Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

It is 1934 and Mrs. Harkness has never seen a panda, not many people have. Her husband has just set out to bring the first panda back to the United States from China. Unfortunately during his expedition he dies trying to find one. Mrs. Harkness then decides she must go to China to bring home the first panda and finish what her husband had started. Read this remarkable story about a strong-willed woman on a mission that actually shapes American attitudes towards wildlife.

The illustrations are creative and very unique. The illustrator, Melissa Sweet, used mixed media with exuberant watercolors and collages. In fact she used a collection of papers that she actually purchased on a trip to China. She also included real photographs of Mrs. Harkness and the panda she brought home, Su Lin (which means, 'a little bit of something very cute').

The author, Alicia Potter, includes a Chronology of Events as well as an Author's Note in the story which explain the history of Mrs. Harkness's expedition. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Noah Webster and His Words

Noah Webster and His Words

By Jeri Chase Ferris and Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

Have you ever wondered about the man behind the dictionary? Who was Noah Webster? Check out this wonderful picture book on one of the most famous scholars of all time. Did you also know that The Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language became the second most popular book ever printed?

Meet Noah. Noah was born in 1758 on a farm in West Harford, Connecticut. He lived in a family with a history of farming. But he didn’t want to be a farmer like his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather. Noah wanted to do something different. He wanted to be a scholar. He was the first in his family to attend college at Yale University. 

Author Jeri Ferris has created a wonderful biography on one of the most important books ever printed. Ferris has written this story in a creative manner with many words and definitions sprinkled throughout the story. Illustrated by Vincent Kirsch, the pictures are done in ink with watercolor and graphite.

A must read for every young scholar. A brilliant illustrated chronology of Webster’s life. Recommended for Ages 4 and up