About
Welcome to my blog devoted to exemplary children’s books. I’m Janice Floyd Durante, and I’ve worked as a journalist, an English teacher, and a school librarian. With graduate degrees in English and in library science, I’ve published book reviews, poetry, and feature articles in local and national venues.
I started this blog in 2010 as a way to celebrate books that enrich the lives of children ages 6 to 12. I review only books I admire, books that cultivate a child’s sense of peace, justice, respect and curiosity. Since I believe it is essential to read aloud to the young, I look for literature that is pleasing to the ear, as well as to the spirit. I am grateful for the books publishers send me, but I reserve the right to express my views freely or not at all if I do not see sufficient merit in the work.
Please respect the intention and originality of my work. If you would like to quote from it, cite the source, as I do. If, despite my sincere efforts, anyone should feel I have not given proper attribution, please contact me and I will make appropriate changes immediately. This web site is a volunteer, nonprofit activity.
Thanks for your interest. If you’d like to contact me, feel free to leave a comment on this page.
Apr 18, 2012 @ 18:55:12
Hi Janice,
I’m happy to tell you more about my picture book. It’s a story meant to be read to children ages 3-8.
Friendship sometimes comes when you least expect it and that is the certainly the case when Wertely the Durkle has a less than pleasant (and slobbery) run in with a strange creature eager for a snack. These two unusual characters overcome their unhappy meeting and find the silver lining in their circumstance by becoming the best of friends.
I’m not looking for a promise and am thankful you’re open to considering it. Let me know if you think it sounds like a story you could love.
Best wishes,
Dori
Apr 03, 2012 @ 17:15:13
Hi Janice,
I’m the author of a soon-to-be published children’s picture book you may be interested in reviewing. It is definitely in line with the message of the Books of Wonder blog. Would you be willing to share your submission guidelines, if any, and a snail mail address?
Thanks ,for your consideration and a very enjoyable blog.
Dori
Apr 18, 2012 @ 14:57:14
Hi, Dori. Thanks for writing. Can you tell me more about your picture book? I post reviews on children’s books that I admire, so I can’t promised you I’ll review it, but I am open to considering it.
Oct 12, 2011 @ 17:40:51
Thank you. Please contact me at ballymoretales@gmail.com.
Bob Brooks
Oct 01, 2011 @ 10:56:12
It is wonderful that your blog focuses on “Children’s literature that fosters peace, justice, respect and curiosity”. It is rare but very important.
I have a blog that features interviews with children’s books authors and blog writers such as yourself. Might you be interested in being interviewed?
Sincerely,
Bob Brooks
Oct 04, 2011 @ 12:57:39
Hi, Bob. Thanks for writing. I’m enjoying checking our your blog. I’m open to the idea of being interviewed. Let me know what you have in mind.
Thanks.
Janice
Oct 14, 2011 @ 05:19:52
Hi. I didn’t realize you had responded. Thank you for your interest in my site and in an interview. I don’t know how long a message I can leave here. Would you please contact me by email and I will provide all of the details.
Sincerely,
Bob Brooks
Oct 14, 2011 @ 09:07:42
Yes, Bob. I’ll email you this weekend. Thanks! Janice
Oct 01, 2011 @ 10:55:30
It is wonderful that your blog focuses on “Children’s literature that fosters peace, justice, respect and curiosity”. It is rare but very important.
I have a blog that features interviews with children’s books authors and blog writers such as yourself. Might you be interested?
Sincerely,
Bob Brooks
Jul 27, 2011 @ 19:43:10
What a heavenly book blog you have here! I found through Miss Marples Musings. I can’t wait to check my library for some of these titles.
Jul 28, 2011 @ 13:31:03
Thanks so much, Lori. I’m glad you found my little blog. I hope you and your young ones enjoy the books.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 06:22:24
Hello, I very much like your blog and have linked one of your posts to my blog at http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.com/ March House Books Blog Best wishes Barbara
May 18, 2011 @ 17:38:32
Beautiful blog! I love your book selections.
May 18, 2011 @ 17:42:08
Thanks, Grace. I’m so glad you enjoy it.
Feb 02, 2011 @ 18:19:07
Hi Miss Durante,
My name is Jennifer Young from the CBI Clubhouse. I recently checked the website and discovered your thread for the group request I had posted back in October. The private messaging is not working on their site so I apologize for the late response.
Please shoot me an e-mail if you are still interested in joining the group.
jlyoung2007@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
Jennifer
p.s. I enjoyed your blog by the way!
Feb 01, 2011 @ 20:21:02
I apologize for gushing, but I’m so excited to find this blog! This is everything I love about children’s books: the themes of justice, peace, and creativity; and the reading aloud to share the stories, the respect and the thoughtfulness. I have a blog on juvenile fantasy (and block prints) in which I’ve explored many of these same issues (Black and White.
Also I write books all of which deal, in various ways, with what can happen when people look for the best in one another. From a read-aloud chapter book for ages 4-8 about children who rescue their parents from a dragon using kindness, creativity and courage, to a middle grade reader about a boy who solves his bullying problem with crazy advice from his eccentric grandma, to a young adult fantasy series about a bard whose calling is to seek the truth and share it, to an animal alphabet book that celebrates the wonders of the creatures all around us…
If you’d like to look at descriptions of any of these books, you can find them at my web site: Nydam Prints
If you’re interested in any of them I’d really love to send you a review copy.
In any case, keep up the good work on this blog!
Feb 02, 2011 @ 13:10:56
Oh, Anne, feel free to gush all you want. What a pleasant surprise to read your encouraging words. After leaving my life as a school librarian, I decided to start this blog as a way to promote those children’s books that nurture their souls. Thank you for writing and for referring me to your lovely blog. Your wood-block prints made me smile, especially the illustrations of Mother Goose rhymes — which every child should hear! I am intrigued by the sound of your books, too; I like the angle you took with your alphabet book Amazing, Beguiling, and Curious and would like to talk to you more about your work, Anne.
Feb 03, 2011 @ 09:11:25
Naturally I’d be delighted to talk about my books! Feel free to e-mail me or let me know the best way to communicate. You can get to my e-mail from any page on my web site. (Meanwhile, I’m busily filling up my library list with books you’ve mentioned here…)
Jan 24, 2011 @ 09:00:39
Hello Ms. Durante.
I’m glad to find this Books of Wonder blog.
I look forward to reading titles mentioned, especially Paula Young’s lyrical autobiography. Many thanks for these recommendations.
When you have moment please consider this title -
SHE SANG PROMISE: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader.
It’s a 2010 book from http://www.ngchildrensbooks.org
It has an afterword from Mrs. Jumper’s son, Moses Jumper, Jr.
The artist is Lisa Desimini.
I am the writer.
Many many thanks.
Jan G. Annino
http://www.bookseedstudio.wordpress.com
Jan 27, 2011 @ 12:50:51
Thanks for your encouraging words, Jan. And congratulations on your new picture book, She Sang Promise: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader, winning a place in the Top 10 of the Amelia Bloomer Project 2011. Your book and other winners are on my list to be featured in a women’s history post, scheduled for late February or early March. Bravo!
Mar 31, 2011 @ 11:38:08
Oh, girl! Many many thanks.
I just read your post about Wanda Gag & so I found my way here again,
Millions & millions & millions of thanks for your post about Ms. Gag.
Mar 31, 2011 @ 12:34:00
You are so welcome, Jan. And thank you for your comments. I hope you saw last week’s post, “Women Rock the World,” featuring 5 great new picture-book bios — including yours! Bravo Jan! *She Sang Promise *rocks!