What would it be like to live in the White House? Through the eyes of Fala, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog, you learn about a few of the historical events that shaped the United States during Roosevelt's presidency. Read how Fala's fun-free existence changed dramatically when on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Fala continued to be at Franklin's side throughout the long days and nights during this difficult time in America's history. Fala died in 1952 and is buried near Roosevelt's grave where the best friends will forever be together. ' First Dog Fala,' with Elizabeth Steenwyk's easy-to-read vocabulary and Michael Montgomery's large illustrations, is a perfect biography for the beginning reader.

Similar authors: David A. Adler ; Kathryn Lasky ; Fiona Macdonald

Similar books: When Abraham Talked To The Trees by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Barrel Horse Racer by Elizathe Van Steenwyk Frederic Remington by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Seneca Chief, Army General by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Mathew Brady:Civil War Photographer

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/5/2010

ISBN-10: 1561454117

ISBN-13: 9781561454112

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George Washington did not want to be president of the new country. He had led the troops in the fight against the British; he helped write the constitution; he was tired, and wanted to go home. Besides, the idea of being president made him nervous! But the people wanted George to be president, and wouldn't support the United States unless he was. George reluctantly agreed. This is a warm, and humorous look at George's feelings about being president, and how he shaped the presidency.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0525475605

ISBN-13: 9780525475606

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Meet Gertrude Chandler Warner the author of the popular, 'Boxcar Children' series. Learn how Gertrude wrote her first book at a very early age and continued writing children's books until she died in 1979. Gertrude Warner wrote 19 'Boxcar Children' books along with various other children's books. After her death, Warner's publisher arranged for new authors to continue this popular series based on Gertrude's vision. Even today, 'The Boxcar Children' remains a favorite series for young readers.

Similar authors: Ron Roy, Franklin Dixon, Scott Lobdell

Similar books: A to Z Mystery Series by Ron Roy; Encyclopedia Brown by Donald Sobol; The Hardy Boys by Franklin Dixon

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/2/2010

ISBN-10: 159197609X

ISBN-13: 9781591976097

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Captain Van Buren Bates has been searching high and low for the perfect town for he and his wife to live. He decides to try out the quaint town of Seville, Ohio. But there is only one problem, the Captain is a GIANT! He towers seven feet and eleven inches tall and his wife is a giant too! In the book, 'The Giant of Seville, A 'Tall' Tale Based on a True Story' by Dan Andreasen, Captain Bates and his wife have retired from the circus and just want a place to settle down. But the Captain has not had any luck. So far, due to his extensive travels, the Captain has discovered that there is no bed long enough to fit his frame, no table tall enough to get his legs under, and certainly no floor strong enough to withstand his toe-stompin' dancing. But the citizen of Seville know the true meaning of hospitality. To welcome Captain Bates into their community they build him a 'giant size' house showing the Captain that the town has a heart that is just as big as he is.

Similar authors: Steven Kellogg; Deborah Hopkinson; Paul Robert Walker

Similar books: American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne; Big men, Big Country: A Collection of American Tall Tales by Paul Robert Walker; Short and Tall Tales; Moose County Legends by James Mckintosh; Mike Fink: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg; Sally Ann Thunder, Ann Whirlwind Crockett: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg; Peggony Po: A Whale of a Tale by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/30/2010

ISBN-10: 081090988X

ISBN-13: 9780810909885

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Accomplished illustrator Baba Wague Diakite tells the story of his boyhood in a small village in Mali, West Africa. Each chapter describes something interesting he learned from people in the village or from daily life. When Baba asks when he can go to school, his grandmother tells him, 'You will go to school when you are educated.' Finally, Baba is considered educated, and is sent back to the big city of Bamako where he lives with his mother and attends school. The beautiful illustrations, many painted on earthenware tiles, portray the people and places of the village.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 6/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0888999313

ISBN-13: 9780888999313

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