Dorena WilliamsonCritiques

57988

I loved the way this book is written and the way the author tells us about this historic time in history so that we can share it with Pre-K and Kindergarten. I will definitely recommend it to our teachers here at Augustine. Even though we don't have school around this time of year, we can share it during Black History month in February. Thank you for selecting our school library to receive a copy.
Lee Ann Hamilton, Librarian

This is a children book that tells the story of Juneteenth a holiday commemorating the end of slavery for black people in the United State. The book uses easy -to -understand language and beautiful illustrations to explain the history and significance of this important holiday and encourage children to reflect on the past and work towards a better future.

Age: 3-5 years
Source: Pierce College Library

The Story of Juneteenth is an important history book for children explained simply, meaningfully and beautifully.

This is a great book to teach children about Juneteenth. The illustrations are colorful and well-done. The story is told simply in an age appropriate manner. I would suggest this for any household with children. This would also work great in a classroom as a teaching tool.

Juneteenth is a part of history we here in the US should all know. This is a good little primer to the Juneteenth history. It is not a stand alone book; it should be read with someone who knows the surrounding history to explain it to those new to this point in our history as in itself this little book gives an outline of what was going on. We cannot simplify or whitewash Juneteenth. Care must be given to explain the full impart as to why and how this occurred.
Overall, this is a good starting point.

A good introduction to Juneteenth for kids that will likely lead to important discussions. I think it would work well for new readers (who may be turned off by a board book because "those are for babies"), especially with the clear and tied-to-the-text illustrations and the simpler language.

The Story of Juneteenth is a picture book that gives younger readers a look at how the Juneteenth Holiday came about. I thought it was a great way to show them how important it is to celebrate and best way to have them to understand the significance.

The Story of Juneteenth is beautifully illustrated by the talented artist, Markia Jenai. The pictures perfectly fit with the book and helps younger readers have a better understanding with the words printed on the pages.

I am giving The Story of Juneteenth a very well deserved five plus stars. It would be a great addition to be on shelves in local libraries, as well as, in classrooms. Readers who are between the ages of two and six years of age.

I received a hard cover copy of The Story of Juneteenth from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Wonderfully colorful 24 page boardbook about the story of Juneteenth. Answers the question "Why do we celebrate Juneteenth". The rest is history. The history of Juneteenth, that is. Covers how slaves were brought to America by boat from Africa, the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation and Union General Gordon Granger marching into Galveston, Texas to free the slaves two years after the proclamation. Simple, concise and well done!

This is a great board book, and an introduction to Juneteenth, which is now a national holiday. Of course it doesn't go into the nuances of slavery, and the deep lasting scars it has left on the United States, but as a child gets older they can read more about that.

A quality introduction to the topic of Juneteenth. Color illustrations on board pages help the story flow and should prompt further discussion.½

Celebrate!

Juneteenth is a day to be celebrated because it reminds us that no one can be a slave again.

At one time, people owned other people—they were called slaves. People who were slaves could never do what they wanted. Instead, other people told them what to do, eat and where to live. Sometimes, they hurt the slaves.

Over one hundred years ago, the Civil War was fought so slavery would end. Many people lost their lives to give slaves their freedom.

President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery January 1, 1863, but it took until June 19, 1865, for everyone to learn no one could be a slave again. That is the day we rejoice!

This five-star, chunky board book explains history in a way children can understand, with illustrations that clarify it even more. I recommend this for toddlers through eight-year-olds.

“If we don’t know our history, we are doomed to repeat it….”

Worthy Kids has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Juneteenth, for the purpose of review.

Azira is a little girl with hair that is a different texture and takes a little extra time to groom, but she's assured that she is just the way God wanted her to be. Azira learns that she is crowned with glory, and that she is indeed very special.

This is such a lovely book, and it isn't just because of its appearance. It's also filled with beautiful words of affirmation, and young children will be captivated by the rhyming words and the bright, colorful illustrations. They will love Azira's story and reading it with their parents provides a wonderful opportunity for discussing God's Plan for their own lives. It is perfect for those little girls who may feel different, but it's a book that shouldn't be limited to girls. Little boys also have doubts and insecurities, and this book could be an assurance for them also. All of us, young or old, need to know that our differences don't matter because God made us, and He loves us just as we are. We need to love ourselves and know that we are capable of accomplishing great things!

Author Doreen Williamson has written an enlightening book that is meant to encourage and inspire. Crowned with Glory will be a wonderful addition to both personal and school libraries.

I received an ARC of this book from WaterBrook Kids. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

Grace — unmerited favor that God showers down on His people. That grace is the foundation of Dorena Williamson’s book Gracefull, a colorful storybook for kids ages 4-8. In the book, Hope gets a glimpse at the very different life her friend’s family faces. Homeless and needing a big help up, Anna and her family are sheltering at Chen House. I loved that the two girls in the story are seen as peers, not one that has more and one who has less. The storyline revolves around helping others as a response to the grace that God has shared with us. The subtitle, Growing A Heart That Cares for Our Neighbors, summarizes what the book is all about. Williamson tells her story in a natural way allowing kids to see that there are others out their who need our help. The illustrations are bright and bold, and include a diverse group of people. The message is simple, but this book will springboard into deeper conversations. To help guide parents, a scripture passage reinforcing the message and discussion questions to make little ones (and their parents 😉 ) think are include. Gracefull makes a great addition to any home library.

Recommended.

Audience: kids ages 4-8 and their family

(Thanks to B&H Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

My girls are always excited to receive a new book and GraceFull by Dorena Williamson was no exception. As is the case with most of their books, my daughters were first intrigued by the colorful illustrations, but they also enjoyed the story line. Having previously read ColorFull and ThoughtFull by the same author, they recognized Ahanu (from ThoughtFull) immediately and were delighted to see him again.

I recommend GraceFull: Growing a Heart that Cares for Our Neighbors by Dorena Williamson and illustrated by Geneva B to anyone with a child ages 3-8 in their life. My younger daughter asks me to read this book almost every day. She says her favorite thing about the book is Anna and Hope at the Chen House because they are nice to each other. My older daughter asks for it less, but reads it herself.

GraceFull's main theme centers on the effects of God-given grace. The premise is that when we receive this grace, it overflows out of us to others. Supporting themes of generosity, kindness, inclusion, and racial diversity are laced throughout the story. GraceFull reminds the reader, child or adult, to look beyond our own needs and wants so that we can give compassion and grace. As a mother of young ones, I appreciate resources such as GraceFull that help instill the values I hope my daughters will one day embrace for themselves.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

This story as a meanful teaching for children. I got the meaning of the story or the moral of the story as you read. This is a great story for children of all ages. Parents should pick this one out and help teach our children what it mean to be different.

The author does a wonderful job of this though pictures and story itself. She show how god created a world that is colorfull. Would you want your child to be colorblind? God made us to see colorfull and world colorfull so we should teach our children that being different skin color like chocolate it okay and that even siblings may look the same but different. This a book teach children and others that colors are beautiful. If everything was the same color our world would be dark or not special.

Look at your world differently and teach our children and child to be kind and say there a reason god made each and everything with colors. He want as to see Colorfull.

Thoughtfull, written by Dorena Williamson and illustrated by Robert Dunn, tells the story of two second-grade boys: Ahanu, a boy with Down Syndrome, and Joshua, Ahanu's friend.

When Ahanu wins an award for being thoughtful, Joshua rejoices him. However, Joshua's joy is tampered by unkind remarks about Ahanu from other boys. After processing the situation with his dad, Joshua confronts the boys and stands up for Ahanu. Joshua encourages Ahanu and finds joy in their friendship.

My girls are both homeschooled and I continually look for resources that can teach them how to respond to social situations they may encounter. I liked that Thoughtfull offers several positive values and responses while confronting the common occurrence of bullying:

1. Thoughtfull affirms that all people are valuable and uniquely gifted by God. 2. Joshua speaks to the bullies about Ahanu's gifts, demonstrating a healthy way to confront bullying. 3. Perhaps most importantly, Joshua's relationship with Ahanu teaches that we ought to embrace each other rather than shying away from others who are differently-abled than us.

Thoughtfull is a hard-cover book that seems well-made and durable. The illustrations featured a racially diverse group of children and complemented the story nicely. My daughters (ages 3 and 6) enjoyed looking at them while reading the story.

I recommend Thoughtfull to parents of children between ages three to seven. There is a “Parent Connection” with Scripture and questions to discuss together.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Wow! I was blown away by Colorfull, a children’s book by Dorena Williamson. While many in today’s world want us not to recognize our differences, this beautifully illustrated book celebrates the wonderful diversity throughout God’s creation. The story follows Imani, her little brother Christopher, and best friend Kayla as they explore the world right in their own backyard. Granny Mac points out the wonderfully colorful world that God created, pointing out that the variety makes the world beautiful. And God’s gift of color extends to people as well. I love that the book emphasizes the uniqueness of creation and our place in it. The illustrations compliment the story — each picture wonderfully detailed and expressive. The book also provides a great parent’s guide at the end. Scripture references and discussion questions continue the conversation.

Colorfull is a great addition to a home library. I predict this one will be a favorite with your family.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 4-8.

(Thanks to B&H Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Racial tension is common in politics and news.

I never expected VPK in a Christian school would be my daughter's introduction to racial prejudice. It didn't take long for her to experience exclusion due to her skin color and to learn that the same classmates who excluded her also excluded people of other skin colors. And so, I had to talk with her about that. It was hard for her to understand. I tried to explain that God created us all with different skin colors and no one should be treated as lower or higher than another.

ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us by Dorena Wiliamson is a beautful tool that I can use to combat her own experience of discrimination and teach her sympathy for others. In ColorFull, Imani, Kayla, and Christopher learn about colors through playtime activities and a wise Granny Mac who leads the conversation into skin color. Essentially, the message is that all skin colors were chosen by God in his wisdom and love. All are equally loved by their Creator. Rather than trying to be colorblind, we can choose to celebrate the different skin colors we have.

ColorFull is a sturdy, hard-cover, children's book featuring whimsical, vibrant illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. My daughters haven't seen the book yet because it's a birthday gift, but I expect the illustrations to hold their attention while I read. Discussion questions, appropriate for 4-8 year olds are included. I think my two year old will enjoy the story and illustrations, but the discussion questions will be above her comprehension level.

I recommend ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us to anyone with children. Every child will eventually encounter racial prejudice of some form and this book can help them grow up with a healthy perspective.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

reviewed