Month: July 2015

Daisy Saves the Day by Shirley Hughes

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Even though Daisy loves her family and does well at school, times are tough, and she is sent out to live in a grand house and work as a scullery maid.  Her work is difficult and exhausting, but she works hard and tries to do what’s expected of her.  The two old ladies who own the house like her well enough, and when their niece comes from America, she encourages Daisy to read some of the books in the house.  All three women leave the house one day, to go see the coronation of a new king, George V.  Daisy’s left behind by herself, and decides to decorate the outside of the house with red, white, and blue clothing.  The only red she can find is the red flannel bloomers the ladies wear in the winter.  When they come home, they are horrified, and Daisy is in disgrace.  A few weeks later, though, she wakes up to the smell of smoke, and is able to put out a kitchen fire before it can do much damage, saving the house and its occupants.  As a reward, she is given enough money to be able to return home and go back to school.  Grades 1-4.

Pros:  This is a charming story about a winning cast of characters, particularly Daisy.  It has an old-fashioned feel to it, and illustrations reminiscent of Tasha Tudor.

Cons:  I looked for an historical note at the end, and was disappointed not to find one.

Dolley Madison: Parties Can Be Patriotic! By Kathleen Krull

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Summary:  When Dolley Madison died, her funeral was the largest ever seen in Washington, D.C. at that time.  It closed down the government, because so many people wanted to attend, including some of the twelve U.S. presidents she had known in her lifetime.  After a simple Quaker childhood and an arranged first marriage, Dolley, a widow at age 25, married James Madison, who later became the fourth U.S. President.  Dolley threw large parties every week, redecorated the White House, and famously rescued the portrait of George Washington just hours before the British burned down the White House during the War of 1812.  When Zachary Taylor referred to her as the First Lady, he coined a term that Dolley defined during her long, eventful life.  Ages 7-10.

Pros:  Veteran biographer Kathleen Krull has a new series, “Women Who Broke the Rules”.  This entry is fun, breezy, and informative.  At 46 pages, with illustrations on almost every page, it’s just the right length to give an enticing introduction to the life of a famous woman.

Cons:  The cover could be a bit more enticing.