No name

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Book cover: 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit'
Author(s): 
Judith Kerr
Number of pages: 
191 pages
Copyright: 
1971
Publisher: 
Penguin
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
Europe
Life during World War II
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
High School
Review: 
A well-written and engaging account, based on the author's experiences of a young (non-religious) Jewish girl and her family who escape from Germany in the 1930s and live for a time in Switzerland and then France before finally moving on to England. We see the escalation of Hitler's Germany from somewhat of a distance and the struggles of a displaced family trying to stay out of Hitler's reach (the father was a well-known writer who eventually has a price put on his head by Hitler). A worthwhile read, probably of more interest to girls than boys, and suitable for independent reading for mid grade-school and up.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1-12-01

Whigs and Tories

An American Revolution Reading List
Author(s): 
Elizabeth Yank
Number of pages: 
42 pages
Copyright: 
2000
Publisher: 
Ita Pater Publications
Binding: 
Loose-leaf (binder-ready)
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
American Revolution Era
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
General Resource
Review: 

This is an extensive reading list, from a Catholic perspective, on materials relating to or taking place at the same time as the American Revolution. The extensive introduction gives tips and ideas for studying the revolution, choosing books, and how to proceed. The list is broken up into the following categories: Grades K-3 Series, Grades K-3 Individual Titles, Grades 3-6 Series, Grades 3-6, Individual Titles, Grades 5-Up Series, Grades 5-Up Individual Titles, Grades 7-Up Series, Grades 7-Up Individual Titles and Grades 10-Up Individual Titles. Many of the titles include short descriptions and hundreds of books are covered. This resource also includes a Timeline of the American Revolution, books about contemporary figures (such as Blessed Junipero Serra), a list of "Prominent Catholics in the American Revolution" – an essay about Catholicism during the American Revolution, and a listing of good Catholic textbooks and Reference books that cover the American Revolution. The Appendix lists companies that sell those books (currently in print) that are recommended in this resource.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
8-8-2000

Who Carved the Mountain?

The Story of Mount Rushmore
Author(s): 
Jean L. S Patrick
Illustrator(s): 
Renee Graef
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2005
ISBN: 
9780975261743
Publisher: 
Mount Rushmore History Association
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

Our family was delighted to visit Mount Rushmore recently, along with several other Love2Learn families. Since we live in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore books have prominent and permanent displays in our library system's many branches. Who Carved the Mountain saw the inside of our weekly library bag many times and became our favorite Mount Rushmore picture book. When I saw the warm, familiar cover at the Mount Rushmore gift shop's window, I could not resist it: I went inside resolutely and by the time I came out, our family was the proud owner of a copy of this beautifully illustrated volume!

Who Carved the Mountain features the many people associated with Mount Rushmore in attractive, friendly and educational double-spread pages. There are twelve of these, depicting Doane Robinson who first thought of the project, artist Borglum, the four presidents, the project's workers and more. Pictured in warm colors and rich in detail, they are also described in verse and on an interesting-tidbits-full sidebar. The text on each page is just enough, providing both brief enough descriptions and meaty enough content. The verses are told in a first person perspective:

The Pointer 

I am the pointer 
I make the marks on the mountain

First, I work in Borglum’s studio 
I measured the models of our presidents 
And I multiplied each number by twelve.

I loved the math, the complicated math. 
The mouths would be eighteen feet wide!

Next I climbed Mount Rushmore. 
With a pointing machine and a paintbrush 
I marked measurements on the rock.

The workers knew exactly where to drill 
Because I made the marks on the mountain.

Who drilled the holes in the mountain?

Each set of verses lead up to next person to be described: the stone carver, the "power man", the presidents, Borglum and his son--they are all there. The sidebars offer a biographical sketch and curious and interesting facts about each one. Illustrator Renee Graef, known to Catholic homeschoolers as the Laura Ingalls' picture books illustrator who captured so well the original Garth Williams pictures, and from Melissa Wiley's books' covers, did a fabulous job bringing the feeling of the Black Hills to her illustrations, as well as the historical and complex technical details of the carving. Her portraits of the four presidents sitting by their desks are also warm, rich and just lovely to enjoy.

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
1-30-2008

Wild Animals Coloring Book

Book cover: Wild Animals Coloring Book
Author(s): 
John Green
Number of pages: 
48 pages
Copyright: 
1987
ISBN: 
9780486254760
Publisher: 
Dover
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Animal Life
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Review: 

A very nice, detailed and academic-oriented coloring book for learning about wild animals. In addition to beautiful line drawings of 47 different animals from around the world, the text provides common and scientific names and details about appearance, location, habits, size, etc. The index includes both common and scientific names as well, for easy look-up. Illustrations are royalty free (within certain conditions) and may be copied for use within your family.

Dover offers a couple of examples of how the finished images might look:

Examples of colored pages from this book.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
4-4-01

William Shakespeare's The Tempest

Author(s): 
Marianna Mayer (adapted by)
Illustrator(s): 
Lynn Bywaters
Copyright: 
2005
Subject(s): 
Literature
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
Unequalled, lavish artwork on two-page spreads include inset text boxes that incorporate the story into the art. The plot is written in prose, although the more difficult vocabulary is more appropriate for upper elementary and older students. Richly detailed illustrations capture the reader’s attention, telling the story without words. If you intend to introduce The Tempest, this version is not to be missed! You can view some preview pages from this book at Google Books.
Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
1-26-2009

Winter Danger

Author(s): 
William O. Steele
Number of pages: 
183 pages
Copyright: 
1954
Publisher: 
Harcourt - Odyssey
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
19th century
United States
Pioneer
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Review: 
This is a somewhat unusual, but highly rewarding story of a half-wild woodsman (who "lived by the woods. He had no trade, he couldn't farm a lick or keep a store or run a tavern. All he knew to do was follow the bear and deer through the woods and sleep in caves and hollow trees.") and his eleven year old son Caje. Caje and his father travel through the wilderness - living off the land and escaping from unfriendly Indians. Although Caje would love to settle down in a real house among civilized people, his father is happier in the woods and frets about being "beholden to others". In the past Caje traveled with both of his parents throughout the warmer seasons and they all settled down in an abandoned house or with relatives during the winter. Now that Caje's mother has died, though, his father wants to stick to the wilds, even through the winter. They begin seeing signs, though, that the winter will be particularly bad and decide to go stay with Caje's aunt and uncle. Disgusted with "soft" living and feeling out of place, Caje's father leaves to spend the winter on his own. Now Caje is in an awkward position - he has the home and company he has so long desired, but lacks the skills to earn his keep (as he sees it). The winter gets really harsh as record cold spells and lack of good hunting take their toll on the family. The situation becomes more desperate when the family cow is killed by a hungry panther and Caje's uncle is seriously injured in a fall. Caje worries more and more that he is taking food away from the family, until he finally discovers how he can help the family out. Even after this great help he provides, he comes to realize that it isn't tallying up what we do for each other that really matters.

As an adventure and historical tale, this is a great read, but it offers a deeper level too. The story touches upon some very essential points about the purpose of civilization, family and loving one's neighbor. This is a fairly easy read for 2nd or 3rd grade and up but would also make a great read-aloud.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
6-5-02

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