James E. Ransome

This beautiful treasury is one that you will want to have on your bookshelf for years to come. It is divided into two parts: Soul and Heart, with a bridge story about the history of Christmas. Selections include both new stories as well as classics along with spiritual themes. This book takes a look at what makes Christmas special to so many. Also, this compilation of stories, songs and poems focus on the historical significance of this Christian holiday.

The Bottom Line: This Christmas treasury features a little of everything: songs, poems, and stories old and new. With beautiful, seasonal illustrations, this book is sure to be enjoyed by the young and the young at heart. Highly recommended holiday reading throughout the season.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.… (more)

An incredibly powerful, encouraging book regarding the many accomplishments of the woman known as Harriet Tubman. Set in a poetic style, the rhymical words help the text flow. The combination of Lesa and James Rasome is a winner! The book begins with Harriet as an old woman "tired and worn her legs stiff her back achy, " and it ends with the same text only the major difference are the additinal words "AND FREE!"

Page by beautiful page, the reader learns of her life and her many accomplishments. She was an incredible woman, and someone to look up to and admire.

Starting with the words "Before she was and old woman she was a suffragist a voice for women who had none. Before she was a suffragist, she was General Tubman as she ferried people to freedom. Before she was General Tubman, she was a Union Spy carrying secrets across battlle field.

Her additional accomplishments affirm her bravery, her courage and her commitment to helping many to freedom. She also was a nurse who helped those who were in need of healing and encouragement. She helped her family members and others flee their master and arrive safely to Canada. Before this, she was Moses and was a conductor on the Underground Railroad. She was a woman of dreams, of belief in God and had strong faith, and as the author notes, she had the courage of a lion!

The author adds that before she was Moses, she carried the name of Minty of Maryland who was beaten, punished for her courage that broke her back, but not her spirit!! Before the name of Minty of Maryland, as a young girl, she was called Araminta who looked to the nightly stars as she prepared to get ready for the day when she could escape.

As she was known for all the above, she then gained the name Harriet, and carrying this name with dreams and courage, she was FREE

This is a book I will keep on my shelves with those that are my favorites. This is the tale of a wonderful, strong- spirited woman who helped many on their journey to freedom from slavery!

Beautifully written and excellentantly illustrated, this book is like none other in outlining all the many accomplishments of one very strong, beautiful woman!

FIVE STARS… (more)

A beautiful picture book about the life of Harriet Tubman before she became Harriet. The illustrations are water color like and help keep the story engaging. I love how the author changes the font size and color of newer vocabulary words which makes them easier to go over during a read aloud. This children's book is a great read aloud to all ages, it discusses racism, slavery, and an underlying message of bravery and hope. Before she was Harriet, she was a lot of things. An aunt, a spy, a nurse, a slave. In the end, she gets to look back on her life and realize, after everything she's been through, she's finally free.… (more)