Boats On the River

Warm weather is not that far away and we all look forward to spending time outdoors. I live by a lake and many residents keep their boats there once  the weather is good.

To get everyone in the right spirit, I recommend this boardbook, Boats On the River by Peter Mandel.

Here is a sample:

"On the river there are long low boats. This one carries coal."

The Rock of Ivanore

The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes, a fantasy novel for both the young adult set and middle grade readers reminds me of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Bryn, a character in Rock, is reminiscent of Gollum but is less evil. The quest of of this book sends a bunch of fourteen year old boys on an adventure to find the rock of Ivanore. Readers will find a couple of interesting twists.

I highly recommend this.

Silent Star

This week's review is a picture book biography: Silent Star: the Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy by Bill Wise.



William Hoy lost his hearing to meningitis during his childhood. He played baseball at the Ohio School for the Deaf and wanted to play  major league baseball. Instead he learned shoemaking and eventually opened his own shop but played baseball for fun.

Here's  sample: "One June day in 1885, a coach for an amateur baseball team passed through Houcktown. Always  looking for new players, he stopped to watch the game behind the shoemaker's shop. The coach marveled at William's baseball skills."

William did go on to play professional baseball and was entered into the American Athletic Association of the Deaf's Hall of Fame in 1951.