It was another Monday, November 21st, when I featured a couple of books about sweet dreams. This was in 2011, and 2022 happens to be a calendar twin of 2011! The books were Dreamsong and Ship of Dreams, two beautiful reads which I know I will enjoy if I read them even today. Today, I bring you a few more books, one about dreaming and the others to do with actions taken/we can take.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself
From Sweet Dreams to Amazing Actions
Dreaming in Code
Dreaming in Code: Ada Byron Lovelace, Computer Pioneer by Emily Arnold McCully (Children’s Nonfiction | 12 – 14 years, and up | Published by Candlewick Press | 12 Mar 2019)
This illuminating biography reveals how the daughter of Lord Byron, Britain’s most infamous Romantic poet, became the world’s first computer programmer.
This biography of Ada Lovelace is illuminating and informative, to say the least. I had read about Ada Lovelace and Babbage as well in other books earlier, and knew a bit about Lovelace’s tumultuous and brilliant life. But this book definitely gave me a deeper and broader insight into her life, her accomplishments, her associations with Charles Babbage, Michael Faraday, and her own family.
Ada Lovelace was indeed a force to reckon with, and I wonder how she (and Babbage) would have shone if they lived today. While she also had her flaws, her foresightedness and intelligence were amazing, and something to admire.
I appreciated how this book includes everything about Ada Lovelace, the good, the bad, and the ugly – so to speak – while remaining appropriate for younger readers. This book works best for middle-school readers and older.
Citizen She!
Citizen She! The Global Campaign for Women’s Voting Rights by Caroline Stevan, translated by Michelle Bailat-Jones, and illustrated by Elina Braslina (Children’s Nonfiction | 11 – 14 years, and up | Helvetiq | 11 Oct 2022)
An inspiring journey of women’s struggles and victories around the globe as they fought for the right to vote. In illuminating the global struggle for women’s rights, the book shows us how far we’ve come–and that there is a lot left to fight for.
This was such an amazing book – in every way. While there are some things I did know and am aware of myself (through news, the experiences of others I know, and to some extent, my own experiences), I still learned a lot through this book. What I learned and loved:
- women suffragists around the world (both from the past and present), many of whom I had not known of before. And I appreciated that the book also included some of the men who helped in this cause.
- the timeline of women’s rights across nations. I totally loved the sections devoted to the timelines and the visuals used here as well (including, and especially showing the world-map to highlight the progress)
- loved the way the book focuses on individual women from around the world and over the ages in the initial sections and then moves on to the overall history and geography of women’s rights, along with so many other interesting snippets of information
- the narrative is simple and yet one that works for all ages (so thanks to both the author and the translator here)
- last but not the least, the artwork is brilliant and vibrant and full of details that will be sure to delight all its readers!
To summarize it, at the risk of repeating myself, this was an amazing book – in every way!!
I Love You, Blue
I Love You, Blue by Barroux (Children’s Fiction | 3 – 7 years, and up | Flyaway Books | 22 Mar 2022)
With joyful simplicity, I Love You, Blue introduces the impact of plastic waste in the oceans and includes an author’s note with facts about how whales and their habitat can be protected.
A sweet read that is sure spur readers to action; both to learn more about the dangers of plastic waste on our oceans and their inhabitants, as well as to reduce use of plastic, or rather, to become more eco-friendly overall in how we approach life. The illustrations are delightful and the narrative, sweet and educational without being preachy. A great way to introduce young readers to being green, and to let them know how our choices and actions can impact lives elsewhere.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARCs of the featured books today. The reviews are my honest feedback on the books.
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, have you read any of the featured/mentioned books? Or any similar reads? I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.
I’ll have to get I Love You, Blue for Lia. She is so into recycling and making sure our aquatic life is safe. We have Loggerhead turtle nests on the beach and when hatched they all scurry to the ocean. The turtle patrol is always on the look out for plastic so the turtles and birds are safe too.
I have not heard of these books before, but they sounds amazing