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Author Malinda Mitchell
Malinda Mitchell resides in Mississippi with her husband Alton, has four grown children, a fourteen-year-old son, and eight grandchildren. Malinda has been writing fiction for all ages for more than thirty-eight years. She began writing when her oldest child was two years old. When she wrote a story she would put it in a folder. Years later, when she bought a computer she published her stories. Malinda’s favorite interests are spending time with family and friends, writing, and still-life oil painting. Among her books and Amazon Shorts, Malinda was published in the 2008 summer and 2009 spring issues of Once Upon A Time Magazine.
BOOK REVIEWS
Miss Sugar Crumb's Cooking Lesson
Readers Favorite Review
Rating: 5 Stars
"Miss Sugar Crumb (don't you just love that delightful name!) seems to be a single young woman who loves the forest animals around her home. She invites these beautifully illustrated animals to come into her home and teaches them how to use measuring cups, the oven and how to read a recipe.
She and the forest friends make sugar cookies. This delightful book with exceptional illustrations is sure to be a big hit with young readers! This story has a double lesson as well. . . . be kind to your forest friends and also how to feed those around you by cooking. As Josie turtle says, “Cooking sure is a lot of work.” But Miss Sugar Crumb patiently shows the animals how to bake.
When all the cookies and goodies are baked and put on the table the friends and Miss Sugar Crumb gather around for a mid morning snack but before partaking of the goodies they all bow their heads as Miss Sugar Crumb gives thanks. I love that this story also teaches young readers to be thankful for what God has provided!
This is one of those "magical" stories where kindness and patience are the norm. The story is cute and reads smoothly. The illustrations are fantastic as you can tell by the cover picture! I love the picture of the raccoon pressing out the cookie dough. Such a sweet 5 star read for young readers!"
HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Language level: 1 (nothing objectionable)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
For more information e-mail homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com
Mitchell, Malinda. Miss Sugar Crumb’s Cooking Lesson (published in 2010 by Tex Ware, Everett, WA). What kind of foods do you think that animals would like to make? Miss Sugar Crumb, from Miss Sugar Crumb’s Magic Kitchen, makes an encore appearance to give cooking lessons to the forest animals, who have learned to talk as a result of eating her magical food. Friend the Rabbit calls all the animals of the forest, including Jimmy Deer, Olivia Squirrel, Harold Raccoon, and different kinds of birds to come for a cooking lesson at Miss Sugar Crumb’s house. Miss Sugar Crumb tells them about measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and the oven as they make some sugar cookies. Tomorrow, she will teach them how to count to twelve because there are twelve in a dozen. But what has Miss Sugar Crumb fixed all her friends for a mid-morning snack after the lesson is over?
Author Malinda Mitchell always has something worthwhile to say. Miss Sugar Crumb’s Cooking Lesson is a charming story with great art work by illustrator Nora Tapp Franzese. Youngsters who read it because it’s fun will also be introduced to cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, measuring flour and sugar or salt and baking soda, using the mixer, and preheating the oven. They will learn the value of teamwork too. In addition, there is a real sugar cookie recipe which mom or dad and the kids can try. Many children enjoy helping mom in the kitchen, and this book could be a wonderful starting point for encouraging such a situation. “Mommy, Mommy, will you help us make Miss Sugar Crumb’s sugar cookies?” That would provide many teachable moments.
STORIES FOR CHILDREN MAGAZINE
Book: Life With Willie, The Weeping Willow Tree
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Wayne Walker
Can you imagine what life would be like if you lived in an old, run-down orphanage with a cruel matron? Henrietta and Eve, both twelve, reside with eight other orphans from ages two and up at the Wide Wings Orphanage in northern California operated by Miss Emma Stanton who is very mean and sometimes abusive. One day, Willie, a magic weeping willow tree who can move about, comes to the orphanage and opens his trunk for all ten of the Wide Wings children to enter and live with Millie, Jenny, and Marvin Whithers, two sisters and a brother whose parents had been killed in a car wreck near where Willie was located. Miss Millie is a teacher.
Without any children, Miss Stanton has to close the orphanage and leave. After a few years, Willie obtains the deed to Wide Wings and suggests that the now grown children return to the orphanage so that they can open it back up as a place to give other orphaned children a truly loving home. But what will happen when Miss Stanton hears about it and returns to get a job there? This story is certainly different but is well written and interesting to read. It has a beneficial message which will encourage children to make any changes that are needed to benefit themselves and also help them to develop concern for those who are less fortunate than they are. I believe that most children will enjoy it.
Book: Miss Sugar Crumb’s Magic Kitchen
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Most fairy tales are set in some undetermined place and time, but what would it be like if a fairy tale was put in a modern setting? Miss Sugar Crumb lives in a little yellow house surrounded by a white picket fence out in the country. She likes to plant flowers, bake pies, feed the animals that live in the woods near her house, and visit her neighbors, Jake and Emma Colworth, who are childless but very much want a baby. But why was a rabbit able to talk with Miss Sugar Crumb and tell her that hunters were trespassing on her property and the Colworth’s property? And when she went to ask the Colworths to put up more “No Trespassing” signs on their property, why did the green and pink tea cup which she took with her and accidentally left suddenly have the faces of a little boy and a little girl on it?
Miss Sugar Crumb’s Magic Kitchen is a charming, fairy-tale like story, that children will adore, but the characters are pictured by the striking illustrations from Nora Tapp Franzese in as modern a fashion as you or I would be, perhaps making it appear more relevant or applicable to our time. Miss Sugar Crumb seems initially to be unaware of the magic in her kitchen, but she likes helping the animals and doing good deeds for others. Maybe there is a metaphor here about how we may not always realize the sort of “magic” that we can work in the lives of people by our pleasant attitudes and acts of kindness. Miss Sugar Crumb certainly provides a positive role model for youngsters, and I can’t think of a better reason to read a book. Author Malinda Mitchell has given us a pearl.
Related website: www.authorsden.com/MalindaMitchell (author), www.tex-ware.com (publisher)
For more information e-mail homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com
Helper Reviews
Reviewed by: Wayne Walker
What would you do if you were living in an abusive foster home and no one seemed to care or do anything about it? Almost sixteen-year-old Pamela Reager is in just such a situation. Her parents had been killed by a drunk driver when she was seven, and since then she had been staying with Ann and Jim Walls. Ann was mean, often hitting Pamela and the four younger children in her care. Jim was kind to her but would never do anything about his wife. Pamela longed to run away but stayed to help the other children. She did complain to her teacher, Mrs. Crowley, who contacted Child Protection Services. The sympathetic CPS worker, Cynthia Yates, could not find any proof of abuse but still managed to find ways to remove the younger children.
Once the four others were gone and Pamela turned sixteen, she was able to carry out her plan to run away. Having hidden all kinds of provisions in the barn, she takes the palomino horse whom she has named Helper and goes off on the far side of a steep mountain where she finds an old cabin. Her plan is to stay in isolation until she turns eighteen, but she discovers that the horse has many extraordinary gifts. Helper leads several other people into her life, such as a neighbor, Trenton Gill who is just graduating from high school, and Craig Bonswell, a six-year-old boy whose parents are killed in car wreck. How will these people affect Pamela's life, and what will she do when she turns eighteen?
The first edition of Helper was reviewed at Stories for Children by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, currently the Fiction/Poetry Editor of SFC, who said, "It's a great read for teens and will hold their attention." I certainly agree. The book has just the right combination of action and description so that the reader will not only want to keep turning the pages but also will be able to savor what's on the pages. There were several typos in the original book, so author Malinda Mitchell published a second edition that is much better than the first and was professionally edited. This book would be especially good to help young people who have been in abusive situations to know that there are help and hope as they see how Pamela overcomes her bitterness and anger to become a well-adjusted adult. Malinda says, "Even though she makes some questionable choices based on her experience as an abused child, she learns valuable lessons." My only objection is that the print seems exceptionally small, but I really enjoyed the engaging story as well as the lifelike illustrations by Neal Wooten.
Review by Susan Wigden
"Helper" is a beautifully written tale that touches the heart and leaves the reader thinking about the story long after they close the book. Malinda Mitchell has taken a very serious subject and turned it into an inspirational message. Helper, the horse is so believable that one can't resist becoming quite attached to his charming personality. A heart-warming gift for anyone and a lovely book to purchase for yourself. I love the dedication of this book and believe that this is a talented author with a special spirit.
By Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stories for Children Magazine Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Author Malinda Mitchell leads the reader through this Young Adult Chapter Book with incredible details about a 16-year-old girl and her survival on a mountain. Pamela Reager runs away from an abusive foster home and takes one of her foster parents' horses, Helper, with her. Pamela planned for this escape for many months, including reading a survival guide for living in the mountains. She goes to the least populated side of the mountain, hoping she won't be found and dragged back to the abusive foster home. She finds an abandoned cabin and sets up housekeeping. She soon discovers that her horse is not such an ordinary horse after all - he helps her carry things, mysteriously gets food and supplies for her, and keeps her safe. She soon meets Trenton, a young man from a nearby farm. He's been supplying the food Helper has been bringing. He soon becomes Pamela's friend, and he visits her as often as he can, bringing her things she needs to have in order to survive. One day, Helper insists that Pamela follow him down the mountain. At the bottom of the mountain is a car wreck. Little did Pamela know that this car wreck's lone survivor would change her life forever. There's much more to this storyline, but you'll just have to read it to discover the twists and turns of the unusual plot. Malinda does a great job with describing the mountain area, the details of the cabin interior, and giving her main character a true voice. I would say this would be a fantasy novel because of the horse and what he can do. The illustrations by Neal Wooten are really lifelike and very detailed. I did notice several typos throughout the book. Otherwise, it's a great read for teens and will hold their interest.
Spencer the Spring Chicken and Other Stores - Reviews
By Wayne S. Walker
How do you think a chicken who injures his wing would get around? A rooster named Spencer accidentally got his wing caught in some barbed wire. While it was healing, he came across a pile of old springs, put two on his feet, and started bouncing (get it--"spring chicken"?). He got an idea to sell the springs to other animals and make a fortune, but when his friends Randy Raccoon, Jimmy Squirrel, and Mildred Milk Cow are all injured, he just gives them the springs. Spencer also finds a couple of orphaned red birds whom he adopts and decides to take to Red Bird Valley. About half the book is taken up with several chapters about the adventures of Spencer, Sonny, and Sissy.
The second story is about Silly Earthworm who is always trying to find a new home for his family so that he might keep his wife Milly and their sixteen babies from being dug up as fishing bait, even though his friends all thought that he was silly. In the third story, shy Willy Chipmunk meets Herman Airplane who was dreamed up by a little boy named Billy and made real by love so that he could fly. But Herman was thrown in the junkyard by Billy, so Willy adopts him. When the animals learn that humans are planning to build apartments on their land, Herman helps them find a new home and move to it. Finally, we meet Whistles the Whistling Oak who, along with Mumbles Tortoise and Rudy Raccoon, helps the lost Lazy Lamb find his home and also learn how not to be lazy any more.
Most everyone knows that a fable is a fictional story, often involving animals with human traits, which has a moral. The first thing that comes to mind when we hear the term is Aesop's Fables, but others have written in this genre as well. Author Malinda Mitchell has created these charming fables with some memorable animal characters, adorably illustrated by Rosita Schandy and Neal Wooten, which children will enjoy reading and from which they can learn important lessons in the process. Spencer teaches us that helping others is much more profitable than making money. Silly Earthworm presents a message of love in spite of the discouragement of others. Willie Chipmunk and Herman Airplane emphasize the value of friendship and respect. And Whistles illustrates how that rewards are great when we are active and helping others. Two thumbs up for Spencer the Spring Chicken and Other Stories!
By Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stories for Children Magazine Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Spencer is a rooster who hurts his wing and comes up with a great idea on how to get around by using a spring - hence earning him the name "Spring Chicken". He decides his idea is so great that he ought to make money and get rich selling springs to other injured animals that can't fly so that they can bounce to wherever they want to go. He meets injured Randy Racoon, befriends him, then doesn't have the heart to charge him for the springs since his new friend is so grateful to be getting around again. The same thing happens when he meets and befriends Jimmy the Squirrel, Mildred the Cow, and others. Spencer discovers a bird's nest one day with two little orphaned red birds, and he decides to take care of them. He names them Sonny and Sissy. The baby birds soon learn to fly and talk Spencer into taking a vacation with them so that they can find Red Bird Valley, hoping to find their father. They arrive in Red Bird Valley and meet both Nora and Flip, the parents of Sonny and Sissy. Although invited to stay, Spencer returns to the barnyard and all his friends. After all, Spencer learned that by helping others, he feels warm inside and that he's rich with friends. Spencer was delighted to be back among the richness of his many new friendships! This story is the bulk of the book at 46 pages long. The illustrations are adorable.
The next story in this book is called: Silly Earth Worm. Imagine having a wife and sixteen earthworm babies to provide a safe home for! This delightful story again gives children the message of love and friendship in a unique and clever way.
The third story is called Willie Chipmunk Meets Herman Airplane. The end of this story made me sad, especially in today's "throw away" society. This will definitely teach children the value and uniqueness of each person they are friends with, and to respect their friends' feelings in every action they take in life. Bravo, Ms. Mitchell, for a very wonderful story to get this message across!
Whistles the Whistling Oak Tree is another great story, and my favorite in this book. I loved the idea of an oak tree comforting the forest animals and offering them counsel. What a wonderful message for the children to hear in such a unique venue!
Author Malinda Mitchell's expertise on each character's specific "voice" makes these stories very kid-friendly and approachable for clear understanding. Combined with the colorful illustrations, this 86-page chapter book is a keeper if you want your child to learn some valuable life lessons in a fun and understandable way.
Little Miss Dilly Dot Reviews
Reviewed by: Wayne Walker
If you were a little kitten who lived with your family in an alley but then one day your family was gone and you were trying to find them, how would you treat the people whom you needed to ask about them? Dilly Dot, who had one silver spot on the tip of her tail, is a longhaired white alley kitten, the smallest of her litter. When she is two months old, she wanders away from her family to play with her friend Pan Pan Mouse, and while she is gone, a lady adopts her mother, brother, and sisters. Imagine Dilly Dot's surprise when she gets home and no one is there! She must find her family, and begins asking her other friends, such as Bug Eyes Jim and Tasteless the Rat, if they have seen them, but she is very rude to her friends. Will Dilly Dot ever find her mother and siblings?
There are four subsequent stories in this book. In one, Dilly Dot wanders off again, getting lost in the woods and must depend on a rabbit and an owl to rescue her. In the next, she wanders off still another time to visit her friends back in the alley and they all go to the fair where they encounter a number of problems. In the last two tales, she meets Fred Blue Jay who is entering a contest and then visits Hummingbird Hill where she finds a hummingbird named Small Feather who is as mean as she herself has been. The first edition of Little Miss Dilly Dot was reviewed at Stories for Children by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, currently the Fiction/Poetry Editor of SFC, who said, "Author Malinda Mitchell certainly has a gift of a strong 'voice' for all her characters--you will definitely enjoy getting to know them all." This is quite true.
However, Virginia also noted, "Although this book was enjoyable, I was taken aback by the nastiness of the kitten every time she met somebody new. I could not guess author Malinda Mitchell's intent until the very end of the book as to why she wrote a book about a cute kitten with such a nasty temper. You'll just have to read the book yourself to figure out the purpose of this." In this second edition, a set of questions has been added to the front of the book that will explain Dilly Dot's behavior and help children understand how she grows to maturity in each story. It is certainly true that Dilly Dot learns some important lessons, and thus with the questions and guidance from a parent or teacher, Little Miss Dilly Dot can be an adorable way for children to learn the importance of being polite to people, obedient to parents, and generally considerate of others.
By Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stories for Children Magazine Founder & Editor-in-Chief” (Ivins, Utah USA)
This chapter picture book is 5 chapters, 74 pages long, and chock full of text. The illustrations are colorful and fun. Author Malinda Mitchell certainly has a gift of a strong "voice" for all her characters - you will definitely enjoy getting to know them all.
Dilly Dot is a white kitten with a silver spot on her tail. She lives in an alley with her family and wanders off to play with her friend, Pan Pan, the mouse.
While she is gone, an older lady adopts her family. Dilly Dot returns to the alley and can't find her family, so she sets off to ask every animal she meets to see if they saw her family. She asks help from Tasteless Rat, and Bug Eyes Jim (a beetle), who become her friends. Exhausted from her search, Dilly Dot falls asleep and is found by a human girl named Mercury who keeps Dilly until they can find her a home. Mercury's grandmother lives next door and is the one who adopted Dilly's family, so she is reunited with them at long last. In the next chapter, Dilly wanders into the forest and gets lost. She meets Bullet the Rabbit who helps her find the way by having Mr. Owl show her the way home. The rest of the book has Dilly Dot and her new friends going to a fair, meeting Fred the blue jay and Roger a squirrel who's convinced he's a bird. The last chapter has Dilly Dot at Hummingbird Hill. Through her experiences, Dilly Dot teaches the Hummingbird, Small Feather, a lesson in friendship. Can you guess what it is?
Although this book was enjoyable, I was taken aback by the nastiness of the kitten every time she met somebody new. I could not guess Author Malinda Mitchell's intent here until the very end of the book as to why she wrote a book about a cute kitten with such a nasty temper. You'll just have to read the book yourself to figure out the purpose of this. This is a book that I think a parent should be present when being read by children 8 or older to encourage discussions regarding the kitten's reaction to everything and for the parent to point out the changes the kitten undergoes throughout the book.
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