Vicki Palmquist - Bookology Magazine

My Incredible India

March 27, 2024March 23, 2024 by Vicki Palmquist

I am utterly mesmerized by this book! The author and illustrator express their love for the wonders of this vast and many-faceted country, which shines from each double-page spread, irresistibly inviting the reader to discover more for the sheer joy of learning.

Math for the Young Set

February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 by Vicki Palmquist

There are all kinds of ways to bring math into a young child's life. Count birds outside the window. Talk about shapes and give them names. Discuss measurements while cooking. Our favorite way is to read stories and look at picture books, absorbing math concepts easily.

The Labors of Hercules Beal

February 20, 2024 by Vicki Palmquist

There’s a right time for the right book. The time for this book is now. Reading it, you cannot help feeling hopeful.

“Could You Just Add These Words?”

February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 by Vicki Palmquist

Reflecting on a request from the editor after blurbing a book

Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

January 18, 2024 by Vicki Palmquist

Dogtown is a funny, heart-warming story about an animal shelter from a dog's point of view, written by collaborating authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko.

Hands

March 23, 2024January 12, 2024 by Vicki Palmquist

Trev is a talented artist. He’s kind, thoughtful … and he doesn’t want to learn how to fight. But … he needs to protect his family.

When Families Gather

December 17, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

In the midst of the holidays, or at any gathering-time of year, these books are "just right" for reading out loud to young and old. Celebrate family!

Toni Buzzeo

December 13, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I most fervently hope that my young readers will learn that the voices and opinions of children are important in any conversation — that children, especially tweens and teens, are important contributors to family decision-making and community change.

Thank You, Moon

February 20, 2024November 19, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Night is my favorite time of day, so I was entranced by this book about the many ways in which moonlight affects animal behavior ... including humans.

To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme

October 15, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

If you’ve ever dipped a toe into the children’s book publishing world, you’ve probably heard cautionary tales about writing in rhyme. In short, most insiders say, “Please don’t rhyme.”

Mark Ceilley

March 23, 2024October 15, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Writing this book was a wonderful experience for me. I am proud to be a part of writing a book that incorporates themes of friendship, kindness, cooperation, and building self-confidence.

Ralph Fasanella: Artist of the People

November 19, 2023October 14, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I find this book so exciting! I love discovering a new artist and I confess that I’m not familiar with Ralph Fasanella’s paintings. It's such an apropos book for our time.

Granny Rex

March 23, 2024September 21, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Kurtis Scaletta is an experienced writer of middle grade and chapter books. Now his first picture book is out and we're curious about his experience of writing in this format.

See the Author / See the Illustrator

February 20, 2024August 3, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

See the Ghost: Three Stories about Things You Cannot See

Once in a while, a duo creates several books together and they get to know one another. We're curious about how that works. Meet David LaRochelle, author, and Mike Wohnoutka, illustrator, of six books together (so far).

Marveling about Migration

February 20, 2024July 15, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Flyways? Up until this moment, I confess I had a relatively elementary-school-like understanding of how and why birds migrate. Join me in learning more.

Books for Baby Gifts

February 20, 2024June 21, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

More More More Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams

Books are a wonderful way to encourage families to start the read-aloud habit early and often. Here are suggestions from people who work with children, families, and books.

Meow! The Truth about Cats

October 15, 2023May 19, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I believe this book contains everything we've ever wanted to know about cats, as well as things I didn't know we wanted to know. And the visuals! Wow.

This Biographer and Her Living Subject

August 3, 2023April 27, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I wonder how often a picture book biographer has been friends with her subject for several decades and then worked closely with that person to get her manuscript just right.

Gardening and Community

July 20, 2023April 20, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

To encourage planting seeds to save the environment, to brighten spirits, and to instill a sense of connection and possibility, I like to read the following books that focus on gardening and community. Read and grow!

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

April 26, 2023March 22, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Ramadan begins this year on March 22nd, and culminates with Eid al-Fitr on either April 20th or 21st. Here are books you can read with your children if you are observing Ramadan or if you are honoring Ramadan with your friends and family.

Pamela S. Turner

August 3, 2023March 21, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I had several goals from the onset. The first was to make human evolution understandable. I have always been interested in the topic but found it very confusing

Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons

May 19, 2023March 21, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

The Loon Project, based in Minnesota and Wisconsin, discovered a loon family caring for a mallard duckling. Finding Family relates that story ...

Welcoming Spring with Froggy Books and Wild Experiences

June 22, 2023March 21, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

This much-anticipated froggy season and this week's World Frog Day mark a time of increased appreciation for our amphibian neighbors. It's the perfect time to study frogs

This is the Planet Where I Live

August 3, 2023February 27, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Illustrating a book written by K.L. Going, This is the Planet Where I Live, Debra Frasier works with collage that exuberantly celebrates our connections to everything on this earth.

Two Books about Grief

April 26, 2023February 17, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

Take these books to heart: two books that will help adults and children find paths into discussions about this part of life, Sitting Shiva and Walking Grandma Home.

Gandalf Lives!

June 22, 2023January 18, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I’m not certain, but I suspect stories have played significant roles in the lives of most librarians. We are story people, after all — their sacred keepers, and we delight in helping others discover their wonders.

Fabulous Food

April 26, 2023January 10, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

There are so many terrific books about food! I could go on and on with selections and recommendations but these are a few of my favorites.

Library Girl

February 17, 2023January 9, 2023 by Vicki Palmquist

I eagerly waited for this book. I wasn’t prepared to fall in love, which I most definitely have.

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance

March 21, 2023December 17, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

This book has everything going for it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wind up caring about the characters, and you'll want to eat at the Golden Palace in Last Chance, Minnesota.

Death and Grief

March 21, 2023December 1, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

For those who are mourning the loss of a relative, a pet, a friend, a teacher, these books for young and old are recommended by our subscribers.

Winter!

March 21, 2023November 25, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

Now that snow has fallen in many places throughout the land, it's time to celebrate the frozen crystals in picture books, nonfiction, and early chapter books.

One Winter Up North

January 9, 2023November 17, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, stretching for 150 miles along the Canadian border, is the setting for John Owens’ newest wordless picture book.

The Voice of My Heart

November 17, 2022October 19, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

It works well to read poems here and there from The Voice of My Heart ... but I often find myself caught up in the expressions of love and longing, moving from one poem to the next, contemplating, learning, feeling.

Dance Party

January 9, 2023October 1, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

Dance has many personalities and appeals to a myriad of people. Here are some exceptional books for very young readers through teens (and adults, too).

Garvey in the Dark

October 19, 2022October 1, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

With her usual positive and hopeful storytelling, Nikki Grimes reminds us that lives changed during the Covid pandemic, affecting many people in many different ways. Garvey's story will resonate deeply with readers of all ages.

Mushy Bottom Blueberry Crumble

April 26, 2023September 29, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

A new recipe is always an adventure. I’ve recently experimented with low carbohydrate, low sugar recipes. Starting a new writing project is just as much an experiment. Each book requires a different look at research, and I build on what I’ve learned with other projects.

Superheroes and Lost Things

February 27, 2023September 15, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

The titles of J.S. Puller's first two books intrigued me so much that I immediately checked them out of the library. Once I finished them, I asked her for an interview.

We Belong

January 9, 2023August 27, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

I've seen many questions on social media, asking which books teachers will read aloud to their classroom during the first week of school. I don't teach in a classroom but I've thought about this question anyway.

Hero for the Hungry

March 21, 2023August 27, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

So many young readers are activists already. How can they help becoming Hunger activists after reading this book?

The Genius Under the Table

August 27, 2022July 15, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

Eugene Yelchin grew up in Stalinist Russia, the Cold War Soviet Union. We grow to love his parents, his grandmother, his brother Victor, but most especially Eugene. His memories are at once sad and humorous.

A Literary Bathroom

October 15, 2022June 14, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

And then came the time to choose a theme for the bathroom. We got the family together so everyone could have their say. And people…I’m so proud! Our offspring suggested a literary-themed bathroom!

Samira Surfs

July 15, 2022June 12, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

I don't think I've ever read a novel about surfing before Samira Surfs. I was fascinated by the setting, the sport, and the culture, different than my own.

Finding Junie Kim

June 12, 2022May 6, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

The author unfolds the story in a way that young readers will find mesmerizing, imagining her characters in real life, turning the page again and again to learn what will happen next, both in mid-century Korea and in the United States today.

How Parks Connect Us
… and Why It Matters

November 17, 2022April 22, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

Spring is in the air, and we’re pulled outdoors to wander in our favorite city parks. Ducks are dabbling; frogs are trilling; the apple trees are bursting into bloom. Everywhere, it seems, children frolic and neighbors wave. It’s been a long winter, but our cities are alive.

Girls Solve Everything

April 22, 2022April 10, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

Reading this book, I jumped up and down with excitement. I kept turning the pages until I had read every one of the true stories. My brain revved into high speed as I learned about girls and women, problem solving and innovating.

Loyalty

April 11, 2022March 24, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

Leave it to Avi to find a way to help me look at the Revolutionary War from a new perspective. Make that two. Young Noah is the son of a Loyalist and minister, pledged to the King. When local revolutionaries tar and feather his father, the family flees to Boston. Needing work, Noah finds a job as a British spy and a server in a tavern, where he can easily overhear plans and report on them.

… more

Peace Books

October 1, 2022January 18, 2022 by Vicki Palmquist

We're publishing a list of some of the more recent books about peace and conflict resolution, as annotated by Carol Spiegel, a long-time K-8 educator.

Odd Bods

May 25, 2021 by Vicki Palmquist

One of my favorite nonfiction picture books so far this year is Odd Bods: the World’s Unusual Animals by Julie Murphy. Here’s a brief description: Long snouts, bright-red lips, pointy heads … the animal kingdom is full of critters with unique features. Learn about the incredible adaptations that help these animals – and their odd bods – survive and thrive all around the globe!

… more

Curiouser and Curiouser with Karen Cushman

August 27, 2022May 20, 2021 by Vicki Palmquist

When we published our first issue of Bookology back in April of 2015, Karen Cushman was our first featured author. With the publication of her 10th book, War and Millie McGonigle, we knew it was time to check in, curious about the way Karen organizes and writes her novels.

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