Book Review Roundup #18
March 12, 2025
Birds and Their Nests by Olive Earle
Birds and Their Nests by Olive Earle is a fascinating and enriching read, perfect for young naturalists and lovers of classic children’s science literature. Originally published in 1952, this beautifully reprinted edition by Purple House Press brings back an exceptional example of living science books from the Golden Age of Children's Literature. With its engaging writing, rich scientific content, and classic illustrations, this book is an ideal addition to the Purple House Press Nature Library collection.
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas
His job is “of the utmost importance.” When he finds bottles floating in the ocean, he makes sure the letters inside get delivered. He may only have to walk as far as the nearest village, but he may have to “journey until his compass becomes rusty.”
Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams by Katherine Paterson and Sally Deng
Paterson, Katherine. Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams: The Woman Who Rescued a Generation of Children and Founded the World’s Largest Children’s Library. Illustrated by Sally Deng. Chronicle Books, 2025. I’ve never heard of Jella Lepman, and even though I’ve been in the children’s library world for a long time, I am only cursorily familiar with IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People, and the International Youth Library in Munich, the world’s largest library for children’s literature. Nevertheless, since I love children’s books and own a library full of them, of course I was drawn to this true story of a German Jewish woman who fled Germany before World War II and came back to bring “nourishment for the soul” to the German children after the war.
Patsy and the Pup by Hilda van Stockum
Patsy’s mother thinks almost five years old is too young to take care of a puppy. But one day, a sweet pup follows Patsy all the way home. Patsy hopes she can keep him. Unfortunately, the mailman knows the pup belongs to old Mrs. Murphy in the pink cottage on the hill. Mother sends Patsy off to return him right away. In no hurry to get to the cottage, Patsy takes the long way around. Each time the pup leads Patsy into a scrape, she has to explain that the pup isn’t hers...
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer by Emma Bland Smith
As an admirer of Emma Bland Smith’s delightful Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards, I was eager to dive into this delicious offering, The Fabulous Fannie Farmer. It does not disappoint. This inspiring story, paired with sweet and engaging illustrations, invites readers of all ages to explore the life of a remarkable woman who revolutionized the way we think about cooking.
Some Wildflower in My Heart by Jamie Langston Turner
Adult fiction. Having loved two others of Ms. Turner’s books, I saw this one at Half-Price Books and immediately snapped it up. I wondered if it would live up to its predecessors in my reading life, A Garden To Keep and Winter Birds. It did.
However, the book does start out, and proceed, rather slowly, and the narrator’s voice takes some getting used to. Margaret Tuttle is a lunchroom supervisor at Emma Weldy Elementary School. She’s a high school dropout, but very well read and educated, nevertheless. Margaret has decided to spend the three months of her summer vacation writing the story of her growing friendship with a woman named Birdie Freeman. Some Wildflower in my Heart is the story of Margaret and Birdie and of how their friendship changes both of them, but especially Margaret. If you’re a fan of authors Jan Karon or Brett Lott, you might try one of Jamie Langston Turner’s books. Memorable characters living authentically Christian lives in a broken world make for good fiction.
The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell
The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell is a heartwarming story about kindness, inclusion, and unexpected friendships! When Ed & Ann’s Thanksgiving dinner burns, they stumble into an immigrant family’s feast—turning a simple meal into a celebration of community. This reprint from Purple House Press is a treat!
Escargot by Dashka Slater
Finding Escargot is another of those happy library accidents. We picked it up because the little snail on the cover is so cute! The happenstance is even happier because Escargot himself is a delightful character. The sad part is that my daughter wouldn’t let me record her reading the book to her kids in her slightly Clouseau-esque French accent. She had us nearly rolling on the floor.
A Mind of Her Own by Robyn McGrath
Robyn McGrath’s A Mind of Her Own is a delightful and sophisticated picture book biography of Agatha Christie, the queen of mystery. The writing is richly textured, infused with British English expressions and phrasing that bring Christie’s world to life. Nearly every page presents questions to the reader—like carefully placed clues in a mystery novel inviting curiosity and engagement.
Robert the Rose Horse by Joan Heilbroner and P.D. Eastman
Robert the Rose Horse is another one of those old classic beginning readers, published in 1962, back when easy readers were just becoming popular with publishers and in libraries. The book tells the story of Robert, a horse who leaves his country home because he is allergic to roses. Although Robert’s allergy is the central driving plot element of the story, the words “allergy” and “allergic” are never used, of course. Robert sneezes, and the story progresses.
Read Sherry's review of this Picture Book Preschool selection
John Philip Duck by Patricia Polacco
John Philip Duck is an absolute gem of a picture book, showcasing Patricia Polacco’s signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and rich, expressive illustrations. True to her style, the pages are filled with bold colors and dynamic characters, capturing movement and emotion on every page.
Though entirely fictional, Polacco’s tale is inspired by the real-life tradition of the Peabody Hotel’s marching ducks, paying tribute to the dedicated personnel who made it happen.
Leepike Ridge by N. D. Wilson
Just an ordinary boy who ends up in an extraordinary situation with people even more extraordinary; some extraordinarily bad and others extraordinarily courageous. Thence, a story.
My students and I enjoyed Leepike Ridge so much that I don’t want to spoil it for you. I will tell you that the story involves intrigue, desperate treasure seekers, underground caverns, plot twists, danger to life and limb, cowardice, heroism, despicable, and admirable characters.
The Three Brothers of Ur by F.G. Fyson
Published in 1964 in England and honored as runner-up for the British Carnegie Medal, The Three Brothers of Ur is set in ancient Ur, a city that is mentioned three times in the book of Genesis as the city of origin for the patriarch Abraham. The story focuses on Haran, the youngest son of Teresh, who is full of mischief and audacity. As Haran gets into one scrape after another, we get to see many aspects of what can be imagined about life in a Mesopotamian city in pre-2000 B.C. Ten year old Haran is a sometimes truant school boy who finds it difficult to learn all of the Sumerian characters for writing. His father, Teresh, is an autocratic ruler of the household whose word is law. The place of women in the society of those ancient times is limited, and yet the girls in the story–Haran’s sisters, Sarah and Dinah, in particular–are bright and interesting in their own right. The protagonist of the book is Haran, but Shamashazir, Haran’s fourteen year old brother, is the one who is beginning to grope his way toward the idea of a transcendent God, more powerful and relatable than the dingirs and the teraphim that his people and his family worship.
The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco’s The Butterfly is a haunting and deeply moving picture book set in German-occupied France during World War II. Based on the true experiences of Polacco’s aunt Monique and her mother, Marcel Solliliage, the book tells an important story about the heroism of the French Underground and the devastating impact of the Holocaust at a level and in a format that children can understand.
