Review: Kindertransport by Kena Sosa

 

Kindertransport 

by Kena Sosa, illustrated by Jeanne Conway

Review by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Kindertransport by Kena Sosa is the touching story of a young Jewish girl in Germany who gets onboard the Kindertransport train headed for England.

In the days before the outbreak of World War II, Helen finds herself trapped inside her house. Unable to understand why her family’s life has changed so suddenly, she worries as Vater’s mood changes and Mutter pretends she doesn’t like eggs simply so Helen will have enough to eat. Then one day, Mutter tells her to pack her suitcase so she can ride a train that will bring her to England until the danger is over.

Sosa has done a fabulous job of bringing to life the experiences of so many Jewish children in the days before the war started. She captures the emotions, the frustrations, the uncertainty Helen feels as life has changed. I’m sure the interviews she conducted with Jewish survivors helped flesh out the details, and it is that research that allowed her to create such an incredible story. An afterword shares more about Kindertransport, and a list of materials used in the research for the book is included.

Accompanying Sosa’s moving text are the black and white illustrations by Jeanne Conway. The burning of Vater’s bookstore, how Helen clings to her bunny as she packs, and the hope Helen feels as she holds on to the ship’s railing on her way to England are all brought to life by Conway. 

Kindertransport might be one of the most stirring books I read this year. I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Kindertransport and other books by Kena Sosa are available at https://www.4rvpublishing.com/kena-sosa.html and other online retailers. 

Review: Louie Finds A Friend by Vivian Zabel

 

Louie Finds A Friend (A Louie the Duck Story)

by Vivian Zabel, illustrated by Jeanne Conway

Review by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Louie is back with another story in Louie Finds A Friend by Vivian Zabel. 

Louie enjoys riding waves, but it is lonely without any friends. He plays with his cousins, but they don’t like riding waves. So, when Mr. and Mrs. Goose’s grandson, Gus, comes to live on their lake, Louie hopes Gus will like him even if he is different.

Zabel wrote the Louie the Duck stories for her grandchildren. Now, in published form, this adorable series shares the adventures of young Louie and his life on the lake. In Louie Finds A Friend, Gus comes to live with his grandparents and Louie is asked to be his friend. Louie is unsure if they will get along, especially because he likes to ride waves, unlike his cousins. What unfolds is a sweet story of friendship. 

Jeanne Conway provides the artwork for Louie Finds A Friend and the other books in the Louie the Duck series. Colorful and filled with tons of detail, these illustrations are the perfect complement to Zabel’s story. From rolling waves to sandy shores to yellow and orange skies as the sun sets on the cove, young readers will be enchanted and turn page after page. 

A charming story of making new friends awaits your young reader in Louie Finds A Friend.

Louie Finds A Friend and other books by Vivian Zabel are available at www.4rvpublishing.com and other online retailers. 

Review: Storm Sentinel

 

Storm Sentinel
Review by:  vehoae
Author:  Tony LoPresti
Illustrator: Jeanne Conway

            Tornadoes can occur most anywhere, but in America the region known as tornado alley (from Northern Texas straight up through eastern South Dakota) gets the most attention - along with the State of Alabama.

Since we’re now into the normal season for tornadoes, April to June, this is an important time to speak about them with children. Storm Sentinel by Tony LoPresti is an excellent assist for educators and parents when talking with children. The story is told from the perspective of an animated tornado siren named Fred. The book also includes sections to answer many questions about the characteristics and incredible strength of tornadoes.

I was pleased to see that LoPresti wrote the story to address not just preparation for and duration of the storm, but also addressed the aftermath of one particular tornado in a gentle manner appropriate for young children. This excellent book certainly deserves a place on all bookshelves.

Review: Louie Finds a Friend (A Louie the Duck Story)

 

Louie Finds a Friend (a Louie the Duck Story)
written by Vivian Zabel, illustrated by Jeanne Conway
reviewed by Shawn Simon

 

Louie Finds a Friend, by Vivian Zabel, tells the story of a lonely little duck who has an unusual love of riding waves. None of the other ducks want to ride waves with poor Louie. They think it’s weird, so Louie is afraid he will have to ride waves alone forever and never have a friend. 

When Louie’s parents tell him about a new young goose moving to their lake, he’s not so sure he wants to be friendly. What if the new goose is just like the others and doesn’t enjoy Louie’s love of waves? But Louie is a good duck, so he promises his parents he will be friendly to the new goose when he arrives. Then he learns why Gus is coming to live at their lake and feels compassion and sympathy for him. He also learns how lucky he is to live in a safe, protected place. He never knew there were ducks and geese who were not that fortunate. 

Will Louie finally find a friend who loves to ride waves and doesn’t think he’s odd? Or is he destined to ride them alone forever? From this story, we learn that it’s okay to be different. It’s perfectly fine to like something our friends find unusual or strange. We have to learn to accept others as they are, even if their difference is something we may not understand. As someone born with a physical difference and who works with kids with learning differences, acceptance is important to me. Perhaps this little children’s book will help kids learn this lesson. 

Louie Finds a Friend encourages acceptance, friendship, and kindness, and the lovely, colorful illustrations add to the sweet story. The charming drawings show the emotions on the characters’ faces, which will help children understand the emotions behind the story. I highly recommend Louie Finds a Friend. 

Order Louie Finds a Friend @ 4RV Bookstore, through another online source, or from a brick ‘n mortar store.

Critters Readers' Poll results for 4RV

 

 

    Several people and publications from 4RV Publishing were nominated in Critters Readers' Poll, and voting finished January 14. The final results gave our nominees some room to brag a bit.

    First place book editor went to Cheryl Malandrios, an editor much in demand at 4RV and other places. She shares her time with being a top realtor and helping authors make their books the best possible.

 

    The other first place went to 4RV for having the best online bookstore, thanks to webmaster Aidana WillowRaven and her assistant Elizabeth Morgan.

      Cheryl Malandrios also took a second place in Children's Books with her book A Christmas Kindness, illustrated by Caroline Mabey.

  

    The hosts didn't change the year on the digital seals for those that placed in the top 10 without taking first place, but we will share them anyway. Jeanne Conway placed 2nd in the Best Artist category. She has illustrated several children's books for 4RV including Merry Tilda, Wild, Wild Wind, and the Louie the Duck books.

    

     Borrowed Time by Rita Durrett placed 2nd in Young Adult Book. Rita's book is one of the newer releases from 4RV.

                                                   

     For Best Other Novel, novels not covered by genre, Dust of Lies by G. K. Davenport took 2nd. The book also took 2nd place in Best Book Cover Artwork. Steve Daniels created the art for the cover.

 

 

     Another second place, Vivian Zabel came in 2nd in the Best Author division. Her books can be found on 4rvpublishing.com, as can books by other authors.

    Shawn Simon, a step-mother herself, received 2nd place in Best Nonfiction Book with her book Stepping into a New Role: Stories from Step Moms. For those already step-parents or who are about to become one, this book provides a handy guide.

    Finally, the lowest rank any 4RV received was in the Book Publisher category. The company received a 6th place, but still finished in the top 10. 

    For more information about 4RV, about submissions, about books and authors, about writing style, visit the 4RV website.

Artist Spotlight: Jeanne Conway

     Jeanne Conway joined 4RV Publishing on September 27, 2016. She has created the images for several books since then, several of which have won awards. Her books for 4RV include Louie Finds a Friend - A Louie the Duck Story (2nd in the series) and Wave Excitement - A Louie the Duck Story (1st in the series) by Vivian Zabel; This Isn't My Bed! by Mike McNair;  Storm Sentinel by Tony LoPresti; Merry Tilda: A Winter Fairy Tale and Wild, Wild Wind by Jodi Heaton Hearst; and, her first for the company, Kindertransport: a child's journey Kena Sosa.

     Jeanne, an artist, illustrator, children’s book writer, and art educator lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The following is a portion of an interview from the Kansas/Missouri SCBWI since she was the featured illustrator, where she talks about two books illustrated for 4RV:

Question: What would be your dream project? Or what was your favorite project?

Reply: Recently I illustrated a children’s book about the wind called The Wild, Wild Wind by Jodi Heaton Hurst.  The main characters are swept up by the wind and this was terrific for me as I could play around with the various figures (human and animal) as they move through the air. The locale was in the country so I could use a palette of daylight colors.  It was so much fun to do that book.

Question: What’s next for you? Any upcoming book releases we should be on the lookout for?

Reply: Louie Finds A Friend (A Louie The Duck Story) by Vivian Zabel is another children’s book featuring the ongoing adventures of Louie the duck and how he finally makes a friend who understands him.

For so many years I’ve loved art in all kinds of medium. I’ve painted in oil and acrylic but found that watercolor was the one I loved the most. As a child in St. Louis, Missouri, my mother would often take all of us to the Art Museum. And I have to thank both of my parents for the endless paper, pencils, and paints which they provided for those of us who loved to draw and paint.

I got a degree in Art Education from Webster University in St. Louis and went on to teach art for 35 years in St. Louis and London, England.  In 2013 I started illustrating children’s books part-time and when I retired from art teaching in 2016 I started full time illustrating.  I’m a member of SCBWI and would highly recommend this organization to anyone who is interested in writing and/or illustrating children’s books.

My husband Tom and I have been blessed with three children: Adam, Julie, and Suzanne. I am so grateful to them for their constant encouragement for my art.

You can view my art on my website, http://www.jeanniespaintings.com or on my portfolio page on the SCBWI website.

     Thank you, Jeanne, for bringing 4RV books to life with your art.