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40 pp.
| HarperCollins/B+B
| January, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-244109-6$17.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Amanda Hall.
Artist Leonora Carrington (1917–2011) was born into a wealthy English family. She joined the surrealists in Paris, and, during WWII, fled to Mexico, where she spent the rest of her life. Markel distills Carrington's experiences into succinct prose full of vigor and imagery. Hall's dreamlike illustrations pay homage to Carrington's own art, with vivid colors, pulsating patterns, and swooping lines. Author and illustrator notes are appended. Bib.
Reviewer: Monica Edinger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2019
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
André Ceolin.
During the Hanukkah season, Edgar finds a hamster left in his taxicab. He tells "Chickpea" all about his life in Tel Aviv (and shares hamster smartphone pix with his family back in Israel) and feels less lonesome while lighting the Hanukkah candles in his now not-quite-as-empty apartment. Edgar eventually finds the hamster's owners--and makes two more friends in the process. Warmhearted, unfussy illustrations keep this fanciful Hanukkah tale grounded in a contemporary city.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2018
84 pp.
| Roaring Brook
| September, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62672-879-0$19.99 New ed. (1932, Houghton)
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Grace Lin.
Roosevelt's clear, inviting introduction to basic civics, from the operations of local governments to federal checks and balances, is presented with Markel's updates to reflect events since the 1932 original as well as changing sensibilities. Lin's illustrations include black-and-white spot art and color-saturated full-page pictures, often with labels, making this volume an accessible guide for young future voters. Reading list, timeline, websites.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
LeUyen Pham.
Markel and Pham, in peppy text and spirited illustrations, provide an overview of Clinton's life, from her 1950s childhood (when "girls weren't supposed to act smart, tough, or ambitious") to Secretary of State, concluding with the statement: "No matter what Hillary does next, if she wants to change the world, she'll find a way." Appended notes provide page-by-page details about historical figures and context. Timeline.
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Melissa Sweet.
In her simple but powerful text, Markel shows how multiple arrests, physical attacks, and misogyny failed to deter Clara Lemlich as she set off on her lifelong path as a union activist in the early twentieth century. Clara's story is accentuated by Sweet's vivid illustrations, many of which are presented on fabric scraps or torn paper with borders of machine stitching. Bib.
Reviewer: Monica Edinger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2013
40 pp.
| Eerdmans
| June, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8028-5364-6$17.00
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Amanda Hall.
Markel's informative text conveys self-taught modern artist Henri Rousseau's groundbreaking flat perspective, inspiration by faraway lands, and determined personality, as well as interesting details such as his place in a circle of Modernist artists and writers. Hall's lush watercolor and acrylic art bears a clear resemblance to Rousseau's. This successful tribute makes Rousseau accessible, and inspirational, to a young audience.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2012
32 pp.
| Tricycle
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58246-282-0$15.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Doug Cushman.
Tyrannosaurus Mom is proud of her number-crunching son; the rest of the family is less enthusiastic. But when the young dino uses his know-how to rescue his sister, the whole clan embraces the power of math. Markel's engaging story has just the right blend of math concepts, dinosaur info, and silly humor. Cushman's textured acrylics reinforce the content and add to the amusement factor.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2009
48 pp.
| Houghton
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-618-05487-1$$15.00
(4)
4-6
Twenty-six dolls from such countries as the United States (Topsy Turvy), Russia (matryoshka), and Indonesia (harvest doll) are presented in alphabetical order in this browsable book. A paragraph--printed in tiny, hard-to-read type--with information about materials, history, culture, and/or folklore accompanies a clear photo of one or more dolls set against a solid background. A map and a page about collecting and doll making are appended. Bib.