|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Big Cheese For the White House: The True Tale of the Tremendous Cheddar |
||
A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers, (1999) Deborah Hopkinson, Illus. by Raúl Colón. Atheneum, ISBN 0-689-81062-8. Deborah Hopkinson has an eye for unique bits of history and bringing it to our attention through fiction picture books. In this story, we learn about Fisk University, the first university for former slaves, started in 1866. The Jubilee Singers were instrumental in the survival of the school. A great story to add to our rich history in America.
A Big Cheese For the White House: The True Tale of the Tremendous Cheddar, (1999) Candace Fleming, Illus. by S. D. Schindler. DK Publishing, ISBN 0-7894-2573-4. The town of Cheshire, Massachusetts was known for its cheese. At least they thought they were famous until they got wind that the White House was using Norton, Connecticut cheese. Not to be outdone by the folks from Norton, Cheshire residents banded together and made the largest cheese and presented it to President Jefferson as a New Year's gift. The cheese weighed in at 1235 lbs. and was said to have lasted over four years.
A Shaker's Dozen: Counting Book, (1999) Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen & Paul Rocheleau. Chronicle Books, ISBN 0-8118-2299-0. This informative picture book shares Shaker handiwork including tools, clothing, dolls and furniture; photos of Shaker brothers, sisters and children; and a glimpse of a Shaker house. Even though the book appears in a counting book format, the information has applications for older students and adults interested in learning about Shaker culture.
Abe Lincoln and Me, (1999) Louise Borden, Illus. by Ted Lewin. Scholastic, ISBN 0-590-45714-4. This is a great book promoting self-esteem. A young boy shares the same birthday as Abe Lincoln. He also learns that he shares several other characteristics that Abe had, but despite all their likenesses there still is nobody that can be like Abe nor like him.
Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride, (1999) Pam Munoz Ryan, Illus. by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, ISBN 0-590-96075-X. This is a work of fiction, but is based on an actual night flight that Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt took on April 20, 1933. The story portrays two wonderful heroines of this century as adventurous risk takers and humanists in other ways. Ryan and Selznick do such a marvelous job on the story and pictures that you feel like you are there as guests for the dinner and flight.
Brandi's Braids, (1999) Antonio Hernández Madrigal, Illus. by Tomie dePaola. Putnam, ISBN 0-399-23212-5. A very tender story from Michoacán, Mexico. The Tarascan women were known for their beautiful hair. Buyers from the north would come every year to purchase their hair. It took a big sacrifice for the women to sell their hair. Mostly it was done out of hardship and need for money. This is such a story about a young girl who sells her hair to help her family.
Civil War Artist, (1999) Taylor Morrison. Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0-395-91426-4. The character and story are a work of fiction, however, Morrison wrote this book as a tribute to all the Civil War sketch artists who remain unidentified. They, along with the newspaper companies who may have employed them preserved an important part of US history.
Gold Fever, (1999) Verla Kay, Illus. by S. D. Schindler. Putnam, ISBN 0-399-23027-0. Jasper, a farmer living along the trail to gold country, catches gold fever one day. He leaves his family behind to make a fortune. Near death adventures along the way combined with the the realities of searching for gold causes Jasper to realize things aren't exactly what the rumors indicated. There's no place like home.
Granddaddy's Street Songs, (1999) Monalisa DeGross, Illus. by Floyd Cooper. Hyperion, ISBN 078682132-9. "Granddaddy...tell me a story about long ago, when things weren't like they are today." The opening line had me hooked! Roddy learns about his Granddaddy's adventures as a street vendor. He loaded the horse drawn cart with fruits and vegetables and pedaled his load by singing beautiful street songs on his route.
My Dear Noel: The Story of a Letter from Beatrix Potter, (1999) Jane Johnson. Dial, ISBN 0-8037-2050-5. This is part of the story behind Beatrix Potter and her books that have become classics. It was around 1895 that she wrote the first version of The Tale of Peter Rabbit as a letter to Noel Moore. Potter continued to write stories for Noel's siblings and in 1902 The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published.
Night Golf, (1999) William Miller, Illus. by Cedric Lucas. Lee & Low Books, ISBN 1-880000-79-2. This story is a work of fiction, however, this book provides an important historical perspective on African American involvement with golf. In the past, African Americans were denied access to play golf on most courses. Some folks ingeniously beat the discriminating rule by playing at night. This story is about such a happening. Miller also added a section with African American historic milestones in the sport of golf. A good book for all audiences.
Our Neighbor is a Strange, Strange Man, (1999) Tres Seymour, Illus. by Walter Lyon Krudop. Orchard Books, ISBN 0-531-30107-9. This book has possibilities for old and young audiences. You may have been told that the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk were the first to fly a human powered airplane. This story sets the record straight and gives the credit to Melville Murrell, creator of the very first human-powered airplane to take flight.
Taking Charge, (1999) Sonia Levitin, Illus. by Cat Bowman Smith. Orchard, ISBN 0-531-30149-4. This hilarious story is one that is sure to bring a smile to older siblings and mothers. Amanda, a proud and feisty heroine, from Levitin and Smith's prequels, Nine for California and Boom Town, is left in charge of the household when her mother must return to Missouri to help grandma. As you might suspect things get out of control and Amanda must use her wits and creative side to keep the household rolling.
The Cowboy ABC, (1999) Chris Demarest, DK Publishing, ISBN 0-7894-2509-2. Cowboys are synonymous with the West. And in some places today you can still find them riding the ranges. This nifty alphabet book provides a glimpse of those buckaroos, their work and the terrain. A good book to add to your westward movement theme, occupations, or cowboy lifestyles.
True Heart, (1999) Marissa Moss, Illus. by C. F. Payne. Silver Whistle, ISBN 0-15-201344-X. This is a picture book that portrays a vital part of history that is missing from written accounts. Women were part of railroad history and all that we have to prove this are photos, which served as the inspiration for Moss to write this story. As in many of Moss' other books, the women are portrayed in strong roles and in this fictionalized story, sixteen year old Bee becomes the first female to drive the train. This book is a good one to use with older students, too.