So Noble The Courage of Sarah Noble, Alice Dalgliesh (1952) Not being from Connecticut, I'd never heard of this book until 2021... about 40 years later than would have been the ideal target age for it. And I don't really know if Sarah Noble is very well known outside of western Connecticut - more specifically New … [Read more...]
Book Review: Ferryboat
It Goes Both Ways Ferryboat, Betsy & Giulio Maestro Look, man, leave me alone. I'm just a grown man over here reviewing books written for three-year-olds. You got a problem with that? I was made aware of Ferryboat by a CTMQ reader who often helps me fill out lists that can never be completely filled out. … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Invisible Island
The Good Old Days The Invisible Island, Dean Marshall This book is a joy. Written in 1948, The Great Depression and WWII were behind us and the Cold War had yet to really get going, these were the halcyon days for (wealthy, white) Americans. The world was a safe place and children were allowed to venture … [Read more...]
CT Books, Movies, People, & Stories
Connecticut Books, People, & Essays I probably shouldn’t have ever begun reading and writing about Connecticut books. It’s just one of those lists that I can’t possibly “finish” in any meaningful way. But that’s fine, I don’t mind. If you’re into books, I also review non-Connecticut hiking books and the Modern … [Read more...]
America the Beautiful: Connecticut
The Beauitifulest America the Beautiful: Connecticut By Zachary Kent, 2008 Scholastic Books has a whole series called “America the Beautiful” for each of the 50 states. At least that’s what I assume. They all follow the same boilerplate model: Some history, some geology, some basic encyclopedic facts, and some … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Legend of Hobbomock
The Legend of Hobbomock: The Sleeping Giant by Jason J. Marchi (2011) Library As a Giant Master – no, really, I AM A GIANT MASTER – I felt compelled to learn about the legend of Hobbomock. In all my hikes across the Giant’s body, I never really knew how he came to rest in Hamden. Now I know, thanks to The … [Read more...]
Book Review: Good Night Connecticut
Good Night Connecticut by Christina Vrba (2009) Gifted at Some Point Good Night Connecticut is a board book from a series of a billion “Good Night” board books about states, regions, cities, etc. These books aren’t literature and simply highlight Connecticut’s tourist attractions in language little kids can … [Read more...]
Book Review: Boxcar Children Books
Rock 'n Roll Mystery and Surprise Island The Boxcar Children Series , originally by Gertrude Chandler Warner West Hartford Library Apparently I missed the Boxcar boat as a child, as I'd never heard of them until I found out about the little museum in Putnam dedicated to their author. I'd never read a word of the … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Burn the Witch The Witch of Blackbird Pond Elizabeth George Speare (1958) Sure this is a book for early teens, but the Washington Post screams, "Irresistible!" I was somehow able to resist it for 36 and a half years of my life, but that's not the point. It is a pretty good book and tackles some heady 17th … [Read more...]
Book Review: N is for Nutmeg
N is for Nutmeg, A Connecticut Alphabet ("Discover Americam, State by State series) by Elissa D. Grodin (2003) West Hartford Library I feel kind of badly for slagging the last children's book I reviewed. But hey, facts are as important for kids as they are for adults. At least they should be. N is … [Read more...]