Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

When the American colonists decided to rebel against British rule in the hopes of becoming an independent country, many men left their homes to join General Washington and the Continental Army.  Most of these volunteers were young men and older boys.  There was one important exception to this unwritten rule and his name was Christopher Ludwick.  He was born in Germany, learned to be a baker, spent time in the Austrian and Prussian armies, and eventually settled in Philadelphia and married.  In Philadelphia he became a successful and generous baker.  When the American Revolution began he wanted to help defend the new country he loved.  Some people thought he was too old to help the Continental Army, but George Washington had a special job that only Christopher could do.  Not only would Christopher become one of the main bakers for the entire Continental Army, but Christopher could speak in German to the soldiers who were hired by the British king to fight the colonists.  As a result, many of these Hessian soldiers decided to change sides and join the Continental Army.  Christopher Ludwick is a little known American hero who more people should learn about.  To learn more about Christopher Ludwick visit http://www.immigrantentrepreneurship.org/entry.php?rec=175.

enormous SMALLNESS: A Story of E. E. Cummings

enormous SMALLNESS: A Story of E. E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Kris DiGiacomo

In October of 1894 a baby was born to a family in Massachusetts.  He was named Edward Cummings after his father, but his family called him Estlin.  It was the dawn of a new century and there was new art and technology all around the world to fascinate a young boy. But, with everything around him, he was still interested in simpler things like birds and nature. Even at a young age he would describe what he saw and how he felt in such a beautiful way that his mother started writing his thoughts on paper when he was only three.  He graduated from college with a degree in literature, but before he could really concentrate on his future career he joined the military where he was sent to France as an ambulance driver during World War I.  After the war he remained in France for a few years, but when he was done experiencing Europe he moved back home.  He settled in New York City where he began writing.  He experimented with different forms of poetry.  Some people didn't know what to make of his style, but many people loved his new style of expression.  As time went on he went from being known as Estlin Cummings to e. e. cummings, one of the most famous and influential poets in 20th Century America.  If you are interested in learning more about e. e. cummings then visit http://www.biography.com/people/ee-cummings-9263274 or http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/146466/E-E-Cummings.  

Shared by Mrs. Manore at Orenda

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog by Former Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter and photographs by Dan

Dion

Everyday dogs help people with their lives.  Some dogs help the blind, some dogs help people in wheelchairs, some dogs work with the police, and some dogs help soldiers who have come home from wars with injuries.  Tuesday is one of these dogs.  Every day he helps Luis complete everyday tasks.  These tasks are what some people would consider easy; tasks like getting out of bed, traveling to and from work, and talking to others.  This may sound easy, but without Tuesday Luis would have a very hard time.  Tuesday makes life easier.  To learn more about Tuesday visit, http://www.tuesdaytucksmein.com.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Ball

Ball by Mary Sullivan

Balls are great fun, especially if you are a dog that has a special girl to play with every day.  But, what happens when the little girl is no longer available?  Who will play ball with the dog?  Will it be the mother, the baby, the cat, or worse yet...will he be forced to play by himself?  Oh no, what will the dog do?  IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!  To learn more about Mary Sullivan visit, http://www.marysullivan.com.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine

Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

What would you do if you loved to swim, but no one was supposed to see you in a bathing suit?  Well, this was the problem for Queen Victoria.  During the 1800s women, especially the Queen of England, were expected to be very proper in their looks and their behaviors.  It would have been very inappropriate for any woman to be seen wearing a bathing suit.  But, Queen Victoria loved to swim.  Luckily for her she had her own knight (err, prince) in shining armor to help with this problem.  To learn more about Queen Victoria's bathing machine visit, http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/osborne/beach/queen-victoria.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

Have you ever watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?  Did you like the music, the floats, the balloons?  Did you ever wonder why this parade (and very few others) uses balloons?  Who came up with the idea of using balloons?  That person was Tony Sarg, a well know puppeteer from Europe who was encouraged by R. H. Macy.  Tony Sarg helped with the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 1924.  But, there weren’t any giant balloons in this first parade.  Instead, there were real animals from the Central Park Zoo.  Soon after, Mr. Macy gave Tony Sarg a new challenge for the parade.  Replace the live animals!  We know that today’s parade has huge balloons, but how did a puppeteer go from marionettes hanging below strings to balloons floating above strings?  To learn more about Tony Sarg visit, http://www.michenermuseum.org/bucksartists/artist.php?artist=234.   Or, to find more interesting books by Melissa Sweet visit, http://melissasweet.net/.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill Elmurry

Once, a long time ago there lived a little girl named Katherine Olivia Sessions.  Katherine lived at a time when little girls were supposed to behave, stay quiet, not play in the woods, and just be PROPER.  But, even though it was the 1860s, Katherine was allowed to ask questions, play in the woods, and eventually even attend college.  Katherine loved nature and especially plants.  In 1881 she became the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science.  Her first job was in San Diego, a desert town.  What would she do?  To learn more about Katherine Olivia Sessions and what she did for San Diego visit, http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bio/sessions/sessions.htm or http://womensmuseumca.org/hall-of-fame/kate-sessions.

Shared by Mrs. Manore from Orenda

Larf

 

Larf is a Sasquatch. His life is filled with everyday situations, eating breakfast, taking his bunny Eric for walks, and cleaning his house. But being a Sasquatch - the only Sasquatch- is a lonely life. When Larf sees a television ad for a circus exhibit featuring the one and only Sasquatch, he knows he must go. He decides to set out for a trip with Eric in his backpack in hopes of never feeling alone again. Ashley Spires' picture book, Larf, is a wonderful story about what it means to feel like the only one of your kind in the great big world. Beautifully illustrated and little quirky this is a great book for a summer time read. 

Cupcake

We all want to be unique and known for something that is different about us.  Cupcake thinks he is special until he realizes that he does not stand out in his cupcake family, especially next to his cupcake brothers and sisters like Chocolaty Chocolate Cupcake, Happy-Face Cupcake, and Fancy Flower- Top cupcake.  Things start to change for Cupcake when he meets a new friend, Candle, who also feels inferior to his candle family. Together they brainstorm and try different creative ways to make them stand out.  You might be surprised in how they end up finding their own place in their ‘Journey to Special!’

Reviewed by Mrs. Ziter at Karigon

Bedtime Is Canceled

The note read ‘Bedtime is canceled.’  Maggie thought of it.  Her brother wrote it, but they never thought anyone would actually BELIEVE it.  When word spread that bedtime was in fact cancelled, everyone celebrated and enjoyed their free night, not realizing the consequences that could happen from a night without sleep.  See what happens when moms, dads, and teachers miss a night a sleep in this fun and clever book Bedtime is Canceled by CeCe Meng!

Reviewed by Mrs. Ziter at Karigon

The Day the Crayons Quit

Crayons have feelings too!  Duncan learned this the hard way one day when his crayons went on strike.  Duncan reached into his desk to use his crayons, and found a stack of letters from each one of them instead.  The crayons just wanted to be heard.  Like purple who likes to be neat and just wants Duncan to stay inside the lines, and gray who is fed up with coloring LARGE animals all by himself.  And of course there is the heated debate between yellow and orange over who is the one true color of the sun.  What will Duncan do to make the crayons happy and get them to go back happily back to their work ?  Read The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt to find out!

Reviewed by Mrs. Ziter at Karigon

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an eating utensil?  How different your life would be compared to all of the other members in the silverware drawer?  Well this is Spoon’s reality.  He thinks his life as a spoon is pretty boring.  Knives live an exciting life of cutting and spreading.  Forks get to go everywhere and are so useful to everyone.  Even Chopsticks live an exciting and exotic life as a team!  Through meeting new friends, Spoon learns from them about all the things that are so exciting about being a spoon.  Read Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal to find out!

Reviewed by Mrs. Ziter from Karigon

The Purple Kangaroo by Michael Ian Black

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

A mind-reading monkey tries to guess what you, "the reader" are thinking. The monkey guesses wrong and a purple kangaroo pops out on the page. But wait till you get to the end of this book. Maybe the monkey isn't so wrong after all. If you like stories by author, Mo Willems, you will definitely love this one. If you haven't read any of Willems' books, be sure to check them out along with The Purple Kangaroo.

Socksquatch by Frank W. Dormer

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Socksquatch is a big, hairy beast that is looking for just the right kind of sock to warm his cold foot. First he sees Wayne, but all he has is fur. Frank has one but it's too big for Socksquatch. Socksquatch throws a tantrum. Martin tries to help but can't. Will the Damsel, who is in distress herself, be able to save Socksquatches' toes from the cold.

Monday is One Day by Arthur A. Levine

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

A countdown of days begin. Moms and dads all over have a busy work week. They can't wait for the weekend so they can spend all day with their kids. Saturdays and Sundays are the best days. But everyday is an "I love you" day in this book.

Mini Racer by Kristy Dempsey

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

A unique selection of animals and their interesting vehicles make their way toward the finish line. They pass through some obstacles like hills, winding, streets, bumpy roads. Some wipe out and lose their place, while others are determined to surge forward and win the race. They make a pit stop for gas and engine checks just like they would in the Dayton 500. You will be surprised to see which animal win this race. Can you guess who? No speeding before reading!

Kazaak by Sean Cassidy

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Rupert shows Spike the benefits of being a porcupine with quills. When his spiky tail swings, it make the sound "Kazaak!" Rupert pierces fruit with his quills, he shows Spike how to camouflage himself and protect himself from bear. But what happens when all his quills are gone? Oh, no, here comes bear! What will Rupert do to stop Bear from eating him? Will Spike be eaten too?

How to Hug by Maryann McDonald

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

The message is sweet and simple in this book about hugging. It teaches the proper and polite ways to hug. A person can get a hug when they are happy or sad. It's also okay to say no to a hug. But once you give a hug, one may be returned to you. You will hug this book because you will love it!

Ferret Fun by Karen Rostoker-Gruber

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Two ferrets, Fudge and Einstein, get a cat visitor named Marvel at their house. Marvel thinks they are rats and taunts them. She would LOVE to eat them. As she opens her cage to make them her tasty meal, the ferret's owner, Andrea ruins her plan. The ferrets wonder what they should do and a plan begins to hatch. Marvel is lured into the closet and when boxes fall on her, she runs out scared. Will Fudge and Einstein ever become friends with Marvel? Read and find out.

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again, by Juliana and Isabella Hatkoff

Reviewed by Mrs. Bailey at Okte

Everyone who saw this book at Okte just loved it! It was so popular that many of the children who wanted to read it out never got to--it was always checked out!

Winter is an Atlantic bottle nosed dolphin who lost his tail in an accident. A special prosthetic, or artificial tail, was made for him to see if he could ever swim like the other dolphins again. Winter surprised everyone with his ability to adapt to his artificial tail and the determination he showed to learn how to use it during his training sessions.

This picture book is filled with wonderful photos of Winter and the special conservationists who rescued him and the aquatic veterinarians who nursed him back to health.