Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century by Carole Boston Weatherford

Title: Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century

Author: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrator: Raul Colon

Type: Children's book
Genre: Non-Fiction

Series: No

Pages: 40
Copyright: 2014
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
A stunning picture-book biography of iconic African American opera star Leontyne Price.

Born in a small town in Mississippi in 1927, the daughter of a midwife and a sawmill worker, Leontyne Price might have grown up singing the blues. But Leontyne had big dreams—and plenty to be thankful for—as she surrounded herself with church hymns and hallelujahs, soaked up opera arias on the radio, and watched the great Marian Anderson grace the stage. 
           
While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne’s wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Bursting through the door Marian had cracked open, Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world—most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, the part she felt she was born to sing.

From award-winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Raul Colón comes the story of a little girl from Mississippi who became a beloved star—one whose song soared on the breath of her ancestors and paved the way for those who followed.

Feelings:
I thought I would be able to use this book for a student but upon reading it I found that while I enjoyed the book it was written to show the language of the time and the language of the South and that doesn't really work for someone that is trying to learn English.

The images in the book fit well with the time that the book was written about. Leontyne Price's story is that of the civil rights movement as well as that of a woman trying to make her own way int he world. She was an inspiring woman. I didn't feel like the story was quite on par with the individual though. 

The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Anselm Grun

Title: The Legend of Saint Nicholas 
Author: Anselm Grun

Illustrator: Giuliano Ferri   
Type: Children's book 
Genre: Non-Fiction 
Series: No 
Pages: 26 
Copyright: 2014 
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers 
Rating: 2.5 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
Many stories are told about Saint Nicholas -- stories about his generosity and his miracles, stories about the concern he showed for those in poverty. This warm, inviting books tells many of these stories, both familiar and lesser-known. It recounts how he ended a famine by multiplying grain from a merchant ship and how he walked on water to rescue sailors from a terrible storm. And, of course, it tells the story of how Nicholas gave his inheritance to prevent a desperate man from selling his daughters into slavery.Anselm Grun's simple, graceful text and Giuliano Ferri's beautiful paintings combine to provide the perfect way to introduce young readers to the rich life of this beloved saint.
 
Feelings:
This was a different story of Saint Nicholas than what I had been previously familiar with. I liked that it shows him as an individual that gave what he could to help others. The art work fit the story well in my opinion. I did like the story but it seemed to be lacking something that made it shine and stick out among other books about Saint Nicholas.

Many Moons by James Thurber

Title: Many Moons 
Author: James Thurber 
Type: Children's book 
Illustrator: Marc Simont 
Genre: Fiction 
Series: No 
Pages: 48 
Copyright: 1990 
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers 
Rating: 4 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
Princess Lenore is ill from eating too many raspberry tarts. She believes that possessing the moon is the only thing that will cure her. Despite a command from the King, neither the Lord High Chamberlain nor the Royal Wizard nor the Royal Mathematician can get the moon for her. Only when the clever Court Jester consults the Princess herself is the problem solved -- with characteristic Thurber wit.

Feelings: 
This story while written for children was fun. I really enjoyed reading it. Princess Lenore is determined to have the moon and her father calls his wise men who all tell him different things. What I like is that the person we don't expect to come up with the solution is the one who solves the problem. The Jester asks the Princes and she tells him what she believes and that is what really matters. Perspective on different things are different for different people and this story shows that while we may not all agree we can all be right.

I recommend this story even for adults. It is a fun story and it has a something we can learn from it.

The Children of Green Knowe by L. M. Boston

Title: The Children of Green Knowe

Author: L. M. Boston
Illustrator: Peter Boston

Type: Children's Story
Genre: Fiction

Series: Yes

Pages: 157
Copyright: 1954
Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World, INC.

Rating: 4 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads
"Tolly" Toseland 7 is rowed up to great-gran Linnet Oldknow by servant Boggis - always been a Boggis. The real "castle" is over 900 years old. Gran tells old family stories, and songs. Everyone can see, hear, and feel the ghosts, evoked by white-on-black illustrations. Toby 14, Alexander, and Linnet 6 linger after Plague, as does cursed topiary Green Noah.


Feelings: 
I really enjoyed this story it is a ghost story while not being scary. A friend, adult, recommend the book and I decided to give it a try. I ended up really enjoying the story and the writing style. It almost feels like a fable to me but the writing is very similar to other children's stories from the time. Writing has changed so much and our current style of writing differs greatly from this.

I loved the opening scene of the story with the train in the rain and that him being driven out in a taxi as far as he could into the flood waters and being meet by a row boat and with a lantern was rowed to the door step of his great-grandmother's house, Green Knowe.

I really appreciated that Tolly felt like a normal little boy and that he doesn't do anything extraordinary but mostly ordinary things but yet it is still a very good story.

This is a fun book and I really enjoyed it I will be checking out the rest of the series. I don't think this book has to be read by children I think adults can enjoy the story too.