Read, Write, Repeat.

Most people today can’t remember a time when women weren’t allowed to vote.

Marching with Aunt Susan (Peachtree, 2011), written by Claire Rudolf Murphy and illustrated by Stacey Schuett, takes young readers — and their parents — back to the days when Susan B. Anthony was leading the suffrage movement that would eventually lead to women having the right to vote in 1920.

The book follows Bessie, a girl who already sees some inequity in how she and her brothers are treated. For instance, why can’t she hike with her father?

What makes his book interesting is that Bessie really existed and really met and corresponded with Susan B. Anthony.

So what did a a girl living in 1896 think of the campaign for women’s votes?

Let’s hear from Eden, today’s guest reviewer.

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Today’s reviewer: Eden

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Draw. Dance. Swim. Play soccer.

This book was about: How women wanted to vote and some men didn’t want them to.

The best part was when: Bessie got to meet Aunt Susan and help out with the people in the factory who couldn’t go to school. I also liked the newspaper articles at the front and the back of the book.

I was surprised when: Her dad didn’t let her go hiking. Just boys got to.

This book taught me: That a long time ago, women couldn’t vote.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Vote.” “Women.” “Brave.”

My favorite picture in the book is: When they are marching with the sign. And, when Bessie helps paint the sign with her friend, Rita. I like how you can see the brush strokes in a lot of the pictures.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: What’s happening in the present and what happened in the past.

You should read this book because: It teaches you stuff about the past. It also has some really good pictures. And, it’s based on real people.

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Thank you, Eden!

 If you’d like to learn more about Claire Rudolf Murphy, visit her website.

If you’d like to learn more about Stacey Schuett, visit her website.

Emma Turner loves to read and write. And more than anything, she’d like a real, store-bought book of her own.

But her family doesn’t have money for extras. They move from place to place picking crops. There is a collection of coins in a hard-times jar, but it’s only for when the family runs out of something before payday.  

So Emma writers her own stories on brown paper and helps her family pick apples — hoping that one day there will be enough for her to buy a book.

The Hard-Times Jar (Frances Foster Books, 2003) by Ethel Footman Smothers and John Holyfield shares how Emma discovers a treasure trove of books when she goes to school and sees the library. But the books are so tempting she brings a few home, even though her teacher said they needed to stay at school.

What happens to Emma when her mother and the teacher find out?

Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer, Grace.

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Our reviewer: Grace

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Ride my bike and swim.

This book was about: A girl who had a hard-times jar. Her mom said she couldn’t pick apples any more, and her mom said she had to go to school. And she felt squiggly. Her new teacher showed her around. Everyone was a different color than her, but there were books. She broke the rules and took some books home even though the teacher said not to. She was reading them and her mom found the books. She made her bring them back and tell the teacher, and she did. When she got home, her mom said she was proud of her and gave her quarters from the hard-times jar.

The best part was when: She got the quarters from the hard-times jar.

I smiled when: She was checking on her little sister, and she was all cuddled up in the box. I also smiled when she wrote the story about the lizard.

I was surprised when: She took the books home from the library. She hid them in her sweater.

This book taught me: To not take stuff home when the teacher says to keep it at school.

Three phrases that best describe this book are: “Hard-times jar.” “Apple orchard.” “Creamy buttermilk skin.”

My favorite picture in this book is: When they are all looking at the hard-times jar.

You should read this book because: You can learn to not just take stuff. And that it’s good to be honest with each other.

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Thank you, Grace! (By the way, Grace says that if she came into some extra cash, she would buy chapter books.)

 If you’d like to learn more about the author, check out Ethel Footman Smothers’ biography.

If you’d like to learn more about the illustrator, check out John Holyfield’s website.

 Birdie’s Big-Girl Dress (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011) chronicles a young fashionista’s search for the perfect ensemble to wear to her birthday party after she discovers that her favorite dress no longer fits her.

First, Birdie’s stylish mother takes her to a boutique. It’s full of dresses of every type. But none of them are just right.

Eventually Birdie ends up in her attic looking at clothes and accessories from her grandparents. She and her dog, Monster, try many combinations before finding just the right outfit in the nick of time. 

Today’s guest reviewer enjoyed the book — especially determining what she would have chose to wear if she were Birdie.

Let’s give it up for Trinity!

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Our reviewer: Trinity

Age:  8

Things I like to do: Draw, ride my scooter, go outside.

This book was about: A little girl with a favorite dress. But it gets too small. She looked at stores for a new dress for her birthday party, but she couldn’t find one. Then, she looked in the attic and found something perfect.

The best part was when: She had her party and a really pretty dress.

I was surprised when: She was wearing the vest. It was kind of funny that she mixed and matched.

I smiled when: When the dog was under her gauzy gown. When was wearing the flowered hat and the vest and the dress.

I was worried when: She didn’t find a new dress at the store.

Three words that best describe this book: “Stylish.” “Birthday.” “Dress.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book: “Monster felt so dapper.”

My favorite picture in the book:  The page where all the dresses in the store are lined up. They all look so pretty even though none of them are right for her.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: To see if they see her friends on the street and in the store and at Birdie’s party.

You should read this book because: You can’t always wear your favorite dress. You’ll grow out of it.

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 Thanks, Trinity!

The book’s author, Sujean Rim, knows something about dressing up. She’s worked as a shoe and accessory designer as well as an illustrator.

This book is a follow-up to Birdie’s Big-Girl Shoes. If you’d like to learn more about Sujean, read this interview.

Everybody is good at something.

And if people are lucky, they have family and friends who support their talents and interests.

But, sometimes, that doesn’t happen.

Such is the case for the little matador, the hero in Julian Hector’s picture book The Little Matador (Hyperion Books, 2008). His parents are famous bullfighters, and they want him to follow in their footsteps.

But the little matador doesn’t see the point. He’d much prefer to draw — especially animals. And he’s good at drawing, too. His parents try to dissuade him, but when he persists in drawing, they march him down to the stadium so he can face his first bull.

What happens then? Let’s hear from Ella, today’s guest reviewer.

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Today’s review: Ella

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Swim, play tennis and ride my bike.

This book was about: A little matador whose parents want him to bullfight. He wants to draw instead.

The best part was when: The bull frog was acting like, “He’s stronger than ME?”

I smiled when: The animals posed so the little matador could draw them.

I was surprised when: The little matador wouldn’t fight the bull. I would have run if it was me. Bull horns can hurt.

This book taught me: You should do what you want. You should be what you want.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Creative.” “Happy.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “After all, nobody wants to see a matador draw.”

My favorite picture in this book is: When the bull is charging at the little matador.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The little matador’s drawings.

You should read this book because: It’s funny. I think other kids would like it a lot.

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 Thanks, Ella!

Julian Hector wrote the text and drew the illustrations for this book. Want to learn more about him? You can:

• Visit his website.
• Read this interview about his work on The Little Matador.
• Read his blog.
• Review this biography.
• Check out this kid review of  Monday is One Day, another book he illustrated. Or this kid review of The Gentleman Bug.

Official disclaimer:

Oh, by the way, I won this nifty book in a giveaway sponsored by Mike Jung, a book blogger whose own book – Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities – comes out this fall from Arthur A. Levine Books. Once it’s released you really should get a copy. I’m just saying.

Come On, Rain! (Scholastic, 1999) by Karen Hesse and Jon J. Muth is a beautiful book all the way around.

It’s premise is simple enough. It’s a sweltering, oppressive summer day in a series of sweltering, oppressive summer days, and Tessie and her mother have just about had it with the heat.

Tessie is convinced it will rain.

At first, that seems like wishful thinking, but then the reader sees that Tessie has picked up some clues her mother has missed. So when the rain comes rushing down and everyone dances in the street, it’s a well-earned triumph for Tessie.

Hesse’s language is beautiful. Tessie’s voice is spot-on. And Muth’s illustrations gorgeously convey the heat and the rain’s blessed relief. I also loved the diverse neighborhood he created with all the residents waiting and hoping for the same thing.

What else makes this book cool? Or hot?

Let’s ask today’s reviewer.

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Name: Maria

Age: 7.5

Things I like to do: Ride my bike, draw, play baseball. And, I like getting wet.

This book was about: A girl who wanted rain to come and she kept saying, “Come on, rain!” and it came and she got her friends and they danced in the alleyway and then their moms came running out to join in the dancing.

The best part was when: The rain came.

I smiled when: The rain came.

I was surprised when: Most people would be surprised when the rain came, but I knew it was coming.

Three words that best describe this book: “Rain.” “Hot.” “Pouring.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book: ” ‘We sure did get a soaking, Mamma,’ I say. And we head home, purely soothed, fresh as dew.” I also liked all the words describing the rain sounds.

My favorite picture in this book: The one of their feet all running down the street chasing each other in the rain.

Others kids reading this book should watch for: When the rain starts to come.

You should read this book because: It’s surprising and funny.

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Thank you, Maria!

If you’d like to learn more about Karen Hesse, who won the MacArthur Fellowship in 2002 and is most well-known for her Newbery Award-winning young adult novel Out Of The Dust, check out this biography.

If you’d like to learn more about Jon J. Muth, who wrote and illustrated the 2006 Caldecott Honor winning Zen Shorts, watch this video interview.

Throughout history, there have been some notable battles.

• David vs. Goliath.
• King Kong vs. New York City.
• The Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears.

Now, another battle for the ages can take its rightful place on this list — Shark vs. Train (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010).

This picture book, by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld, features a shark and a train fighting for bragging rights about who’s best at burping, playing video games, selling lemonade, raising money, trick-or-treating and more.

Neither contestant is willing to give an inch. And each one is convinced of his total superiority. And while their story is hilarious, they don’t see the humor.

Who really reigns supreme?

Let’s let today’s guest reviewer weigh in on this epic battle.

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Our reviewer: Drew

Age: He just turned 5!

Things I like to do: Play baseball, build with Legos and play with my cars and trucks.

This book was about: A shark and a train playing games.

The best part was when: The shark and train went trick-or-treating and the shark got all the candy because the people were scared of him.

I smiled when: I smiled through the whole book.

I was worried when: The train lost all of his cars in the ocean.

I was surprised when: The shark and the train were doing stunts in the air.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Pretend.” “Crazy.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book was: When the shark had a lemonade stand and said to the scuba diver, “Whaddaya mean, ‘It’s a little watery’?!”

You should read this book because: If you like sharks or trains — they are doing silly things in this book.

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Oh, Drew says the boys playing with the shark and train at the beginning of this book reminded him of when he plays with his cousin, Tyler. If they were the boys in the book, Drew would be the shark and Tyler would be the train.

Thanks, Drew!

If you’d like to learn more about author Chris Barton, visit his website.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Tom Lichtenheld, visit his website.

When Anju Loved Being an Elephant (Sleeping Bear Press, 2011) tells the story of Anju the elephant.

When Anju was young, she loved her life.

She loved living on the Indonesian island of Sumatra with its cool lakes and refreshing mud holes. She loved her mother and herd family and her friends.

That changed when she was sold to an American circus. Anju traveled across the country, entertaining crowds. Then, years later, she moved to a small zoo where she was the only elephant.

By this time, Anju no longer loved being an elephant. She was lonely. And tired. And sad.

But things are about to change again. Anju is going on yet another trip. And it just might be to a better place. Can she love being an elephant again?

Let’s see what today’s guest reviewer thinks.

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Today’s reviewer: Philip

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Climb trees, play with my friends, play outside. I love going outside, but I hate it when it’s raining.

This book was about: An elephant named Anju. She was kept in circuses and tied to posts for hours and she made friends, but then her friends were sold. Finally, Anju was sold and taken to a new place on a long journey. The person there tood good care of her and introduced her to other elephants. There was a pond and grass.

The best part was when: When Anju was sold to that girl and had lots of other elephants to play with.

I smiled when: The lady was nice to him.

I was surprised when: Not much surprises me. I’ve got good reflexes. I am super good at climbing trees.

This book taught me: Elephants don’t like being cooped up. Or losing their friends.

Three words that best describe this book: “Love.” “Courage.” “Elephants.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: When Anju remembered her childhood.

My favorite picture in this book is: When Anju meets her new owner, and there is food.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Anju being loved and how kind and gentle some people are.

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Thank you, Philip!

You can learn more about author Wendy Henrichs by visiting her website. You can also read a review of another picture book written by Wendy here.

You can learn more about illustrator John Butler and see his beautiful animal illustrations at his website.

Today’s guest reviewer is a bit of a nature enthusiast. She enjoys all kinds of animals — especially in their natural habitat.

So I was confident she’d appreciate Birds of a Feather (WordSong, 2011) a collection of poems about different types of birds by Jane Yolen with photographs by Jason Stemple.

And she did.

The book features two-page spreads, each containing one of Stemple’s glorious photos followed by one of Yolen’s marvelous poems about that particular type of bird. Small sidebar boxes provide an interesting fact about each bird. I especially liked the brevity of these. They told just enough to intrigue but not overwhelm.

When it came time to take a photo of Sonia with the book for this blog post, she insisted on doing it outside — even though it was raining heavily — because, “That’s where the birds are. It only makes sense.”

So I bowed her superior judgement, followed her outside and took her photo. Yes, I got a little wet, but it was worth it to maintain this blog’s artistic integrity.

Besides, I figured it could have been worse. She could have asked me to climb a tree.

Take it away, Sonia!

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Today’s reviewer: Sonia

Age: 10

I like: Animals — especially horses and pigs – my gerbil and my cat.

Favorite fact I learned: That the kingfisher slaps fish against a tree to kill them. I also liked his blue mohawk.

Most surprising fact I learned: That crows can work together to beat an eagle when they need to.

Most unusual bird: The hooded merganser. It looks like it has a huge brain. It also sort of looks like the bride of Frankenstein. Or maybe like it’s an ancient Egyptian.

Cutest bird: The chickadee. It’s a sweet, little puffball.

Most mysterious bird: The cedar waxwings. They look like they’re wearing masks.

Best beaks: The marbled godwit. Its beak is long. And its head is really tiny. And, the oystercatchers’ beaks are bright orange.

The funniest poem: The one about the terns. It used the word “turn” a lot. And the one about the owl uses “hoo” and “who.”

Favorite poems: The one about the kingfisher that starts, “Hey, girl.” And the one about the kingbird that calls it a “flying ninja.”

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Thank you, Sonia.

If you’d like to learn more about Jane, you can visit her website. (For a kid review of another Jane Yolen book, check out Elsie’s Bird.)

If you’d like to learn more about Jason, you can visit his website.

I’ve never lived anywhere that could remotely be considered Southern.

But I’ve always loved reading Southern fiction. So when I first heard about Glory Be (Scholastic, 2012), a middle-grade novel set in Hanging Moss, Mississippi, I knew it was something I should check out.

And I am so glad I did.

The book is about the summer of 1964. Gloriana June Hemphill — known as Glory – will turn 12. Suddenly, she’s faced with an array of changes and questions she never had to consider before. Her relationship with her sister is changing. So is her relationship with her best friend.

And people in town are choosing sides in a debate about what should become of the town’s segregated pool.

All in all, it’s not the summer Glory imagined — or wanted — in any way.

This is author Augusta Scattergood’s debut novel, and I am thrilled that she is joining Read, Write, Repeat today to tell us more about it.

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You’ve said you started writing this book after Ruby Bridges visited the school where you worked as a librarian. Had you thought about writing books for kids before? Or was that moment an epiphany for you?

I’m sure a lot of librarians dream of seeing their own books on a library shelf someday. Maybe an occupational hazard? I’d always written— letters, newsletters, reports, book reviews. But an actual book, with a book jacket, an ISBN number, a dedication and author’s note, all those chapters? I’m not sure I’d considered how much hard work that actually involved. Maybe that’s a good thing!

When I heard Ruby Bridges say she thought things might have been quite different for her had the adults stepped out of the way gave me a beginning. That’s the moment I realized GLORY BE was a story I could tell.

How did being a librarian help you, or hinder you, as you wrote this book?

I certainly felt the stakes were pretty high! I knew the best literature, and that could have been intimidating. But I always advise anybody who wants to write to read a lot. I think the benefits of being a librarian who read great books outweighed the hindrances.

Walk us through GLORY BE’s path to publication. I read that this started out as a short story and evolved from there.

I started thinking about a card game my younger sister and I played when we were kids. During the summers, we were trapped in our rooms in the hottest part of each day, supposedly napping. We dreamed up a card game played with our collected “junk.” Those Junk Poker boxes were the visual image I remembered when I thought about the sisters’ relationship.

At that time, I was also planning my daughter’s wedding. My short story was going to be about two little girls and their wedding planner/church organist babysitter. Fortunately, I took a different path!

I wrote the first draft during a class at The New School in New York. It was a writers’ workshop, a weekly class with an amazing teacher Margaret (Bunny) Gabel. When she read aloud a chapter of the then-inaptly-titled Junk Poker, and I heard the responses, I was encouraged to continue.

About seven years later, after sending it hither and yon, getting the requisite number of rejections, putting it in a drawer, working on something new, I met an agent at a Maryland SCBWI event. A year later, she took on Glory Be and sold it to Andrea Pinkney at Scholastic.

What’s that they say? Ten years to overnight success. That would be me. Ha.

This is your debut novel. Now that the book is out, how is being a published author different than you anticipated?

I don’t think in a million years I could have imagined what fun/work/excitement this could be. Although I’d heard a lot of writers describe publishing their first books (from my many years of hosting Author Visits and attending writing events), it’s still hard to explain what it feels like just to hold a book that you wrote and know it’s touching so many young readers.

I think the best part may be the responses I’ve gotten from kids, parents and teachers who’ve discovered Glory. I even met someone who’s reading it aloud to her grandmother and her friends in their assisted living facility. She tells me they love the story. You can’t imagine—or predict— how that will feel.

What advice would you have for writers working to sell their first book? What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier?

My biggest mistake was sending the manuscript out before it was ready. I didn’t know what “ready” meant. It was free of typos and any kind of obvious mistakes. It was formatted perfectly. Everybody loved the characters, the voice, the setting. It just didn’t yet have a plot to match, or enough conflict and emotion. That was something I needed to learn, the hard way. Patience is a virtue. There is something to that 10-year thing!

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Thanks for visiting!

You can learn more about Glory Be and Augusta by visiting her website or reading her blog.

Almost everyone has had a moment where they realize what a small spot in the universe they actually hold.

For some people, that’s a relief. There’s much less pressure. For other people, that realization inspires them to work harder to try and leave their mark, no matter how small.

For the little boy in Light Up the Night (Hyperion Children’s Books, 2011) — a picture book written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine — that realization is part of an amazing trip throughout space.

But the boy doesn’t leave everything behind. His favorite blanket turns into a rocket to take him on his journey and bring him safely home.

Now, let’s meet Matthew, today’s guest reviewer. He says he would be very interested in going into space, seeing the entire world from above, and possibly meeting some aliens.

Take it away, Matthew!

Our reviewer: Matthew

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Use the computer, play on the iPod, draw and read.

This book was about: Stuff inside of stuff, inside of stuff, inside of stuff. (Editor’s note: This is a great way of describing a cumulative story, which this book is!)

The best part was when: The boy saw the planets and the sun.

This book taught me: About hemispheres.

My favorite words or phrase from the book: “Stars so bright they light up the night in my own little piece of the universe.”

My favorite picture from the book: When the blanket turnes into a rocket!

Three words that best describe this book are: “Space.” “Repeating.” “Night.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The aliens with all the eyes.

You should read this book because: It’s interesting.

Thank you, Matthew!

Want to learn more about Jean Reidy?

• Visit her website.
• You also can read her blog, A Totally Random Romp.
• And, just because you can never have too much Jean Reidy, here’s an interview she did with Mindy Hardwick about Light Up The Night, writing, revision and more.
• Want even more? Check out this post from when Jean visited my blog before — when she was doing a fundraising auction for an African library.

Let’s not forget illustrator Margaret Chodos-Irvine.

• She’s a 2004 Caldecott Honor winner for Ella  Sarah Gets Dressed. To learn more about her, you can visit her website.
• Or read this great article about how the story of Ella Sarah came about.
• Margaret’s artwork and process were also featured on the must-see blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. If you’ve ever wondered how picture book art happens, this is a good spot to start your research.