First off, I have to say that the art in this book is superior to virtually any other children's storybook I have seen in my young parenting career. The paintings portay the scene described in the words perfectly.

This book does an excellent job of conveying a family life where the stories passed through the generations matter so much that the grandchildren DO in fact dream and wonder about the lives of their grandparents. I want for my daughter to dream and wonder, too.

As the adoptive father of a biracial girl, I think this is a good book for conveying a part of her cultural heritage that she may not get to experience much first hand.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The rhythm and lyricism of the words conveys the loving relationship between the little girl and her grandmother. I've given the book as a gift to several little girls. One mother called to say that they had read the book 2 or 3 times each day since it was received. Don't let 'race' color your decision to purchase this book. The story is for all little girls and grown-up girls as well.

I love this book! Dinah Johnson tells all about family living in the Carolinas, using the language of the African-American culture, yet the book's theme is universal. A good read for any child. I particularly liked the name, Hattie Lottie Annie Quinnie Blue. The rhythm of the words are truly like raindrops falling on a tin roof as I remember growing up in North Carolina. James Ransome's life-like illustrations are wonderful. Throughout this read, one can sense the presence of self love as Quinnie Blue compares her life experiences to that of her grandmother's. So, unselfish self-love is passed down.

This book is one of the most beautiful books that I have ever seen. Dinah has taken amazing time to think about her dolls, name them, and write according to the personalities of the people for whom they sit. I appreciate her work and the beauty of our culture being so eloquently represented. Wonderful!

This book will not only make you want to buy it, but will also tease you to start collecting dolls! Dolls from plain to the unique are captured beautifully and held spellbound with prose and print that is purely captivating!

Young and old alike will enjoy this book, which must be read aloud with attitude! A sure mother/daughter pleaser!

Children remind us that dolls enchant, comfort, inspire loyalty, and buoy our imaginations. All will find this true in Sitting Pretty, as author and educator Dinah Johnson shares her collection of black dolls.

Poetry and marvelous photographs reveal each doll's individual personality - there is Charnelle, an adorable baby doll clad in pink, Retta, an exotic West African doll, and, of course, the quintessential church lady - Miss Frona in her elaborate and lacy bib-collared Sunday best.

Author's notes reveal the origin and further information about each beguiling doll. This is a unique contribution to the annals of doll books, and a first rate one!

"All Around Town: The Photographs of Richard Samuel Roberts" combines the subject matter of the title with an easy-to-read text by Dinah Johnson. An author's note at the end states that Roberts was a self-taught photographer who documented African-American life in Columbia, South Carolina, and other places in the 1920s and 1930s.

This book is full of wonderful images: a proud graduate in cap and gown, a baseball team, uniformed schoolgirls, a couple posing with a classic car, a man with a dog, a young soldier in uniform, and much more. There are some particularly nice pictures of children that should appeal to contemporary kids. Together these pictures offer a moving glimpse into the lives of African-Americans in Roberts' time. Roberts had a real gift for photography, and the format of this book makes that gift accessible to young readers. Highly recommended.