Kids Books: Sgt. Stubby, Hero Dog

Stubby: Inspired by the True Story of an American Hero of World War I

By Kathy Borrus, Illustrated by Julia Mills

A heartwarming tale of friendship between an American soldier and his best buddy, a dog. Stubby is the true story of the most heroic dog in World War I. From stray puppy to the only dog ever promoted to the rank of Sergeant and the winner of the Purple Heart, Stubby’s remarkable journey is appropriate for all ages.

Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation

By Ann Bausum

Meet Sergeant Stubby: World War I dog veteran, decorated war hero, American icon, and above all, man’s best friend. Stubby’s story begins in 1917 when America is about to enter the war. A stowaway dog befriends Private James Robert “Bob” Conroy at the Connecticut National Guard camp at Yale University and the two become inseparable. Stubby also wins over the commanding officer and is soon made an official member of the 102nd Infantry of the 26th division. What follows is an epic tale of how man’s best friend becomes an invaluable soldier on the front lines and in the trenches, a decorated war hero and an inspiration to a country long after the troops returned home.

Stubby the Dog Soldier: World War I Hero

By Blake Hoena, Illustrated by Olivia Ian Hurst

A stray dog named Stubby braves the World War I battlefields alongside Private J. Robert Conroy. See the story unfold as this brave little canine makes a big difference in the lives of many World War I soldiers. 5-7 years

Stubby: A True Story of Friendship

By Michael Foreman

Stubby, a brave soldier, a loyal friend… and a dog. From an army training camp to the trenches in France, this is the incredible true story of Sgt. Stubby, the dog who served bravely in the First World War, sniffing out gas attacks, catching spies and winning the hearts of his fellow soldiers. 5-7 years

Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Bravest Dog

By Ann Bausum

Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sergeant Stubby! That German shepherd star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way.

Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy’s unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy’s commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy’s unit to the Western Front.

Stubby’s brave deeds earned him a place in history and in the Smithsonian Institution where his stuffed body can still be seen. Almost 100 years later, Stubby’s great deeds and brave heart make him an animal hero to fall in love with and treasure all over again.  10-14 years

G.I. Dog: Sergeant Stubby Hero Pup of World War I

By Laurie Calkhoven

Meet Stubby: a stray pup who was taken in by a group of American soldiers-in-training and soon found himself whisked off to the front lines of World War I as the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. Stubby served bravely by his soldiers’ sides for 18 months and became a hero when he saved his regiment from a surprise gas attack. And he singlehandedly caught an enemy German soldier in No Man’s Land.

Join Stubby on his incredible journey from puppy to soldier to high-ranking sergeant as he narrates his story of heroism. This “dog’s-eye view” takes readers into the heart of the action of WWI and will leave them cheering for Stubby and his human companions as they overcome countless obstacles and prove time and again why a dog really is man’s best friend. 7-10 years

Dog Diaries #7: Stubby

By Kate Klimo, Illustrated by Tim Jessell

Stubby the war dog narrates the story of his life–from his days as a stray to his time on the battlefields of France! Adopted by Private John Robert Conroy in 1917 when the dog wandered into training camp, Stubby soon became the mascot for the 26th Yankee division–even learning how to salute. When the men were shipped out for France, Conroy smuggled Stubby on-board. The rest is the kind of incredible true story that dog-crazy middle graders love. By the end of the war, Stubby had served in 17 battles, been injured by mustard gas and a grenade; found and captured a German spy; shaken hands with Woodrow Wilson; and become the first dog given rank in the United States Armed Forces! 7-10 years

Why Did Sergeant Stubby Go to War?

By Cathy Werling, Illustrated by Christina Garcia

Stubby, a homeless dog who could have been left for lost saved countless lives in World War I. He became the most decorated animal in American military history. Stubby, a mix of Boston terrier and pit bull, was discovered, rescued, and taught by Private Robert Conroy and his colleagues, who were training for World War I at Yale University in 1917. Conroy smuggled Stubby aboard a transport ship to Europe with the U.S. 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division. His commanding officer discovered the dog several days later and was quite displeased–until Stubby saluted the officer with his paw as the soldiers had trained him to do.

In the trench warfare of Europe, Stubby would bark to alert the regiment of surprise mustard gas attacks and incoming artillery fire, giving the soldiers time to grab their gas masks or hit the bottom of the trenches before a raid. Trained to differentiate between German and English speakers, Stubby would also locate wounded English-speaking soldiers in the trenches and bark until paramedics arrived. He even once caught a German spy.

Stubby braved through 17 WWI battles, saving countless Allied soldiers’ lives through his actions. For his courage, he received many military honors and marched in the Victory Parade. 5-11 years

The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like: The Christmas Truce of 1914, https://www.barbaralowell.com/christmas-truce-1914

Books For Kids: World War I https://www.barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-world-war-I

 

Behind the Bookcase: Young Miep Gies

BEHIND THE BOOKCASE: MIEP GIES, ANNE FRANK AND THE HIDING PLACE

By Barbara Lowell, Illustrated by Valentina Toro

Miep Gies risked her life to keep a secret. Behind the bookcase in her office, stairs led to a hiding place where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis. Once a refugee herself, Miep knew the power of kindness. Her selflessness, humanity, and bravery sheltered Anne for a time. Because of Miep, Anne Frank’s story lives on. –Behind the Bookcase Jacket

 YOUNG MIEP GIES

Miep Gies was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1909. Her name was Hermine Santrouschitz. After Austria’s loss in World War I, food was scarce and Miep became malnourished as many of Austria’s children did. Her parents were concerned that their eleven-year-old daughter might die.

Along with other families in the Netherlands, the Nieuwenhuises offered to take care of an Austrian child. Miep’s parents sent her to Leiden to live with the Dutch family. They called her Hermine at first, but then gave her the “affectionate Dutch nickname” Miep. Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Neiuwenhuise began to think of Miep as their adoptive child and the four boys in the family referred to her as one of their two sisters.

Through their kindness and lots of Dutch bread, butter, milk, cheese and chocolate, Miep grew healthy. Her foster father took her to school where the children grabbed her hands, sat her down, and taught her to speak Dutch. Soon, Miep was the top student in her class.

Miep embraced the Dutch life. She rode a bicycle for the first time, learned to make butter sandwiches, talked about what she read in the newspaper and learned to love classical music. But ice skating on a frozen canal was something she tried once but would never try again.

When she was thirteen, Miep and her new family moved to Amsterdam. She loved its movie theaters, electric streetcars, the canals winding through the city, the beautiful flower stalls, and all the bicycles racing along the city’s bike paths.

When she was sixteen, she visited her Austrian family. Miep told them that she had grown to love living in Amsterdam and wanted to stay there. She considered herself to be Dutch now. Her parents gave their permission and Miep returned to Amsterdam and her life with the Nieuwenhuise family. In 1941, she married Jan Gies. From the time she was eleven until her death in 2010, at age 100, Miep Gies lived a proud Dutch life.

To learn more about Behind the Bookcase visit https://barbaralowell.com/books-2/behind-the-bookcase/

To learn more about Miep Gies, visit http://www.miepgies.nl/en/

 

 

Books For Kids: World War I

Midnight: A True Story of Loyalty in World War I

By Mark Greenwood, Illustrated By Frané Lessac

Guy Haydon raised and trained Midnight from the time she was a foal. The two had such a strong bond that when World War I broke out, Lieutenant Haydon slipped away from the frontlines of Gallipoli on an Egypt-bound ship to reunite with his horse. There, in the city of Beersheba, on October 31, 1917, two regiments of the Australian Light Horse Brigade took part in one of the last great cavalry charges in history. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lieutenant Guy Haydon, riding Midnight—who succumbed to a bullet that might have otherwise killed her rider. In a new story from an award-winning duo, luminous illustrations and lyrical narration bring a sad moment in history to life. 5-9 years

Winnie’s Great War

by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Here is a heartwarming imagining of the real journey undertaken by the extraordinary bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. From her early days with her mama in the Canadian forest, to her remarkable travels with the Veterinary Corps across the country and overseas, and all the way to the London Zoo where she met Christopher Robin Milne (and inspired the creation of the world’s most famous bear,) Winnie is on a great war adventure.

This story is a blending of deep research and magnificent imagination. Infused with Sophie Blackall’s renderings of an endearing bear, the book is also woven through with entries from Captain Harry Colebourn’s real wartime diaries and contains a selection of artifacts from the Colebourn Family Archives. The result is a one-of-a-kind exploration into the realities of war, the meaning of courage, and the indelible power of friendship, all told through the historic adventures of one extraordinary bear. 8-11 years

Stubby The Dog Soldier: World War I Hero

By Blake Hoena, Illustrated by Oliver Ian Hurst

A stray dog named Stubby braves the World War I battlefields alongside Private J. Robert Conroy. See the story unfold as this brave little canine makes a big difference in the lives of many World War I soldiers. 5-7 years

Knit Your Bit! A World War I Story

By Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia

Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help. When his teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troops, Mikey and his friends roll their eyes—knitting is for girls! But when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.

Based on a real “Knit-In” event at Central Park in 1918, Knit Your Bit shows readers that making a lasting contribution is as easy as trying something new! 5-8 years

Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Most Famous Dog

By Ann Bausum

Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sgt. Stubby! That German shepherd, Rin Tin Tin, star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way.

Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy’s unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy’s commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy’s unit to the Western Front. 10-13 years

DK Findout! World War I 

By Brian Williams

Did you know that the Allied powers used 33,000 camels in desert warfare? Or that more than 500,000 pigeons carried messages to the war’s front lines? Find out why!

Perfect for young history buffs and fans of the Axis & Allies board games, DK findout! World War I is a highly visual world-history book sure to inspire the next amazing school project or report. Inside, author Brian Williams breaks down why the war began, how it was fought, and what brought it to an end. 6-9 years

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood

By Nathan Hale

World War I set the tone for the 20th century and introduced a new type of warfare: global, mechanical, and brutal. Nathan Hale has gathered some of the most fascinating true-life tales from the war and given them his inimitable Hazardous Tales twist. Easy to understand, funny, informative, and lively, this series is the best way to be introduced to some of the most well-known battles (and little-known secrets) of the infamous war. 8-12

Dazzle Ships:  World War I and the Art of Confusion

               By Chris Barton, Illustrated by Victo Ngai

During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Why would anyone put such eye-catching designs on ships?

Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship’s speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs.

Author Chris Barton and illustrator Victo Ngai bring to life this little-known story of how the unlikely and the improbable became just plain dazzling. 7-11 years

Where Poppies Grow: A World War I Companion

By Linda Granfield

When World War I began in 1914, no one knew that millions of young people would die in the agonizing years ahead. No one imagined the effect it would have on family life, or that whole villages would disappear, or that entire nations would be changed forever. They believed their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers would be home by Christmas. They were tragically mistaken.

With photos, memorabilia, and anecdotes, Linda Granfield brings us face-to-face with people from all walks of life who risked everything for their country. These painstakingly-gathered bits and pieces are remnants of conflict on a scale never before witnessed. Hastily-penned letters, notes written in code, and prayers for deliverance form an eloquent portrait of humanity, and a startling comment on the devastation of war. 11 and up

World War I For Kids: A History with 21 Activities

By R. Kent Rasmussen

One hundred years after the start of the “Great War,” World War I for Kids provides an intriguing and comprehensive look at this defining conflict that involved all of the world’s superpowers. Why and how did the war come about? What was daily life like for soldiers in the trenches? What roles did zeppelins, barbed wire, and the passenger ship Lusitania play in the war? Who were Kaiser Wilhelm, the Red Baron, and Edith Cavell? Young history buffs will learn the answers these questions and many others, including why the western front bogged down into a long stalemate; how the war ushered in an era of rapid military, technological, and societal advances; and how the United States’ entry helped end the war.

Far from a dry catalog of names, dates, and battles, this richly illustrated book goes in depth into such fascinating topics as turn-of-the-20th-century weaponry and the important roles animals played in the war, and explains connections among events and how the war changed the course of history. Hands-on activities illuminate both the war and the times. 

Kids can: Make a periscope, teach a dog to carry messages, make a parachute, learn a popular World War I song, cook Maconochie Stew and much more. 9 and up

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author!

You may like, The Christmas Truce of 1914 https://barbaralowell.com/christmas-truce-1914/

Christopher Robin and the Real Winnie https://barbaralowell.com/christopher-robin-real-winnie/

Books For Kids: Epidemics

Plagues, Pox, and Pestilence

  By Richard Platt , Illustrated by John Kelly

Plagues, Pox, and Pestilence is a history of disease, and pestilence, told from the point of view of the bugs and pests that cause them. This book features case histories of epidemics and eyewitness accounts from the rats, flies, ticks and creepy-crawlies who spread diseases. There are lots of fascinating facts and figures on the biggest and worst afflictions. 7-12 years

Outbreak! Plagues That Changed History

By Bryn Barnard

Filled with fascinating, often gory details about disease and history, Outbreak! is the combination of science and history.

Did the Black Death destroy medieval Europe? Did cholera pave the way for modern Manhattan? Did yellow fever help end the slave trade? Remarkably, the answer to all of these questions is yes. Time and again, diseases have impacted the course of human history in surprisingly powerful ways. Bryn Barnard describes the symptoms and paths of the world’s worst diseases—and how the epidemics they spawned have changed history forever. 8-12 years

Epidemic, Pandemic, Should I Call the Medic?

By Baby Professor

What is the difference between epidemics and pandemics? Learn the difference and more in this biology book for kids. 6 and up

An American Plague:

The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

By Jim Murphy

In 1793, Philadelphia was the nation’s capital and the largest city in North America. It’s devastated by an apparently incurable disease, its cause unknown.

Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever. It took a toll on the city’s residents. He relates the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. Drawing on first-hand accounts, he spotlights the heroic role of Philadelphia’s free blacks in combating the epidemic. And the Constitutional crisis that President Washington faced when he was forced to leave the city while escaping the deadly contagion. The search for the fever’s causes and cure, not found for more than a century afterward, provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this story of a city under siege. 10-12 years

Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America

By Susan Campbell Bartoletti

What happens when a person’s reputation has been forever damaged? With archival photographs and text among other primary sources, this biography of Mary Mallon looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary’s controversial life. How she was treated by medical and legal officials reveals a lesser-known story of human and constitutional rights. It’s entangled with the science of pathology and the enduring questions about who Mary Mallon really was. How did her name become synonymous with deadly disease? And who is really responsible for the lasting legacy of Typhoid Mary? This exploration includes an author’s note, timeline, annotated source notes, and bibliography. 12 and up

Plague! Epidemics, and Scourges Through the Ages

By John Farndon, Illustrated by Venitia Dean

Being sick is horrible. But it used to be worse. Inside this book, you’ll see evidence of the plagues of the past―rotting skin, dissolving lungs, and sinister swelling all over the body. Diseases like the Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages. Tuberculosis consumed young people like a bloodsucking vampire. And Smallpox left its victims scarred for life―if they survived. At the time, no one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them. But eventually doctors discovered how these diseases and others were spread. Being sick isn’t quite as sickening as it was in the past!  8-12 years

Purple Death

By David Getz

The Spanish Flu was one of the worst epidemics in this country’s history, and the search for its cause is still one of science’s most urgent quests. David Getz tells young readers the story of the mysterious flu known as the Purple Death―the virus responsible for the worst epidemic in American history.

It was 1918, the last year of World War I. Thousands of men lived in crowded army training camps that were scattered all across the United States. That spring, a strange flu struck the soldiers at a camp in the Midwest. Healthy young men went to the hospital complaining of sore throats and fevers. Within hours they had suffocated, their skin taking on a terrible purplish hue.

The devastating flu spread like wildfire across the country, infecting soldiers and civilians alike. It killed more than half a million people in a matter of months, then disappeared as suddenly as it had come.

To this day, no one knows what caused a common flu to become so deadly, but scientists are still searching for answers. What they discover could save millions of lives if another common flu virus suddenly turns into a killer. 7-10 years

Fever 1793

By Laurie Halse Anderson

An epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of Philadelphia.

During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out. 

The epidemic sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie’s world upside down. At her feverish mother’s insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like, Books For Kids: Scientists https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-scientists

Pandemics That Changed History https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/pandemics-timeline

Caldecott Medal 2012-2022

The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children by the Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association. These are the 2012-2022 Caldecott winners:

2022

Watercress

By Andrea Wang, Illustrated by Jason Chin

Driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl’s parents stop suddenly when they spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. Grabbing an old paper bag and some rusty scissors, the whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of the muddy, snail covered watercress as they can.

At first, she’s embarrassed. Why can’t her family get food from the grocery store? But when her mother shares a story of her family’s time in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged. Together, they make a new memory of watercress.

Andrea Wang tells a moving autobiographical story of a child of immigrants discovering and connecting with her heritage, illustrated by award winning author and artist Jason Chin, working in an entirely new style, inspired by Chinese painting techniques. An author’s note in the back shares Andrea’s childhood experience with her parents.

2021

We Are Water Protectors

By Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption―a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.

Water is the first medicine.
It affects and connects us all . . .

When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth
And poison her people’s water, one young water protector
Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource.

2020

The Undefeated

By Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Originally performed for ESPN’s The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.

2019

Hello Lighthouse

By Sophie Blackall

Watch the days and seasons pass as the wind blows, the fog rolls in, and the icebergs drift by. Outside, there is water all around. Inside, the daily life of the lighthouse keeper and his family unfolds as the keeper boils water for tea, lights the lamp’s wick, and writes every detail in his logbook.

Step back in time, through the door of this iconic lighthouse into the cozy dollhouse-like interior with the extraordinary award-winning artist Sophie Blackall.

2018

Wolf in the Snow

By Matthew Cordell

Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts.

2017

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

by Javaka Steptoe

Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1960s. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Javaka Steptoe introduces the powerful message that art doesn’t always have to be neat or clean, and definitely not inside the lines to be beautiful.

2016

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

By Lindsay Mattick, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war. Harry Colebourn’s real-life great-granddaugher tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and even more remarkable journey from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England. And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin. Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl.

2015

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

By Dan Santat

This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and at long last is given his special name: Beekle. 

2014

Locomotive

By Brian Floca

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and families are traveling together riding America’s brand new transcontinental railroad. Brian Floca makes the story come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives. Come here the hiss of the steam. Feel the heat of the engine. Watch the landscape race by. Come ride the rails and cross the young country!

2013

This Is Not My Hat

By Jon Klassen

When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly,) trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that an enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. Visual humor swims to the fore as Jon Klassen creates another dead-pan-funny tale. 

2012

A Ball For Daisy

By Chris Raschka

Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy’s anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. Chris Raschka explores the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. His signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author.

You may like: Christopher Robin and the Real Winnie https://barbaralowell.com/christopher-robin-real-winnie

 

Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic

Amelia Earhart first became interested in airplanes during World War I when she was a volunteer nurse’s aide at a Canadian military hospital. In 1920, she watched her first airplane exhibition. It took place in Long Beach, California. Amelia’s father arranged a plane ride for her the next day. “By the time I got 200 to 300 feet off the ground, I knew I had to fly,” she said.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Amelia took flying lessons from a female pilot, Neta Snook. She then bought her first plane and named it “The Canary” because it was painted yellow. After taking stunt flying lessons, Amelia flew in air shows. She broke an altitude world record by flying 14,000 feet high. In 1923, she earned her pilot’s license.

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock

Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Soon, Amelia was asked to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. She would be the captain of the flight and keep the flight log. But Amelia would not fly the plane.

Amelia Dressed For Her 1928 Flight

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

On June 17, 1928, Amelia, pilot Bill Stultz, and mechanic and co-pilot, Slim Gordon took off from Newfoundland headed for London, England. Their plane, named Friendship, could take off from and land in water.

They flew into fog at 3,000 feet and then into a snowstorm. Bill Stultz flew lower and finally found sunshine. But it didn’t last and again they flew into fog. Unable to see, they radioed ships below asking for their location. Then the radio broke.

When they had only one hour of fuel left, Stulz flew down through the clouds and found a ship. The fliers tried to make contact with the ship, but were unable to. They knew if they landed in the water, Amelia would not be credited with flying across the Atlantic. They continued flying and finally spotted land. It was Burry Port, Wales.

When Amelia returned to America, she was a celebrity. New York City treated her, Bill Stulz, and Slim Gordon to a ticker-tape parade. Amelia wrote a book about the flight titled, 20 Hrs., 40 min.: Our Flight in the Friendship. 

Amelia was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. But she hadn’t flown the plane. Now Amelia wanted to be the first woman to pilot a plane solo across the Atlantic. 

Lockheed Vega

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

In 1929, she bought a red Lockheed Vega airplane. She set new speed and altitude records in the Vega. She flew from the East coast to the West coast and back again. In 1932, Amelia was ready to attempt to duplicate the solo flight of Charles Lindbergh.

On May 20, 1932, exactly five years after Lindbergh’s historic flight, Amelia took off in her Vega airplane from Newfoundland. She hoped to reach Paris as Lindbergh had. At first the sky was clear, but then Amelia flew into rain and then ice. She flew lower to melt the ice, but her altimeter had broken. She could no longer tell how high up she was. Amelia had to be very careful not to fly close to the ocean. 

Amelia in Northern Island

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock

When her reserve fuel tank leaked, Amelia abandoned her plans to land in Paris. She looked for land and spotted a pasture. After safely landing, a farmer told her she was in Northern Ireland. The trip took 14 hours and 56 minutes over 2,026 miles. Amelia Earhart was now the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. 

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and making a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like:

Books For Kids Amelia Earhart: https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-amelia-earhart/

Harriet Quimby America’s First Female Licensed Pilot https://barbaralowell.com/harriet-quimby-pilot

Barnstorming Bessie Coleman https://barbaralowell.com/barnstorming-bessie-coleman

Elinor Smith Teenage Flying Flapper https://barbaralowell.com/elinor-smith-flying-flapper

 

 

 

 

Books For Kids: Christmas

Red and Lulu

By Matt Tavares

Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months. Once a year the people who live nearby string lights on the tree and sing: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Fortunately, it’s the season for miracles. 3-7 years

Christmas From Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bombers

By Tom Brokaw, Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett

This is the story of the humble beginnings of what became a beacon of hope to a war-torn country. Gail Halvorsen, a young pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps was assigned as a cargo pilot to the Berlin Airlift, in which U.S. forces flew much needed supplies into Soviet-blockaded Berlin. Lt. Halvorsen offers gum to the German children gathered outside the Tempelhof Air Base. He knows they have very little and decides he will bomb Berlin with candy. 5 and up

The Christmas Truce: A True Story of World War I

By Aaron Shepard

Christmas Day, 1914, My dear sister Janet, It is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts — yet I could not sleep myself before writing to you of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I hadn’t been through it myself, I would scarce believe it. Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France! 9-12 years

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree

By David Rubel, Illustrated by Jim LaMarche

The story opens in Depression-era New York City. Eight-year-old Henry and his father are selling Christmas trees. They give a tree to the construction workers building Rockefeller Center. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a home to replace his family’s shack. He plants a pinecone from the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. It becomes a Christmas tree for Rockefeller Center when Henry is an old man. After Christmas, the tree’s wood is used to build a home for a family in need. 5-9 years

An Invisible Thread Christmas Story

By Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

Illustrated by Barry Root

Laura Schroff tells the story of the first Christmas that she and Maurice, a boy she met on the street asking for change, spent together. She shares how Maurice gave her a small white bear, and as she later learns, the one thing he had that he could truly call his own, to show her how grateful he was for their friendship. 4-8 years

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

By Susan Wojciechowki, Illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. 6-9 years

The Family Under the Bridge

By Natalie Savage Carlson

Armand, an old Parisian living on the streets of Paris, relishes his solitary life. He begged and did odd jobs for money to keep himself warm and fed, and he liked his carefree life. Then one day just before Christmas, a struggling mother and her three children walked into his life. Though he tried to ignore their troubles, Armand soon found himself caring for the family and sharing his unusual home with them. It did not take Armand very long to realize that he had a ready-made family; one that he loved with all his heart, and one for whom he would have to find a better home than under the bridge.  8-12 years

Gifts of the Heart

By Patricia Polacco

Richie and Trisha want to buy Christmas gifts for their family, but they don’t have enough money. Enter Kay Lamity, a new housekeeper…but is that all she is? She comes into their lives like a whirlwind, brimming with positive energy and a can-do attitude. Kay not only straightens them out when it comes to whether or not Santa Claus is real, she teaches them something about gifts: the just-good-enough kind that come from the pocketbook and the unforgettable kind that come from the heart. Because of Kay, Trisha and Richie and their family have a Christmas morning they will never forget. 5-8 years

My favorite Christmas book, A Christmas Memory, by Truman Capote. A beautiful book to share with children.

For some holiday fun, desserts paired with classic Christmas books at: https://www.berries.com/blog/desserts-and-classic-christmas-books

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

The Christmas Truce of 1914

Remembering the Christmas Truce of 1914, Albert Moran of the 2nd Queen’s Regiment wrote: “It was a beautiful moonlit night, frost on the ground, white almost everywhere; and…there were those lights — I don’t know what they were. And then they sang Silent NightStille Nacht. I shall never forget it. It was one of the highlights of my life.”

From: Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub.

bf96e77dd7e94c81e38e49e4b898c7ed

The lights shining on the parapets — the tops of the German trenches — were candles. Up and down the lines of the Western Front, stretching from the shores of Belgium through France, soldiers sang Christmas carols and exchanged Christmas greetings across No Man’s Land. This was the Christmas truce of 1914, four months after the start of World War I.

Soldiers-fraternising-in-Belguim-on-Christmas-Day-1914-2

German and Allied Soldiers Together

The truce began with the Germans. They lit candles on the parapets and on their Christmas trees. They sang Silent Night. Their Christmas spirit inspired the Allies. The British, French, and Belgian soldiers responded first by shooting flares into the sky and then singing Christmas carols.

football-1914

Christmas Day Football

Signs went up. The British wrote “Merry Christmas.” The Germans wrote “Happy Christmas.” Men left the trenches and crossed No Man’s Land to greet each other. They exchanged gifts of chocolate, cakes, and tobacco and played games of football together. For a brief time, the joy of Christmas brought peace again to the men in the trenches on the Western Front.

If you like this article, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like: Books For Kids Christmas (history) https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-christmas

Books For Kids:

Shooting Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914

By John Hendrix

Christmas in the Trenches

By John McCutcheon, Illustrated by Henri Sorensen

Christmas Truce: A True Story of World War I

By Aaron Shephard, Illustrated by Wendy Edelson

Christopher Robin and the Real Winnie

Christopher Robin Milne, the son of A.A. Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, first met London Zoo’s famous bear Winnie when he was three or four years old. According to his father, Christopher Robin ran right up to Winnie and said, “Oh, Bear!” while hugging her. “The bear hugged Christopher Robin,” his father said. “They had a glorious time together rolling about and pulling ears and all sorts of things.”

BvjOKRkIUAAtR4r

Christopher Robin and the Real Winnie 

Winnie was a very tame bear. She played with London’s children by giving them rides on her back. The children fed her oranges and a “Winnie cocktail” — sweet milk mixed with golden syrup. Winnie rocked back and forth to say thank you. Winnie even had her own “signed” publicity photo.

Sometime after meeting Winnie, Christopher Robin decided to rename his teddy bear, from Edward Bear (similar to the generic Teddy Bear) to Winnie-the-Pooh. He combined the name Pooh, the name he had given to a swan, with Winnie, the bear’s name, to create the original name Winnie-the-Pooh, a name known throughout the world.

Winnie, an American black bear, was found at a train station by Lt. Harry Colebourn, a Canadian Veterinary soldier, when she was about seven months old. He traveled to England for training in WWI and when sent to the front in France, temporarily gave Winnie to London Zoo. In December 1919, he decided to donate Winnie to the zoo in gratitude for the excellent care she received.

If you like this article, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

Books For Kids:

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

By Lindsay Mattick, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Winnie:

The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

By Sally M. Walker, Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss

The Real Winnie: A One-Of-A-Kind Bear

By Val Shushkewich