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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

Witness to Hope

The Biography of Pope John Paul II
Book cover: Witness to Hope
Author(s): 
George Weigel
Number of pages: 
992 pages
Copyright: 
1999
ISBN: 
9780060187934
Publisher: 
Cliff Street Books/Harper Collins
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Pope John Paul II
Biographies
Review: 

In what is being widely hailed as the definitive biography of Pope John Paul II, faithful Roman Catholic theologian and journalist George Weigel presents a thorough look at Pope John Paul II from the inside. With a rich complement of Polish history and in-depth coverage of the Holy Father's cultural, philsophical and spiritual background, he portrays a vivid and accurate picture of who the Pope really is and what he's trying to accomplish (and has already accomplished) as the Vicar of Christ. A long and moderately difficult read (the base text is about 850 pages followed by approximately 150 pages of footnotes, appendices and a thorough index) it's the sort of book that would not be required reading for every high school student, but would make excellent reading for those brave enough to attempt it and required reading for adults trying to understand where the Holy Father comes from. The book touches upon many major issues and events of the 20th century (including World War II and the fall of Communist Russia) as well as an in-depth look at the history and culture of Poland going back many centuries. Includes 32 pages of photographs (the more recent ones in full color).

Click here for a review of this book written by Cardinal Avery Dulles (from First Things)

Widely available used and in bookstores and discount stores everywhere as well as the sources listed below. The audio book is excellent as well.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
4-17-01

Wooden Pattern Blocks

Book cover: 'Wooden Pattern Blocks'
Subject(s): 
Math
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Review: 

These beautiful wooden blocks are about 1/8th of an inch thick and come in six different shapes (each shape is a different color).They can be fitted together to make beautiful patterns and designs. We've been using them for many years and they've been a hit with every one of my children. They're fun and beautiful and promote fine-motor skills, eye-hand coordination (intricate patterns can be too frustrating to really young children) and visualization and thinking skills. One way I use them with my kindergarteners is this: the child and I will each start a pattern or design and then switch so that the other one has to finish it. The wooden set has such a nice feel to it - playing with it is so relaxing and peaceful for young children (especially while you're trying to work on academics with older siblings.

Available in various materials, sizes and quantities - we prefer the wooden set.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

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