In "Secrets, Lies, Gizmos, and Spies, A History of Spies and Espionage," you will read about believable and unbelievable spies, covert operations, spy tunnels and aircraft spying from above, camera-toting pigeons, weapons disguised as umbrellas and lipsticks, and much more. Do heroes and traitors fascinate you? Spies are both. If an Iranian spies for America, is he a hero or a traitor? George Washington was a spy master at a time when it was considered highly ungentlemanly to spy. Elizabeth Van Lew sent secret messages to the Union generals written on onion skins during the Civil War. In 1946, the Russians presented a gift to the American ambassador: a carving of the seal of the U.S. with a listening device below the eagle's beak. The history of espionage is filled with many stories of great ingenuity, heroism, and betrayal. It's a puzzling world which has affected our history more than we know.
"Secrets, Lies, Gizmos, and Spies," a compilation of stories illustrated with images from the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., received the 2006 Gold Award from National Parenting Publications. It was also nominated for the American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults list for 2007.
"The world of espionage is exposed in this captivating overview...The breadth of coverage on a subject inherently interesting to kids will easily draw plenty of interest. Kids may return to their history books with new enthusiasm, and the moral questions will open discussion about the business of spying." Booklist
"The engrossing, readable text will hold the interest of even reluctant readers." School Library Journal
It was the beginning of baseball, and "Baseball For Everyone, Stories From the Great Game." The anecdotes are not just about baseball players and games, but also folk artists who carved, painted and sewed figures and symbols from the American pastime. One baseball hero made more money than the President of the United States. Another was ridiculed and intentionally spiked by players sliding towards him. There are female players, Little Leaguers's, and baseball heroes from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Japan. "King" Kelly was famous for his hurricane dives when he stole bases, and Fred Merkle was infamous for just one mistake.
The stories are surrounded by baseballs (one made of mattress ticking), lifesize carnival figures, weathervanes and paintings of famous stadiums. A school teacher created a quilt in homage to Jackie Robinson and a convict sewed a portrait of Mickey Mantle out of the threads from his socks and underwear. The artists and athletes in "Baseball For Everyone" share a passion for a game that has thrilled people of different ages and backgrounds for over 150 years. The author hopes that young artists will be encouraged to play and young fans will want to create baseball art of their own. ("Baseball For Everyone, Stories From the Great Game" is published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. in association with the American Folk Art Museum, New York.)
"Famous Bears & Friends" is a collection of teddy bear fiction and nonfiction stories, poems and songs. Winnie-the-Pooh takes a balloon up into the air, Corduroy rides an escalator and Paddington rises in an elevator. Titanic bear descends into the icy Atlantic, and Kumataro orbits the earth on the NASA space shuttle. Readers can hum to the “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” or imagine the voice of a robotic bear singing in Japanese. ("Umi ha hiroina, ookiina.") Then there are the stories behind the stories, actually “Behind the Fur,” that tell how the authors of Pooh, Paddington and Corduroy came to write about a stuffed bear. How did teddy get his name? How do teddy bear artists tell if their bears should be boys or girls? What happens to a bear who has lost an eye or a snout? It’s all there...for readers of any age. ("Famous Bears & Friends" was published by Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers)
"Fast Eddie" is the story of a raccoon who takes on a suburban family. The family, the Plotkins, want their home to be perfect. They spray chemicals on the lawn to make them crayon green, mow their field and cut down trees. The raccoon, Fast Eddie, thinks the Plotkins are ruining the world. He retaliates by tipping over barrels and dragging trash onto the driveway.(He builds scuptures out of the chicken parts and tin foil and declares that they are "art.") Puff, the Plotkins cat, sits under the kitchen table and listens to Mr. Plotkin rant about the raccoon. Then she meets Eddie, her best friend, who is plotting his "masterpiece." Puff is torn between her loyalty to her family and her loyalty to her friend. The battle escalates and no one backs down. The fictional novel is for 8-12 year olds. ("Fast Eddie" was published by Four Winds Press, a division of Macmillan Publishing Company.)
"Baseball for Everyone" was chosen as one of the best children's books of 2003 by Publishers Weekly. (Nov. 10, 2003) and was given the Parents Choice award for nonfiction.
"Who would have thought reading a book could be as much fun as playing the game?" St. Petersburg Times
"This elegant volume may well be irresistable to fans of America's pastime. The lively, informative text traces the history of the sport from its beginnings.... The lively, informative text discusses the convictions of the game's first promoters.... The result is as inspiring as it is entertaining. This attractive volume, enticingly packaged with a plethora of photographs, memorabilia and often astonishing folk art, will certainly whet appetites. The book's crisp design also hits a home run, making the most of a visual bounty that helps to underscore the sport's tremendous influence on the national psyche." Publishers Weekly
"This well written, child-friendly history addresses the game of baseball as it relates to the culture of the nation...Published to coincide with an exhibition at the American Folk Art Museum in NYC, the work is copiously illustrated with photographs of artifacts from the exhibition. There are the requisite paintings, drawings, and photographs, but there are also advertising signs and figures, sculptures, illustrated scorecards, games, weather vanes, quilts and needlework, and other objects that are entirely unique.... A great addition to the literature of the great American game." Kirkus Review
"Coleman offers a beautifully designed collection of teddy bear history and story.... This is a solid handsome collection for teddy bear lovers, children and adults alike." Booklist
"This book is a must-have for teddy bear lovers of all ages." Boston Herald
"This treasury of the world's favorite toy will delight and thrill bear enthusiasts of all ages." www.wonderkorner.com
"I fell instantly in love with 'Famous Bears & Friends. ... This book, beautifully illustrated, is filled with a history of this favorite toy that will please all ages." www.bookviews.com
"...an affectionate homage...a handsomely designed treasury." Publishers Weekly
"This beautiful book gives your child a look at the stories behind the first teddy bear and other storybook bears we've come to love." Teaching K-8
"Coleman's detailed descriptions suggest the careful eye of a naturalist and she does an excellent job of telling the story from the animal's point of view. Their observations and conversations are amusing and well realized. Gillman's abundant pen-and-ink illustrations reflect the text and are particularly adept in portraying Fast Eddie's rakish character. The taut plot, well-drawn characters, unusual point of view and ecological theme combine to make this an appealing story for children who love animals and care about their future." School Library Journal
"The author describes this fantasy about an escalating battle between the suburban Plotkin family and its strong-willed neighbor as "nonfiction"; indeed, though Eddie (a feisty, amoral raccoon), his friend Puff (a cat who's adept-but not always successful-in manipulating her family), and hilariously bumbling Kitty (a golden retriever) express themselves in words, they are portrayed from the ironical perspective of a human who has endured, and been much amused by, their interactions...the animals antics and lively dialogue are consistently entertaining while the denouement...is too cleverly appropriate, and too funny, to reveal here. An easily read story that would also make a fine readaloud." Kirkus Reviews
"In this thought-provoking story, Fast Eddie the raccoon refuses to stop harassing the Plotkin family, even though his friend worries about the consequences. Coleman provides humorous moments, but the tale also has an edge to it." The Horn Book Guide
