Nurses for Women's History Month |
Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite picture book authors and I'm delighted to tell you
about her new book CLARA AND DAVIE: THE TRUE STORY OF YOUNG CLARA BARTON.
Publisher's Weekly says, "Writing with unguarded emotion, Polacco offers a porthole into Clara Barton's early childhood. Plagued by a speech impediment,
Barton sought refuge outdoors, caring for animals, and relied on her nurturing older brother Davie. Polacco's mixed-media artwork portrays an upbringing filled with insecurity, with moments of both darkness (Clara is sent to the basement by her older sister: "She doesn't want to talk right. She's lazy! She refuses to pronounce words properly!") and joy, as Clara discovers her talent for healing. The author focuses on Barton's formative experiences, ending the story before Barton enters
adulthood, as if to suggest that children of unusual sensitivity can blossom into adults of profound influence. An author's note explains Barton's later contributions to society, as well as Polacco's family connection to the founder of the American Red Cross. Ages 3-5. Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale were born just a year apart, but in quite different circumstances. This new biography by Demi Florence Nightingale was born to wealthy English parents in Florence, Italy, and from an early age studied nursing and the care of the sick. As her family traveled from England to Italy, France and Germany, she visited hospitals and poorhouses to teach herself and to compare healing strategies.
Kirkus Reviews says, "One astonishing, gutsy double-page spread depicts the war hospital in Turkey. Leaking walls, rats, garbage and overflowing chamber pots among the stricken soldiers make a formal backdrop to officials rebuffing Nightingale and her nurses. With the turn of the page, readers see the changes in cleanliness, care and
mood Nightingale effected. |
Here I am at Secret
Garden Bookshop in Seattle, WA. The only thing better than this moment was greeting so many family members and friends as they arrived to hear about PURE GRIT and take home autographed copies.The day before I had the pleasure of celebrating with U.S. Army Nurse Ethel Thor's three daughters and extended family in Gig
Harbor.
Here I am with Linda, Carla & Sandy. Carla, Sandy, Linda and Ethel in 1952
Thanks for your time! If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of PURE GRIT, check out this page. If I will not be coming to your area soon and you'd like a signed copy of the book, e-mail me and I will mail you a signed bookplate. Please forward this newsletter to friends who might enjoy it. To find out more about my books, how I help students, teachers and librarians, visit my website
at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com. I'm also available for skype chats. Yours Truly, Mary Questions? Comments? Contact me at MaryCronkFarrell@gmail.com. Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. |
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