Beautiful palm trees, pretty flowers and a warm breeze are all waiting to welcome 8-year-old Carol Ann to her new school in Hawaii. But Carol Ann doesn’t want a new school. She doesn’t want new friends, or palm trees, or a warm breeze. She wants her old friends. She wants her old home. She wants things the way they used to be. How will she remember her new classmates’ names? Who will she play with at recess? How will she ever feel at home in this new place? Then the teacher introduces Carol Ann to the term, “aloha.” She says the little word means “hello,” “welcome,” and a lot more. Carol Ann finds out for herself just how much “aloha” means as she makes a place for herself at her new school.

Margo Says:
“Many multicultural children’s books often feature children of color who are the minority in the schools, but this book, based on my ten years living in Hawaii and teaching at President Obama’s alma mater, Punahou School, tells the story of Carol Ann, a haole third-grader, turning the tables on the usual multicultural tale. I wanted to explore what would happen when a third-grader had to move to an entirely new environment, where nothing was like what she was used to. I thought Hawaii would be the perfect background, and our family’s experiences with this aloha spirit inspired much of the story.”

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: In this story of starting at a new school and making friends, not even a beautiful Hawaiian setting can conquer Carol Ann's unhappiness about her current situation: "She didn't want fluffy, pink flowers. Yuck! She didn't want warm trade winds. Nuh-Uh!" But with the support of her new teacher and her unfailingly friendly classmates, Carol Ann is soon saying "Aloha" with the rest of them. … the book should prove reassuring to children in similar situations—even those in far less exciting locales.

Aloha, Priscilla Garcia Burris!
Thanks for the illustrations making Aloha for Carol Ann
as bright and colorful as Hawaii itself.

Learn more about Priscilla.

Read Marimba Books' interview with Priscilla.

How can Ambrose, the medieval mouse, stop his daydreaming long enough to help build the cathedral and earn the respect of his mouse cousins?

"Written for the enjoyment of children ages 4-10, Ambrose and the Cathedral Dream is a wonderful picturebook about a small mouse with big dreams. Ambrose the mouse yearns to follow the traditions of his mouse family and help build a gorgeous cathedral, but his daydreams prevent him from practicing the somersaults that startle tired workers and help them stay awake. Ambrose's dream is no less than to help William the Master Builder find his dream. A lavishly illustrated story about inspiration, courage, and the wonder of seeing architectural beauty gradually take shape."

--Midwest Book Review, 2007

You may order Ambrose and the Cathedral Dream from Liturgical Press or . . .

How can Ambrose, the medieval mouse, use his talent of paying attention to "the small things" to bring the new princess happiness so she won't leave, but will stay to help the convent schoolgirls?

"American Library Association award-winning author Margo Sorenson and 2005 Hungarian Illustrator of the Year Katalin Szegedi present Ambrose and the Princess, an enchanting fable about little mouse named Ambrose, who sees that the kind and wonderful princess of the land is unhappy. She is so distressed she might depart, yet the church, the convent, and the poor dearly need her kindness. Determined to make things right, Ambrose sets out on an adventure to help the princess and her all her subjects. The delightful color illustrations add the perfect charming touch to this original story in the style of a classic fairy tale."

--Midwest Book Review, 2006

Click here to see an illustration from Ambrose and the Princess.

You may order Ambrose and the Princess from Liturgical Press or . . .

I'm very fortunate to have
Katalin Szegedi illustrating
my Ambrose picture books.
You'll enjoy taking
a look at her website.

Click here!

Read Katalin's blog.