Happy Memorial Day

It is the

VETERAN,

not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the

VETERAN who

salutes the Flag,

It is

the

VETERAN

who serves

under the Flag,

We can be very

proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

God Bless them all!!!

Makes you proud to be an AMERICAN!!!!

Book Review ~ D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet

Title: D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet


Written by: Nancy I. Sanders

Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis

Soft cover: 36 pages

Ages: 4-8

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

ISBN: 13:978-1585362936

Published: September 2007

Price: $7.95

Without the steadfast belief of abolitionists to end slavery the United States of America would not be what it is today. D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet brings forth the journey of freedom and accomplishments through the alphabet and rhyme. Each keyword featured is accompanied with a historical description to the particular era, teaching about this pivotal time in American history.

From abolitionists to Zion the reader will find themselves soaking up all that history has to offer in this delightful combination of history and illustrations.

The mesmerizing words of Nancy Sanders and awe inspiring illustrations of E.B. Lewis will have you reading D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet over and over again. Run, don’t walk and purchase your copy today to find out what is in between A and Z.

Visit Nancy Sanders at http://www.nancyisanders.com/ to learn more about her fascinating writing career.

Visit the colorful world of illustrator, E.B Lewis at: http://www.eblewis.com/illustration/eblewis.html

Book Review ~ Henry's Freedom Box - A True Story from the Underground Railroad

Title: Henry’s Freedom Box ~ A True Story from the Underground Railroad

Written by: Ellen Levine

Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Soft cover: 40 pages

Ages: 4-8

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 13:978-0-439-77733-9

Published: January 2007

Price: $16.99

Close your eyes if you will and imagine what it would be like to curl up in a box and ship yourself as cargo. Hard to imagine isn’t it. For one brave salve, Henry Brown, this became his way to escape to freedom.

Sold away from his family as a child, Henry Brown did what many slaves had to do. They accepted their lives as slaves, but continued to dream of freedom. Henry soon found himself married with two children and the reality of being separated loomed each day. Their greatest free now reality exploded before Henry as he watched helplessly as his family was dragged away.

A man who found happiness from within and with his family, Henry became withdrawn and resolved to escape to freedom. His ingenious idea of mailing himself as cargo and with the assistance of a white doctor, Henry did just that.

Come along on this heart wrenching journey to freedom through the true story of Henry “Box” Brown. You’ll find your heartbeat racing for his safety.

Learn more about Ellen Levine at: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3318

Visit illustrator, Kadir Nelson at: http://www.kadirnelson.com/

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine

Blog Jog Day

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Please explore all my blog has to offer, then Jog on Over to http://www.doctorideas.blogspot.com/.


Thank you for your interest and please leave your blog address so I can visit you too!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my dear Mum,

Author of my personality:

Pleased, I hope, with what you read in me;

Pleased, I hope, with episodes to come.

Yet now I, too, would get some pleasure from

Making you the book in which I see,

Of all the players in my family,

The central character, whom I would plumb.

How beautiful to move in that direction!

Each to each a separate source of pleasure,

Reading in the other's happiness,

'Mid much description, underlying love.

So would we deepen the connection,

Discovering new passages to treasure

As we follow time towards tenderness,

Yearning for what years unread will prove.

Copyright by

Nicholas Gordon

http://www.poemsforfree.com/happ24.html

Book Review ~ Under the Quilt of Night

Title: Under the Quilt of Night


Written by: Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrated by: James E. Ransome

Soft cover: 40 pages

Ages: 5-10

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks

ISBN: 978-0439750493

Published: January 2005

Price: $7.99

Unsaid words coupled with significant signs to safe houses unravel in this heartfelt story of a young black slave and her loved ones journey to freedom. From deep within slaves brought forth their bravery in their quest to freedom allowing them to trust many along the way. For without the assistance of those against slavery their dreams of freedom may have remained just that a dream.

“Then I see a woman walk through her yard wearing a plain dress. On her arm she carries a quilt to air. She hangs it over the fence, then looks to the woods, just once. I start with all my might. I know what to look for: in most quilts, center squares are red for home and hearth. But these centers are a dark, deep blue. This house hides runaways!”

The journey and success to freedom is greeted by the young slave girl’s glorious singing voice to the heavens. The story of Under the Quilt of Night will leave the reader with a warm quilt engulfing their thoughts of all slaves who journeyed to freedom.

Learn more about Deborah Hopkinson at: http://www.deborahhopkinson.com/

Visit illustrator, James E. Ransome at: http://www.jamesransome.com/