Allen Say has taken on the subject of an artist whose life was one of neglect and lack of appreciation and yet his gorgeous illustrations and deliberate text bring to life James Castle and remind us that there are talents that cannot be denied even if they are not recognized by others.  Born deaf to a farming family, Castle was considered a dummy and spent a good part of his life living in deplorable isolated conditions.  But he drew.....with spit and charcoal on whatever scraps of paper he could find.  Say's illustrations, often in the style of Castle,  show the deprivation but also the careful insight and make Castle's world very real.  A memorable book.

Once again Tullet delights with an interactive book requiring only your voice, imagination, good will and willingness to follow his very open ended directions. And color adds to the fun with blue the color choice until things get a bit chaotic. Be prepared for a noisey library and hopefully sounds that you didn't expect. Original, creative, child centered and just plain fun.

 With her usual deliberate research, the author presents a detailed biography not just of this interesting woman but also of her time.  Palace intrigues as well as political ones are an important part of her story.  This is a love story, a coming of age story for the young woman and her country, the conflicts between personal goals/dreams and what the role demands. While we all have seen the picture of the stern little old lady this book makes her a flesh and blood young woman who grows old in a difficult role.

A beautiful book in text and illustration.  Lesa Cline-Ransome chooses to begin Harriet's story as an old woman and her husband's illustration reveals her in all of her dignity, courage and resolution.  And then we are taken back in time through all of her many roles as a strong woman fighting for what she believed in and taking care of others as a general, a nurse and a conductor.   The halo behind her head isn't by chance. While there have been other books about Harriet this one is exceptional and should be in every library.

The Wonderling 
by Mira Bartok (Goodreads Author) 

Edie Ching's review

Jun 30, 2017  ·  edit

it was amazing

A book not to be missed. It is Dickensian in flavor, an orphan fox living in deplorable conditions in an orphanage, finally gains a friend (a small wingless bird) who gives him a new name instead of a number, Arthur, and also courage to go outside the walls. He is definitely an "innocent" and is deceived by a Fagin type and almost lured into a life of crime but it is music that "saves" him and which he ultimately saves. The author is ambitious in the number of settings she creates as well as the many characters and all are well realized.....their are hovels, and sewers and cozy tree homes and an elegant mansion. One of the most positive aspects of the book (and there are many) is a final thought that reminds us that even villainous characters once had kind hearts.....I loved every minute I spent with this book.

READING PROGRESS

June 27, 2017 – Finished Reading

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Copy/paste the text below into your blog.A book not to be missed. It is Dickensian in flavor, an orphan fox living in deplorable conditions in an orphanage, finally gains a friend (a small wingless bird) who gives him a new name instead of a number, Arthur, and also courage to go outside the walls. He is definitely an "innocent" and is deceived by a Fagin type and almost lured into a life of crime but it is music that "saves" him and which he ultimately saves. The author is ambitious in the number of settings she creates as well as the many characters and all are well realized.....their are hovels, and sewers and cozy tree homes and an elegant mansion. One of the most positive aspects of the book (and there are many) is a final thought that reminds us that even villainous characters once had kind hearts.....I loved every minute I spent with this book.

READING PROGRESS