A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Godwin Books
(Henry Holt/Macmillan)
(pub.11.22.2022) 40 pages
Ages 4-8
Author: Caroline L. Perry
Illustrator: Lydia Corry
Character: Queen Elizabeth & her Corgis
Overview:
" Even a monarch needs a best friend and Queen Elizabeth II found one in a corgi pup she named Susan. From princesshood to queendom the pair forged an unbreakable bond, with Susan even participating in Elizabeth’s wedding day and joining her on honeymoon with Prince Philip. Over the course of her remarkable seventy-year reign the Queen had more than thirty corgi companions, and almost all were direct descendants of her cherished Susan."
Tantalizing taste:
World War II "was still raging when Elizabeth turned eighteen...
Papa told her she could choose any gift her heart desired...
Elizabeth asked for only one thing.
'I want a puppy of my own!' she declared.
The princess got her wish: a corgi pup she named Susan.
Elizabeth's heart swelled when she cuddled the tiny dog.
It wasn't easy for a future queen to make friends.
At last, she had her very own constant companion."
And something more: The Back Matter includes a Family Tree of Queen Elizabeth and a Family Tree of Susan with a note that "Willow, the Queen's last corgi descended from Susan, died in 2018. In 2021, Elizabeth was gifted two new corgi puppies." Her son, Prince Andrew, gave her these two puppies.
The Story of Jimmy Choo,
Shoemaker to a Princess
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Abrams Books for Young Readers
(pub.8.8.2023) 40 pages
Author: Patricia Tanumihardja
Illustrator: Derek Desierto
Character: Jimmy Choo
Overview:
" On the island of Penang, Jimmy Choo is born into a family of shoemakers. At his father’s side, he learns to make all kinds of shoes—loafers, stilettos, slippers, and more.
After learning all he can at home, Jimmy immigrates to London, where he can study shoemaking by day and English by night. Nothing comes easy for newcomer Jimmy, but he works hard until he can launch his own business. At his Lucky Shoes, Jimmy specializes in shoes made just for the customer. Before long, he starts to make waves in the London fashion scene. One day, he gets a call from a very special customer—Diana, Princess of Wales, wants him to design shoes just for her. And the rest is history!"
Tantalizing taste:
"He envisioned uniquely designed shoes that fit like Cinderella's glass slippers.
Jimmy rented a tiny space in a dilapidated redbrick building where he worked hard from dawn till dusk, cutting, stitching, beading. His designs were inspired by the vibrant flowers, brilliant birds, and graceful architecture of his homeland."
And something more: Patricia Tanumihardja in the Author's Note explains that "Today, Jimmy continues to make shoes for select clients. He also travels the world speaking at universities and charity events and mentors young Asian designers. Jimmy is a global ambassador of the Alumni Awards for the British Council and an ambassador for the Diana Award, a charity that supports social programs to help young people."
Updated: Nov 23, 2023
Woo hoo!!! So excited that our ABLAZE WITH COLOR - A Story of Painter Alma Thomas won the 42nd annual Northern California Book Award in the Children's Literature - Younger Readers category, illustrated by the amazing Loveis Wise (Harper Collins), edited by Megan Ilnitzki.
On Saturday, September 30, 2023, 2:00 pm Pacific Time, at the Main San Francisco Public Library, the 42nd annual Northern California Book Awards, announced the winners -- the best published works of 2022 by Northern California authors and California literary translators. Reviewers and editors—members of Northern California Book Reviewers—selected the awards.
The NCBAs are presented by Northern California Book Reviewers, Poetry Flash, and the San Francisco Public Library, with our community partners The Booksmith, Mechanics' Institute Library and Women's National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter.
For a list of all the details of the events and nominees: PoetryFlash
