Synopses & Reviews
This fast-paced, high-energy picture book tells the true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who at age nineteen disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War. She took the name Frank Thompson and joined a Michigan army regiment to battle the Confederacy. Sarah excelled as a soldier and nurse on the battlefield. Because of her heroism, she was asked to become a spy. Her story comes to life through the signature illustrations and design of John Hendrix and the exciting storytelling of Marissa Moss.
Praise for Nurse,and#160;Soldier, Spy
and#8220;The incredible story of how Sarah Edmonds becomes Frank Thompson is full of adventure, bravado and pathos. Spirited pen-and-ink drawings, full of period detail and war action always focus on the intriguing Frankand#8230;and#8221; and#8211;San Francisco Chronicle
and#8220;Readers won't stop until the last page of Marissa Moss' exciting Civil War story about Sarah Edmonds' life as a man in the Union Army. Vivid illustrations by artist John Hendrix match Moss' exciting account of Sarah's life in the Army.and#8221; and#8211;Sacramento Beeand#160;
and#8220;Hendrix's artwork is, as usual, a showstopper, and his bold caricatures convey Edmonds's strength and determination. Moss delivers a riveting narrative, making it clear that Edmonds was fighting for more than one kind of freedom.and#8221; and#8211;Publishers Weekly, starred review
and#8220;The focused view makes the book accessible for children. The pen-and-ink with acrylic wash illustrations are full of vibrant detail. Hendrix presents a meticulous view of military life, including army camp layouts and fortifications. Hand-drawn typography highlights important or humorous points in the text and adds even more visual interest.and#8221; and#8211;School Library Journal
and#8220;Hendrixand#8217;s art emphasizes the horror and drama of war. Using hand-lettered text reminiscent of broadsides of the time, he visually shouts danger to the reader when tension is the highest.and#8221; and#8211;Horn Book
and#8220;In ink-and-wash illustrations, Hendrix again displays his knack for visual narrative. The aerial view of Edmonds approaching the Confederate camp is particularly effective. This large-format picture book illustrates Edmondsand#8217; courage and determination while conveying a good deal of information in a highly readable way.and#8221; and#8211;Booklist
and#8220;Admirable and enlightening. Moss is a lively prose writer, and Hendrixand#8217;s illustrations inject humor into what is actually a serious subject.and#8221; and#8211;The New York Times
and#8220;Boldly illustrated. The text is full of interesting details. This book strikes a fine balance which conveys the horrors of the Civil War without portraying too much blood and violence for elementary readers. A very useful and researchable picture book.and#8221; and#8211;Library Media Connection, starred review
Synopsis
In this humorous twist on a classic tale, Paul Bunyan and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox, leave life on the farm to work for a logger who pays them with their favorite thing: pancakes! Paul and Babe tromp across the country with the logger, filling valleys with pancake batter (forming the Rocky Mountains) and chasing down pancakes blown away by the wind (creating the Grand Canyon). But when Babe starts to feel sick from eating too many pancakes, the two realize that maybe the farm, with its variety of foods, is really the best place for them after all.
The engaging typography and illustrations, combined with the humorous and lighthearted tone, show kids the importance of eating their veggies without giving heavy-handed lessons. An authorand#8217;s note explains the origins of the Paul Bunyan story.
Praise for Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure
"Cheerful gouache illustrations, which appear to be partly influenced by 1920s animated cartoons and contemporary street art, bounce with energy, driving the story forward as their adventures unfold...The inclusion of colorful, hand-lettered text adds emphasis and acts as a balance to the art."
and#151;Kirkus Reviews
"Newcomer Luckhurstand#8217;s manic gouache artwork and hand-lettered typography grab attention in this pancake-themed twist on the Paul Bunyan legend...The sheer voltage of Luckhurstand#8217;s artworkand#151;Robert Neubecker by way of Robert Crumband#151;makes this a notable debut, one whose boisterous display type lends itself to noisy readalouds."
and#151;Publishers Weekly
"Luckhurstand#8217;s gouache-on-paper artwork is bright and bold, and the text works well as a storytime read-aloud. As one would expect, the author takes the exaggerated and hyperbolic aspects of this tale and uses them to great effect."
and#151;School Library Journal
"The cartoonlike, folksy gouache-and-paper illustrations are fitting for the larger-than-life story, and the hand-lettered typeface adds extra oomph."
and#151;Booklist
Awards:
RECOMMENDED - Parents' Choice Award Winner, Picture Books
New York Public Libraryand#8217;s Children's Books 2012: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing list
The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens - Spring 2013
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Synopsis
Published on the 150th anniversary of John Brownand#8217;s raid on Harpers Ferry, this biography explores the life of one of American historyand#8217;s most controversial figures. A great deal of academic study has been published recently about John Brown. This is the first book for young readers to include these new attitudes and research.
and#160;
In the late 1850s, at a time when many men and women spoke out against slavery, few had the same impact as John Brown, the infamous white abolitionist who backed his beliefs with unstoppable action. His dedication to freeing the American slaves made him one of the most recognizable leaders in the liberation movement to end slavery.
and#160;
Told through engaging, thoughtful narration and bold, dynamic illustrations, John Brown: His Fight for Freedom is a fitting reminder that all men and women are created equal, and that some things are worth fighting for. The book includes an authorand#8217;s note, a bibliography, and an index.and#160;FandP level: U
Synopsis
In early-nineteenth-century New England, folks considered a clean chin a sign of godliness. Born into this buttoned-up, strict society, Joseph Palmer stood out from childhood as someone who liked to do things his own way. A friend to Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Alcotts, Palmer lived by his own code and grew a belly-flowing beard that made his neighbors so crazy that they tried forcibly to shave him. He fought back and ended up in prison for a year. His cause became a local sensation, and a few short decades later a president of the United Statesand#8212;Abraham Lincolnand#8212;would wear a beard.and#160;
Narrated with the charm of a tall tale, this true story celebrates the long American history of nonconformity and encourages children to question social rules they may take for granted.
Praise for Quite Contrary Man
and#8220;She [Hyatt] cleanly lays out a morality tale that could prompt a healthy civics lesson. Brown's arch illustrations, in watercolor with pen and ink, nicely capture 19th-century New England.and#8221;and#160;
and#8211;Kirkus Reviewsand#160;
and#8220;Brownand#8217;s warmhued watercolors reiterate the folk yarn feel with rustic touches. A spirited introduction to an iconoclastic 19th-century activist.and#8221; and#8211;Publishers Weekly
About the Author
John Hendrix lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife and two children, and teaches illustration at Washington University. He has won numerous awards for his drawings, and his illustrations have been featured in the New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. This is his first childrenand#8217;s book that he has both written and illustrated. He illustrated Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale, which was named an ALA Notable Book. Visit his Web site at www.johnhendrix.com.