Michelle Markel: Books

Cornhusk, Silk and Wishbones: A Book of Dolls from Around the World

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
48 pages Full-color photos All ages
ISBN:0-618-05487-1
Click here to order!

Chosen by California Readers for the 2005 California Collection
PBS Teacher Source Recommended Book

"Lively and engaging... attractive, informational..." - School Library Journal

"Top marks" - Riverbank Review

They are fashioned out of materials as varied as themselves - wishbones, apples, clay, bread, ivory, palm leaves and sealskin. The come from the tropics and the tundra, the desert and the mountains, from times of war and times of peace. Throughout the world, and throughout the ages, dolls have been beloved playthings, ritual objects, tools for education and the much more. With haunting photographs and a poignant text, this book captures the uncanny, enduring charm of dolls.

"An attractive title for display or reading, this should have a wide audience. " - Kirkus Reviews

"Author Michelle Markel uncovered the best possible sources for prime examples of interesting, distinctive dolls from a wide variety of cultures. As a group, her selections pose and answer the perennial question: What is a doll? " - Riverbank Review

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Gracias, Rosa Albert Whitman ISBN: 0-8075-3024-7 Illustrated by Diane Patterson "Heartwarming...Through the well-written, first-person narrative, children learn about friendship, a different culture and a new langauge... An appealing read-aloud with a multicultural theme."

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New Titles

Dreamer From the Village

a picture book biography of Marc Chagall (Henry Holt)

A 2006 Notable Children's Book of Jewish Content (Association of Jewish Libraries)

Dream Town

A child's eye view of Los Angeles in the 1950's and 1960's (Heyday Books, Spring 2006)

Zany, captivating, and dreamlike illustrations accompany this story set in the real-life wonderland of Los Angeles. On a snowy day far from sunny L.A., a grandmother tells her disbelieving grandson about her childhood in the city, where she regularly encountered buildings in the shapes of witches' houses, giants, spaceships, giant donuts and hot dogs, and paid visits to fairies, monsters and much more.

Hardcover, 32 pages
Photo index of featured buildings
Afterward on historical buildings in Los Angeles

Other Publications for Children

These five-part stories ran in the Kids Reading Room section of The Los Angeles Times:

“City of Dreams” (Sept. 1 - 5, 2003)

“City of Wonders" (Feb. 8 - 12, 2004)

“Duke” (Aug. 16 - 20, 2004)

If you have any questions or comments about this site, please contact me directly at MarkelWrites@earthlink.net

© 2001-2005, Michelle Markel. All rights reserved.