SEE THE FULL LENGTH INTERVIEW FROM FEBRUARY 9, 2022 WITH STEPHEN ZACHARIAS DIRECTOR OF THE ROCKPILE MUSUEM IN GILLETTE, WY. CLICK ON ADDRESS BELOW.
THE TRUE WEST has been selected by the Children’s Book Council for its list of notable books for grades 3-5 in conjunction with the National Council for Social Studies. Whoppee ki-yeah!!!
REVIEWS FROM PUBLICATIONS.
"The True West is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library American History collections for young readers." --Midwest Book Review
"In this useful, informative book, more than two dozen men and women from a range of racial, cultural, and geographic backgrounds are recognized for their roles in the construction of American society during westward expansion. … While racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism are among a few of the social ills that the book exposes, colorful illustrations balance the textbook tone. A strong addition to social studies and literacy curricula." —Amina Chaudhri, Booklist
(THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION’S BOOK REVIEW JOURNAL .)
"Mifflin Lowe's True West displays the multi-faceted experience of Western culture through its many diverse and iconic characters. Whether cowboy, stage performer, or arbiter of the law, these stories will allow the reader to see America through a new lens revealing education and insight for all ages!" —DOM FLEMONS, The American Songster, Grammy-Award Winning Folksinger
REVIEWS FROM GOODREADS
Mrs. Mazzola rated it 5 STARS
Loved! I had no idea that the "Old West" was such a melting pot with Latinx, Black, and Indigenous representation, though of course that makes sense. It was simply that all of the previous things that I have read about this era have highlighted only the important White people. The only small critique is that they could have given a little more time to their hardships as well as their successes. Other than that, the book is filled with cool facts and the narratives are well-written and engaging. Fantastic addition to any elementary/middle grade collection and I can't wait to share with my students. (less)
Twitter: @WestgateLMC
Instagram: @westgatelmc
E-mail: westgatelmc@sd25.org
Phone: (847) 398-4292
Christy rated it 5 STARS
Did you know that the Lone Ranger was likely inspired by a black cowboy? Or that some of the most famous sharpshooters in the West were women? Or how a Native American rodeo star could ride even a buffalo? These are no tall tales! In fact, historians estimate that 1 in 4 cowboys were actually black, latino, or Native American--or even women! So saddle up for a tour of the Wild West with some of history's most unsung heroes and discover how the great Western story is really everyone's story.
REVIEWS FROM PUBLICATIONS.
"The True West is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library American History collections for young readers." --Midwest Book Review
"In this useful, informative book, more than two dozen men and women from a range of racial, cultural, and geographic backgrounds are recognized for their roles in the construction of American society during westward expansion. … While racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism are among a few of the social ills that the book exposes, colorful illustrations balance the textbook tone. A strong addition to social studies and literacy curricula." —Amina Chaudhri, Booklist
(THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION’S BOOK REVIEW JOURNAL .)
"Mifflin Lowe's True West displays the multi-faceted experience of Western culture through its many diverse and iconic characters. Whether cowboy, stage performer, or arbiter of the law, these stories will allow the reader to see America through a new lens revealing education and insight for all ages!" —DOM FLEMONS, The American Songster, Grammy-Award Winning Folksinger
REVIEWS FROM GOODREADS
Mrs. Mazzola rated it 5 STARS
Loved! I had no idea that the "Old West" was such a melting pot with Latinx, Black, and Indigenous representation, though of course that makes sense. It was simply that all of the previous things that I have read about this era have highlighted only the important White people. The only small critique is that they could have given a little more time to their hardships as well as their successes. Other than that, the book is filled with cool facts and the narratives are well-written and engaging. Fantastic addition to any elementary/middle grade collection and I can't wait to share with my students. (less)
Twitter: @WestgateLMC
Instagram: @westgatelmc
E-mail: westgatelmc@sd25.org
Phone: (847) 398-4292
Christy rated it 5 STARS
Did you know that the Lone Ranger was likely inspired by a black cowboy? Or that some of the most famous sharpshooters in the West were women? Or how a Native American rodeo star could ride even a buffalo? These are no tall tales! In fact, historians estimate that 1 in 4 cowboys were actually black, latino, or Native American--or even women! So saddle up for a tour of the Wild West with some of history's most unsung heroes and discover how the great Western story is really everyone's story.
THE CUDDLE BOOK.
$10.99 at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Target, Walmart and wherever books are sold.
https://www.workman.com/products/the-cuddle-book
Miranda Reads rated it 5 STARS.
The Cuddle Book
by Mifflin Lowe, Delia Ciccarelli (Illustrations)
Isn’t it nice to curl up and cuddle
and melt down inside like a big, muddy puddle,
and feel the thumping oompah beat
of someone else’s heart and heat?
I have one word for this book: Cuuuuute.
This little book talks all about cuddles. Night-time cuddles, rainy-day cuddles, TV-cuddles and more. When is the best time, place and people for cuddling.
Each page goes through a different scenario and has gorgeous illustrations to match. The color pallet was beautiful and I loved art style.
I love that the moms and dads get equal page-space in this children's book and the diversity of the families showcased.
Everyone knows cuddling can reduce stress levels and release endorphins, but kids know that, most importantly, cuddling is FUN! With adorable, hand-painted illustrations and Dr. Seuss-like rhymes and humor, The Cuddle Book is sure to be a bedtime favorite. So snuggle up with this padded board book and let the cuddling commence!
All in all, this was a wonderful book and seriously…super-duper-cute!
Kailey (Luminous Libro)
There are two important questions when it comes to the subject of cuddling: Where and when to cuddle, and who to cuddle? Cuddling can chase away sadness on a rainy day. A big group hug makes us feel happy and loved. Hugging is the best way to share joy and lose our worries.
This adorable book reminds us that cuddling our friends, family, or pets with affection can be liberating and bring joy and laughter! I liked the sweet rhyming text and beautiful illustrations.
Every character in the artwork is cute and snuggly with contented smiles on their faces. They are cuddling while watching TV, doing their bedtime routine, playing with soap bubbles, or climbing a tree.
I also appreciated that the characters are diverse and all different. They all come from different races and ethnicities. Some have disabilities or glasses. Even their clothing and hair styles are culturally diverse. It's refreshing to see such a group of characters hugging and holding hands and kissing cheeks in a big group “people-pile-tangle".
Lindsay's review
Looking for a good book for your newborn child or children? I think one for you. It is called “The Cuddle Book” by Mifflin Lowe. It is a cute book. It's one that is good for all ages but mostly for newborns to three-year-olds.
The book is toddler-proof from the tearing. It made it durable. The pictures are done well and the parents in the book are shared fairly. The book is for loving together and playing together. This book shows you how and where you can cuddle with your family. This includes your child or their siblings or family members. Though it shows it through mom and dad.
It shows a way of loving your family or children through cuddles and hugs.
I loved the pictures. This book is good for any parent or grandparent. It is a good one to have on your bookshelves. It is even a good one to give at a baby shower. I do believe that cuddling is a good thing and teaching showing that love through hugs and cuddles.
Jessica Lamb Broox
This book was soo cute i read this to my bf and we both agreed we will read this to our children when we have them 😍😍😍
The Cuddle Book
by Mifflin Lowe, Delia Ciccarelli (Illustrations)
Isn’t it nice to curl up and cuddle
and melt down inside like a big, muddy puddle,
and feel the thumping oompah beat
of someone else’s heart and heat?
I have one word for this book: Cuuuuute.
This little book talks all about cuddles. Night-time cuddles, rainy-day cuddles, TV-cuddles and more. When is the best time, place and people for cuddling.
Each page goes through a different scenario and has gorgeous illustrations to match. The color pallet was beautiful and I loved art style.
I love that the moms and dads get equal page-space in this children's book and the diversity of the families showcased.
Everyone knows cuddling can reduce stress levels and release endorphins, but kids know that, most importantly, cuddling is FUN! With adorable, hand-painted illustrations and Dr. Seuss-like rhymes and humor, The Cuddle Book is sure to be a bedtime favorite. So snuggle up with this padded board book and let the cuddling commence!
All in all, this was a wonderful book and seriously…super-duper-cute!
Kailey (Luminous Libro)
There are two important questions when it comes to the subject of cuddling: Where and when to cuddle, and who to cuddle? Cuddling can chase away sadness on a rainy day. A big group hug makes us feel happy and loved. Hugging is the best way to share joy and lose our worries.
This adorable book reminds us that cuddling our friends, family, or pets with affection can be liberating and bring joy and laughter! I liked the sweet rhyming text and beautiful illustrations.
Every character in the artwork is cute and snuggly with contented smiles on their faces. They are cuddling while watching TV, doing their bedtime routine, playing with soap bubbles, or climbing a tree.
I also appreciated that the characters are diverse and all different. They all come from different races and ethnicities. Some have disabilities or glasses. Even their clothing and hair styles are culturally diverse. It's refreshing to see such a group of characters hugging and holding hands and kissing cheeks in a big group “people-pile-tangle".
Lindsay's review
Looking for a good book for your newborn child or children? I think one for you. It is called “The Cuddle Book” by Mifflin Lowe. It is a cute book. It's one that is good for all ages but mostly for newborns to three-year-olds.
The book is toddler-proof from the tearing. It made it durable. The pictures are done well and the parents in the book are shared fairly. The book is for loving together and playing together. This book shows you how and where you can cuddle with your family. This includes your child or their siblings or family members. Though it shows it through mom and dad.
It shows a way of loving your family or children through cuddles and hugs.
I loved the pictures. This book is good for any parent or grandparent. It is a good one to have on your bookshelves. It is even a good one to give at a baby shower. I do believe that cuddling is a good thing and teaching showing that love through hugs and cuddles.
Jessica Lamb Broox
This book was soo cute i read this to my bf and we both agreed we will read this to our children when we have them 😍😍😍
$17.99 at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bushel & Peck and wherever books are sold. https://bushelandpeckbooks.com/products/dad-the-man-the-myth-the-legend
DAD. THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND.
"A rollicking celebration of one father’s imagination." ―Publishers Weekly
"Like this child, readers will want to be like this dad: able to dream big and accomplish anything." ―Kirkus
He's the most interesting man in the world. He changes diapers just because he likes it. He's counted to infinity--twice! He's stonger than Sasquatch, smarter than Einstein, and he cooks a mean spaghetti with M&Ms for all your bad days.
He's a myth. He's a legend. He's . . . my dad!
Dad: The Man, The Myth, The Legend is an epic—and totally unexaggerated—tale for dads everywhere! Heroic, hilarious, and heartwarming, it's the sweet saga of Dad: protector, provider, and child's best friend.
And it's all true. Right, Dad?
The end includes a page for children to write what makes their own dad a legend.
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY COMPLETE REVIEW
Dad: The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Mifflin Lowe, illus. by Dani Torrent. Bushel & Peck, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-73363-356-7
This creative romp by Lowe follows a father with an apparently boundless capacity for fun, his more levelheaded wife, and their two children, the older of whom can’t stop singing their father’s praises. Mom provides comedic counterbalance to Dad’s exuberant exploits, often revealing what the art does not: “Once, he blasted us off into space! We went so high and so fast, he said we went where no kids have gone before,” reads one page, portraying the dad and kids suited up as astronauts. “Mom said if he pushes the swings that hard again, she’ll send him where no one has gone before,” the bottom of the page finishes. Torrent illustrates in a sketch-like style, richly colored and replete with dynamic illustrations of the white family. A rollicking celebration of one father’s imagination. Back matter includes a fill-in list for the reader’s own father. Ages 4–8. (May)
KIRKUS COMPLETE REVIEW OF DAD. THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND.
A child enumerates all the ways Dad is a superhero in his own right.
This dad clearly has an imagination to match his child’s. Last week, the kiddo was getting squeezed by a python, the double-page spread depicting a jungle scene with Dad using a vine to swing across to rescue his child from a menacing (and gigantic) snake. This gives way with the page turn to a single page revealing the child tangled in a green garden hose, Dad armed with a garden spade, and Mom, unimpressed, holding the hose where, presumably, Dad has sliced it with a trowel in the rescue effort. This sets the pattern, Dad imagining things with his children and Mom injecting a bit of reality, especially when his humoring of the children goes a little too far (“spaghetti with M&M’s, chocolate sauce, and…potato chips,” anyone?). This father seems to know just how to make everything right in his children’s lives, from serving up ice cream to the losing baseball team and getting a matching terrible haircut to finding his daughter’s lost doll. Torrent’s illustrations of the redheaded White family play up body language and facial expressions so readers feel like they are there with them in each situation, no matter how outlandish. And their reactions to each other are priceless (kisses? Ewww!).
Like this child, readers will want to be like this dad: able to dream big and accomplish anything. (Picture book. 4-8)
"A rollicking celebration of one father’s imagination." ―Publishers Weekly
"Like this child, readers will want to be like this dad: able to dream big and accomplish anything." ―Kirkus
He's the most interesting man in the world. He changes diapers just because he likes it. He's counted to infinity--twice! He's stonger than Sasquatch, smarter than Einstein, and he cooks a mean spaghetti with M&Ms for all your bad days.
He's a myth. He's a legend. He's . . . my dad!
Dad: The Man, The Myth, The Legend is an epic—and totally unexaggerated—tale for dads everywhere! Heroic, hilarious, and heartwarming, it's the sweet saga of Dad: protector, provider, and child's best friend.
And it's all true. Right, Dad?
The end includes a page for children to write what makes their own dad a legend.
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY COMPLETE REVIEW
Dad: The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Mifflin Lowe, illus. by Dani Torrent. Bushel & Peck, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-73363-356-7
This creative romp by Lowe follows a father with an apparently boundless capacity for fun, his more levelheaded wife, and their two children, the older of whom can’t stop singing their father’s praises. Mom provides comedic counterbalance to Dad’s exuberant exploits, often revealing what the art does not: “Once, he blasted us off into space! We went so high and so fast, he said we went where no kids have gone before,” reads one page, portraying the dad and kids suited up as astronauts. “Mom said if he pushes the swings that hard again, she’ll send him where no one has gone before,” the bottom of the page finishes. Torrent illustrates in a sketch-like style, richly colored and replete with dynamic illustrations of the white family. A rollicking celebration of one father’s imagination. Back matter includes a fill-in list for the reader’s own father. Ages 4–8. (May)
KIRKUS COMPLETE REVIEW OF DAD. THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND.
A child enumerates all the ways Dad is a superhero in his own right.
This dad clearly has an imagination to match his child’s. Last week, the kiddo was getting squeezed by a python, the double-page spread depicting a jungle scene with Dad using a vine to swing across to rescue his child from a menacing (and gigantic) snake. This gives way with the page turn to a single page revealing the child tangled in a green garden hose, Dad armed with a garden spade, and Mom, unimpressed, holding the hose where, presumably, Dad has sliced it with a trowel in the rescue effort. This sets the pattern, Dad imagining things with his children and Mom injecting a bit of reality, especially when his humoring of the children goes a little too far (“spaghetti with M&M’s, chocolate sauce, and…potato chips,” anyone?). This father seems to know just how to make everything right in his children’s lives, from serving up ice cream to the losing baseball team and getting a matching terrible haircut to finding his daughter’s lost doll. Torrent’s illustrations of the redheaded White family play up body language and facial expressions so readers feel like they are there with them in each situation, no matter how outlandish. And their reactions to each other are priceless (kisses? Ewww!).
Like this child, readers will want to be like this dad: able to dream big and accomplish anything. (Picture book. 4-8)
COWBOY HOWIE. THE ADVENTURE OF THE CENTRAL PARK COYOTE AND THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE.
ON AMAZON AND KINDLE.
The inspiration for THE TRUE WEST came from a book and collection of songs I wrote (and sang) about a boy from New York City who dreamed of being a cowboy, COWBOY HOWIE. THE ADVENTURE OF THE CENTRAL PARK COYOTE AND THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE. I hope you'll get a chance to enjoy the animation below, as well as look at the illustrations for this picture book for kids 3-7 and listen to the music for "Cowboy Howie." It's all right here on this site!
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COWBOY HOWIE ANIMATIC 3:31 -- the story of The Central Park Coyote and Thanksgiving Day Parade.
COWBOY HOWIE. Review by Jake Cathers in “Newport Life”magazine Jan 2019.
IMAGINATION, ACCEPTANCE AT HEART OF CHILDREN'S BOOK. Newport author Mifflin Lowe introduces young Howie Kaplinsky from New York City, a child who has always dreamed of being a cowboy. It’s an inspiring story of creativity as Howie ventures through the city using his imagination to turn what he sees into a make-believe western landscape. The story shows us how to look at our surroundings through a child’s eyes, embrace the differences and accept them. A kid at heart, Lowe fully embraces the freedom and joy a child can experience by following their heart and opening their mind. Lowe recalled having a publisher challenge his ability to write a children’s book as an adult with no children of his own. “But I am one,” he replied simply. It’s Lowe’s own inner child that comes through in Howie’s imagination, as children rely on their imagination to transport them into the story. “Their treasure is their imagination,” says Lowe. Lowe also subtly introduces the concept of race into the story, using illustrations to show that Howie’s family is biracial. He wanted to introduce Howie as a modern child, living in the city, where acceptance, inclusion and harmony are part of the social landscape. |
“COWBOY HOWIE. THE ADVENTURE OF THE CENTRAL PARK COYOTE AND THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE.” (Written by Mifflin Lowe. Illustrated by Martina Crepulja. Full color. 34 pages.)
THE STORY: An imaginative boy from New York City, with an ethnically diverse background, Howie Kaplinsky dreams of being a cowboy, vividly fantasizing that NYC locations and situations are scenes and situations in the Wild West. With his “Cowboy Vision,” Howie transforms dogs into coyotes, telephone poles into sequoias, a woman in a fur coat into a grizzly bear, the concrete canyons of New York into the Grand Canyon, and Thanksgiving parade floats into an enormous, bizarre stampede. Despite being an “underdog,” who is constantly told he can never be a “real cowboy,” Howie’s imagination and “Cowboy Vision” give him “Cowboy Powers” that help him overcome the problems and challenges he faces — and allow him to make his dreams come true as he and his friends pursue adventures and life in New York City. AMAZON BOOK. www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Adventure-Central-Thanksgiving-Adventures/dp/1981780114/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519748156&sr=1-1&keywords=cowboy+howie.+the+adventure+of+the+central+park+coyote PRICE: $9.50 KINDLE www.amazon.com/COWBOY-HOWIE-ADVENTURE-THANKSGIVING-Adventures-ebook/dp/B079WF9ZN8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1519748156&sr=1-1&dpID=51FzDOJ1kmL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=detail PRICE $1.99 KINDLE UNLIMITED (Free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.) |
COWBOY HOWIE. THE ADVENTURE OF THE CENTRAL PARK COYOTE AND THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE Click on this site's last page "NEW! COWBOY HOWIE MUSIC AND PIX" to see picture, read the story and hear the songs from the animated movie, now in production, THE AWESOME, AMAZING, OCCASIONALLY ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF COWBOY HOWIE.
