Book Review: Tad Lincoln's Restless Wriggle

 

Turkey pardons, began with Tad Lincoln. Tad Lincoln’s Restless Wriggle: Pandemonium and Patience in the President’s House written by Beth Anderson and published by Calkins Creek covers this fact, learning disability, and love. S.D. Schindler’s ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations convey humor and delightful chaos while taking the reader back to 1863 and a much more rural President’s House as the White House was formerly known. As always Ms. Anderson includes a collection of facts, photos and primary and secondary sources in the end papers. This book brought a smile to my face.

One Question Interview with Beth Anderson:

Which workshops were most helpful to your writing career?

Workshops and retreats where you get to spend real time working on practical ideas and moving your works in progress forward are, to me, the best ways to spend professional development dollars. The decision to attend a retreat for nonfiction kid lit writers in 2016 made all the difference for me. I met so many writers I now call friends and rely on as critique partners. I also met professionals that generously shared the “how” that I desperately needed to push forward and break through. That’s where I heard Barb Rosenstock talk about her “so what?” concept, and I also learned from Jill Esbaum, Linda Skeers, Lisa Amstutz, and many more amazing writers, agents and editors. In 2019 I attended a retreat for nonfiction kid lit sponsored by Edit and Get It with Candace Fleming, Jen Swanson, Neal Porter, and again, so many more fantastic editors, agents, and creators. I had done some webinars with Candace Fleming previously, and had been trying to get my head around her “vital idea” concept for years. Every time I get to hear her, I soak up more, and my understanding goes deeper. Her workshops have been key to what I’ve been able to do, and I’m extremely grateful for her generosity and teaching. 

Previous posts about Beth Anderson:"Smelly Kelly" and His Super Senses and An Inconvenient Alphabet

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Visit S.D. Schindler

Learn  more about the Presidents of the United States

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Book Review: Lizzie Demands a Seat!

 

 

Lizzie Demands a Seat! Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights written by Beth Anderson and published by Calkins Creek is a seldom told, historic civil rights story.  Ms. Anderson describes Elizabeth Jennings fight, both physical and legal, for equal access to a streetcar in New York City. A young Chester Arthur, who became the 21st president of the United States, represented Elizabeth Jennings in court. E.B. Lewis paints with lavender and lilac watercolors to evoke beautiful albeit quite serious mid 1800’s scenes. As always Ms. Anderson includes a collection of facts, primary and additional sources as well as historic photos in this award-winning story.

One Question Interview with Beth Anderson:

Which speakers were most helpful to your writing career?

I have enjoyed so many inspirational speakers on writing for children over the past eight years that I can’t begin to name them all. The ones that stick in my mind are the ones that have provided valuable hands-on tips about writing. Two wonderful women I’ve followed for years are Barb Rosenstock and Candace Fleming. They always have great insights and have guided me in shaping a story to make it meaningful for kids. My editor for An Inconvenient Alphabet, Sylvie Frank, provided many fabulous sessions about the publishing process for SCBWI-RMC members when she lived here. I really value any opportunity to listen to editors and agents as they provide a view that may be difficult for authors and illustrators to see.

Previous Posts about Beth Anderson

Learn more about Beth Anderson 

Learn more about E.B. Lewis

Learn more about the New York Transit Museum

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Book Review: I'm a Hare So There!

 

 

Julie Rowan-Zoch has written and illustrated a delightful romp through a North American desert with her picture book, I’m a Hare So There! published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The bold title does not disappoint; the hare spiritedly discusses identifying names and characteristics with his desert friend. A predator stalks the friends to a climax. Ms. Rowan-Zoch includes a collection of facts and a find and seek game in the end papers. The illustrations and language are so colorful and fun that one might not even notice that one is learning.

Learn more about Julie Rowan-Zoch

Learn more about Colorado lagomorphs, rabbits and hares, here: Colorado's Small Mammals

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If the seek and find proves illusive, please contact Ms. Rowan-Zoch.

Oatmeal Pear Scone

 

1 cup flour

1 cup oats

1 Tablespoon baking powder

3 Tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ cup of butter or 4 Tablespoons butter

4 pears, peeled and sliced

2 eggs

1/3 cup cream

Directions: Mix together all the dry ingredients, stirring to mix. Cut in butter. Cut pears into pieces and add to mixture, including any additional juice. Break eggs into a separate bowl. Add cream to eggs. Mix with a fork. Add the egg and cream mixture to the oatmeal pear mixture. Grease a 9.5-inch pie pan with butter and dust with flour. Pour mixture into the greased and floured pie pan. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes. Scone will be golden brown; let cool so that juices may be reabsorbed.

Serves 6-8 people.

Notes: This is a nice way to use late summer produce. 

Chunky Garden Tomato Soup

 

1 Tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic

5 medium slicing tomatoes

2 cherry tomatoes

4 inches dried baguette

4 Tablespoons grate mozzarella or Parmesan cheese

Directions: Pour olive oil into smaller sauce pan. Slice garlic and add to olive oil. Sauté until golden. Slice tomatoes into chunks and add to the olive oil and garlic. Stir and cook until hot or just boiling. Remove from heat. Add pepper. Tomatoes and cheese are naturally salty so it is fine to omit salt. Slice dried baguette into chunks and divide into bowls. Ladle soup over bread and then top with cheese.

Serves 2 people or 4 servings as a side or cup.

Notes: Thank you to the brother and sister-in-law for the garden tomatoes.