Book Reviews
Melinda Long is a teacher and an award winning, children’s picture book author. Her books include How I Became a Pirate and Pirates Don’t Change Diapers. I had the pleasure of meeting Melinda at the SC Book Festival. She told us that the research for her books started when she was a little girl burying treasure in her backyard and still continues now while she is teaching literature.
Melinda lives with her husband and two children in Greenville, South Carolina. Melinda Long will be a special guest author at the 2007 Aiken Children’s Book Festival, October 20 at Aiken Technical College.
From the book jacket of How I Became a Pirate: When Braid Beard's pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board. Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate talk--who wouldn't go along? Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate. He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind. He hollers like thunder and laughs off bedtime. It's the heave-ho, blow-the-man-down, very best time of his life. Until he finds out what pirates don't do--no reading bedtime stories, no tucking kids in. . . . Maybe being a pirate isn't so great after all.
From the book jacket of Pirates Don’t Change Diapers: When the pirate crew turns up at Jeremy Jacob's house and accidentally wakes his baby sister, that wee scallywag howls louder than a storm on the high seas. Sure, there's buried treasure to be found, but nobody's digging up anything until Bonney Anne quits her caterwauling. So, quicker than you can say "scurvy dog," Braid Beard and his swashbuckling pirates become . . . babysitters? Blimey!
Pirates Don’t Change Diapers proves that babysitting can be even more terrifying than walking the plank--especially if you're a pirate.
With Melinda Long’s wonderful stories and David Shannon’s delightful pictures, these books give a hilarious look at pirate life. These books are perfect for children from three years old to 3rd grade. The stories are delightful at any age.
How I Became a Pirate and Pirates Don’t Change Diapers are available at most book stores, including Booklovers Bookstore in Aiken, SC. Don’t forget to come and meet Melinda Long at the 2007 Aiken Children’s Book Festival, October 20 at Aiken Technical College.
Another of our favorite authors who will be appearing is Vonda Skinner Skelton, from Simpsonville, SC. Many of you have meet Vonda when she has visited the Aiken County Schools. Vonda’s books are “Bitsy and the Mystery of Tybee Island” and “Bitsy and the Mystery of Amelia Island”. Her books are for girls and boys from 3rd to 7th grade and are Wonderful! Vonda Skelton's first book “Bitsy and the Mystery of Tybee Island” is a combination of mystery, history, and childhood innocence suitable for children 4th – 7th grade and is an AR.
Set on Tybee Island, Georgia, the story is told by Bitsy, a twelve-year-old tomboy whose imagination and curiosity repeatedly get her into trouble. Bitsy's family has a lot of love but not much money and the budget is so tight, the family endures a steady diet of fatback and stale honey buns, culled from the bread company's discards.
When Bitsy’s father wins Salesman of the Quarter they take their first vacation and spend some time at a cabin on Tybee Island. Feisty Bitsy and Matt, her cousin, take the opportunity to explore and quickly become involved with a legend of secrets, pirate treasure and maybe even murder as they search for hidden treasure, discover a skeleton, and face a kidnapper. They get more than they ever bargained for, but learn valuable lessons.
All the elements of a good mystery are here: abundant clues, red herrings, mistaken identity and, of course, peril for Bitsy and Matt. Children are sure to enjoy the twists and turns of the plot and will find the dramatic ending highly satisfying. Local points of interest including The Tybee island Lighthouse and Museum, historic Fort Screven, and Chapel-By-The-Sea Baptist Church contribute to the story.
Check out Ms. Skelton’s web site: www.vondaskelton.com and watch for the next Bitsy mystery.
Jefferson Spurlock, who is a journalism professor at Troy University in Troy Alabama will be attending. His book “Clemente’s Dream” is the story of a 9 year old boy who has to move to a strange town and finds fitting in very difficult. This is a book that All kids should read and learn from. It is important to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Carol Crane is the author of “P is for Palmetto: a South Carolina Alphabet”, “Net Numbers: a South Carolina Numbers Book”, T is for Tar Heel”, “P is for Peach: a Georgia Alphabet”, “P is for Pilgrim” and many, many more. The books are great teaching tools, delightful to read and the illustrations are perfect!
Donna Rathmell German attended our festival last year and we are very lucky to have her attend again this year. Donna is the author of several books including “Carolina’s Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too!” and “Octavia and Her Purple Ink Cloud”. “Carolina’s Story” is a true story about a sea turtle who was washed up, almost dead, on a beach near Charleston. She was saved by the Sea Turtle Rescue Team from the SC Aquarium in Charleston. Carolina’s Story is a delightful, as well as educational, story for all ages! “Octavia and her Purple Ink Cloud” is a fun fiction book that also teaches the true story of the life of an octopus.
Lisa Downey is the illustrator of “Happy Birthday to Whooo?”, a delightful story of recognizing baby animals. The illustrations in this picture book are wonderful. You will keep this book for the pictures as well as the fun it provides.
Karen Petit. is the author of “The Mystery of the Screecher Creature” and “The Mystery at Foggy Bottom Lake”. These are mysteries for 3rd through 8th grade. The mystery detectives are animals. Ivy, who is part Chow and part Labrador Retriever, enlist the help of her friends: Ernest, an English Pug; Hoover, a hyper Jack Russell Terrier; Lovely, an aging greyhound racing star; Spooky, a homeless cat; and Marigold, a canary. In the second book Ivy adds more friends including: Blitz, a handsome police dog; Bulley, a rabbit; and Blue, a bloodhound. The stories are a delight to read! They take place in Columbia, SC where Karen lives. Karen works for USC in public relations. These books are fun from beginning to end and Karen is a delight.
A name that I am sure many of you will recognize is Idella Bodie. Idella is a retired school teacher from Aiken and a wonderful author with at least 24 books in print. I have loved every book that I have read by Idella. If you love history you will love her books or reading her books will inspire an interest in history. The books are for 3rd to 8th grade reading level. The stories are timeless. A few of the titles are “The Revolutionary Swamp Fox”, “The Secret of Telfair Inn”, “The Mystery of Edisto Island”, “Ghost in the Capital” and “Heroines of the American Revolution”. For a complete list of Idella Bodie’s books check out this web site: www.sandlapperpublishing.com/idella.html
Barbara Randall-Clark is an education professional from Orangeburg, SC. Barbara has at least five books in print including: “Beams and Bits” (Sunbeams and Tidbits) daily affirmations for youth and the young at heart; “Jump Start” Primary Character Traits for 4 and 5 year olds in English and Spanish; “K.I.D.S.” Kids practicing character In Daily Stuff, a comic book for teaching 12 character traits for children up to 4th grade; “Booker T: I have a Friend, My Friend is Blind” is a Wonderful book that teaches in a positive way about the physically challenged!; “Getting Ready to Fly” is more than a book, it is a program to assist girls preparing to live in a world of math and science. Everyone of Barbara Randall-Clark’s books teach lessons that are badly needed in today’s world.
Jean Covington, a business professional from Aiken is the author of “Nanny Planted Love”. This is a wonderful book based on the true story of Jean and her grandmother that is written for children but adults love.
Christine Young-Robinson is a delightful lady from Columbia, SC who participated in our 2006 Festival. Christine’s books are "Chicken Wing" and "Isra the Butterfly Gets Caught For Show And Tell". These are great stories for young children. For more about the books check Christine Young-Robinson’s web site at www.christineyoungrobinson.com.
Molly Jones is a teacher and author from Lake Murray, SC. Her book “The Choosing Tree”, for middle school readers, is a historical novel set in the 1880’s in Maine. A boy’s life is turned upside down when his father dies and goes to live with the Shakers, a religious group. His greatest challenge is to chose for himself what he will become. This is a decision every young person faces. I enjoyed The Choosing Tree for the story and because it gave me a look at the past and at the Shaker culture.
Ken & Liz Aucoin are from Columbia, SC. Ken had been a meteorologist in New Orleans before coming to Columbia where he is the chief meteorologist at WIS TV. Their book “Jake & Friends Encounter Hurricane Katrina” is set in New Orleans. Jake, a dog and his friends, a mouse and a bear, are caught is the middle of Hurricane Katrina and have to learn how to survive the hurricane and the flooding and their friendship helps them survive. The characters in this story are animals however, the real story is the story of what happened to the people of New Orleans. The book teaches children about hurricanes and the preparations required to survive them. To read more about this book check the web site www.weatherandkids.com.
Jillian Gregory is an education professional who lives in Charleston, SC. “Dobbs Dog Detective: Operation Fido and Fifi” is a delightful story for middle school students but I loved it – it is a romp from beginning to end. Dobbs is a dog who is a special agent for the Feline Canine Federation, a group that works together to solve canine and feline crimes. To read more about Dobbs visit www.DobbsDogDetective.com.
Barbara Woolley is from Aiken, SC. Her book, “Freedom West”, takes place in the late 1800s in the American west. Two young girls, one a freed slave and the other an Indian, become friends and learn about each others cultures and hardships. It is a wonderful story that will make you laugh and cry. The book is for middle school age children.
Karen Petit is with USC in Columbia, SC. Her books, “The Mystery of the Screecher Creature” and “The Mystery at Foggy Bottom Lake” are delightful! Ivy, a dog, and her friends - including other dogs, a cat and even a bird - solve mysteries and have a lot of fun in the process. These books are best for 3rd through 8th grade. www.TheIvyBooks.com .
Annette Laing, from Statesboro, GA, is a new author with her first book but if you want to meet her, you better do it now. “Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When” is going to be a bestseller and she will be so much in demand that we may never get her here again. “Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When” is the first in a series and is the best time travel / historical fiction, I have read in a long time. It is written for Middle School age but any adult, who is interested in history or WWI or WWII, will love it. The book starts in Georgia with a girl with an attitude - age 13, and 2 boys, ages 11 and 12, who get thrown back in time to England during the London Blitz of WWII where they live as evacuee kids in a small village. Then one of the boys gets sent further back in time to WWI where he learns a trade. The kids learn what is really important in life. I started reading the book and would not put it down. I laughed and I cried and I can’t wait for the next in this series – Yes, it is that good! Annette is originally from England and she is a history professor. Combine her background with humor and a lot of talent and this book is a Hit. Annette’s web site is www.AnnetteLaing.com . Annette Laing is, also, the creator of TimeShop, a nationally recognized time travel experience for kids. – www.TimeShopKids.com .
Dee Dee Parker from Waynesville, NC is one of my favorite people and the author of “Josie Jo’s Got to Know”. This is a wonderful story about a little girl who wants to know everything. This book is for preschool to 2nd grade and teaches that learning is fun and that you don’t have to wait for someone to teach you – you can ask. Josie Jo is based on Dee Dee Parker’s daughter, who died of breast cancer last year. All profit from the sale of “Josie Jo’s Got to Know” goes to breast cancer research.
Cathy Cobb from Aiken, SC is a teacher and the co-author of “Creation’s of Fire”, “The Joy of Chemistry” and “Crime Scene Chemistry”. These books are for high school through adult and are not just text books. They are written so that anyone can understand and enjoy chemistry and they fire the imagination – they have fun built in!
Viola H. Sanders, from Blythewood, SC, is the author of African-American Inventors. This is a fascinating, non-fiction book that tells about African-American Inventors from the 1700s through the present. Looking for a role-model? Here they are!
I have run out of space and time. There are many more fantastic authors who will be at the 2007 Aiken Children’s Book Festival. We also have a few authors for adults. We even have an author, Maryam Tavivzadeh, who is originally from Iran! Or maybe you would like to visit Alaska with Janet Shalfer and Karen Bell.
You won't be disappointed!