....

A lovely book for kids of all ages who share Woody's vision
My wife and I just returned from a long trip through the Southwest and southern Rockies. En route home to Florida we stopped off in Okemah, Oklahoma, Woody's home town, and it was there I discovered this beautiful book. It is, I suppose, a children's book, and I thought at first that I might give it to my grandchildren, but the combination of exquisite art work and well-chosen Woody-words is to good to give up. Solution: I plan to buy several copies as Christmas presents not only for my grandkids but for my friends' kids as well. If you're a fan of Woody's, or just love truly beautiful, warm-hearted childrens' books, you will want to do the same. ... Read more

Book Description

Where did they all go?

Sixteen-year-old orphan William Wythers, is eager to try life in the New World. He and the other settlers face an arduous voyage and difficult months ahead on Roanoke Island, off the coast of Virginia. Yet there is a wonderful freedom in defining the rules for this new world in America. And when William falls in love with a young Native American woman, it seems that life is going to be happy after all.

But when John White arrives from England with fresh supplies for the settlement, not a single person remains. Who knows what happened? An unsolved mystery in American history comes brilliantly alive in Sonia Levitin's historical novel about the lost colony in Roanoke. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Well-Written, Action-Packed, and Interesting
Roanoke: A Novel of the Lost Colony is a terrific book. I loved it! Not only is it full of actual facts, such as the state of the colony after it is discovered to be abandoned, but it has actual historic figures: Sir Walter Raleigh, John White, and the first baby born in the new world, Virginia. It was interesting to read Sonia Levitin's view on what might have happened, too.

William is an ordinary English boy, apprenticed to a carpenter. But his master is not kind, and William runs away, branded as not only a runaway, but a thief as well (he is innocent as to the latter charge). He knows he must escape England before the police catch up with him, and when he arrives at an old friend's home, he discovers that a man named John White is going to establish a colony in the new world. This is William's chance, and he takes it.

Soon William finds himself on board a ship, headed for the new world. He must work to pay his passage, but he still enjoys it. He hears tales of the wild savages who hate the white men, and he meets many different people, with many different views of the voyage. He also discovers a stowaway, whom he befriends - Elizabeth.

When they reach the New World, the ship captain tricks them into landing at Roanoke, where indians are rumored to live, instead of peaceful Cheseapeake. William finds himself befriending the "savages" while establishing the new colony. While other colonist fear and hate the indians, William makes friends with them and even falls in love with one. But times are harsh, and not only are the colonists trying to prepare for winter, but they must protect themselves from other indians that hate the white men. William is caught up between the indians fear and hatred of the colonists and the colonists fear and hatred of the indians. Will he ever get the indians and white men to trust each other and get along?

The story is told with much description and it carefully depicts all the characters actions and feelings. It is a wonderful book with almost everything a reader could want. I reccomend it to anyone, especially people interested in history or the mystery of the disappearing Roanoke colony. Ages 9 and up, even grown ups would enjoy it immensely.

Where Have They Gone?!
"Roanoke- A Novel of the Lost Colony" is about a 16 year old orphan Named William Wythers who lost both his parents and has no one left but his younger sister, Elizabeth. William is considered a beggar, idler, and vagabond. When he finds out there is to be a voyage to the New World, William is eager to go. When they finally arrive, the settlers meet a friendly Indian tribe called Crotoan. William then meets a Crotoan woman named Telana and falls in love. Telana and William have to put up criticism from the other settlers and some of the Indians. The Governor of settlement, John White, returns to England to get more supplies.

When John White finally returns from England with the supplies, he finds that no one from their settlement remains. Nobody knew what happened and we still don't know. This American mystery has come alive in Sonia Levitin's novel of the lost colony of Roanoke.

A History Mystery
This book is based on a real happening in America's history, before Jamestown. A whole colony of people sailed from England to settle in the New World, including women and children and teen-agers, like William Wythers, the hero of the story. The fact is, they all vanished without a trace, except for a carving left on a tree. What happened to them? The author gives her own possible solution to this mystery, at the same time building a love story between William and Telana, the beautiful Native American girl. The colonists seem like real people with their prejudices, and longings. At the end the reader is haunted with more thoughts--did William and a few others survive? Were they able to create a new world without hate? Exciting and realistic, written in a style to capture the reader. ... Read more

Book Description

The first in our alphabet series, "M is for Mitten" explores the wonders of Michigan by using each letter of the alphabet-from "A is for Apple Blossom" to "Z is for (Detroit) Zoo."Get to know some of the Great Lakes State's geography, history, events, people, and accomplishments.Whether you are a Michigander or a guest, discover what makes the Great Lakes State such an enchanting place to be. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

M is for Mitten
Like all of the Sleeping Bear Press books this one is also fabulous! I used this book for a literature lesson with a Michigan unit. The kids love the poems and I like the facts that go along with them. This is a delightful story that any child (especially a Michigan child) will enjoy.

Not Just for Children!
"M is for Michigan" makes a wonderful coffee table book, in my opinion. I don't have young children in the home anymore, but someday hope to have grandchildren and will greatly enjoy reading this lovely book to them. While we were in Whitehall, Michigan my mother bought a copy for herself as she loves well-written children's books. Later I went back to the same store and bought one of my own. I do refer to it from time to time and although I don't have a coffee table I keep it on display on my living room bookshelf!

Triple Threat!
Amazing illustrations...great poetry...interesting facts. You'll find all three in this alphabet book about Michigan. Great to read aloud and great to read alone (again and again)....I highly recommend this book (and future books in the series) to all elementary school teachers. My second graders hurried to grab this book after I read it aloud. Unique and such a high-quality book! BUY IT!

A great resource for teacher
I am a teacher education student and I read this book to a class of 1st graders and they loved it. It teaches all of the wonders of Michigan. It also has a wonderful vocabulary. I would highly recomend this book to anyone that loves the state of Michigan.

Sing-a-long Poems for the very young!
I love this book! As a teacher, this book has been such a great tool - the kids, especially preschool and kindergarten, will even sit still during the lively little poems that Ms. Wargin wrote for each letter - they even learn a few facts along the way, too. Some of my little ones even have memorized some poems! Neat book. ... Read more

Book Description

Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers presents the amazing story of Muhammad Ali¹s childhood, his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battles against Parkinson¹s disease. Packed with dramatic black-and-white photos, this critically acclaimed biography is the perfect choice for both young adult sports fans and fans of Walter Dean Myers in general. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Determination + Talent = Champion
Muhammed Ali may not have been the biggest, meanest boxer of all time, but he definitely has to be one of the most determined athletes ever to set foot in a ring. That is why Myers, like Ali himself, refers to the boxer as "the greatest." Through easy reading, Walter Dean Myers paints a picture of what life was life for working class blacks in the near South (Louisville, KY) in the 1950's. He describes the fighters who came before Ali (the heroes like Joe Louis and Archie Moore), and goes into detail in describing both the person and the boxing style of Ali's opponents--Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and others). Of course, Myers also details the mental strategies and physical competency of Ali. It is here that the reader realizes that much of Ali's game was fought outside the ring, with not only his next opponent, but with the press, the public, and the government. The subject of the war in Viet Nam, the military draft, the Nation of Islam, the skewing of the military to induct more minorities, and the subject of 'conscientious objection' are all handled in an introductory fashion, which will give young readers a sense of the social history of the period without the ho-hum of a history book. Walter Dean Myers' book, The Greatest, also dissects the boxing industry, where young talent is often beaten to a senseless pulp for the sake of audiences, public approval and a very few dollars. I have already recommended this book to several students who think a career in professional athletics could be within their grasp. Myers does an excellent job of conveying the fact that the young boxer from Louisville was the greatest in his determination to win, not because of his physical ability, but because of his mental agility. The one negative trait of Muhammed Ali which Myers noted was the way he insulted his opponents. His vicious slurring of his competitors, especially some of the black fighters, set the stage for the trash-talking which is now rampant in sports, professional and amateur, alike. He may have been first in a long list of other traits, but this one is nothing to be proud of. It was the beginning of a very negative type of competitive spirit which has now permeated sports, school, music, and the very fiber of today's society. This book will intrigue a variety of students in middle school. It is easy to read, with enough black and white photographs and large page margins to attract even reluctant readers. The book includes an Index (very small print); a list of Photo Credits; a Bibliography; and a Fight Chronology. It is a good introduction to what actually goes on in professional athletics, and appropriate for students, grade 5 and up.

THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI
The book"THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI" is one of the best books ihave ever read. When I first read this book I coudn't put it down. this book only took me a week to read and also you get information you never herd of like I never knew that Muhammad Ali's real name is Cassius Clay. When Muhammad was young he used to get beat up and his bike was stolen. After he got beat up he started taking boxing lessions. He lost most of his boxing matches when he was young. In the book you lean about others like Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson Ali never misted a practus. The reason I liked the book is because I took boxing lessons and now Iknow how to protect myself if I need to. Also you get good information on the boxers Ali's life. In the book they say that Ali has skills of most of thebest fighters that ever lived.Reading this book helped me change the way I look at things like the way I treat people andto be tough competitor at sports I play. It also helped me see how his life was as a African American boxer. I'm glad I found this awesome book to read because it made me want to be a boxer.

A Great book
This story is a portrayal of a young boy named Cassius Clay who grows into one of the greatest boxer's of all time. Walter Dean Myers presents the amazing story of Ali's life and his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battle against Parkinson's disease. It is a story of determination, energy, pride, and strength. From a daring young boxer with disease, Myers covers Ali's life with prowess and honesty. Ali's accomplishments, both in and out of the ring, present him as a man of principal, willing to take risks to achieve his goals.
Ali was a young man with a lot of boxing talent who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Raised by his grandmother, Ali possessed a work ethic of none other. Although Ali was a great fighter, racism and disouragement made it hard for Ali to achieve his goals.
If tou choose to read The Greatest you will experience fast paced action, crisp writing, photographic events and personalities, and vivid fight scenes. Ali followed his heart and became a symbol respected by all races, religions, and ideologies. Ali was the world heavyweight champion four times and may be the greatest boxer ever to step foot in the ring.
Delving into the civil rights and the Nation of Islam, Concientios objector status during the Vietnam war, and the danger of boxing. Myers presents a man of courage and inspiration. The story gets in depth with Ali's fight against Parkinson's disease and how he fought in the ring. "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" was Ali's famous line. He was well known for his cocky attitude and he was also the center of attention.
Ali's story is a great one, thus, that is why he is the greatest. I would reccommend this story for anyone to read, it is really a great book.

Perfect For A 13 Year Old & Under
This is a perfect book for a kid 14 or 13 years old and younger - it's a fantastic introduction to Muhammad Ali - I just bought it for my friends son - he's 12 - not that familiar with Muhammad Ali - just a basic knowledge of the myth and legend - he knows "Float Like a Butterfly - Sting Like A Bee!"

This is a great way to show a youngster that in addition to being the Greatest Of All Time that he was (and is) one of the most influential, courages and important figure of the 1960's and up -

It gently shows and explains the race issues of the 60's without overwhelming a child or blasting it in their face - it's very difficult for a kid these days to understand that as little as 40 years ago (which is actually life times to a kid) that if you were black then you had to sit at the back of the bus - or couldn't drink from certain water fountains or had to "know you're place" and how Muhammad Ali shattered that mold - I'm hoping that this actually creates a dialogue with parent and child - anyway - it shows Muhammad as the Champ both in and out of the ring.

The book goes over some of the famous fights and rivalry's - from Liston to Frazier - once again I found myself excited about the blow by blows of these fights - no matter how many times I read it I'm just awe struck about the Rumble in the Jungle -

I highly recommend this for any child as a great introduction to The Greatest Of All Time - Muhammad Ali!

Not the Best
The Greatest Muhammad Ali written by "Walter Dean Myers" tells you about how it was for a black man to grow up in the racism and be successful. He did so well all over the world that he got respect from the white crowd. It tells you all the struggles he had while he was fighting and how he went from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali; also how he took it when he got Parkinson's disease. This man was a phenomenon in boxing and you learn that by reading this book. I would not buy the book but get it for a little while from the library. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Delaware might be a little state, but it is the First State
I was thinking that when the first of the new state quarters were produced in 1999 that a lot of Americans would be surprised to learn that Delaware was the First State.Indeed, in "Big Names for a Small State," the first chapter in Jean F. Blashfield's look at "Delaware" for the America the Beautiful series, those Delaware quarters featuring Caesar Rodney, an American patriot that most Americans have probably never heard about unless they have seen "1776."As me, I learned that there never really was a Delaware colony prior to that point in American history.Originally called New Sweden and then New Amstel when the Dutch took over, the counties that make up Delaware were three little counties along Delaware Bay given to Pennsylvania so it could have some seacoast.

The history of Delaware is detailed in the next three chapters of the book.Chapter Two explores the strange notion of "Colonial Delaware" up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Rodney's famous ride.Chapter Three, "Building the First State," covers how Delaware became the first state, through the Civil War, and the end of the 19th-century."Twentieth-Century Delaware" is the subject of Chapter Four, which tells of the impact of the influential du Pont family.The geographical characteristics of the state and the pollution threats to Delaware Bay are found in Chapter Five, " A Great Bit of Coast." For such a little state, it is amazing the geographical diversity that Blashfield covers in this chapter.

Chapter Six, "The Little State with a Big Story," explains how Delaware has no large cities but still lots of points of interest. The politics of the state are covered in Chapter Seven, "Government Old and New," where we find out about the Whipping Post (an officially recognized form of punishment up to 1952), and the state bird (Blue hen, of course). Chapter Eight, "Chemistry, Corporations, and Chickens" explains the state's unique economy, while "Delaware's People" are the subject of Chapter Nine.Chapter Ten is all about "Leisure Time in Delaware," starts with writers and ends on the beaches.

In the back of the book you will find a Timeline that parallels U.S. and Delaware state history, several pages of Fast Facts, and a whole bunch of places To Find Out More about Delaware.The book is filled with full-color photographs and original maps that detail topography, natural resources and the like.But one of the key parts of these books are the informative sidebars that work in all sorts of great details that do not fit into the main text.Here is where young readers will find out about the Battle that Never Was, favorite son Bull Halsey, the strange Horseshoe Crab, and this time around the recipe we come to expect in every volume of this series is for Delaware Chicken Divan (which I intend to try).These are informative volumes for young readers who will find them extremely helpful when they have to do a report on the state, whether they live in it or not. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (29)

Colorful illus. & fun story cleverly mask geography lesson!
It isn't often you come across a children's book that's unique in it's story, fun in it's presentation, and a delight to read. Laurie Keller accomplishes this with "The Scrambled States of America". The unique idea of each state having it's own personality and voicing it's opinions on his place in the country, is both comical and creative. This book brings together colorful illustrations and a geography lesson, which will have children learning the names & shapes of the states after reading the book for just the first time! I highly recommend this book as a source of knowledge, imagination, & fun.

Joi M. Lasnick

An educational laugh-fest!
I don't know who loved this book more--me or my 3 year old son!
It's definately a fun way to learn a little about the states, and introduce youngsters to the USA. This was one book he wanted to read again, and again, and again & I was happy to read it each time. It's silly & fun for kids & adults!

Very Funny and Educational Book
The Scrambled States of America is a great book because it's both
funny and educational. It helped me learn the names of the fifty
states. My little brother who can't read yet, can identify all
of the states because of this book. We also enjoy the card game...

The Scrambled States of America
The Scrambled States of America
By Laurie Keller
Reviewed by Jason P. (age 8)

"There's no place like home". That's what all 50 states learned in this hilarious, slightly romantic tale.

It all starts when Kansas (who was very angry) decides to invite all the states to a "states party" to meet new states.
At the party, Nevada and Mississippi fell in love. Later, Virginia and Idaho suggested that all the states switched places. All the states agreed to this, so they all changed places through the day.
Will our fair country stay like this? Find out in The Scrambled States of America!

I liked this book because (like I told you) it was hilarious! I really liked the part when all the states went home.

I recommend this book to kids who: 1) like fiction, 2) can read picture books.

Read this book to find out the funniest U.S. story ever!

FUN BOOK
Fun pictures, fun words, fun everything! if you like the "scrambled states of america" then you'll like "open wide tooth school inside" witch is by the same author
FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Was Columbus the first European in the Americas?

What sport became more popular after the Civil War?

Were the Little Rock Nine a rock-and-roll band?

As best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis knows, history can be fun, fascinating, and memorable. When his don't know much about® history was published in 1990, it was a sensation. The book delivered a fresh take on history with its wit and unusual detail. Davis now does for young people what his earlier book did for adults. In his trademark question-and-answer style -- peppered with surprising facts, historic reproductions, and Matt Faulkner's lively illustrations -- Davis introduces our ancestors who settled the East and expanded the West, as well as those who had been living here all along. His sure touch brings the drama and excitement of the American story vividly to life.

Reviews (1)

Setting the story straight
This is a concise history of the United States, told from a decidedly liberal point of view. Davis begins his story with the various discoveries of America, informing us of Columbus' motivations, Erickson's settlements, and the Native American migrations of 35,000 years ago. He continues with stories of the French and Indian Wars, the founding of the United States, the Civil War, Teddy Roosevelt, and the Twentieth Century events through the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

Each chapter begins with a list of questions on a given period of history. Then Davis begins describing what happened during this period, taking up and answering each question in turn. Starting with Teddy Roosevelt, Davis' own political persuasion starts to come through more and more clearly. While I myself agree with Davis' comments about FDR and Ronald Reagan, I think conservative readers might find some of them a bit objectionable. In general, I found this a very readable concise history of the United States, but it's not for everyone. ... Read more

Book Description

With a young girl guiding them to all her favorite places, readers are treated to a stunning, kid's eye-view of New York City. Engagingly described and sumptuously illustrated with paintings full of details to pore over again and again, the city's pleasures almost burst of the page. Readers are introduced to the thrill of riding your own special horse on Central Park's colorful carousel, the magic of seeing the spectacular Fourth of July firewords explode over the New York skyline, and much, much more. Oversized fold-out pages of the Empire State Building, the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, the Chrysler buidling, and Rockefeller Center at Christmastime add to the fun, while a map in the front and fun facts in the back make a helpful guide. With paintings by a premier American folk artist, this is a visual celebration of one of the world's most fabled cities, sure to be treasured by young and old. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Original edition vs anniversary edition
I have often used the original edition of My New York as a gift for both adults and children who visit our home in New York City.

It's nice to have more of Jakobsen's comforting, folksy art in the anniversary edition, but if you purchase it, my advice is to try to ignore the gazillion little ads and words in the new paintings - especially on taxis and buses, and even on the kids' balloons. It seems as if Jakobsen couldn't resist the temptation to include the name of every friend and relative somewhere in the book, and to promote her own favorite websites and companies, rather than allowing the reader to simply enjoy her depictions of New York City.

It may sound picky, but all those little words and ads make the pictures more cluttered and pulls one's eye away from the more important parts of each scene. And it really wasn't necessary for Jakobsen to paint an ad for another of her books, and an ad for her publisher Little, Brown, on the side of a bus going down Fifth Avenue (see the Plaza Hotel page)! Yes, New York City is, in reality, cluttered with advertising, but folk art and indiscriminate advertising aren't a lovely combination.

The beauty of the first book was that the "My" in "My New York" was every reader who loves New York and enjoys Jakobsen's paintings. The book's title and artwork were a perfect combination. The "My" in the anniversary edition is Kathy Jakobsen herself, and all the friends, relatives, publishers, etc that she managed to squeeze in!

I like this book.
I am 5 years old.I like this book very much.These picture are beautiful and interesting.When I go to New York I'll take this book with me as a guidebook.

For New York-o-philes of any age!
While this book is designed for children, adults will love the beautiful illustrations - - the detail on them is magnificent. The author captures the essence of a wonderful city with her text and paintings. Our son is fascinated by New York City and this book is a wonderful way for him to "visit" his favorite city as often as he pleases. I wish I'd found this two years ago!

Folk-Art Feast for the Eyes
I searched for this beautiful book after seeing Ms.Jakobson's paintings featured in Country Living Magazine. I was not disappointed. I've read this informative story with its unbelievable illustrations to my class every year since then. It's like owning a private collection of her wonderful work

wonderful
The book is beautiful! The illustrations are super! I wish Kathy could do the same with my city: Rio de Janeiro. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Learn why as long as there is Kansas, there will be sunshine
Nancy Robinson Masters begins this volume in the America the Beautiful, Second Series by devoting Chapter One, "Kansas Sunshine," to the story of Jessie Spencer.She was an American Red Cross canteen worker from Fredonia, Kansas who was serving in France during World War I.As she gave doughnuts and coffee to soldiers she would tell them, "As long as there is Kansas, there will be sunshine."Known as the Kansas sunshine girl, Jessie Spencer became known nationally because of her efforts to pick up morale.In this informative book, Masters explains why Spencer would feel that way about her state.

The next three chapters of the book are devoted to the history of Kansas, with Chatter Two, "From Seawaters to Statehood," beginning with fifty different times millions of years ago that the area now named Kansas was covered by oceans and ending with the border wars and "Bleeding Kansas" over the issue of slavery.In between there are the Spanish conquistadors searching for Quivira, the opening of the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, and the Pottawatomie Massacre.The dark days of Bleeding Kansas carry over to the start of Chapter Two, "Pioneers and Populism," which begins with the Civil War, tells of the years Kansas was the frontier, and ends with the Populism that was popular there at the end of the 19th century.Chapter Four, "Mileposts to the Future," looks at the 20th century and the part Kansas played in two work wars, and in the 1950s Dwight Eisenhower, who was raised in Abilene, Kansas, became president and the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the famous case of Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka.

The geography of the state is covered in Chapter Five, "The Nature of Kansas," which looks the four main regions defined by the dominant plains (we also learn the difference between the geographic and geodetic centers of the continental United States, both of which are in Kansas).Chapter Six, "The Land of Ahs," is a play on "The Wizard of Oz," since Dorothy Gale is probably the most famous "citizen" of Kansas in the world, and looks at the places you can visit along the state's "yellow brick walls."The biggest surprise is that the recipe for this book is for pancakes.The town of Liberal holds the International Pancake Derby each February and it does not have to do with cooking pancakes but running a 1/4-mile race while carrying them in heavy skillets (they get flipped at the start and end of the race).I keep telling you these books are informative.

The politics of the state are the province of Chapter Seven, "Governing Kansas," where 47 out of 105 counties are named for Civil War Veterans and another 17 have Indian names (the only county named for a woman is Barton, honoring Clara Barton).When we find out about state symbols we learn that "Home on the Range" is the state song, but there is also a state march ("The Kansas March") and the state flower (Wild sunflower) is actually a weed.Chapter Eight, "Working in Kansas," looks at the fast-growing economy of the state, while Chapter Nine, "Modern People of the Plains," looks at the people who have come to inhabit the land.

Chapter Ten, "Culture and Competition," looks at the famous sons and daughters of Kansas.This includes writers from L. Frank Baum and Laura Ingalls Wilder to Damon Runyan and Sara Paretsky, as well as big names in sports such as Gayle Sayers, Rick Mears, and Walter Johnson.Masters includes those who became famous playing for the University of Kansas, such as Wilt Chamberlain and Danny Manning, and those who played for the closest professional teams in Kansas City, Missouri, such as George Brett.Throughout the book there are dozens of sidebars that introduce us to other Kansas notables like Amelia Earhart and John Brown.These are also were we learn where the name Jawhawkers came from and that the first Pizza Hut was opened by the Carney brothers in 1958 in Wichita.

In the back of the book you will find a detailed Timeline contrasting U.S. and Kansas state history, several pages of Fast Facts providing easy access to key statistics, and list of books, organizations, and Internet sites where young students can go To Find Out More.There all dozens of photographs, both full-color and black & white, and original maps on things like the exploration of Kansas, topography, and the state's maps and forests. These America the Beautiful, Second Series volumes are ideal for young students who have to research one of the U.S. states (or territories) for class, but also if there family happens to be going through the Jawhawk state on a trip. ... Read more

Book Description

Let's round 'em up and move 'em along! In words and pictures, Gail Gibbons captures all the excitement and adventure of the Wild West. Her colorful watercolors deftly re-create cowboys' clothing, equipment, and lifestyle, and the lively text includes descriptions of famous cowboys and cowgirls, as well as historical facts. ... Read more

Book Description

In the past three decades, the number of interracial marriages in the United States has increased by more than 800 percent. Now over four million children and teenagers do not identify themselves as being just one race or another.

Here is a book that allows these young people to speak in their own voices about their own lives.

What Are You? is based on the interviews the author has made over the past two years with mixed-race young people around the country. These fresh voices explore issues and topics such as dating, families, and the double prejudice and double insight that come from being mixed, but not mixed-up.
... Read more

Reviews (10)

I wish it had been on the shelves when I was a teen.
I had been waiting for this book all of my life and when I found it and read it I wished it had been on the shelves when I was a teen and young adult. It is enlightening and enriching to finally hear the many voices that exist outside of the boxes. As an American born in this country who constantly heard and still hear, "Where are you from?" on a regular basis, I highly recommend this book to all adults who have lived through the mixed race reality and for their children who are mixed race.

This is an excellent book covering a very important topic
I just finished reading "What Are You!" by Pearl Fuyo Gaskins. This book shares important insights into the issues surrounding mixed-race young adults. It is an important book for both young and older adults to read. Pearl Gaskins brings many important issues to light through the words of the young adults she interviewed. Once you read one "snapshot" you are compelled to continue reading all of the stories these young adults have to share. I highly recommend this book to all parents and children - as well as anyone else interested in issues of mixed-race identity/relations and social equality for all.

excellent book!
I am so glad that this was book was written! The young people who were featured were sensitive and engaging writers, who gave us all a further sense of struggle with biracial/multiracial identity in this country. For me, knowledge is power, and this book was definitely empowering. It de-emphasized statistics, faceless percentages that we read about in the newspaper and hear about on television that represent the increase in bicultural/multiracial people in this country.

I find it really sad that in a culture like the United States where we claim to be a "melting pot" we still haven't managed to get over who melts, and how they melt, as well as with which groups they mix with in the melting process. Speaking as a culturally-diverse young woman, about to graduate from college, I think it is of invaluable importance that people feel good about their cultures, feel free to express them and be given the respect they deserve. One point that was raised in WHAT ARE YOU? that I can definitely relate to is the scrutiny people experience when on the receiving end of other's judgments and prejudices. I am Polish/Latina/Lebanese and I can't tell you how many times people have said, "You don't look (fill in the blank)." The world has to realize people come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and the images projected on the boob tube, in the movies and in music are not a fair representation of all people. They are just a cross section of examples. We need to be open to the diversity of all. Then, maybe we can come to accept ourselves through accepting others.

More racial obssesion
Here is more writing on the obsession of Americans with race. In Europe their is no race, their is just people, but here in America people cant go five minutes without wondering about race and race relations, as if it is the single most defining item in life. this book analyzes so-called 'biracial' kids and the trouble they have when posed the question 'where are you from' or 'what is your heritage'. The answer should be as simple as 'Cleveland' and 'Asian and white'. But this book convolutes the subject by making it seem like 'biracial' kids have lots of trouble. The reality is the only one giving them trouble is books like this that make them feel different and out of place and put emphasis on their 'racial differences'. In reality 'biracial' is not even the correct word for children of two races. Rather the correct word is 'American citizen' because these children aren't actually two races, if anything they are like most of us, they are a blend of cultures and heritage. For instance lets say the kid is Mexican and black. Then the kid is actually Spanish, Indian, African and maybe even part Anglo-Saxon, and probably has some moor blood as well. So the kid is not really 'biracial' and the very term in itself is racist.

So in the final analysis this book does little to help children like myself, who are mutli-culture, and does more to harm then heal.

(...)

Inside Her Head ...
Reading this book made me remember a biracial childhood friend. As young children, we thought of her as no different from the rest of the kids in the neighborhood. However, as we got to high school, people wanted to define her, wanted her to define herself. She didn't. I admired her for that. I always wished I could've felt comfortable enough with her to find out just what was going on inside her head during those times. After reading this book, now I feel that maybe I have a glimpse of that. This book will help anyone who is not biracial have a better understanding of the thoughts and experiences of those who are. ... Read more

Book Description

What was it like to be a pilgrim child in 17th-century Massachusetts? This charming picture book takes young readers back in time to see. For one thing, pilgrim children didn’t go to school. Instead, they helped their parents with chores and played games such as marbles. There were no convenient grocery stores. Pilgrims had to hunt and gather food, then cook their meals on an open fire or in an outdoor oven. Dramatic photos of historical reenactments combine with lively text to give today’s children a vivid sense of daily life in Plymouth colony. Here is a great book for fostering an early interest in history!

Reviews (1)

Good place to start
I use this book in my second grade class to introduce Thanksgiving and our study of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people. The book is published by National Geographic and has stunning photographs taken at the Plimouth Living History Museum. It has simple text (great for 1-3) and gives a nice overview of pilgrim life. My students find this book fascinating... they're intrigued by the pictures and descriptions of a life so different from theirs. One caveat: if you're looking for a book about the "First Thanksgiving" this is not it. Its primary focus is on everyday pilgrim life. Try 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving, instead. ... Read more

Book Description

The New York Public Library
AMAZING U.S. Geography

Follow a chinook over the Rocky Mountains. Trace the course of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Discover where gold is mined and fish are farmed in the United States. Explore our fascinating nation from Alabama to Wyoming, and find answers to all your questions about U.S. geography...

Where is the highest waterfall in the United States?See page 33.
What is a sand sea?See page 40.
Why does California have so many earthquakes?See page 41.
Why are people from new England called Yankees?See page 69.
How many U.S. presidents were born in Ohio? See page 89.
Where did the Santa Fe Trail begin?See page 96.
How large is mammoth Cave in Kentucky?See page 108.
How hot are the Hot Springs in Arkansas?See page 116.

Also in The New York Public Library Answer Books series:

Incredible Earth
Amazing Space
Amazing African American History
Amazing Hispanic American History
Amazing Women in American History
Amazing Mythology
Amazing Explorers
Amazing Scientists
... Read more