John McCutcheon – Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. https://peachtree-online.com A trade publisher creating children's books that educate, entertain, encourage, and endure. Thu, 10 Dec 2020 13:58:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Flowers for Sarajevo https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/flowers-for-sarajevo/ https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/flowers-for-sarajevo/#respond Wed, 30 Nov 2016 19:51:00 +0000 http://peachtree-online.com/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=18939

Picture Books

Cover: Flowers for Sarajevo
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Excerpt
Discussion Guide
Author Q&A
Illustrator Q&A
Song Sample

Flowers for Sarajevo

by John McCutcheon
illustrated by Kristy Caldwell

Young Drasko is happy working with his father in the Sarajevo market. Then war encroaches. Drasko must run the family flower stand alone.

One morning, the bakery is bombed and twenty-two people are killed. The next day, a cellist walks to the bombsite and plays the most heartbreaking music Drasko can imagine. The cellist returns for twenty-two days, one day for each victim of the bombing. Inspired by the musician’s response, Drasko finds a way to help make Sarajevo beautiful again.

Based on real events of the Bosnian War, award-winning songwriter and storyteller John McCutcheon tells the uplifting story of the power of beauty in the face of violence and suffering. The story comes to life with the included CD in which cellist Vedran Smailović accompanies McCutcheon and performs the melody that he played in 1992 to honor those who died in the Sarajevo mortar blast.

Format: Hardcover & CD
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-943-8
Publication Date: 4/1/2017
Page Count: 32
Size: 10-3/8″ x 9-3/8″
Age Range: 7 – 10
Language: English
Format: CD
Price: $6.95
ISBN: 978-1-68263-000-6
Publication Date: 4/1/2017
Purchase this Digital Audiobook from the following vendors:

Amazon
Apple
Audible
OverDrive
Playaway
Tales2Go

F&P: GRL W, Gr 6, Genre HF
Lexile: 570L
Themes: Beauty, Bosnian War, Community, Healing, Music, Peace
BISAC 1: JUV016040 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Europe
BISAC 2: JUV016080 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Military & Wars
BISAC 3: JUV031040 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Music
BISAC 4: JUV005000 JUVENILE FICTION / Boys & Men

Reviews

“Beauty will always find a way to rise from violence, but this is a reminder all readers need.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Text and illustrations work together to remind readers of the power of beauty in the face of human suffering…. A highly recommended book that highlights the capacity for empathy and humanity, even in a society faced with violence and war.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“[A] powerful story of a musical performance that defied the horror of combat.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Moving… A bittersweet account of the power of art in dark times.” ―Booklist

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“Thought-provoking…” ―The Horn Book Guide

“Folksinger John McCutcheon’s picture book Flowers for Sarajevo provides an insightful response, combining history, humanity and music in a memorable picture book that’s perfect for young elementary school students…. Kristy Caldwell’s illustrations add dimension to the story by imbuing the central action on each spread with color, leaving the rest of the scene in muted tones. She brings the busy marketplace to life, depicting the mortar explosion and its destruction without being gruesome.” ―BookPage

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Awards

Parents’ Choice Gold Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2017

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2018

Cybils (Finalist, Fiction Picture Books) ―Cybils, 2017

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CCBC Choices (Historical People, Places, and Events) ―Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2018

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for the Social Studies/Children’s Book Council, 2018

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Starred, Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2018

Storytelling World Resource Awards (Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners) ―Storytelling World magazine, 2019

Delaware Diamonds Award (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2018-2019

Prairie Bloom Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Dakota Library Association, South Dakota Reading Council, South Dakota State Library, South Dakota Elementary School Principals, 2019-2020

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Meet the Author

John McCutcheon is an accomplished instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He has received multiple Grammy nominations and numerous other awards, and regularly appears on National Public Radio. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

Meet the Illustrator

Kristy Caldwell received an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. She lives in New York. You can visit her website here.

]]> https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/flowers-for-sarajevo/feed/ 0 Mightier Than the Sword https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/mightier-than-the-sword/ https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/mightier-than-the-sword/#respond Thu, 27 Oct 2016 19:01:16 +0000 http://peachtree-online.com/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=17661

Adult

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Mightier Than the Sword

by John McCutcheon

This unique recording pairs one of America’s most prominent folksingers with some of today’s most celebrated authors.

An acclaimed folksinger joins forces with his literary friends in this innovative collaboration of words and music. Containing 14 songs, this album features John McCutcheon and:

Barbara Kingsolver—Our Flag Was Still There
Rita Dove—Claudette Colvin Goes to Work
Lee Smith—Single Girl
Carmen Agra Deedy—La Mujer de Don Miguel
Wendell Berry—Jaber Crow’s Silly Song About Jesus

Also included are two previously unpublished songs by Woody Guthrie, completed and arranged by John McCutcheon, and songs inspired by the poetry of Pablo Neruda and José Martí.

This collection of music is sure to draw listeners into the world of literature and ideas, and awaken in them a desire to read more from these talented authors.

Audio CD: $16.98
ISBN: 19480
Size: 9 3/8 x 10 3/4
Language: English

Meet the Author

John McCutcheon is an accomplished instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He has received multiple Grammy nominations and numerous other awards, and regularly appears on National Public Radio. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

]]> https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/mightier-than-the-sword/feed/ 0 Christmas in the Trenches https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/christmas-in-the-trenches/ https://peachtree-online.com/portfolio-items/christmas-in-the-trenches/#respond Tue, 04 Oct 2016 16:56:27 +0000 http://peachtree-online.com/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=15560

Picture Books

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Christmas in the Trenches

by John McCutcheon
illustrated by Henri Sorensen

A beautiful, moving holiday book about peace, understanding, and unity from award-winning musician John McCutcheon. Based on the real-life WWI event known as the Christmas Truce.

Grammy Award nominee in the Best Spoken Word Album for Children category!

It is cold and clear on Christmas Eve night in 1914. Suddenly, a strange sound pierces the darkness. Someone is singing a Christmas carol in German.

Francis Tolliver and his fellow British soldiers are holed up in muddy trenches along the Western Front. Their enemies—German soldiers—lie in wait just across a field known as “No Man’s Land.” As the Germans’ carol ends, Tolliver and the other British soldiers sing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Soon carols are being sung back and forth. Then a figure emerges in the dark, carrying a small Christmas tree with lighted candles. The British and German soldiers slowly leave their trenches—and the war—behind to stand together in the open field.

This haunting story, based on an event in World War I known as the Christmas Truce, is adapted by award-winning songwriter John McCutcheon from his song of the same name. Henri Sørensen’s traditional, full-color oil paintings reinforce the emotional power and dignity of the story. Back matter features more information about the historical event, and a CD featuring readings of the story and recordings of “Silent Night” and “Christmas in the Trenches” is included.

Also available from John McCutcheon:
Flowers for Sarajevo

Awards:

Grammy Awards (Nominee, Best Spoken Word Album for Children)
Notable Books for a Global Society ―International Reading Association
Teachers’ Choices (Intermediate) ―International Reading Association
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for Social Studies, Children’s Book Council
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor ―Parents’ Choice Foundation

Format: Hardcover & CD
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-374-0
Publication Date: 8/1/2006
Page Count: 32
Size: 10-5/8″ x 10″
Age Range: 6 – 10
Language: English
AR Level: 3.2
F&P: GRL T, Gr 5, Genre HF
Lexile: AD520L
Themes: Christmas, Peace, Song, WWI
BISAC 1: JUV016080 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Military & Wars
BISAC 2: JUV017010 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Christmas & Advent
BISAC 3: JUV016040 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Europe

Reviews

“Sorensen’s atmospheric oil paintings bring the miraculous night of peace to life with a wide, double-page spread that allows room to show many soldiers at once as well as the expanse of the battlefield.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“The text is clear and lyrical. Sorensen’s beautiful double-page spreads in sepia shades show the young men from the two sides celebrating together-with individuals just like them. Lengthy notes fill in the history and present an impassioned call for peace.” ―Booklist

“Henri Sorensen’s illustrations seamlessly reflect the spirit of the occasion and transport the reader back into the events and feelings being portrayed.” ―Celebrations of Learning

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“This children’s storybook is a good introduction to [the WWI era] as well as a telling that the human spirit can surpass the evil that is war.” ―Chat with Vera

“This is another ‘miracle’ book that will touch your heart.” ―Hundred Book Pile-up

“This is a touching story of the spirit of the holidays…the impact of the war and all the lives lost is not lost on this one night that both sides came together to celebrate Christmas…Powerful stuff!” ―Momma’s Bacon

“Beautifully told from the point of view of one of the soldiers, this is a story which will warm the hearts of readers and show them that human beings are indeed capable of setting aside their differences and that peace is not just a dream—it is something to believe in and to work for.” ―Through the Looking Glass

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Awards

Grammy Awards (Nominee, Best Spoken Word Album for Children) ―The Recording Academy, 2007

Notable Books for a Global Society ―International Reading Association, 2007

Teachers’ Choices (Intermediate) ―International Reading Association, 2007

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for Social Studies, Children’s Book Council, 2007

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Parents’ Choice Silver Honor ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2006

The Original Art ―The Society of Illustrators, 2006

Comstock Honor Book ―Minnesota State University Moorhead, 2007

The Best Read Aloud Picture Books ―Curriculum Materials Center at Minnesota State University Moorhead

Storytelling World Resource Awards (Honor, Special Storytelling Resources) ―Storytelling World magazine, 2008

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You May Also Like

Meet the Author

John McCutcheon is an accomplished instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He has received multiple Grammy nominations and numerous other awards, and regularly appears on National Public Radio. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

Meet the Illustrator

Henri Sorensen has illustrated over twenty books for children, including The Yellow Star, The Printer, and Christmas in the Trenches. He is also the author-illustrator of two children’s books, New Hope and Your First Step. Sorensen lives in Denmark.

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