Laura AlaryReseñas

This is an adorable story about problem-solving and making the world a better place, one plant at a time!

Maria Mitchell is a great subject for a picture book biography. She is an example for young girls to break molds. Maria came from a family of 10 and she spent much of her youth caring for her siblings and sewing. She was bored with these pursuits and expressed an interest in Astronomy. Fortunately, her father was not horrified by her curiosity and wish to learn Astronomy. He was an astronomer and so he had the knowledge and equipment to give her a good education on the subject. She wound up doing amazing things in her adulthood.

This picture book biography about Maria Mitchell, a pioneering astronomer, will fit well in my STEAM school. The story starts on the island of Nantucket, Maine in the 1800s. Maria longed to leave her island, but how? Her father taught her how to use a telescope and how to read the stars. She later discovers a comet which is named after her and earns her recognition. She becomes one of the first female astronomers and professors. The book is illustrated in collage. An author's note at the end of the book includes the subtopics: Decisions, decisions…, A woman of firsts, Growing up, The three P’s: Patience, Practice, Persistence, The benefits of boredom, Questions everything! Free to choose and How do you choose? guiding the reader to get to know themselves and what they want for their lives. A list of resources is also shared. There are some terms used in the book that will need to be explained to children.

Reviewed by Katharina (Tina) Hausen
Edited by Thien Sa Hoang

I will probably donate this to a younger child or a church library or Sunday school teacher. It's a lovely book with a simple explanation of the Advent season (although very much geared toward the northern half of North America or Europe). But my 8-year-old granddaughter, very well-churched since her mother is a minister, dismissed it with "I already know all that."

While gardening has a big part in this delightful story, there are other, equally important messages as well. There's friendship, problem solving, community action and the power of kids being able to help make change in the world. That's pretty impressive for a 32 page picture book. This is a great book for any library, school or public, city or rural, to add.

Lent comes early this year, starting on February 10th. I'm already thinking about what my Lenten practices will be, but as a father of four I haven't always done so well on opening up Lent for my kids. Making Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter by religious educator and children's author Laura Alary, explores Lent and Holy Week in accessible ways for young children. Illustrations from Ann Boyajian adorn each page.

Four headings guide kid's toward a meaningful experience of Lent and Easter: Making Time, Making Space, Making Room and Holy Week. Alary begins with a description of how in the church, Lent is a season of waiting before whisking us off to the wilderness where Jesus made time to be with God. Likewise, she encourages kids to make time for God by reading the bible, wondering what God is telling us and asking ourselves probing questions about the life we are living (9). She then talks about Jesus' teaching of the kingdom and what it means to make space for God in our life:

This how you make space:
If you have done wrong,
tell God you are sorry.
Sweep your heart clean and start fresh.
Be kind to all people,
not just the ones who like you.
Open your heart wide.
If someone hurts you
ask God to help you forgive
Do not store angry thoughts.
Let them go.
Make space inside for better things.
Share so everyone has enough.
If you have two coats
give one to someone who has none.
Make space for what really matters . (14-15)

She goes on to describe how our Lenten practice can help us to live simply, and be generous with others, and how we can make room in our lives to include others in hospitality. The section on Holy Week summarizes the final week of Jesus, with his resurrection as the grand finale.
Alary has a rare gift of talking about deep things in a way that children can understand. Adults too often miss the connection with how giving up sweets prepares the way of the Lord. By focusing attention on what this season is meant to make space for (time for God, space for him and his kingdom and room to welcome others into), she is able to suggest practices that call children to stretch their capacity to love God and others well. Kids aren't the only one's who will benefit from this book. Parents too will be challenged to deepen their love and devotion for Jesus.
My own kids range from eight to one. I would say this is most accessible for my eight-year old, though my six and five year old will also enjoy it. I look forward to reading this through with them throughout the coming season. I give this four stars.



 Note: I received this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review.