Orange Marmalade Books
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At Orange Marmalade Books, Jill dedicates herself to promoting delightful children's literature. As a mother to four remarkable individuals engaged in work, travel, and study across diverse locations, her passion for books dates back to her early years in the 60s. Jill's enduring love for exceptional children's literature remains steadfast, inspiring her to share the joys of..
Orange Marmalade Books
2w ago
Has Spring arrived at your home yet?
It’s a notoriously teasing, fickle season here in Minnesota with warm weather and snow flurries dancing in and out of weeks until the full force of Springtime finally arrives.
Regardless of what weather you have at the moment, these fresh-as-spring reads are sure to lift your spirits.
Spring Parade
written by Camelia Kay, illustrated by Allyn Howard
published in 2022 by Cameron + Company
Such a sweet, lush, joyous observance of the incoming of new life in springtime!
Howards painterly illustrations grow in vibrancy of color and sheer volume of charming p ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
3w ago
To close out my week celebrating women’s history,
I’m veering off into the fictional world of girl detectives.
The introduction of fictional female detectives came about, apparently,
in the early 1860s with one Mrs. Gladden investigating crimes as a professional detective
in the novels of Andrew Forrester.
60 years later Dorothy Sayers was critical of the genre,
arguing that women detectives as written were not given to logical reasoning
but “irritatingly intuitive” luck in solving crimes.
And then she gave us Harriet Vane.
By the time Nancy Drew came on the scene in the 1930s,
there had alre ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
1M ago
It’s Day Two of my week of women’s history posts. Five more interesting women following their divergent interests and gifts, coming right up!
Before I launch into these titles,
I want to reaffirm my value and utmost respect for those of us women
who are living our lives in obscurity – that’s the vast, vast majority of us.
Offering kind words,
soothing a sick child,
growing flowers,
marching for peace,
bringing a meal to one overwhelmed with life or death…
this is the stuff that creates community, heals sore hearts,
provides the warmth and light humanity needs to carry on.
painting by Tiffany ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
1M ago
March is Women’s History Month and I always thoroughly enjoy discovering the array of women — many I’ve never met before – who have made vital, intriguing, beautiful, courageous contributions to our world.
This week I’m happy to be sharing 10 picture book biographies of women I’d sure love to have over for a cup of coffee to hear more about their interesting lives.
Five are in the post today, and five more will be in a post later this week.
I’ve got a batch of Girl Detectives coming your way later this week as well, so please stay tuned!
Granny Smith Was Not an Apple: The Story of Orchardist ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
1M ago
The month of March this year marks a holy time for both Muslims and Christians around the world, and Jewish Passover follows at the end of April.
Billions of people worldwide will commemorate these important celebrations of their faith.
Today I have picture books centering each of them.
Understanding our neighbors’ faith and honoring their holy days is one way to promote peace.
Ramadan, the holy Islamic month of fasting, prayer, charity, and devotion,
commemorates the receiving of the Qur’an and began this year on the 11th of March.
At the end of Ramadan, Eid is celebrated,
a joyful festival t ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
1M ago
As parents of babies and small children are well aware,
nighttime doesn’t always bring sleep.
Today’s stories heartily, happily, cheekily give the nod to folks not nodding off.
Night time isn’t just for sleeping, after all!
Night Lunch
written by Eric Fan, illustrated by Dena Seiferling
published in 2022 by Tundra Books
When the softness of nightfall creeps over the city and the harsh light of day quiets to a mellow sheen of moonlight; when all the bustling people leave the city streets for home and bed, then “the night lunch cart rolls in.”
All-a-twinkle, this welcoming café-on-wheels is ru ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
2M ago
Black History is a story of rising up.
Yes, it’s a history full of pain, and yet
courage, resilience, creativity, strength, generational love
are woven in mightily
making it a tremendous source of insight and inspiration.
I have learned so much from the fine picture books being created
illuminating bits and pieces of this history.
Even if you’re an adult, do consider checking out some of these
fabulous collaborations of word and art.
All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson
written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ashley Evans
published in 2023 by Crown Books for Young Readers ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
2M ago
Two big holidays arrive within the next week,
and today I’ve got a few books to help celebrate them.
Lunar New Year comes first, on February 10 when we begin the Year of the Wooden Dragon. About 1.5 billion people worldwide will celebrate this holiday. Here are just a few stories to help you join the festivities:
Lunar New Year
written by Natasha Yum, illustrated by Jingting Wang
published in 2023 by words & pictures
This bright little book is plum full of information about the Lunar New Year celebration from a Chinese perspective. Of all the books I’ve seen, this one offers the best expl ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
3M ago
Today’s trio of books all swept me into new worlds
courtesy of the brilliance of their creators.
There’s something for everyone here, ages 4-100,
plus suggestions for read-alikes if these titles pique your interest.
Bunny & Tree
by Balint Zsako
published in 2023 by Enchanted Lion Books
184 pages
This gorgeous, wordless story won many starred reviews and best-of’s last year for good reason. It’s a colorful, enchanted fantasy. And what an epic genre-breaker: a lengthy, wordless, picture book for anyone from preschoolers on up.
I wouldn’t want to decide where to shelve this in a bookst ..read more
Orange Marmalade Books
3M ago
Orange Marmalade long-time readers know
I’m a strong advocate for picture books as a genre
for everyone from age 0 to 100.
In fact, many picture books lend themselves especially well to older readers.
Today’s list, though, features titles that are
the cat’s meow for very young children,
books full of joy, books that understand the curiosity of small persons
who have so very much to figure out about their world.
Each of them is a triumph and a delight!
One Shoe Two Shoes
written by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Edward Underwood
first published in the UK; US edition 2019 by Bloomsbury Children’s B ..read more