Mary Anning's Curiosity by Monica Kulling

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a walk through history, hand in hand with one of the female unsung heroes of science, more specifically...the field of fossils.  Always a fascinating study, whether in textbook reading or practice, but when you can connect the interest with someone that was and whose work still is, now THAT'S when you spark curiosity.  Speaking of curiosity, let's meet today's book of choice...

Mary Anning's Curiosity

by

Monica Kulling

Illustrated by

Melissa Castrillon

9781554988983

Groundwood Books

About the book...

Mary Anning, considered the world’s greatest fossilist, discovered her first big find at the age of twelve. This novel is an imaginative re-creation of her childhood in early nineteenth-century Lyme Regis.

Mary was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, England, to a poor family. She and her older brother were the only two of ten children to survive. Her father, a carpenter and part-time fossil hunter, taught his children to look for fossils.

When her father injured himself and was unable to work, Mary quit school and took up fossil hunting full-time to help support her family, a task that became even more important when her father died, leaving the Annings in debt.

At the age of twelve, Mary, with her older brother Joe, found what they believed to be the skeleton of a gigantic crocodile, the Great Croc of the legends. Between dodging her rival fossil hunter, the Curiman, and the sheer work of carefully digging out the fossil, Mary took almost a year to excavate what would later be termed the Ichthyosaurus.

Mary Anning may have been uneducated, poor and a woman, but her life’s work of fossil hunting led her to make many discoveries that influenced our understanding of prehistoric creatures and the age of the Earth. In 2010, Mary was named among the ten British women who have most influenced the history of science. Charles Darwin even cited Mary’s fossilized creatures as evidence in his book On the Origin of Species.

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A wonderful story that puts us inside the imagined days and nights of this curiosity seeking family from our real life history! You'll fall in love with little Mary and her never-say-die spirit that carries her from the classroom to her heart's desire, FOSSIL HUNTING...and in search of the fabled monster's remains. *DUN DUN DUNNNN*  Was it the popular choice? No sir (well, unless you count the opinion of one out to steal your claim)...although neither was a strong education for women at that time, but what's right for one may not always match up to the status quo and that, my friends, can lead us to discoveries and dreams come true we've only dared imagine.

Author Monica Kulling does a wonderful job of bringing history to life once again, making it accessible to the young and young at heart, with a fun filled story and additional learning options at book's end.  The efforts of illustrator Melissa Castrillon definitely do not go unnoticed either, as they give the words some visual depth, and add our imaginations in the "seeing is believing" battle. So, invite yourself along on an edutainment trip this summer and uncover a world you've only heard whispers of, right in your own backyard. 

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About the author...

Monica Kulling is the author of over fifty books for children. Her most recent book is On Our Way to Oyster Bay: Mother Jones and Her March for Children’s Rights, illustrated by Felicita Sala. She has also written the popular Great Idea series, including In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up. Monica’s work has been nominated for many awards, including numerous Silver Birch Express and Golden Oak awards. Her recent picture books include Happy Birthday, Alice Babette, Grant and Tillie Go Walking and The Tweedles Go Electric. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto.

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About the illustrator...

Melissa Castrillon has a First Class Honors Degree in Illustration and a master’s degree in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. She is a freelance illustrator based in Cambridge, England.

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Special thanks to author Monica Kulling and the Groundwood Books team for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Groundwood Books, an imprint of House of Anansi, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



Happy Birthday, Alice Babette by Monica Kulling

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Here's hoping that you survived any pranks you might have encountered yesterday, it being April Fool's Day and all.  I lucked out with being off from work so I hibernated at home with a movie/pizza night, and all the reading I could "eat".  As for being "taken", I clicked through a few of the more entertaining ads just to see what's what and managed a good chuckle.  Laughter is good for the soul, right?  Yes, indeed...and so is a healthy dose of friendship and love, bringing us to today's post and featured title...

Happy Birthday, Alice Babette

by

Monica Kulling

Illustrated by

Qin Leng

9781554988204

GroundwoodBooks

About the book...

It’s Alice’s birthday! But her friend Gertrude seems to have forgotten. No matter, Alice goes out and enjoys her day just the same. A beautiful spring afternoon in Paris — what could be better? Little does she know that her dear friend has a few surprises up her sleeve.

While Alice spends the day walking around Paris — riding a carousel in the park and watching a puppet show — Gertrude turns her attention to the kitchen. She is determined to make a lavish dinner with all of Alice’s favorite things and write a poem to match the occasion.

But the lure of the perfect poetic line proves to be too distracting, and just as Alice’s day takes an exciting and unexpected turn, Gertrude’s big dinner falls all to pieces. The poem turns out beautifully, of course, but the house is a bit of a mess. It’s a good thing Alice doesn’t mind cleaning up. And that she has such a good brownie recipe for their guests.

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Today, we're celebrating the early arrival of another Picture Book wonder from author Monica Kulling via Groundwood Books.  Is the name ringing a bell?  Well, it should!  We've featured her work several times and always glad to join the party when another hits store shelves.  Her work always manages to bring to life something of little known history but of utmost importance that we're usually taking for granted while delivering messages that echo through reading audiences of all ages.  Today's selection is no different in those veins, only the fact that the events in the tale were "inspired by" versus a record of, varies.  That's okay though because even when imagined, it still comes from a place grounded in reality that one can easily see it being so.  

Here, we have a story inspired by the lives of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, best friends from a time gone by that left their marks equally on the world.  (Did I mention that the author's works always spark that need to explore further?)  In this story on this particular day, it is Alice's birthday and she is oh-so-excited to see what's in store for her, but the surprise she get is on her.  It's a classic case of oh-my-they-forgot-about-my-big-day, or at least that's the way it looks ala Sixteen Candles, only...it isn't; she just doesn't know it yet.  Alice sets out to celebrate her day in her own way (which by the way, is definitely a my-way-too situation!) with plans to return home later that evening.  In the mean time, Gertrude has plans of her own to make her a party she won't forget full of her favorite foods, a tasty dessert, and a poem to commemorate the occasion.  Sounds great, right?  Umm...yeah, about that.

Gertrude is a pro in the writing aspect of things, but cooking isn't really her forte...reminding us that it's the thought that counts in gifts received, not necessarily the quality or quantity.  She tries her best on all fronts but in the end, her talents win out over those that she tried to adopt for the day...you know writers, they get distracted by their craft and a boiling pot waits for no man/woman.  Her friend comes home from a day of merriment to discover...well let's just say that they are best friends for a reason and that fondness runs deep.  A smile brought to the other's face was something worth celebrating and though it may not have turned out exactly as Gertrude intended, it was still an event to remember with good food, friends, and moments to cherish a lifetime through.

In the end, it's a simple tale filled with love, friendship, and the mishaps that both can encounter along the rocky road of life.  It reminds us to cherish those we hold dear, never forget the efforts behind the results, and to celebrate ALL the moments with a full heart.  The combination of gentle story and playful illustrations work wonders to whisk you to old Paris as we wander the streets with Alice, stress over our self assigned task with Gertrude, and eventually toast the day with a cup of tea.  It was a birthday to remember and a celebration that will carry over from the wee ones to readers up there in years.

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About the author...

Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Victoria. Monica Kulling has published twenty-six fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. She is best known for introducing biography to children just learning to read and has written about Harriet Tubman, Houdini, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart among others. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

SITE  |  Children's Literature Network

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About the illustrator...

Qin Leng lives and works as a designer and illustrator in Toronto. She graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and has received many awards for her animated short films and artwork. Throughout her career, Qin has illustrated picture books, magazines and book covers with publishers around the world. Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin, written by Chieri Uegaki, was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award, and received the APALA Award for best picture book

TUMBLR

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Special thanks to the Groundwood Books team for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, her growing collection of works, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Groundwood Books, an imprint of House of Anasi Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

BOOK BIRTHDAY: Grant and Tillie Go Walking by Monica Kulling

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're throwing a BOOK BIRTHDAY celebration for one of my favorite Picture Book authors. She's well known for bringing historical figures to life in ways that capture the heart and the imagination of readers of all ages...and today's newest release does not disappoint! Without further adieu, grab your party horns and don your hats, today's book of choice is...

　

　

Grant and Tillie Go Walking

by

Monica Kulling

Illustrated by

Sydney Smith

9781554984466

Groundwood Books

About the book...

Grant Wood believed that to be a real artist, he had to live in Paris. But once he got there, he realized that to be a great painter he needed to return to the people and places—and even animals—that he knew and loved the best.

Inspired by the life of artist Grant Wood, this is the sensitively imagined story of the great American painter and a cow named Tillie. Skillfully mixing fact with fiction, Monica Kulling’s text explores the making of an artist, while Sydney Smith’s illustrations echo Grant Wood’s own techniques. The result is a gently wise picture book that will encourage young readers and artists to trust the love that is sometimes only found close to home.

Includes an author’s note that provides biographical information about Grant Wood.

　

　

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This is a story that's all about discovering that the "who" we wish to be isn't determined by where we are or our circumstances, but by what/whom we surround ourselves with and what we hold dear.

The focus here is on Mr. Grant Wood. Know the name? I didn't think so (but if you did, go you!). He's actually rather famous for a particular painting featuring a man and a woman standing rather stoically in front of a farmhouse with a pitchfork. Ring any bells? Here, let me help you out...

　

'American Gothic'

TADA!

See? I knew you'd catch up!

Brava!

Though parts of the story are embellished, it matters not to the overall edutainment value of the book. I mean, I would dearly love to believe Mr. Wood spent quality time with his number one bovine but to the extent the story takes it, it's highly unlikely (and confirmed in the author's note at book's end); it doesn't mean there isn't a grain of truth in the fiction though (again confirmed at book's end) and that's the part that makes this not only educational but a charming, heartwarming, and inspirational read as well. I always enjoy Ms. Kulling's works for that very reason. She is very adept at weaving a tale that will delight and enchant while bringing history to life for this generation.

As you read through this wonderful story, you can't help but have your eyes dance across the illustrations throughout. I love the technique used...don't ask me to name it, but it reminds me of sponge painting and the texture adds that dusty farmhand quality to the page. My favorite scene? Well now, that's a hard one to narrow but if pressed, I'd go with the reunion of Wood and Tillie after his trip abroad. You can feel the contentment, the "I'm home" vibe right from the pictured embrace.

So you see fair readers, there is much to be gained from the world of Picture Books be they fiction, non, or somewhere in between like this one. You get the delightful images to bring each scene to life while you learn about someone new or new-to-you that has a message to impart. My takeaway here? To follow your dreams, you need not run from where you've come...and sometimes home is truly where the heart should stay. Recommended read for all ages and another win from an author who knows her craft.

　

　

　

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About the author...

　

Monica Kulling is the author of over forty books for children, including The Tweedles Go Electric and The Tweedles Go Online as well as the popular Great Idea series, stories of inventors. Going Up! Elisha Otis’s Trip to the Top, the fourth in the series, was a finalist for the 2013 Norma Fleck Non-Fiction Award. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her at www.monicakulling.com

　

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About the illustrator...

　

　

Sydney Smith was born in rural Nova Scotia, and has been drawing since an early age. Since graduating from NSCAD University, he has illustrated multiple children’s books, including the wordless picture book Sidewalk Flowers, and he has received awards for his illustrations, including the Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration. He now lives in Toronto and works in a shared studio space in Chinatown where he eats too many banh mi sandwiches and goes to the library or the Art Gallery of Ontario on his breaks.

　

　

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Special thanks to author Monica Kulling and the Groundwood Books team for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, or either of their previous or forthcoming works, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is IN STORES NOW via Groundwood Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

　



For the love of...progress (& picture books, take 2)!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, the place that aims to please your curious mind with flights of fancy…and then some.

 The “and then some” mentioned there is referring to that instance that happens when you pick up a book expecting one thing, have that preconceived notion satisfied, but ALSO walk away with something to think about.  That is just what today’s featured book offers, along with a host of illustrations that I found quite appealing.  That’s right!   Today we’re heading back to the land of Picture Books with an author who’s well known in her field (40+ works published!) and an illustrator whose work is new to me, but if I had to make a snap judgment, I like it!  Get ready to step into the future through a window from the past, today’s book of choice is…

The Tweedles Go Electric

By

Monica Kulling

Illustrations by

Marie Lafrance

9781554981670

A Groundwood Book

Meet the Tweedles.  They’re an innovative family even if at first they seem more backwards than forwards.  I mean in an age of gas and steam cars (early 1900’s), they’re choosing to ride bicycles!  How quaint…or perhaps, how GREEN.  Ever been hip before your time or catch a trend before it even was one?  That’s the Tweedles in a nutshell with their first venture into automobiles.  You see, one day Papa decides they are taking all the money they saved from riding their bikes and investing it in a vehicle!  (Way to go Papa!)  Mama is deliriously happy, Francis (aka Frankie) is beside himself with glee and young Frances (aka Franny), well she’s happy but would frankly rather not be interrupted as she is currently reading a very interesting book (yes….a bookworm! ~tiptoes past her page~).  With this monumental decision made, all that’s left to do is actually PICK one…a task much simpler than you might think.

Now remember, we’re in the early 1900’s so options are limited to begin with but not so much so that choosing should be down to only one model in either gas or steam.  Well, it wasn’t but you see the Tweedles are, as the title implies, going ELECTRIC.  They want a motor vehicle with a quiet heart that doesn’t belch gases in the air and leave a trail of toxins behind it…and the best place to get one of these beauties is Mister Mo’s Motors.  The man behind the dealership is Mister Mo himself and he has a green vehicle just right for this family…in both function AND color.  The Tweedles couldn’t be more pleased.  But wait, what’s this?  Not everyone is welcoming of their chosen mode of transportation, in fact some are downright disturbed by it…like one Mr. Hamm.  *ahem* Why exactly remains a mystery for YOU to ponder (or discuss…hello eco conversation!) but the reality of it all (and the author’s viewpoint) comes to light when a crisis strikes and the Tweedles, as well as their motor car, are placed front and center.  Will they save the day or fizzle out like the last sparks of electricity from a broken socket?  *dun dun dunnnn*

If you can’t tell, I had a great time with this little read.  The story is socially and environmentally aware without being overbearing.  It makes a good case for the cleaner and quieter electric vehicles that we’re starting to see more out and about today but also opens the door for discussion as to why we need or still use the other varieties.  The Tweedle family is diverse enough and well written that most readers can easily find themselves in one of their pairs of shoes.  As for the illustrations, they strike me as more painting-like and yet they are still accessible to eyes of all ages.  You can see the elation on the young boy’s face when he’s playing with wheeled objects, the concentration in Franny’s features as she delves into another book, and the consternation in the motion stills of the citizens of their small town as they share their discontent of the little green wonder.  All in all, it amounts to a wonderful addition to the author’s many works and a great introduction to an illustrator with obvious talent.

Author Monica Kulling

Review copy courtesy of author Monica Kulling and Groundwood Books.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her complete body of works, be sure to stop by her official site or friend her on Facebook.  Oh and don’t forget to friend the Tweedles themselves on Facebook!  That’s right….they have their own page to celebrate their romp within the pages.  (^_^)  This book is available now via Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore or virtual shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!