Nancy Carpenter

Tony is not looking forward to his family’s annual picnic at Liberty Island in October. Nevertheless, his grandmother insists that they maintain the tradition of celebrating her birthday with Lady Liberty. At first it doesn’t seem like much fun — until Tony finally begins to understand why the Statue of Liberty means so much to his grandmother. Lovely colorful acrylic paintings bring this special tribute to life.

The basic life and accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln are introduced in free verse and detailed illustrations in an open format. A concluding note provides additional information.

Could one of Gilbert Stuart’s 12 children get President George Washington to smile while having his portrait painted? In this richly imagined, humorous fictional account of what the president experienced while sitting for his portrait in Stuart’s home is revealed through a lively correspondence and expressive line and wash illustrations.

How can Jessica be a good big sister when Emma is so often not a well-behaved younger one? Sisters of all ages and sizes will see themselves in both poems and illustrations.

En route to New York City from South America in 1882, the Pliny runs aground in rough water. In a riveting imagined first person account, Anthony’s voice brings to life the rescue of passengers from a British ship, with evocative descriptions. Dramatic illustrations enhance the detail. An afterword provides additional historical detail.

Hatmaker, wife, mother, pioneer, and activist, Esther Morris was instrumental in getting the vote for women in Wyoming, the first state to pass such a law. Whether brewing tea or learning to sew, from an early age Esther adamantly states, I could do that! — the mantra of her life.

Imogene’s town has abandoned the building which she makes into a museum. Can feisty Imogene save the museum from destruction in the name of progress? She finds a letter (George Washington slept there!), protests, and puts herself in a stockade until the building is saved. This book is fast, funny, and rich with an appreciation for history.

While Mama Duck and her five ducklings left their pond for a trip to town, the ducklings fall into trouble. With help from the townspeople, the Duck family is reunited in this handsomely illustrated, touching story based on an actual event.

Thomas (aka Gib) Gilbert’s aunt, Emily Dickinson, gave him a poem and a dead bee to share in school. Because no one understands it, Gib defends his aunt (who jokingly tells him to call her “uncle”) and gets into a fight. Gib learns, however, to tell the truth, “but tell it slant…” This engaging glimpse of a poet and her family is based on actual events revealed in free verse and delicate illustration.

Warmly evoking the universality of a child’s relationship with her grandmother, this book follows a girl’s journey to a small village in Palestine, where she comes to know her grandmother Sitti. Once back in the United States, the child recalls the sights, sounds, and culture of Palestine as well as the commonalities between the Arabic and English speaking worlds.