Literary Giants - New Picture Books

Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture books at Kidlit Frenzy.  From Alyson and others, you will discover wonderful non-fiction books!

        It's a pleasure today to share new picture book biographies of two favorite and important men in literature.

         Anyone who loves reading Newbery award-winning books for children will love this book, and it even includes parts of the stories that he created and first published. As the book says to children readers, be glad you didn't live in 1726 because people thought children only needed books that taught them "preachy poems and fables." John Newbery thought otherwise, and you can discover how he changed children's literature in this book. It's such a happy story, and the colorful, black-outlined illustrations by Nancy Carpenter are filled with the happiest of children, those of Newbery's time and in the final page, today's.

Poetry Friday - Finding Words

         Carol Wilcox hosts us today with a gathering of poems that offer hope here at the end of this week of sadness. Gather at Carol's Corner to read these poems and those of others who share. Thanks, Carol!

        Like everyone, I've found this to be a week of challenge. It is difficult to watch the news, yet I feel as if I'm betraying the memory of those lost if I don't pay attention. I want to make change, yet am unsure what to do that will help. I have written elected officials, I have signed petitions, I am trying. Many have posted beautiful messages on Facebook. I am part of a community who rails at these tragic events. I am hopeful. I found a quote from J R R Tolkien that meant goodness to me, and because of a mail surprise yesterday, it means more.

       “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

        "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring