Book Review Roundup #16
February 12, 2025
Beyond Mulberry Glenn by Millie Florence
This fairy-tale-like fantasy resonates with the magical, thoughtful storytelling characteristic of publishers like The Rabbit Room. Fans of The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson or Shiloh by Helena Sorensen will feel immediately at home in the world Florence has crafted. The book's timeless theme of light battling against darkness is presented with traditional values that feel both comforting and invigorating, offering an exciting story for our young readers without assaulting their hearts.
What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky
Rachel Ignotofsky’s What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest is a fantastic science picture book that invites curious little readers to explore the wonder of birds and their nests. From the very first page, children are drawn into the world of baby birds chirping for breakfast, a relatable and heartwarming scene that sets the stage for an educational journey through the life of birds.
Evidence! by Deborah Hopkinson
Evidence! How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of Cholera by Deborah Hopkinson. Illustrated by Nik Henderson. Alfred A. Knopf, 2024.
When cholera came to Broad Street and surrounding areas in London in 1854, the prevailing theory was that the disease was caused and spread by “bad air.” Dr. Snow, who had already been researching the disease of cholera for some time, believed that cholera was spread by sewage-contaminated water. This book tells the story of exactly how Dr. Snow proves his hypothesis and stops the Broad Street cholera epidemic from continuing to kill London’s tenement dwellers..
When Esther Morris Headed West by Connie Norhielm Woolridge
Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge begins the story, When Esther Morris Headed West: Wyoming, Women, and the Right to Vote, in 1869 with Esther Mae Hobart McQuigg Slack Morris heading to South Pass City, Wyoming on a stagecoach. Morris believed women should be able to vote and to hold elected office. In South Pass City, a booming gold mining town, she met Colonel William Bright. He was a member of the Wyoming Territorial Council and had already proposed An Act to Grant to the Women of the Wyoming Territory the Right of Suffrage and to Hold Office. The act passed toward the end of 1869.
Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld
Jeff Gottesfeld’s Twenty-One Steps is an extraordinary picture book that pays tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the dedicated sentinels of the Old Guard who honor it with unyielding commitment. With exquisite illustrations by Matt Tavares and lyrical prose that transforms history into poetry, this book is both visually stunning and deeply moving. This book has been on my wishlist for over a year, and I am so grateful that it was donated to our library, as it is a perfect picture book.
Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise
Knight Owl is back, with a new, adorable—and brave—friend, Early Bird. Early Bird is Knight Owl’s “biggest fan.” She wants to be a knight just like Knight Owl, and she’s very vocal with lots of questions about how and when and where she can begin her knighthood journey. Unfortunately, while Knight Owl quietly guards the castle during the night and sleeps during the day, Early Bird begins the day at dawn, “making a great deal of noise.” How can Knight Owl mentor or even tolerate such a noisy, chatty, questioning Early Bird?
Mr. Pine's Purple House by Leonard Kessler
This book, published in 1965, was a Wonder Book Easy Reader. In the original introduction, we are told that only 175 words were used in the entire story. This means that a beginning reader will experience a high rate of success from the very first page. It also means that some real ingenuity went into making this an appealing and memorable story, while maintaining the basic vocabulary. A picture is worth dozens of words, each time we’re told Mr. Pine “did this.”
The Giraffe That Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton
The Giraffe That Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton, illustrated by Roger Roth, is a delightful gem of a picture book that uncovers one of history’s best-kept secrets in a way that captivates readers of all ages. The story brings to life the remarkable tale of La Girafe, a young giraffe given to King Charles X of France in 1826. Her extraordinary journey from Egypt to Paris included walking hundreds of miles through the French countryside!
The House Before Falling Into the Sea by Ann Suk Wang
Wang, Ann Suk. The House Before Falling Into the Sea. Illustrated by Hanna Cha. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2024.
This picture book, based on the true experiences of the author’s mother and the illustrator’s grandmother, tells about a seven year old girl living in Busan, South Korea, during the Korean War (1950-1953). Kyung, the little girl, sees her family welcome many refugees, both strangers and relatives, into their home near the seashore. Kyung gradually learns through the example and words of her parents that their hospitality in “the house before falling into the sea” is a gift to the refugees but also to Kyung and her family.
I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White
I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White begins with Morris as a child growing up in New York and wanting to learn to do everything anyone else can do. She learns a skill and starts a business. Morris marries and is widowed. She marries again and has three sons. In 1869, her husband and oldest son head west to South Pass City, Wyoming because of the gold rush. Esther and the younger boys join them, and she gets busy working in the community. One day she sees a sign calling all the men to vote in the first territorial elections. She says, “It’s time I did that.”
Waterman's Child by Barbara Mitchell
Barbara Mitchell’s The Waterman’s Child is a heartfelt tribute to family, tradition, and the enduring call of the sea. Paired with Daniel San Souci’s stunning watercolor illustrations, this nostalgic tale beautifully captures the legacy of a waterman’s life with both poignancy and timeless charm.
Spanning generations, the story follows a family of “Waterman’s Children,” each inspired by the courage and dedication of those who make their living on the water. Whether choosing to follow in their father’s footsteps or marry into the seafaring life, each child becomes part of a rich, interconnected history. The book’s unique design—featuring color-coded borders for each generation—visually reinforces this sense of continuity, inviting readers to experience the family’s journey as a single, enduring legacy of love and labor.
Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope
I read all the Barsetshire Chronicles by Trollope last year and the year before, and then I decided to continue on with Trollope’s series of novels about British politics, The Palliser Novels. The Barsetshire novels take place mostly outside London among people who are country people even though they may be rich and aspiring to be “citified.” The Palliser books are set in and around Parliament, and there is a great deal of talk about British politics and political maneuvering. It’s all very confusing for an American reader, and maybe even for a current day British reader. But I could just read through all of the political mumbo-jumbo and set it aside to get at the meat of the story, a tale in this second Palliser Novel of a young Irishman, Phineas Finn, who is flattered and cajoled into running for office in the British House of Commons and wins a seat therein. Then the rest of the book is about Phineas’s romantic adventures and entanglements with some parliamentary wrangling and angling thrown into the mix.
The Ring and the Fire by Clyde Robert Bulla
Clyde Robert Bulla’s The Ring and the Fire introduces readers to the legends behind Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung, drawing from Norse and German mythology. With gods, dragons, magic rings, and tragic consequences, these ancient tales shaped the works of authors like Tolkien and Lewis. But should Christians engage with such “heathenish nonsense”? This review explores why myths matter—how they help us understand literature, history, and even ourselves. Dive into the discussion and discover the deep connections between old myths and modern storytelling!
The Glorious Folly by Louis De Wohl
As with all of de Wohl’s works, The Glorious Folly is distinctly outlined in historical and biblical facts while colored in by the drama and pageantry of excellent biblical historical fiction. Fans of The Chosen television series will likely find this novel a compelling and fitting companion to the show. De Wohl captures the vibrancy and tension of the early church, showing how it grew, changed, and ultimately transformed the world.
Ode to Grapefruit by Kari Lavelle
Lavelle, Kari. Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Alfred A. Knopf, 2024.
The things you can learn from picture books! I had no idea that James Earl Jones/Darth Vader was a stutterer. Ode to a Grapefruit by speech pathologist Kari Lavelle tells the story of Mr. Jones’ childhood and young adulthood and his struggles in learning to work with and through his stuttering.
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Monica Brown’s Waiting For Biblioburro tells the heartwarming true story of Luis Soriano Bohórquez, a Colombian teacher and librarian who brings books to children in remote villages. Ana, a young girl who loves to read but owns only one book, is overjoyed when Luis arrives on burros laden with stories to share. As she waits eagerly for his return, she reads every day and even writes her own book for him. Sprinkled with Spanish words and rich with cultural authenticity, this uplifting tale celebrates the power of literacy, the joy of storytelling, and the dedication of one man determined to bring books to those who need them most.
Gifts From Georgia's Garden by Lisa Robinson
Robinson, Lisa. Gifts From Georgia’s Garden: How Georgia O’Keeffe Nourished Her Art. Illustrated by Hadley Hooper. Holiday House, 2024.
This picture book offers a glimpse into O’Keeffe’s artistic world, but it serves more as an introduction. It can spark curiosity, leaving readers eager to explore her full body of work, whether online or through other books. The focus here is on her New Mexico garden, where she practiced sustainable gardening techniques to enrich the soil, protect her plants, and cultivate food that nourished both her body and her art.
Want to know more?
Did you know that every month we have a podcast dedicated to talking about what we are reading? Our Reading Life just posted its 24th monthly episode! Listen in as we talk about some of the stories behind our stories.
You can find all of the Our Reading Life episodes here.