Writers Wednesday

Women in Blue: 16 Brave Officers, ForensicsExperts, Police Chiefs, and More by Cheryl Mullenbach chronicles remarkable lives and contributions of women in law enforcement from Sadie Likens, Denver’s first Jail Matron in the late 1800s, to Cristina Pinto, a modern day Forensic Specialist, in this well-written and carefully researched collection of biographies. 

There’s an impressive number of “firsts” – Isabella Goodwin: first female Undercover Detective, Grace Wilson: Chicago’s first African American Policewoman, Eva Blackman: first woman to become a Police Commissioner, and Penny Harrington: Portland’s first female Police Detective and first female Police Chief as the author traces the history of women in law enforcement. The accounts point out both the ridicule and discrimination women faced and the determination and successes they achieved, often under the most difficult of circumstances.

Comprehensive interviews provide readers with thoughtful accounts of the professional and personal challenges inherent in their various fields such as FBI special agent, Forensic Artist, and Forensic Specialist and the individual stories behind their success.  Julia Grimes account of her life as an Alaska State Trooper Pilot begins on a whim by Julia’s father when he agrees to let her take an introductory ride in a Cessna because he’s sure she’ll become airsick and give up her interest in flying. But the 14-year-old discovers a passion that leads her to a career that includes aerial surveillance, working with a K-9 drug dog, and undercover work.

The stories are both educational and entertaining, rich with anecdotes that run the gamut from horrendous to humorous. The content, which provides an historical perspective on topics ranging from prostitution to police brutality as well as discussions of modern-day drugs, and violent crime, is handled with honesty and sensitivity. Never-the-less, parents of younger teens might be advised to peruse the book and be prepared to discuss the contents.

The book contains side bars to direct the reader’s attention to related topics. Black and white photographs, a list of resources for learning more about career opportunities in law enforcement, source notes, and a bibliography complete the book.

Nonfiction Monday

Curious Critters: Marine by David Fitzsimmons highlights twenty unique marine creatures ranging from the Roseate Spoonbill, Tufted Puffin, Double-crested Cormorant, and the Loggerhead Turtle to a fascinating collection of fish, crabs, crustaceans, and other denizens of our oceans.

The carefully researched and informative text alternates voices between first-person narratives and well-crafted poems that focus on details of how and where these individual species live, eat, and grow.  Readers will find unusual facts about a variety of behaviors: the migration of Black Sea Bass, the search by a Hawaiian Reef Hermit Crab for a new home and the carnivorous garden grown within the body of the upside-down jellyfish.

Crisp, colorful photographs provide stunning close-ups of candy stripe shrimp, the one-in-two-million Blue American Lobster, the extraordinary Atlantic Horseshoe Crab whose relatives shared the planet with dinosaurs, and the Giant Pacific Octopus whose intelligence is proving to comparable to many vertebrates – to name only a few of the remarkable animals to be discovered.

Animal lovers of any age will find this book to be entertaining and educational at the same time. A recommended addition to school and home libraries.

Nonfiction Monday

Here's some fun: Baby Animals, a new book from Animal Planet by Dorothea DePrisco.

Young readers are treated to a fascinating assortment of creatures from Monarch butterflies to penguins to humpback whales. Follow the development of a Spotted Owlet from hatching to fledgling to adult. Discover how some animals are born ready to live on their own like Spotted Eagle Rays and Green Anacondas, while others remain dependent on their parents for weeks, months and even years. Bear cubs remain with their mom for three years, Orangutan mothers and babies may stay together for up to ten years.

With every turn of the page, readers will be treated to facts about a host of unique animals. Male African Bullfrogs guard their tadpoles. Baby Orcas are 8 1/2 feet long and weigh up to 350 lbs at birth.

                                                                                        

Like the other books in the series, the animal sections are interspersed with thematic units with specific tabs: How They Grow, How they Live, Where They Live, Vista (showing animals in their environment), Big Data (facts and figures), Animal Gallery (highlighting similarities and differences) and living/working (ways people interact with animals and habitats). Stunning action-filled photographs, informative notes, colorful maps and charts make for easy access to information and will delight both youngsters and adults as they explore the amazing diversity of life around the globe.

  

A must have for home, classroom, or school library. 

Writers Wednesday

Little Chick and the Secret of Sleep by Malachy Doyle takes young readers on an imaginative journey through a bedtime story as a wide-awake chick follows the moon’s silvery glow on a nighttime adventure. 

In her search for the secret of sleep, chick discovers three new friends who share her problem.  The story builds with each new friend as chick unravels their varied sleep problems and culminates with chick, monkey, dragon, and elephant finding the perfect night’s sleep snuggled together.

The quiet voice and gentle language create a soothing experience for youngsters. The charming colorful pictures fill the pages with simple, but appealing imagery.  

MALACHY DOYLE is a prize-winning author of over 90 books for children of all ages. His stories have been translated into 23 different languages. He lives on a tiny island off the north-west coast of Ireland. 

Nonfiction Monday

Animal Planet offers up new fun in Animals on the Move by Dorothea DePrisco.

In this fabulous new title from the Animal Bites series, young readers are treated to a look at the many forms of locomotion found in the animal world: in the air, on the ground, underground, and in the water. The familiar and fast Cheetah (clocked at 70 miles per hour), a delicate dragonfly’s 11,000 mile migration, the nimble antics of Adele penguins, ballooning spiders, and the aerial acrobatics of the Peregrine Falcon are just a few of the spectacular subjects on display in this entertaining and informative collection.

                                                                                        

Like the other books in the series, the animal sections are interspersed with thematic units with specific tabs: How They Move, Why they Move, Where They Live, Vista (showing animals in their environment), Big Data (facts and figures), Animal Gallery (highlighting similarities and differences) and working (ways people interact with animals and habitats). Stunning action-filled photographs, informative notes, colorful maps and charts make for easy access to information and will delight both youngsters and adults as they explore the amazing diversity of life around the globe.

A must have for home, classroom, or school library. 

Writers Wednesday

The SHORT-SIGHTED GIRAFFE by A. H. Benjamin is a charming tale about Giraffe, who can’t see well, but is determined to deny her need for glasses.

The challenge for Giraffe is avoiding injury as she staggers and stumbles her way through her day. A knock on the head from a branch inspires her to wear a helmet, but doesn’t prevent her from colliding with a rhinoceros.  A stubbed toe requires boots, and a painful brush with a thorn bush results in her strapping on a pillow. One thing leads to another until Giraffe finishes her day adorned in a life preserver, bell, and finally she takes to carting around a ladder for those inevitable tumbles in holes. 

No matter how silly she thought glasses would make her look, her friends know this is decidedly worse so they take matters into their own hands, create a pair of glasses, and slip them on her while she sleeps.

When Giraffe finally gets a good look at her ridiculous appearance she gives up the miscellaneous wardrobe and discovers the glasses make her look rather smart!

The story is delightfully entertaining in its exaggerated, but funny disasters. Colorful, oversize illustrations highlight the action for young readers. The subtle message about being yourself is left quietly in the background rather than being paraded through the text which allows the story to shine.

A single page at the end titled: Next Steps offers discussion and activity ideas.

A. H. Benjamin is well-known for his children's books and he has 35 titles published through multiple presses. His books are sold worldwide and have been translated in 25 languages.

Some of his work has found its way into radio, television and theater.

Nonfiction Monday

Park Scientists: Gila Monsters, Geysers, and Grizzly Bears in America’s Own Backyard by Mary Kay Carson with photographs by Tom Uhlman explores three of America’s National Parks: Yellowstone, Saguaro, and Great Smokey Mountains. 

Our national parks are places of relaxation, adventure, and enjoyment for citizens. They are also living laboratories in which scientists can study the natural world from the geysers of Yellowstone to the fireflies of the Great Smokey Mountains.

Each of the three sections of the book focuses on a particular locality and opens with a fact sheet that provides basic information about the park’s history and environments before joining scientists as they delve into some of the most notable features and creatures.

Readers receive an in depth look at how rangers, geologists, biologists, herpetologists, and entomologists - alongside citizen scientists and volunteer researchers survey, study, and work to preserve the wonders that attract thousands of visitors each year.

Meticulously researched, carefully organized, and smartly written, this Scientists in the Field entry offers detailed looks at the experience of a diverse group of men and women as they pursue their scientific endeavors.

Stunning color photography ranges from dynamic panoramas to exquisite close-ups. Maps, charts, graphs and drawings augment the text. 

Future scientists in grades 4-8 will find a wealth of experience and encouragement here.