Book Wisdom Review, February 16, PICASSO, I THE KING, YO EL REY

PICASSO, I THE KING by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

It takes spunk, finesse, creativity, intelligence and an “I can do” attitude when it comes to writing biographies for youth, especially in the young adult category.  Biographies have to honestly capture the historical figure in a manner that engages the reader, balances the light and shadow aspects of another human being while delivering essential information.  Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, an award-winning author elevates biography writing to a very high standard.  Her recent biography, PICASSO, I THE KING, YO EL REY illustrated by Caldecott –winning illustrator David Diaz is published by Amazon Children’s Books.  Through free verse poems based on the roller coaster life of Pablo Picasso, Carmen places her young adult readers in the first car of the coaster guiding them through Picasso’s life of drama.  Twists and turns, ups and downs, highs and lows are shared with honesty and integrity. David Diaz's illustration of the poems and Picasso’s life are simply beautiful and capture Pablo’s life  through his use of color and line.  What a creative way to do biography.  PICASSO, I THE KING is a 64 page, deeply researched biography that is written beautifully and has a substantial section of back matter.   The only problem I see with this book is that it was not available to me when I taught high school art and art history. 

I give this book four apples, a great read.  This biography for young adults engages the reader through poetry and imagery.  It would make a great addition to a library and teaching about art that supports young adults.

Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

The themes in this book are biography, 20th Century Art History, Picasso, and how life creates and impacts art.  It is a book designed for mature young adults.  It is question and thought provoking supporting higher level thinking skills of young adults.

Carmen T. Bernier-Grand has many other successful biographies and if you would like to find out more about Carmen and her award winning work, you can check out her website at: CARMEN'S WEBSITE  This book is available by ordering at your local independent book seller and Amazon Children's Books.

Book Wisdom, February 4th 2013, Book of the Month, New Voices Award, Honor

IT JES' HAPPENED, When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by Don Tate

      Black History month is upon us.  This month I am sharing with you a piece of Black history and American folk-art history through a children’s book.  IT JES’ HAPPENED, When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by award winning, debut author, Don Tate, illustrated by award winning illustrator, R. Gregory Christie is a new gem that recently was awarded the New Voices Award, Honor by Lee & Low Books.   Lee and Low is an independent children’s publisher that focuses on diversity while meeting the needs of all children providing stories children will enjoy and relate to.

     IT JES’ HAPPENED tells the story of American folk artist Bill Traylor through the hearts, minds, words, and pictures of Tate and Christie who are creating a history of their own as Black American artists.  Trifecta!  IT JES’ HAPPENED is an achievement that involves three successful outcomes.  It brings to life a piece of important folk art and Black history in a manner that gives hope and inspires creativity through the work and story of Bill Traylor.  Second, Don Tate tells the journey of Traylor, a child born into slavery moving through his life saving up memories, deep down inside, with honesty and reverence through language that engages the reader and holds their attention making you want to know more.  In the third outcome Christie brings the perfect matches of illustration style and palette that takes Traylor’s life and drawings and spreads them across the pages echoing back the author’s voice and Traylor’s work and memories. 

    IT JES’ HAPPENED is a 32 page, non-fiction picture book biography for children. What else makes this story stand out beyond the fine craftsmanship and interesting history?  IT JES’ HAPPENED captures how stories are created, held deep within, and through creativity can be released no matter roots, journey, or age.  It captures creativity's timelessness showing children your never to old, and it's never to late to learn and start something new. 

 I give this book 5 apples, cream of the crop. Craftsmanship and themes of creativity and timelessness in a non-fiction biography for children is hard to come by at this level of execution.  It makes a great addition for art educators, librarians, teachers, and children and adults who appreciate other's life stories and creative outcomes.  IT JES' HAPPENED is not to be just taken off the shelve in February to celebrate Black History month.  

This book is a biography picture book which has large word count and more complicated words and sentence structure than general picture books. It is for children 8 and up.  It is a fun way to learn history.  The themes in this book are Black history, American folk art history, life, drawing, your never to old, not worrying about what others think, and expressing your self. A teachers guide is available on the author's website.

If you want to find out more about author/illustrator Don Tate, check out his website
 at:  Don's Website   If you want to find more talented children's authors and illustrators of color, check out : THE BROWN BOOKSHELF

This book can be found through your local independent bookseller and online at major chain websites.  In Grand Junction, our local independent book seller is Grand Valley Books.

Thank you for tuning in this morning or visiting this blog.  Leave a comment on this blog and/or like the Book Wisdom By Diane page on Facebook and you will be entered to win a copy of this book. If you sign up for the once or twice monthly post, you will automatically be entered monthly!  Just let me know by email as your privacy is always respected.  I do not know who subscribes. 

Author, Mirka M.G. Breen, November 16th Reviews

     Thanksgiving is next week.  I am very grateful to be blogging about two wonderful books from an author who is part of my writing family.   These books are by Mirka M.G. Breen.  One book is a middle grade novel and the other a Thanksgiving holiday, picture story book.  Both books have the qualities that I look for and reflect the personality, skill and creative style of Mirka, who lives by and speaks her mind with authority, in a way that I truly admire.  Her creativity, skill, and style make for strong, clear, consistent voice.  It's the reason I chose to put them together. 

THE VOICE OF THUNDER by Mirka M. G. Breen

      Author, Mirka M. G. Breen's debut middle grade novel, THE VOICE OF THUNDER is nothing short of outstanding. THE VOICE OF THUNDER is set in 1967 Jerusalem during the Six-Day War, a lesser known, very important, historical event.  The reader is taken on a journey through the heart and soul of ten-year-old Mira Levi.  Mirka's voice breathes life into the innocence, fear, and struggle of Mira juxtaposed with her best friend, Gili Moser.  Using her own personal experience as a fifth grader living in Jerusalem during this war, Mirka has created authentic and memorable characters that leave the reader yearning to know what will happen next. I found this book insightful and entertaining.   

I rate this book, a 5 apple book, outstanding, cream of the crop.  Mirka's uses her writing skills, ability to create real and accurate characters, and her first hand knowledge of Jewish history to create a book that is award winning caliber.

    THE VOICE OF THUNDER is a 114 page, middle grade novel for both genders, ages 9 through 14. It masterfully captures the innocence and struggle of moving from childhood into adolescence. 

    The themes in this book are growing up, family, friendship, war and Judaism. 

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THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR by Mirka M.G.Breen

     THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR by author Mirka M.G. Breen is another debut book, in story book format.  Published in 2011 and illustrated by Sonya Hallett, this holiday book takes place at Thanksgiving with a family that is vegetarian.  Tired of writing about Thanksgiving without turkey, third grade Niles gets a surprise visit from Henrietta. This charming book approaches Thanksgiving from a unique angle.  Full of humor, it will delight young and old, vegetarians and carnivores too.  

 I rate this book, a 4 apple book, a very good book. Mirka does a wonderful creating the characters of Niles and Henrietta and developing their relationship.

     THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR is a 24 page picture story book for both genders, ages 4 -9.    The age portrayal of Niles is carried out well while Henrietta remains an bird without any anthropomorphism.  This is a picture story book which means it has more text than a typical picture book.

     The themes in the book are Thanksgiving, vegetarianism, acceptance, and friendship.

    If you would like to learn more about Mirka and her books, you can check out:  Mirka's Website.  THE VOICE OF THUNDER is available through your local independent book seller, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and the publihser: WiDo.  THERE IS A TURKEY AT THE DOOR can be purchased through Amazon or by contacting Mirka through her website.  The publisher of this book is unfortunately out of business.  There are a limited amount of these wonderful books available.


     There is not a book giveaway with this post.

JUNE 19th, KKCO, Summer Reads Series, Patriotism and the 4th of July

     Welcome to the second post for my summer reads series.  In the United States, despite our religious, cultural, social, or political differences, we come together and celebrate one holiday.  It happens every year on the fourth day of our seventh month of the year.  Ask someone why we celebrate on the 4th of July, and most people will know it is the celebration of America's birth as a nation, our independence. 


      In this segment, I am sharing two different children's books that are new and written by well known authors in the children's publishing industry.  One is a colorful, lyrical picture book about the many traditions and ways our cultures celebrate our nations birth.  The second is a powerful non-fiction book focused on an important American hero and patriot.


     I will be having a giving book give away so leave a comment related to this blog.  Better yet, don't miss out and sign up for email updates!  You will be entered every month as a subscriber. The winner will be picked on July 11th.  Check the bottom of the blog to see the winners name.  If you are the winner, please email me if I do not have your contact information.


     This morning I was excited to share these two different books on KKCO.  Somehow the universe conspired with me to have both of these books available to share at the same time and on short notice.  Both of these authors are highly respected in the children's publishing industry and as an educator and a writer/illustrator, I scrutinize over books that are sent to me or recommended to me.  Like the Star Spangled Banner giving me goose bumps, FREDERICK DOUGLASS FOR KIDS, and RED, WHITE, AND BOOM! both stirred something deep down inside me.  I had to give them both my highest rating. 

     Nancy I Sanders, best selling and award winning author of more than 80 books, has created another masterpiece helping children and adults to understand the importance of our African American history.   FREDERICK DOUGLASS FOR KIDS: HIS LIFE AND TIMES with 21 Activities is 144 pages that follows Frederick's footsteps from birth into slavery to his becoming an advisor to Abraham Lincoln.  Children will learn how he escaped slavery, helped others to freedom, and became an author, editor, orator, and civil rights leader.  This book is beautifully designed with photographs, quotes, history, and children's activities.

     I rate this a 5 apple book, outstanding, cream of the crop.  Nancy has made this a complete picture of Frederick's life with her research, chapter titles, text, and photos.

    FREDERICK DOUGLASS FOR KIDS: HIS LIFE AND TIMES with 21 Activities is for school age children, both genders who can read at the upper elementary level. It is geared toward upper elementary and middle school students.

    The themes in this book are American history, the abolition of slavery, African American patriots, and freedom.  

    You can learn more about Nancy and her award winning books and where to buy them at: Nancy's Web Site

     You can find this book through the publisher, Chicago Review Press.  Your local book store can also order this book for you.  On the West Slope of Colorado, our local independent seller is Grand Valley Books. In addition it can be found in museum stores and online.

     Award winning author, Lee Wardlaw has written another book with a bang. RED,WHITE, AND BOOM! explodes with sparkling and colorful words that roll right off your tongue. Textural and colorful collage illustration by Huy Voun Lee lifts and heightens the fun, descriptive, lyrical, text to create a memorable book that belongs in libraries; public, personal, and classroom. RED WHITE AND BOOM! is sure to become a tradition in the celebration of our nation's independence!

I rate this a 5 apple book, outstanding, cream of the crop.  Lee's ability to write short rhyming books that stand-out matched with the perfect illustrations that conveys the celebration and community is outstanding.


     RED, WHITE, AND BOOM! is for children ages 2-7. It is meant to be read aloud and over and over again.

     The themes in this book are the Independence Day, celebration, and community.

    You can learn more about Lee and her award winning books and where to buy them
at: Lee's Web Site

     This book is published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Your local book store can order this book for you. On the West Slope of Colorado, our local independent seller is Grand Valley Books. In addition, it can be found online and in bookstore chains.