Trigger was as well-known as his owners, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, thanks to their 1950s TV show.

In the 1960s, Mr. Ed had people flocking to watch his adventures.

There’s also Jim Key. His name might not be as familiar today, but in the late 1800s, he and his owner Bill “Doc” Key were quite famous.

Author and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully tells their story in Wonder Horse: The True Story of the World’s Smartest Horse (Henry Holt, 2010).

The pair toured the country showing off Jim’s ability to count, identify primary colors, spell basic words, dance and make change.

They put on quite a show. Jim had beauty, brains and a compelling story.

He was born with crooked legs. Doc, who had hoped Jim would be a racing champion, was disappointed. He was also sad because Jim’s mother, an Arabian mare he’d rescued from an abusive home, died shortly after giving birth to Jim. But Jim soon convinced Doc how smart he was and Doc spent hours training him.

Doc’s story was a good one, too. He was born a slave. Later, as a free man, he worked as a self-trained veterinarian, liniment salesman and general showman. His success, though well-deserved, wasn’t always appreciated, and he encountered some racism. But he persevered and became a successful businessman and an untiring champion of animal rights.

Bill encouraged schoolchildren to pledge “always to be kind to animals” and helped the growth of animal-rights and anti-cruelty groups.

Let’s see what today’s guest reviewer has to say.

Today’s reviewer: Tanner

Age: 7

I like: Fried chicken.

This book was about: A smart horse.

The best part was when: Jim Key and Doc Key performed their shows.

I surprised when: The horse was born with crossed legs.

This book taught me: The importance of showing kindness to animals.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: That it’s kind of like a fable. It teaches a lesson.

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

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: When Doc Key says, “Put down your whip.” He thought everyone should be kind to animals.

You should read this book because: “It has horses.”

Thanks, Tanner!

Tanner isn’t the only one who liked the book, Booklist gave it a starred review, saying:

“McCully’s storytelling is as sensitive, engaging, and well paced as her brightly colored, expressive artwork, which highlights the period setting as well as the remarkable friendship between man and horse … A winsome celebration of an extraordinary man and the immeasurable effects of kindness.”

Emily Arnold McCully is the author and illustrator of many books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Mirette on the High Wire, Marvelous Mattie, and Manjiro. 

To learn more about Emily, visit her website or read this interview.

 Mia’s saga starts in Mia the Meek, evolves in Mia the Melodramatic and has its latest installment in Mia the Magnificent (Bancroft Press, 2010).

While Mia is a teen, the books’ subject matter, situations and style are appropriate for younger readers.

Today, Eileen joins Read, Write, Repeat to share her thoughts on writing and her journey to publication.

You began writing your first Mia book while you were writing with your students. How did you get the idea?
I was teaching a unit on realistic fiction and told my seventh-grade students they were going to have to write a realistic fiction book of their own, and they whined accordingly. So, I told them I would write a book with them.

As I stood in front of my classroom and started brainstorming, the idea of Mia came to me, and I started writing. Since I was having so much fun telling about all of Mia’s misadventures, I just kept on writing even when all of my students had finished their books.

When did you know you had something worth pursuing?
When I finally finished my manuscript, I thought it was wonderful! I immediately submitted it to every publisher and agent who published middle grade fiction and got more than 30 rejection letters back. That’s when I realized if I was serious about getting it published, I was going to have to learn the business and revise my manuscript (over and over and over again!)

Had you thought about writing for children before then?
I loved to write stories when I was in elementary school and junior high, but I never planned on it becoming my career. I knew I was going to be a teacher and got my teaching degree.

I didn’t realize I wanted to be a writer until I was in my 30s.

Mia is now a three-book series. How has she evolved as a character?
I think Mia has stayed true to herself, which is the mark of a great character. When I first started writing about Mia, Tim, Lisa, Cassie and Jake, they were like real people to me, so it has been easy to continue telling their stories.

When I was in the middle of writing the series, my husband would come home from work and I would say, “Do you know what Mia said today?” He would then remind me that I was the one who had written that dialogue, but it never seemed that way to me. It felt more like my characters were telling me what to write for them. But, Mia has definitely evolved as a character. She is now more certain of who she is and what she is capable of and isn’t afraid to show it.

How have you evolved as a writer?
When I first started writing, I was writing for the pure joy of it. Now, I am so aware of the market and rules of writing, I am more critical of my first draft, so it takes me longer to write that first sloppy copy.

What kind of feedback do you get from your readers? Are you ever surprised by what they say?
I get the best fan letters from my readers and I am always surprised that people are reading my book all across the country. It is amazing to find out people I have never met who live thousands of miles from me are reading about Mia and can relate to her.

It is also very cool when I go to a school and they have created projects like dioramas, books, and pictures about Mia. I also often get served chocolate-chip cookies (Mia and my favorite kind) which is a bonus!

Is this Mia’s last adventure? Or are there more in the works?
As of now, I am taking a break from Mia and her friends and am working on a young adult novel. But, I love Mia so much, I don’t think I am completely through with her yet.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?
My best advice is write, write, write, read, read, read, and then in-between the two, get out there and experience life. The more you do in your own life, the more you will have to write about.

In the end, the best advice I have is to get your rear end in the chair and get writing!

Thanks for joining us, Eileen!

If you’d like to learn more about Eileen and her books, visit her website. She also has a blog. And if you’d like to see some other interviews she’s done, here are three:

• With blogger Sarah Mullen Gilbert.
• With blogger Virginia Gruver.
• On the Bookhounds blog.

This is the picture book debut by Wisconsin author Sara Laux Akin. She skillfully shares Sofia’s plight. She’s part of a family of cooks, but she hasn’t learned to make anything herself.

Everyone adores Sofia, but they’re too busy to let her help in the kitchen. Especially because she makes huge messes whenever she tries.

But Sofia really wants to help. Her grandparents are coming for dinner, and she doesn’t want to be the only one without something wonderful to serve them.

Fortunately, some inspiration from a fig tree, a cat and her Italian heritage help Sofia see she’s not too little to contribute after all.

This book, which is beautifully illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung, has lots of extras. Italian phrases are sprinkled throughout, and a glossary explains what each one means. There’s a kid-friendly recipe and some interesting Italian facts.

Today’s guest reviewer, Gloria,  had fun saying the Italian phrases in the book and learning Sofia’s story.

Take it away, Gloria!

Our reviewer:  Gloria

Age: 5½

Things I like to do: Cooking, biking, playing in the rain, playing in the sandbox and playing in our kiddie pool.

This book was about: Fig trees.

The best part was when: Sofia made a fig-tree sundae.

I laughed when:  The fig fell out of the tree.

I was worried that: The fig might hit Sofia in the head.

I was surprised when: She made a special sundae for her family.

This book taught me: Some cooking. (There’s a recipe.)

Three words that best describe this book are:  “Funny.” “Weird” (some of the words like “gelato.”) “Pretty.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: Mama mia!

You should read this book because:  It is funny and a very nice book. Actually, it is the bestest book I’ve read in a long time. It is one of my favorites. 

You can learn more about Sara by visiting her website. You can learn more about Susan Kathleen Hartung by visiting her website.

And if you’re up for a little more fun, you can visit Peachtree Publishers blog and share your favorite dessert recipe. You could win a copy of this book, a set of cookie cutters and a fancy apron. But get there by Sept. 7, or you’ll be too late.

But, never fear, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on that will result in a plethora of new book-related posts in a few weeks.

So I hope you enjoy the end of the summer, and I’ll see you soon.

Author Caroline Stutson says three of her favorite things are cities, dancing and cats.

She combines all of them into her latest book, Cat’s Night Out (Paula Wiseman Books, 2010).

The rhyming book teaches numbers through 20 as it tells the tale (tail?) of cats enjoying the night life. And it’s getting good reviews. Here’s what Booklist had to say:

“It’s Saturday night on Easy Street, and this jazzy counting book reveals that the city’s hot spots are its rooftops, fire escapes, and alleyways, where pairs of cool kitties dance the night away. As music rises into the night air, two cats samba in white, while nearby four more felines boogie in saddle shoes and poodle skirts, and six more tango in capes on fire escapes. Their numbers increase, until finally, when 20 hep cats conga on clotheslines, the neighbors revolt. Stutson’s syncopated rhymes sport fun flourishes of dance and fashion vocabulary (“Twelve town tabbies do the twist, / swinging their hips in dotted Swiss”) and a catchy refrain, but it’s Klassen’s atmospheric, retro illustrations that take the lead. The stellar, digitally rendered illustrations in a muted gray and brown palette may resonate more with urban sophisticates than children learning their numbers, but the detailed cityscapes, hidden numbers and appealing big-city cats will give little ones plenty to explore.”

And now, here’s what today’s guest reviewer, Brooke, has to say:

Our reviewer: Brooke Punzel

Age: 5

Things I like to do: Ride rollercoasters, ride my bike and go to waterparks.

This book was about: Cats dancing on a city street.

The best part was when: They did all their different dance moves and wore new outfits.

I laughed when: The cats were dancing by the stoplight. It was really funny!

I was worried when: The cats were dancing on the clothesline in the city and a tall tree because I was afraid they would fall off.

I was surprised when: The neighbors started yelling at the cats when they were meowing and dancing too noisy.

This book taught me: Not to walk on the clothesline. It also taught me lots of dance names. I recognize some of the dances from the show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Three words that best describe this book are: “Fun.” “Counting.” “Cute.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Four cats boogie, rock to blues in poodle skirts and saddle shoes.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The mean neighbors and also for the rhyming words.

You should read this book because: It’s funny, and the cats are cute. If you like cats and like to count it’s a good book. If you like dogs, you might think it’s boring.

Thanks, Brooke!

If you’d like to learn more about Caroline Stutson, visit her website.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator J. Klassen, visit his website.

The book, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Red Nose Studios, shares the story of a garbage barge that leaves Long Island planning to dump its stinky cargo at a landfill.

But that landfill turns it away. So does another, and another, and another, leaving the barge getting smellier and smellier with no place to dock.

What will the barge’s captain do? Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer, Conner:

Our reviewer: Conner

Age: 6

Things I like to do: Read books, write, watch movies, swim, play baseball and soccer, go to waterparks and ride rollercoasters.

This book was about: A small city trying to find a place for their garbage to be stinky. They wanted it to stink somewhere else. So they put it on a boat called the garbage barge, and it sailed and sailed. But everywhere the boat stopped, everyone said, “No! Not here!”

The best part was when: They decided to burn the garbage to get rid of it. Also, I like the part when the Army guys in Mexico and Belize stopped the garbage barge from stopping on their land.

I laughed when: This is not really a funny book. It is action packed and serious. Though I did laugh when the sisters said, “What the hairy heck?!”

I was worried that: The ship’s captain would get put in jail by the police and the Army guys for trying to dump the garbage!

I was surprised when: The boat sailed for 162 days!

This book taught me: Don’t make too much garbage! And recycle!

Three words that best describe this book are: “Serious.” “Stinky.” “Interesting.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “What the hairy heck? That ain’t right! Call the law!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The Army guys.

You should read this book because: It’s cool! It has Army guys and teaches you a good lesson — not to make too much garbage!

Thanks, Conner!

Want to learn more about the story behind this story? Read this article.

If you’d like to learn more about the book’s author, Jonah Winter, here’s his biography. And here’s an interview with him. 

If you’d like to learn more about Red Nose Studios, which illustrated this book, check out this interview. Or watch this YouTube video.

You can visit Betty’s blog, Reflections with Coffee, here.

Thanks to everyone who visited my blog and entered the contest!

And the best news of all is that each book blogger is giving away books or book-related prizes. I’m offering these three picture books. Don’t they look great?

And they could be yours. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post before midnight on Saturday. On Sunday, I’ll choose a random winner and on Monday, I’ll mail the books off to that person.

Here’s a closer look at what you could win:

• Happy Belly, Happy Smile by Rachel Isadora (Harcourt Children’s Books, 2009).
• Kitchen Dance by Maurie J. Manning (Clarion Books, 2008).
• Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw (Charlesbridge, 2006).

Don’t delay, enter today! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.

And then, check out the other 107 bloggers to see what they’re offering.

It’s happened again. I’m in love with a book.

I wasn’t looking for another relationship, really. I was casually browsing the shelves at my local independent bookstore when something caught my eye.

The colorful cover intrigued me at first. But I soon learned this book was more than just a pretty face. When I looked inside, there was substance, style and grace. That’s when I knew I was hooked.

Imogene’s Last Stand (Schwartz and Wade, 2009) by Candace Fleming and Nancy Carpenter tells the story of a little girl committed to saving her town’s historical society.

What elevates this book to greatness, is Imogene’s fondness for quoting famous people at key plot points, such as, “In the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln, ‘A great oak is only a little nut that held its ground.”

The quotes add humor and depth to the story. And the end papers feature brief drawings and biographies of everyone she quotes. It all makes for a great blend of a fictional story with nonfiction moments.

Here’s what today’s guest reviewer, Sonia, had to say.

Today’s reviewer: Sonia

Age: 8

I like: To go to horse camp and see my favorite horses Zoe, Bucky and BJ. I like playing with my friends, jumping rope, going to the park, playing on the computer and watching TV.

This book was about: History. Imogene wants to save her town’s history.

I laughed when: She was standing on top her her Dad’s back. He’s planting flowers and she’s dusting a sign. I also laughed at the mayor’s name, “I.M. Butz.”

I was surprised when: Nobody came to the historical society after she fixed it up and when she was trying to save it.

I was worried when: The bulldozers arrived.

My favorite phrases in this book are: “We are made by history.” AND “Old buildings do not belong to us, they belonged to our forefathers, and they will belong to our descendants.”

Three words that best describe this book: “Imogene.” “History.” “Map.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The three-legged cat. All the references to history. The quotes Imogene says from famous people. And, the letter from George Washington.

You should read this book because: Imogene wears cool things like a hoop skirt and a Paul Revere costume.

Thanks, Sonia!

Author Candace Fleming has written a plethora of amazing books including two of my all-time favorites, the amazingly researched and fun-to-read-aloud When Agnes Caws and the ode to anyone who’s ever had something they’ve written edited, The Hatmaker’s Sign.

To learn about Candace’s other marvelous books, visit her website. Or listen to this video interview.

To learn more about illustator Nancy Carpenter, who also illustrated the impressive Seventeen Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore, read this interview.

So when I discovered it a few weeks ago, I made up for lost time. I read it and soaked in the Wisconsin references. Then, I shared it with my daughter, who is today’s guest reviewer.

As you’ll see below, Gwen likes Starbucks coffee. But she also likes chai and green tea and said that if Madison really had a teashop called The Steeping Leaf, she’d be a regular customer.

So take it away, Gwen!

Reviewer: Gwen

Age: 13

I like: Playing basketball and volleyball. Listening to all types of music. Playing piano, singing and fixing my hair. I like to go on YouTube and watch funny videos. I love to hang out with my friends and go shopping. Starbucks rules!

This book was about: The Teashop Girls is about a girl named Annie Green who tries to help save her grandmother’s teashop that has been in the family for a long time. Annie absolutely loves tea, so she and her two best friends, Genna and Zoe, became the Teashop Girls when they were young and have stuck to their handbook of club rules ever since. As the best friends work to keep the teashop going, the girls deal with boys, growing up, and finding their Zen.

The best part was when: The best parts in the book were the different recipes, side stories or old tea advertisements. Whether they are about Zoe’s Power-Up Tea Smoothie, Lipton’s Teas, or All About Japanese Tea Ceremonies, they are definitely entertaining and fun to read and maybe try. I also liked how in the beginning of each chapter, there was a quote about tea by many different writers or famous people.

I laughed when: I laughed when the girls were dissing a mean boy named Zach who goes to their school. He and his major rich parents were going to buy the teashop and maybe get rid of it (plus he was just rude and obnoxious) so they didn’t really like him.

I was worried when: The grandmother was feeling sick for the day because I thought something bad was going to happen to her.

I was surprised when:  Zach’s parents decided to buy the teashop and stabilize the rent.

This book taught me: If you put your mind to something, you can make big things happen.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Fun.” “Real.” “Yummy.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “I understood, at that moment, why Genna loved boys so much. I gulped.”

Other teens reading this book should watch for: Other teens should watch for the other characters and their personalities. For example, there is a man who comes to the teashop, and he likes to read big, old books. He gives Annie a book, but that’s pretty much the only main time you hear about him. It’s interesting, because I can just picture this old man, pocket-watch type of person with antique glasses, always hidden behind a giant book that’s falling apart at the binding.

You should read this book because: It’s lighthearted, and there is a good message behind the story.

Thanks, Gwen!

If you’d like to learn more about author Laura Schaefer, visit her website. Or check out her profile at Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

One cool thing about this book are the dessert illustrations sprinkled throughout. They’re courtesy of Sujean Rim. You can learn more about her on this website.