All Kinds of Strong

by Sharon Reiss Baker, Kriss Wiltse (Illustrator)

a new childrens book

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

29 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2014

About the author

Sharon Reiss Baker is the author of the debut YA historical novel Last Days in Moav and acclaimed picture books All Kinds of Strong (a PJ Library selection) and A Nickel, A Trolley, A Treasure House (Sydney Taylor Notable). Locating her stories across the millennia of Jewish history, Sharon blends meticulous research with characters of her own imagination. While her writing habit began in fourth grade with a story about a spider-eating baby, her professional path led to Harvard University and a career as a teacher and administrator. Drawing on her experiences living in Israel, France, Puerto Rico, and across the U.S., Sharon fills her pages with settings as diverse as deserts, gritty urban tenements, and the rolling hills of Connecticut chicken farms. Her writing is also informed by her studies at the Pardes Institute and Hebrew University. Today, she lives in Pennsylvania, where she recently began the study of Gemara.

Reviews

[Beth Polebaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect story with the poignant lesson that all children have their strengths.

[Maryann Skaritka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a sweet girl Sadie Rose, an 8 year old, who has been sick most of her life. She finds ways to help her family, neighbors and community. Although she is physically limited, she shows others that she uses her mind to come up with many thoughtful and useful ideas.

Sadie lives on a farm with her parents and brothers. She collects eggs,feeds the chickens, helps animals, helps her neighbor Mrs. Mindel, and always tries to be helpful to all.

An accident occurs one day and Sadie comes up with an idea to help bring the whole community together.

This book has wonderful illustrations, a view into Jewish life, and important lessons that we are all unique and have our own special abilities.

The author has researched this book and its based on Jewish owned chicken and dairy farms in Eastern Connecticut. Oral histories were obtained. I think that its wonderful for those who grew up on or knew of these farms to share these important history lessons with others.

I received this book from Goodreads First Reads.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I love woodcuts, I love the storylines of spirituality, farming, inter-generational relationships, and differing abilities. I do think this children's book tried to teach a few too many lessons, but there are so many good things about the book, and it's a strong story, so it didn't bother me too much. I do love getting to know more about Judaism, and the explanation at the end of the book was a nice addition.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently won the children's book, All Kinds of Strong by Sharon Reiss Baker. It's a great way to enjoy a book while teaching about Jewish farmers and learning Yiddish words. It is a happy story--showing the reader that being strong doesn't depend on your size. The book is illustrated by Kris Wiltse. This book is a good book for parents to share with young children (approximately age 6-9). I enjoyed it!