When Jackie Saved Grand Central by Natasha Wing

Children's Books Heal

When Jackie Saved Grand Central: The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy’s Fight for an American Icon

Natasha Wing, Author

Alexandra Boiger, Illustrator

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Narrative Nonfiction, Mar. 7, 2017

Suitable for Ages: 6-9

Themes: Jacqueline Kennedy, Grand Central Station, Conservation and Restoration, New York City

Opening: “When Jackie became First Lady of the United States in 1961, she moved into the White House and restored the dreary mansion into a stately home that made Americans proud… Fourteen years later, another famous landmark, this time in New York City, needed Jackie Kennedy’s help…”

Book Jacket Synopsis: First Lady. American legend. New Yorker.

Jacqueline Kennedy loved everything about her home city, from the beauty of the parks to the grandeur of the buildings. Grand Central Terminal was one of the grandest buildings of all — but in 1968, it was in danger of destruction. Jackie couldn’t…

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The Big Adventures of Tiny House by Susan Schaefer Bernardo

Children's Books Heal

The Big Adventures of Tiny House

Susan Schaefer Bernardo, Author

Courtenay Fletcher, Illustrator

Inner Flower Child Books, Fiction, Apr. 25, 2017

Suitable for Ages: 4-8

Themes: Tiny Houses, Salvaged, Recycled, Travel, Home, Community

Opening: Once there was a farmhouse in a field of hay, / but while it lay sleeping, the acres gave way / to a bustling city whose bright, shiny towers / edged out the farmhouse, the fields and flowers.

Synopsis: An old farmhouse finds its once peaceful setting surrounded by a big city. People pitch in and dismantle the house, salvage the windows and doors, and build a Tiny House on wheels. It has a tiny front porch, a kitchen with cabinets, a loft for sleeping and a nook for reading. When Tiny is hooked up to Big Truck they can travel where ever they want. Tiny heads west to see the world…

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Interview with Natasha Wing

A four-year daughter of a friend read my book and now wants to go to NYC!

Allison's Book Bag

Natasha Wing grew up in Connecticut, not far from New York City. After graduating from Arizona State University, she worked in advertising for a number of years. In 1991, she decided to write children’s books, and sold her first book within six months. Now she’s the author of many picture books, including the best-selling Night Before Series. Below is an interview with Natasha Wing, courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Please return tomorrow for my review of her latest picture book, When Jackie Saved Grand Central, which I received as an Advanced Reader Copy.

Q. If you weren’t an author or illustrator what would you do for a living?

I’d flip houses. I love resurrecting neglected things and making them beautiful. Hey! That’s like polishing up old manuscripts!

Q. What is the first book you remember loving as a child?

The Cat in the Hat.

Q. What’s your favorite word?

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Trash Talk: Moving Toward A Zero-Waste World

Children's Books Heal

Earth Day 2016

Trash Talk: Moving Toward A Zero-Waste World

Michelle Mulder, Author

Orca Book Publishers, Nonfiction, Apr. 1, 2015

Pages: 48

2016 Book of the Year for Children Award

Green Earth Book Award 2016

Suitable for Ages: 8-12 years

Themes: Garbage, Refuse and refuse disposal, Recycling, Reusing, Composting, Getting involved

Book Jacket Synopsis: What is a garbologist? How many people live in the Cairo garbage dump? What are the top ten types of human garbage found in the ocean? Where is the Trash Palace?

Did you know that humans have always generated garbage, whether it’s a chewed on leg bone, an old washing machine or a broken cell phone? Trash Talk digs deep into the history of garbage, from Minoan trash pits to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and uncovers some of the many innovative ways people over world are dealing with waste.

Why I like…

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2015 Gift Guide for Outdoor Families

Rockies Girl: Confessions of an amateur mountaineer

I don’t often hold back on buying good winter gear because I think being warm and comfortable is the best way to enjoy winter.  BUT the holidays always seem like a good reason to replace an aging item or invest in something new.  Since I always enjoy reading what other families recommend as outdoorsy gifts, here are some winter themed items that we’ve enjoyed so much I’d recommend!

1. Kombi Moose Mitts

If you’re a parent of a young toddler and your kid likes wearing mitts…wait, does that even exist?! Surely it must but I’m guessing many can relate to the difficulty of keeping mitts on.  These moose mitts have been a huge help in getting Little Bear to keep mittens on.  They’re most effective when talked up (“Do you want to take your moose hiking?”) and I love that they’re warm and water repellent.

2. Good quality toddler winter boots.

In…

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Two Authors, One Voice for the Voiceless by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

Nerdy Book Club

Hurricane Katrina has been called the largest and most devastating natural disaster in the history of our country. Ten years ago this week we watched in deep sadness as our fellow Americans suffered great losses.

But out of horrific experiences come opportunities for giving and receiving love. As author Tory McClure, (A Pearl In the Storm) wrote, “Love is what makes our humanity bearable.”

After Hurricane Katrina hit, thousands of volunteers put their unconditional love and friendship on display as they poured into the Gulf Coast; their numbers included Kirby who flew first to Pearlington, Mississippi, and then Houma, Louisiana, to help with clean-up and rebuilding.

But, as we discovered, love, friendship, and loyalty are not reserved for the human species. Two tender pets — Bobbi, a five-month-old puppy and Bob Cat, just out of kittenhood — managed to survive Hurricane Katrina by lending each other a paw.  In…

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@NatashaWing #BackToSchool Memories!

Provato Events

Author Natasha Wing

It’s back-to-school time! What do you remember from starting Kindergarten?

I couldn’t wait to go to Kindergarten! I got ready by practicing my alphabet, trimming up my bangs,and buying new clothes, pencils, paper and a lunchbox. To this day I still love newly-sharpened pencils.

Did you like school?

Loved it! I was a curious kid who enjoyed learning so I was a good student. I loved my teachers.

Did you like to write as a child?

Yes! My mom saved a few of my stories and apparently I liked squirrels. I may have to write a squirrel story.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I didn’t know until I was 32. I was working at a newspaper after college, then at my own PR firm, and was looking for something more creative. I remembered how much I liked working with artists and loved…

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@NatashaWing – What is your favorite thing about writing?

@NatashaWing – What is your favorite thing about writing?.

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism.

Tribute to Parents, 6 Books for Mother’s & Father’s Day

kidsbook friends

http://www.theseniorvoice.com

As Mother’s Day is only one month away with Father’s Day quickly following, now is a good time to purchase some special books to celebrate! Quarterly I have the opportunity to write for The Senior Voice in the section: “Grand Times, Reading with Your Grandkids”. (Thank you Heidi Frankel for that opportunity!) In the next newspaper, these are the books I highlight for the holidays:

Mother’s Day “Must-Reads”:

The Night Before Mother’s Day
By Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Amy Wummer

Natasha Wing’s series starts off each holiday perfectly. Her Mother’s Day book is no exception. The family sends mom off on a run with her friends while they prepare surprises for Mom’s Day. The next morning, they have the “spa” set up in the kitchen, brunch and a bouquet of flowers, and lots of love all ready for Mom. “Mom thanked us for everything—it brought her such cheer. She wished it could be…

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