It is a travesty that the name of Ida B. Wells-Barnett is not more widely known in the most common lists of American heroes. This great woman, though little in stature, was a giant in the fight for justice and racial equality in this country. This book was a very thorough look at the life of an early champion of the civil rights movement in America. After my chilren an I read about her being physically thrown off a railcar, sueing the railroad company and actually winning her lawsuit, we could not put the book down. Although many of the discriptions and photographs were gruesome, they offered a realistic and brutally honest look at the horrors of lynching. I would recommend this book for sixth grade and up.

Grades 5 and up will find this an excellent biographicalcoverage of the mother of the civil rights movement, providing 178pages packed with facts and black and white illustrations. Thisexamines the life and times of Ida Wells, considering her early years, her civil rights campaign, and her anti-lynching campaign which succeeded in nearly abolishing the popular practice. An eye-opening account of not only her life, but her times. Highly recommended and vivid.

If you are not familiar with Ida B. Wells and her work, by allmeans become so immediately. I will be recommending this book toeveryone I know, and I am a children's and young adult librarian. Ida B. Wells is one of the greatest Americans of all time, and most of us have never heard of her. What she did to better the lives of African-Americans and, especially, to stop lynching, is moving, stirring, and heartbreaking. I never knew that people were burned at the stake in the USA, but they certainly were--and the crowds who came to see them die were happy to have so much fun watching "the nigger burn". A great book.

Although this is a children's book, it is "must reading" for any adult who wants to re-energize their enthusiasm for the origin of America. I got this book for my grandchildren, but after reading it myself, decided that it's an adult book as well.

The author has succeeded in making the reader understand the genius of Samuel Adams of Boston. The type of grassroots politics practiced by Adams and other patriots, clearly is as valid today as in theirs.

Always focused upon the ultimate goal, "the last Puritan" was given the title by his peers of "the father of American independence". Author Fradin has been successful in pointing out why Adams deserves the title.

The story is breathtaking. If I had one wish regarding this wonderful book, it would be that every American child hears or reads the story. They would be better Americans for it.

Thanks to Dennis Fradin for writing it. I was so impressed with it, that after reading it I called the author to personally thank him.

An exciting experience awaits young and old when they pick up this book.

My wife and I like to read books on American history to our sons (ages 7 and 8) and were absolutely delighted with this book. Samuel Adams was one of the most important of the patriot leaders, but one about whom little is said these days. That is too bad because no one was a truer, more consistent believer in freedom than he was. Samuel Adams opposed England's taxes and mercantilist trade restrictions; he was just as vociferous an opponent of slavery. Fraidin's writing is clear and easily understood by children, but this is not a childish book. The parents enjoyed and got as much out of it as did the children did. If you think it is important for young Americans to know the history and philosophy of our independence, this book is one give them.

A very good synopsis of Illinos history, people, and cultures. It covers the diverse areas of the state quite well from the rural southern Illinois area to the urban Chicago area. I enjoy using it in my fourth grade classroom because it is written so the children understand it and get a good background history of the state. My students enjoy the beautiful photographs that have been included. I especially like the Gallery of Famous Illinoisans at the end of the book. It also includes a summary of Illinois satistics and history at the end of the book that we found quite useful.

Mary Anning (British, 1799-1847) was one of the first people in the world to make a living by collecting fossils. At age 11 she found the first complete skeleton of an ichthyosaurus. Although this is a picture book (a full page illustration on every other page) the reading level is closer to middle school, perhaps upper elementary if reading skills are strong. A delightful book. I hope it's available again soon.

I bought this book for my students reading about the American Colonies and Revolution. I didn't feel that I knew enough about Ben Franklin and needed to learn more. My students were facinated about him because he was an inventor and did the experiment with the key and the kite to learn about electricity. I learned so much from this book that I had never known before and the readabilty level is perfect for my students. I can't wait to share this book with them!

This book starts out in Idaho. It's about a woman named Sacagawea, who was taken away from her family. A few of her friends left her. The men who came for her called her bird woman.
Sacagawea got married when she was 15 and had a baby. She guided Lewis and Clark across the Western United States. They had to map it out for Thomas Jefferson after the Lousianna Purchase. It took a long time for them to travel to the Pacific and back. She was a huge help to them because she knew what food was safe to eat and what to use for injuries, and helped communicate to the Native Americans they encountered along the way. Lewis and Clark and her took a ship to find here family and they did. Lewis shot himself. Sacagawea died in1896. I think another title for this book should be The Life About Sacagawea. I think she should have lived longer. I will like to tell people to read this book because it's a great educational book. The best part was when she had her baby. The part that I didn't like was when she died. She is a true American heroine.

This reads like a storybook, telling a great deal about the men who signed our declaration. Fillng in gaps in the men's stories, it is also a lively read about life in revolutionary times.

The author seems to try to be even-handed, saying that we will never really know about Betsy Ross's involvement in the flag, for instance, but that she and her family were indeed important at the time. Reasonable.

It is all the more disturbing, in this seemingly well-researched book, to have Fradin assert that Thomas Jefferson certainly was the father of Sally Hemings' children. Just like Betsy Ross, no one knows. (DNA evidence was found to link a Jefferson male with ONE of her 6 known children--but there were 25 other Jeffersons in the area at the time.) Unfortunately now a good many of Fradin's other assertions are suspect.

I just don't have the time to check every single fact in a history book; I want to enjoy the book, itself. I'll be reading this volume with a much more critical eye now, and cautious about recommending it to children.

Very readable and enlightening story of all the signers of the Declaration. Fradin is a master of choosing just the right details about the lives of these men to bring them alive and interest his readers. It will also strike young people how precarious the lives of women and children were.

"The Signers" tells "The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence." Okay, so, riddle me this: how many of those 56 can you name before you read this book? John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams should be easy. But can you get to double figures? The only reason I can easily do so is because I watch the musical "1776" every Fourth of July, which means I can name at least one member of every delegate from each of the 13 colonies that made up the 2nd Continental Congress. If you know your American History you should be able to come up with Samuel Adams; if you collect state quarters you might remember Caesar Rodney; if you know about rare autographs you might even recognize Button Gwinnett. My father had a book about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, which I read through as a kid, but all I really remember is that it had pictures of all of their gravestones.

Author Dennis Brindell Fradin and illustrator Michael McCurdy reintroduce those 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in this fascinating volume written for ages 10 and up (I qualify). Within these pages we meet Samuel Adams, the Father of American Independence; George Wythe, Teacher of Presidents; Stephen Hopkins, the oldest of the signers (except for Benjamin Franklin); and Edmund Rutledge, the youngest of the signers (except for Benjamin Franklin). There is Richard Henry Lee, the first President under the U.S. Constitution; Benjamin Harrison, the father of one President and great-grandfather of another; and Betsy Ross' Uncle George. Of course the entries on the likes of Jefferson and Franklin can only touch on their service to the founding of the nation, so it is the lesser names whose stories are more fascinating, such as George Walton, who was wounded and captured by the British during the war; George Read, who signed the U.S. Constitution twice; and Joseph Hewes, who became one of the main founders of the U.S. Navy.

McCurdy's illustrations were created on scratchboard, which certainly resonates with me, mainly because I did one of these of "Old Ironsides" in grade school. Consequently, I associate the art form with early American history (go figure). For each signer there is a headshot and a representative scene from their life. For a young student of American History in general and the struggle for American Independence in particular, "The Signers" would be a very interesting read and the first place to look for information about these early American patriots.

Some things become life experiences not only for one's child, but for oneself. "Pat the Bunny" is such a book. It is so dear, so simple, and so very, very perfect that it is deceptive. It really can teach a very young baby about textures and colors and the fact that the world is a varied and wonderful place.

When my first child (now almost 18) was less than 6 months old, I would take her tiny hand and place her chubby fingers on each different texture...the bunny, the cloth, and of course my favorite...Daddy's scratchy beard! (a piece of sandpaper). I don't know how much of the simple and sweet words my daughter absorbed, but she was cuddled in my arms, being rocked (our favorite place to read) and she definitely liked to touch the textures. Now the interesting thing is that the book remained special, and when she should have outgrown it, she did not. It remained in the collection. I think that's because it is just so peaceful and simple, remnants of a former time.

If you are expecting, if one of your friends has a new baby, if you are a grandparent or a loving aunt or uncle, you cannot give a better book for a new baby. It will be that baby's cherished book in short order. Guaranteed. One word of warning, though. Make sure that you are buying the original, with all the textures. I saw one oversized board book version the other day, and its only texture was the cotton of the bunny, which carried through to each page. No no!! We need everything right for this book of a lifetime.

My son got this book when he was 2 or 3 months old. We would read it to him occasionally as he was getting older. When he got to be about 6 months, he could do most of the things in the book (play peek-a-boo with Paul, pat the bunny, etc.). Now that he is a year, he does everything -- he waves to Paul & Judy, he puts his finger in the ring, smells the flowers, etc. He loves this book so much, the cover has come off and we have to purchase another.

The great thing about this book is that there is something fun for them to do on every page, and it grows with your child. The only drawback I found is that it's not super-durable if your child really loves it and reads it over and over and over and over... :-)

This is an awesome book and a classic! My 18 month old twin girls have really been into touch and feel books. This is definitely one of their favorites. It has soft textures, scratchy texture, and the peek-a-boo is their favorite as well as the mirror. It also has a scent page, which is great as well. The only thing I would change is to make it more durable. I've already taped it back together, and the comb binding comes undone easily when toddlers are handling it. It is still a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone with toddlers. At least it fits in my purse or diaper bag easily because it is small and lightweight.

Like all of Fradin's books, this one is well written, informative, and interesting. My children both enjoyed listening to this as we studied colonial times, and liked the well chosen black and white illustrations. We especially enjoy the quotes from writings of the period at the start of each chapter, as they give a flavor for how real people of the time viewed things. We have read other accounts of Henry Hudson which seemed to include more information about his earlier life than the biographical sketch in this book, while Fradin states that little is known, but it is difficult to know for certain who is giving the correct information, as conjecture often gets labeled as fact in history books. The section on Hudson is only a one-page excerpt from the book anyway. We greatly appreciate the way this author makes information understandable to children through wise use of vocabulary, but never 'talks down' to them, and includes enough complex terminology to stretch their comprehension of history.

"Lincoln's Birthday" is part of the "Best Holiday Books" series, which tells not only about the life of Abraham Lincoln but also how his birthday became a holiday, which was certainly interesting. Dennis Brindell Fradin sketches out Lincoln's life, including many of the most familiar stories about Honest Abe. The book does not go into detail on the Civil War, but provides a concise explanation that is appropriate for elementary school students. The last chapters not only explain how Lincoln's birthday became a holiday, but provides suggestions for how students can celebrate Lincoln's life in school from learning about Civil War songs like "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to studying Lincoln in the context of Black History Month. Fradin even refers to a couple of well known movies about Lincoln, "Young Mr. Lincoln" and "Abe Lincoln in Illinois." "Lincoln's Birthday" is illustrated with photographs, paintings, drawings and etchings that provide a nice variety of styles, which should prove useful in inspiring young artists to come up with their own tribute's to the nation's 16th President. However, teachers should be prepared when students learn that once upon a time most states had two holidays in February honoring great Presidents and not just one.