Submitted by Ms. Allana!
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble. “There was a man who dearly loved his horse. But when the man died the horse was no longer cared for, and was continually passed from one person to another.” This book is written and illustrated by Paul Goble, who won the Caldecott medal for his book The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses. Goble, who grew up in England, has a special interest in the culture and history of the Plains Indians. The bond he feels is clearly portrayed in this wonderful telling of a Pawnee legend about an abandoned and unloved horse that is taken in and cared for by a poor young Pawnee boy who lives with his grandmother. One day the horse speaks to the boy, and guides him to a great victory, but because the boy did not heed a warning given by the horse, he is struck by tragedy. This book is suitable for elementary school aged children who may be beginning to learn about the culture and history of America. See this book listed in our catalog
History
Ruth and the Green Book
Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Ruth and her parents are taking Ruth’s first road trip, in their first car, from Chicago to Alabama. During the 1950’s, most African Americans couldn’t afford to own a car, so this will be an adventure for Ruth and her parents! It feels funny to Ruth, to see her neighborhood disappear as they drive out of Chicago. Unfortunately, Ruth and her family find out that black travelers are not welcome in many service stations, hotels, or towns, and that they can be turned away due to the “Jim Crow” laws. They have a few bad experiences in places where they are not welcome, and have to spend the night sleeping in their car. Eventually, Ruth and her family are lucky enough to meet a friendly attendant at an Esso station, who shows them a book called “The Negro Motorist Green Book.” It provides a list of places that black travelers can go that will welcome them, and their business. Ruth and her parents are very relieved to have a guide book to help them make a safe journey to Grandma’s house. This story contains factual information about “The Green Book” and how it helped African Americans travel more safely. See this book listed in our catalog
Lily’s Victory Garden
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins
14 Cows for America
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This book immediately caught my eye and I couldn’t help but stop what I was doing (at work) and thumb through the pages. I’m pretty sure that the emotional impact of it will affect anyone who reads the book, or has it read to them. It may not be suitable for a very young child, but younger children, adolescents, and grown-ups alike will feel the power and the overwhelming message of caring, understanding, and compassion that this wonderful book conveys. The Maasai Tribe live in a remote part of Kenya, but not so remote that the sad news of the September 11th attacks doesn’t eventually reach their ears. As the tragic events of that day are reported, the decision is made to hold a special ceremony to honor the United States, during which the Massai will pledge their most precious commodity to the USA: a small herd of cows. This is a basic synopsis, because the way the story is described, and the amazing art work in the book itself, requires no major build up. If it doesn’t leave you with tears in your eyes, it will at least give you chills, the kind of chills you experience when moved by something extraordinary. See this book listed in our catalog
Our Children Can Soar
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook, with illustrations by a variety of talented artists, is an excellent book for Black History Month, or any time of year you want to have a conversation with your child about the monumental achievements of African Americans throughout our country’s history. Beginning with the buffalo soldiers of the civil war, and ending with the election of Barack Obama and a promise of hope for the future, it features such heroes as George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens, Ruby Bridges, Ella Fitzgerald, and Thurgood Marshall, who all lead the way to inspire generations after them to dream and succeed. This is an upliftifting and powerful book, that may even bring tears to your eyes! See this book listed in our catalog