Here is the story of the wonderfully funny writer who brought us Tacky the Penguin, Hooway for Wodney Wat, and so many other great picture books. Helen shares her earliest writing experiences, and tells us about writing children's books, including the hard parts. Read this book, and meet the writer behind the stories!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0618260102

ISBN-13: 9780618260102

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Benjamin Franklin is probably 'America's Favorite Founding Father,' but how did he get there? David Adler draws a detailed and authentic portrait of this great man, illustrated with prints and maps from Franklin's time. When he was young, he signed his name 'B. Franklin, Printer' - that is how he most identified himself. You will learn that, not only was Franklin an inquiring scientist, inventor and statesman, but he also had a wry sense of humor, often writing sly letters to his own newspaper under a false name. You will also learn about his very interesting habits, like taking 'air baths' every day. As an original 'nerd,' he may sound like someone you know.

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 2/18/2011

ISBN-10: 0823416755

ISBN-13: 9780823416752

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Young Babe Ruth could hit harder and run faster than any kid in Baltimore! But keeping out of trouble is a little difficult for Babe. In this book, you'll get a glimpse of what George(Babe) Ruth was like as a child. Loosing his friend's baseball when he hits it through a kitchen window, taking a dollar out of his father's tavern, and spending money that is not his own, are just some of the antics that have his parents wondering ,'What will become of our Babe?' This story will really hit a HOME RUN with the beginning reader!

Similar authors: David A. Adler

Similar books: Baseball Brothers by Jean, Dan and Dave Marzollo; The Babe and I by David A. Adler; Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth by Robert Burleigh

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0689855303

ISBN-13: 9780689855306

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Bass Reeves was born as a slave in the early 1840's and was well-known as a sharp-witted and good-natured youngster. But everything changed one night when Bass struck his owner during a card game. For a slave, that meant certain death. So under the cover of nightfall, Bass took off for the Indian Territories and lived with the Indians until news reached Bass that the Civil War was over and the slaves had become free. Because of his strong sense of right and wrong, he became well-known in the Wild West. When Judge Isaac Parker tried to bring law and order to the lawless Indian Territories, he chose Bass to be a deputy U.S. Marshall. Bass would quickly prove a smart choice. For three decades, Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the territories. He made more than 3,000 arrests, and though he was a crack shot and a quick draw, he only killed fourteen men in the line of duty.

Awards nominated: Bluestem Award Nominee 2012

Reviewed by: bklyczek

Date read: 6/27/2011

ISBN-10: 0822567644

ISBN-13: 9780822567646

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This book on Barack Obama includes some interesting facts about our new President. As a child, Barack was called Barry. When he was 6, Barack lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, and had a tailless ape named Tata. Read this book, and you will learn more interesting things about our 44th President. This book is one of the books in the African-American Heroes series. A few other books in this series are about Wynton Marsalis, Muhammad Ali, Mae Jemison, Oprah Winfrey, and Colin Powell.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0766028933

ISBN-13: 9780766028937

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