HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: (Pirate Paul and Ana Mae Mouse Show Me) The Twelve Months Of Michigan
Author and Illustrator: AnnieMarie E. Chiaverilla
Publisher: The Pear Tree Press Inc., 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0578129884
ISBN-10: 0578129884
Related website: http://www.thepeartreepress.com (publisher)
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Reading level: Ages 3 and up
Rating: ***** 5 stars (EXCELLENT)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
Disclosure: Any books donated for review purposes are in turn donated to a library. No other compensation has been received for the reviews posted on Home School Book Review.
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Chiaverilla, AnnieMarie E. (Pirate Paul and Ana Mae Mouse Show Me) The Twelve Months of Michigan (published in 2013 by The Pear Tree Press Inc., 2894 Lauryl Dr., Commerce Twp., MI 48382). Have you ever been to the state of Michigan? Do you even know where it is? AnnieMarie Mouse tells how that her parents, Pirate Paul and Ana Mae Mouse, her brothers, and she travel across Michigan for twelve months to see some of the unique and beautiful places in the state. “The car rides with my siblings were terrifyingly fun.” She does say, “This book is purely for giggles. It’s not a complete collection of Michigan facts and figures.” After she identifies many of the state symbols, such as the state bird, which is the American Robin, and the state tree, which is the White Pine, off they go to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” She begins, “In the first month of Michigan, my parents showed to me a Robin in a White Pine Tree.” If you look at Michigan on a map of the United States or a globe, can you guess what the number “five” will stand for?
I am a native of Ohio. After my wife, who is from Indiana, and I married, we lived in Medina, OH, for a few years, and then in Dayton, OH, for fifteen years before moving out of state. During that time, and especially after the kids came along, we made many trips to Michigan to visit friends and see sites in our neighbor to the north. Author and illustrator AnnieMarie Chiaverilla, the youngest of five children, has fond memories of car trips which her family would take across Michigan. From two Painted Turtles of Petoskey in February to twelve Motown singers singing in December, The Twelve Months of Michigan brings to life various places, events, groups, and other wonders of the Wolverine State. Many states either demand or suggest that homeschooling families study state history. This book provides a neat and enjoyable way for youngsters in Michigan to learn about their state. It will also be of interest to any other families who want to know more about Michigan.
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Wayne, thank you. AnnieMarie Mouse:) Chiaverilla
Winter is still bitter but the traveling has been sweet. So many nice people around the state being so kind to me and the book it makes me cry. The last two months have been so crazy, I just took the time to read what you wrote… thank you. You are a great writer, enjoy the journey! annie
The Twelve Months of Michigan written and illustrated by AnnieMarie E.Chiaverilla … just Won!!! The R.E.B.A. Children’s Picture Book in the All Ages category for the 2015 USA Regional Excellence Awards.
(R.E.B.A. = Regional Excellence Book Awards; http://www.usaregionalexcellencebookawards.com/2015winners-…)
The judges wrote, “Pirate Paul & Ana Mae Mouse Show Me The Twelve Months of Michigan, truly captured the spirit of the Midwest region of the United States and the excellence that this award was created to celebrate, and we salute you and your fine work.”
It was also nominated “Book Of The Year” by Creative Child Magazine in their Kid catagory 2014.
The Twelve Months of Michigan was released in January 2014 by The Peartree Press, Inc. (http://www.thepeartreepress.com/). The book offers a colorful fun journey for the whole family! Travel through the state of Michigan with a family of field mice, lead by Pirate Paul and Ana Mae Mouse. Learn about state symbols and travel through the unique and beautiful places that make Michigan great all year round.
Ms. Chiaverilla is an artist and illustrator, who resides in Commerce Township, Michigan (in the southeastern part of the state) with her two children. She prides herself in “coloring” for a living and looks forward to weekends when she can take off on colorful adventures.
Reviewers have praised the book:
“…thanks to The Twelve Months of Michigan readers can learn about geography without sacrificing visual imagery and imagination.” http://thechildrensblog.com/the-twelve-months-of-michigan-book-review/
“…an ADORABLE children’s book…It’s a visual treat, one that will make readers happy – and teaches about Michigan, along the way. And I have to tell you, when you order one of these books, it comes with envelope artwork just for YOU! WOW!” http://www.wanderingeducators.com/books-film/childrens-books/twelve-months-michigan.html#.dpuf
“…This is the type of book that is a keepsake for the entire family and I know that we have now been introduced to some great new facts (who knew there was a State sand). I loved the lyrical nature of the book and you will too. This is definitely a book that I will be sharing with others!” http://dadofdivas-reviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-twelve-months-of-michigan.html
If you want any additional information, please contact me.
Kate Bandos
kate@ksbpromotions.com