Janet Halfmann

Lilly Ann Eliza Cox was born into slavery around 1821 in Virginia. After losing her mother when she was four, Lilly was sold to a family in Kentucky, where she worked in the master’s house. The author reports:

“When the adults weren’t watching, the master’s children often played school with her. They even found an old ragged blue-back speller for Lilly Ann to use and keep.”

Lilly knew she had to hide her speller as well as the secret practice of her letters she did on her own; slaves show more were not permitted to have an education. But she loved the worlds that opened up to her from reading, and wanted to share her knowledge with other slaves. On Sundays, when the master’s family was away, she taught other children in her situation to read and write.

After her master died, Lilly Ann was sold again, this time to a planation near Natchez, Mississippi. For the first time, she had to work from sunup to sundown in the cotton fields. She had trouble keeping up with the others, and received daily whippings. Finally the master, possibly concerned about losing his “investment,” took her to work in the plantation kitchen.

Even though it was illegal in Mississippi for slaves to read or write, carrying a penalty of 39 lashes with a whip, Lily saw education as a path to freedom, and continued to teach in secret. For seven years, she took on 12 students at a time. She and her students were finally caught by a slave patrol. To Lily’s surprise, her master said he wouldn’t punish her and she could continue teaching other slaves. She was still teaching when the Civil War broke out.

At the end of the war and with the emancipation of slaves, Lily began teaching large numbers of former slaves eager to learn. The author concludes:

“Lilly Ann Granderson’s inspiration lives on today through all the generations changed forever by her dedication to helping others gain freedom and improve their lives through education.”

In an Afterword, the author gives more background on Lilly, who died in 1889. The author notes that today, Lilly and her midnight school are remembered during Civil War living history events in Natchez. She also observes that Lilly’s descendants continued Lilly’s dedication to education. One of her granddaughters was one of the first two college graduates of Spelman College, and a grandson became the first African American Democrat elected to the Michigan State Senate. Her great-grandson was the first African American to represent Michigan in the US Congress, and was a founder and the first chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. She writes:

“We can only imagine the many achievement Lilly Ann’s students and their families went on to accomplish because of their education - the everlasting legacy of a brave and dedicated teacher.”

A list of references is included.

Illustrator London Ladd’s acrylic paints in a soft palette show realistic scenes marked by expressive faces and historical references.

Evaluation: I can’t even imagine the bravery it took for Granderson to persevere in her mission to help other slaves find a path to growth, happiness, and freedom through education. Readers 7 and up will gain insight into just what a gift it is to have the freedom to learn and better themselves. They will also get a good sense of what slavery was like when people were considered “property” (even without gorier details), such as never knowing when you might be sold, to whom, and what your fate thereafter might be. show less

🌟🌟🌟🌟 1/2

A charming children’s picture book, delightfully illustrated in shades of pale green, blue, gold and brown - nature colors that resonate with the themes explored of transformation, friendship, and the wonder of the natural world around us.

There is magic all around us, we learn - creatures large and small are constantly changing, growing, becoming more, in some cases, than even they had ever imagined.

As Caterpillar and Tadpole, our main protagonists, receive an show more invitation to an upcoming masquerade ball, hosted by a wise old owl, their excitement builds as they support each other in their dream to win big and take home the prized blue ribbon.

As these wonderful creatures play and sing, becoming fast friends in the luscious moonlight, the author and illustrator’s elegant font, graceful rhymes, and sweetly evocative pictures conjure up a quiet, magical mood, - one that both reader and child will find soothing and endearing.

As the friends continue to eat and grow, it’s not long before some strange events begin to unfold. Caterpillar, who finds herself suddenly encapsulated in a mummified chrysalis, becomes inaccessible to a worried Tadpole, who appears to be going through some changes of his own. Something mysterious is definitely afoot, and it’s impossible for Tadpole to hold back his panic, worrying now that Caterpillar will lose her chance to take home her coveted blue ribbon.

As Caterpillar finally emerges as a beautiful Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, on her own and with no sign of Tadpole, she begins an all encompassing search, all thoughts of the contest forgotten, in her quest to find her missing tadpole buddy.

There is inevitably great joy when they are finally reunited - Tadpole now a leaping and lovely Leopard Frog - and ultimately, there is a gentle lesson presented for all of us to learn.

Transformational changes, like disguises we shed, do not change who we are, deep inside.

We may not always be able to predict or imagine the wonders growing (or growing up) may bring.

But throughout it all, as Caterpillar and Tadpole discovered, there is nothing more important than living our lives as joyously as we can with those we count on, to be there for us, as we will be there for them - our special friends.

A great big thank you to LibraryThing for this Early Reviewers ARC of #Caterpillars Surprise. All thoughts presented are my own. show less

Little Sea Otter is ready to go to bed, snug in his Mamma’s lap, head against her chest, floating on the ocean’s surface. Still, he fights his drooping eyes and mother’s urgings, by saying good night to every animal he can see or hear, in and out of the ocean’s calm blue waters.

“I forgot to say good night to the harbor seals,” Little Sea Otter said to his momma. “Good night harbor seals.” Little Sea Otter then said good night to the sea lions, sea gulls, and the orange, show more yellow, and purple fish. Then he spots the sea urchins, sea stars, sea slugs, clams, and crabs, bidding them all good night. Little Sea Otter continued his good nights until he believed he was finished, but he had missed saying good night to one creature of the sea. Can you guess whom?

This is an adorable bedtime book. Children will love the cute Little Sea Otter and all his friends. I can hear children reciting the lines, having memorized them from night after night readings. Moms and Dads might even get a rendition of Rock-a-Bye Baby as the back cover folds closed. Wish William’s illustrations use deep, rich colors and are wonderfully detailed. If enlarged, the side-by-side pictures without text would make awesome posters. Good Night, Little Sea Otter is a must-have bedtime story that will endear children for years.

Note: received from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher show less

This coloring and activity book has a thin story of the Pooh friends helping Rabbit plant his garden, with connect-the-dots, mazes, and counting activities mixed in.

The illustrations in this have been recycled in at least two other coloring books: Playfully Pooh in 2003 and Showers of Flowers in 2006. Given Disney's penchant for recycling, I do not doubt a few more derivatives have been cranked out in the last 16 years, so please let me know if you come across any.

Also, this edition has a show more die-cut handle at the top to make it easy for children to carry it. I wonder how many children instead took advantage and used it as a grip to turn the book into a paddle or weapon. Coloring book slap fight! Maybe we could arm Will Smith and Chris Rock with a pair for a rematch at the next Oscars?

(My Pooh Project: I love Winnie the Pooh, and so does my wife. Having a daughter gave us a chance to indoctrinate her into the cult by buying and reading her every Pooh book we came across. How many is that? I’m going to count them this year by reading and reviewing one every day and seeing which month I finally run out. Track my progress here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/23954351-rod-brown?ref=nav_mybooks&she... ) show less