Children's Books

A children's book for all ages, this vivid, enchanting alphabet book is packed with fascinating information about historic sites in Boston, Cambridge, and environs. (Lexington, Concord, and Salem are included, as well.)
reviewed:"fun guide for middle school visitors or residents...   This book is a must for any family with young visitors coming to the city of Boston. It will also be of interest to the children of Boston who wish to learn a bit about the city and its history."

Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1867. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. Elizabeth George Speare"s Newbery Award–winning novel portrays a heroine whom readers will admire for her unwavering sense of truth as well as her infinite capacity to love.
reviewed:"A good read for child and adult...   History is rekindled through Kit (I can still remember her name), a young emigrant just come to America to start a new life far from her native Barbados. You see the grey winters, the hard working people whose religion shapes their daily lives, and the fear. Speare brings a small part of reality to life. And that is what is truly missing from so many modern children books. I truly recommend this book to all kids who have a thirst for the past."

Someone has dug up the private garden in the square and taken buckets of dirt, and Miss Angela Chesney of the Garden Committee is sure that a gang of boys from run-down Catford Street must be to blame. But Angela's sister Olivia isn't so sure. Olivia wonders why the neighborhood children - the "sparrows" she sometimes watches from the window of her house - have to be locked out of the garden.
reviewed:"A simple, but heart-wrenching book...   This book, along with The Greengage Summer, The River, and the Battle of the Villa Fiorita are four of her books that are the sort of book you will want to read over and over. "

Howard combines social history and a moral on adapting to change in this story of how one early settler's dream of re-creating the house he left behind in England is blasted to bits by the harsh realities of life in the colonies. It's 1637 and William and his family have just arrived in New England. They set about building a thatched-roof cottage like the one they left behind.
reviewed:"Smashing!    I loved the book! As an adult, I enjoyed the story. It was a great portrayal of early life in New England and the underlying theme of change was well done. I envision the book as a great story to be read to young children as well as a wonderful book for a school age child to read. What a great holiday gift this will be!"

An illustrated history of the New England forests, from colonial days when settlers freely used the trees for warmth and housing to today's tensions between environmentalists and the logging industry. Generously illustrated with black-and-white photos, and capped by a comprehensive glossary plus lists of books and Web sites, this will spark or support a plethora of research projects, as well as give readers a vivid picture of a colorful, now nearly vanished way of life.
Not reviewed.

An interesting addition to the plethora of craft and activity books based on children's literature. This compilation provides a glimpse into the Victorian era, when pleasures were simple, families were close-knit, and homemade fun was a way of life. The chapters evolve from quotes from Little Women and present charming party ideas with recipes, easy projects, and gifts, all using readily available, inexpensive materials.
reviewed:"Delightful book, bursting with ideas...    As a tremendous fan of Louisa May Alcott's works, especially Little Women, I enjoy reading anything related to the novel. Ms. Penner's book contains ideas on crafts, hairstyles, edible treats, games, celebrations, and more, all corresponding to the March sisters' experiences. Although aimed at girls in the 8-12 age range, the book will appeal to anyone young at heart. It is charmingly accented throughout with watercolor illustrations. This book would make a wonderful gift for any girl who loves Little Women and desires to live as the March sisters did."

Two additions to a series of books about unclaimed treasure, each focusing on a different region. The titles are divided by state into chapters that include two or more stories concerning gold, jewels, money, and other valuables. Background about how the fortunes were acquired, buried, or misplaced is given, as are retellings of failed modern attempts to uncover and retrieve them.
Not reviewed.

For centuries, the Great Stone Face has kept silent watch from Cannon Mountain, high above the Pemigewasset River. But who is the onlooker and for whom does he keep vigil? Though from warring tribes, Mohawk maiden Minerwa enchants Chief Pemigewasset, and with their union comes peace for many years. But when Minerwa leaves to visit her dying father, Pemigewasset must stay behind. Denise Ortakales recounts the legend of Chief Pemigewasset, whose steadfast love and devotion to his wife is forever honored in his profile on the mountainside.
Not reviewed.

Netting crabs on the New Jersey shore, ice-boating in Maine, raking for quahogs at low tide along Cape Cod, playing beneath majestic oak trees in Connecticut - these are among the many colorful encounters with nature captured in Stories from Where We Live. For centuries, people have learned about the animals, plants, and places around them from stories passed from generation to generation. This book, the first in a series that will cover the eco-regions of North America, tells about life along the shore from Nova Scotia to Delaware using stories, poems, and excerpts from journals and memoirs. For many kids, a love of nature begins with stories.
Not reviewed.

A story of the human ingenuity needed to turn the Giant Pines of New England into masts for the great British Navy.
reviewed:"Giants in the Land...    I really like this book because all of it is true and it happened where I live. I like to think that the giants once grew where my house is. It is also special that the giants only grew in New England. The story is good to listen to or to read because it is telling real things in a way that is fun to hear. I particularly like the part about having to put smaller trees and branches underneath to keep it from breaking when the giant falls. My Dad and I have cut down small trees it is exciting when they fall. Learning history through books like this is great. "

A delightfully entertaining story of family and culture from acclaimed author Julia Alvarez.

Moving to Vermont after his parents split, Miguel has plenty to worry about! Tía Lola, his quirky, carismática, and maybe magical aunt makes his life even more unpredictable when she arrives from the Dominican Republic to help out his Mami. Like her stories for adults, Julia Alvarez’s first middle-grade book sparkles with magic as it illuminates a child’s experiences living in two cultures.
reviewed:"Very much enjoyed this story!,    I just read and enjoyed this book in one sitting and had to sign on to comment. At first, I was a little unsure if I would like it (the present tense third person was a surprise), but after only a paragraph or so, I was hooked. I won't try to sum up the story (you can read the description for yourself) but only say that Alvarez was spot-on in her descriptions of how it feels to be the child of divorce, how it feels to be Latino, etc. I would also recommend this book to middle-grade boys who like baseball and those readers who don't like an extreme conflict (there are problems for the main character here, but Tia Lola takes care of many of them, and the effect is comforting)."

As the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, Delaware rightfully earned its nickname of "First State." Though small in size, it is a treasure trove of history (Fort Delaware), inventions (the Victrola), and garden wonders (Winterthur). State symbols such as the Blue Hen Chicken and peach blossom speak to the character and traditions that formed the state.
Not reviewed.

From Robert Frost and Sara Josepha Hale to the Old Man of the Mountain and Tuckerman's Ravine - "G is for Granite" shares information on the history, geography, and state symbols of New Hampshire from A to Z.
Mot reviewed.

Located just below the Mason-Dixon line, Maryland is flavored with both northern and southern culture and tradition. Defined by the largest estuary in the United States (The Chesapeake Bay), Maryland's historic sites/sights include capital city Annapolis and the U.S Naval Academy, Muddy Creek Falls, and the running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. Noteworthy residents include Harriet Tubman and Fancis Scott Key.
reviewed:"Beautiful illustrations! Informative too.,    I bought this book for a 2-year-old, but it is definitely for an older child, so I am giving it to a 5-year-old instead. The illustrations are colorful and realistic -- almost photographic in detail. Each letter represents something about Maryland. For instance, E is for Eastern Shore. There is a short verse pertaining to each letter, as well as a side-panel that gives a longer, more detailed explanation about that thing. This is the type of book that should stay in the family library, and can be enjoyed by adults too. If my grandmother were still alive, I would buy it for her, because she had so much Maryland pride."

From the Penobscots, Passamaquoddies, Puritans and Pilgrims, to the proud people "Down East," "L is for Lobster" is the alphabet book for all Mainers. The rhymes and text woven through A to Z teach children about the many wonders of this great vacationland. Maine, where "J" is for Jack-in-the-pulpit, M is for Moose, and N is for New England clam chowder.
reviewed:"Not just another alphabet book,    This delightful book will definitely appeal to young children learning their letters, but perhaps even more so to people of all ages."

In New England this fall, Vermonters will be welcoming its state alphabet book, titled M is for Maple Syrup. With colorful pages that focus the spotlight on the flora and fauna specific to Vermont (and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream), the book utilizes a two-tiered educational format where the rhyming verse appeals to younger readers and the substantive expository text proves an engaging tool for older students. In Vermont this fall, as it always is L is for Lake Champlain and R is for the Red Clover, H is for the Hermit Thrush and D is for Dairy.
reviewed:"An excellent book!,    I am an elementary school teacher and found this book to be a great way to introduce Vermont to my students as part of our fifty states theme unit. We've had fun learning new facts about each of the states and this book, as part of the Discover America Alphabet Series, is an ideal way to share the diversity of our states, their traditions and to learn interesting facts about each one. The pictures in this book are vivid and are great for sharing a special viewpoint of Vermont. The facts are interesting and encourage and promote a child's interest in the state. I highly recommend this book!"

"M is for Mayflower" is a wonderful addition to the state alphabet series from Sleeping Bear Press, as Raven's sparkling verse and illuminating expository text are matched perfectly with Jeannie Brett's bright illustrations. This pictorial celebrates the treasures of the Bay State, and educates as it entertains elementary-aged New Englanders. Older readers will appreciate the guided tour through Massachusett's history, and will learn more about their unique home. Where else could you find John F. Kennedy, Emily Dickinson, and Walden's Henry David Thoreau sharing the spotlight with Roxbury Puddingstones and the Quabbin Rservoir?
reviewed:"One in a great series..., ,    I purchased 'M is for Mayflower' and 'C is for Centennial' for my niece. After reviewing the books, I found that they have several different levels of learning within the illustrations and text that will make these books readable for years to come for her. She seems to like them, and is attracted by the colorful illustrations. Because I live in MA and she lives in CO, she is eager to learn about the place where her auntie is. These books are good, fun learning tools that will help prepare a child for elementary social studies classes."

As one of the 13 original colonies, the state of Connecticut has played a pivotal role in our nation's history- from its Revolutionary War figures such as Nathan Hale to its captains of industry and invention. "N is for Nutmeg" entertains as it informs readers on the history and geography, facts and folklore of Connecticut- learn why Groton is the submarine capital of the world and how Samuel Clemens got his pen name.
reviewed:"Connecticut history for children with beautiful illustrations..., ,    This book is appropriate for every child who lives in Connecticut and for any child who is learning about Connecticut. I believe every child should know about the state they live in. This book is nice to look at and the content is not too long, so it will appeal to many children. "

In this cozy picture book-about a modern-day family in New England collecting sap to make maple syrup- two young brothers take pride in finally being able to help with every step of the sugaring-off process. Nan Rossiter's beautiful illustrations are infused with the light of early spring, and there are woodland animals and birds to spot on every page. An afterword explores the legendary beginnings of sap gathering and broadens the usefulness of the book.
reviewed:"The illustrations of wildlife and the woods are clear and engaging. Each text block is accompanied by a close-up of a bird or animal, often enlarged from the scene on the facing page."

Penelope Balfour and her brother Ted find ways to provide help to the American patriots camped near their Rhode Island farm during the Revolutionary War.
reviewed:"These books are REALLY good.,    I read this series as a child, and I was very happy to see them reprinted, and keeping the all the lovely illustrations intact, too. Now I can buy them when I have children, continuing the tradition."

While visiting her aunt and cousin near Fort Ticonderoga, on the western shore of Lake Champlain, Faith Carew learns a secret about the fort that concerns Ethan Allen's "Green Mountain boys.
reviewed:"Childhood Revisited,    I am 61 years old and I read this series when I was in grade school. I read them over and over and they made a great impression on me. Each story made me feel as though I were a part of history. I admired these young girls and their families so much! I have searched for years to find them and could find no one who had heard of them. I would recommend them for every young girl's library. They teach a lot about honesty, courage, and strength of character in addition to their historical value. I am so thrilled to see these books in print once more."

During the Revolutionary War, eight-year-old Anne Nelson, living in Provincetown on Cape Cod, determines to help the patriots' cause by carrying an important message from Boston to Newburyport.
reviewed:"Cool book!,    Anne Nelson is a little girl in Massachusetts during the Revolution. Her father goes to join the American army so a kind couple take her in. Anne has many adventures. This is a great book! "

Not reviewed.

During the Revolutionary War, Anne Nelson journeys with Indians, is imprisoned, escapes, and helps capture an English privateer.
reviewed:"Loved this book!,    This book continues the story of Anne Nelson, begun in A Little Maid of Provincetown. In this book Anne's exciting adventures during the Revolution continue. I highly recommend this book.

Living in Maryland during the time of the colonies' rebellion against England, Barbara Anne accidentally learns some secrets of the American patriots.
reviewed:"Very good book,    This book tells of the adventures of Barbara Anne, a young girl living in Maryland during the American Revolution. Barbara is lost in the woods when she stumbles upon a secret meeting of Patriots. Even though she is a Patriot they take her for a Tory spy. Barbara Anne keeps their secret so they can let her go home. Later she becomes friends with the daughter of one of the men.