An enjoyable, well-researched nonfiction work for young readers.
In this children’s book, the American frontier is seen through the eyes of a California family.
In 1885, Frederick Godde arrived in New York City from his home in rural Germany eager for a fresh start in a new country. The 22-year-old arrived in the U.S. the same year as the Statue of Liberty and left behind 14 generations in the North Rhine-Westfalia region. Godde then boarded a train to Los Angeles, where his three brothers were already located, all eager to make their marks. At first, Godde worked at a winery in Hollywood, learning English and meeting farmers, hoping one day to start a farm of his own, like his ancestors did before him. The Mojave Desert presented an opportunity in the form of government-funded land for homesteading, which allowed individuals to own up to 160 acres as long as they improved the land and lived there for at least five years. Conditions were extremely challenging, and Godde not only survived, he thrived. He married Swiss immigrant Mary Weber, and the couple raised nine children—five girls and four boys—on the homestead. In 1897, Godde finally found the perfect crop for the desert: almonds. He joined the California Almond Growers Exchange, which, in 1910, began the Blue Diamond almond brand, which can still be found in stores today. Stamets is the daughter of Godde’s youngest son, nicknamed “The Caboose” by his family, who lived on the homestead his entire life. She includes fun facts about homesteading (including a unique method for dyeing Easter eggs and the Godde family’s method for getting their chickens to sleep) as well as photos of the real Frederick Godde and his family and her own digital illustrations. The result is a strong homage to family. This vibrant, appealing history, with a Little House on the Prairie–esque feel, is full of good, clean fun on a (literal) shoestring and detailed information on the Homestead Act, almond growing, and desert life.
An enjoyable, well-researched nonfiction work for young readers.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: L&M Stamets
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011
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