This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
As a child, Susan Polk Van Dusen visited the library every week with her parents and brought home stacks of books to enjoy. After having kids of her own, Susan continued the tradition with weekly trips to storytime and nightly bedtime stories.
Now the owner of Van Dusen Books, Susan hopes her picture books -- particularly her Art and Verse series -- will bring joy to children and the grownups who love them.
Susan has enjoyed a long career as an award-winning writer and editor and has been recognized by the Parenting Media Association, the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Society of America, and others.
She has two grown daughters and lives in Arkansas with her husband and dachshund. When Susan isn't working on children's books, she enjoys yoga, gardening, and travel.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Springtime is a magical time of the year. Everything is rejuvenated: new life is everywhere, and everything is clean and fresh. In Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Spring Song, the poetic words bring to life the beauty and romance of springtime, all based on the words of a classic American poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The words of this famous poet are melody and art merged to perfection, all beautified by colorful illustrations by a classic American artist, John S. Polk. The flowers are blooming, birds have returned to nest and care for new families, bunnies are hopping everywhere with glee, butterflies are flitting around – this is spring and so much more.
Paul Laurence Dunbar’s picture book, Spring Song, is an enchanting Children’s Edition of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Classic Poem by the same title, beautifully illustrated with the watercolor and acrylic paintings by artist John S. Polk. This is the third book in the Art and Verse picture book series. The rhyming verse of Dunbar’s poem is lyrical and captivating, introducing some clever and classic words, like ‘wold,’ which young people may not be familiar with. Using footnotes, these interesting Old English words are explained so that young readers will understand their meaning. The artwork is as sweet and inviting as the poem itself and the sentiments it projects. The artist uses bright, bold colors, creating a magical aura of its own. This is a great way to introduce young readers to classic poetry as well as the visual arts, all while savoring the compelling and refreshing beauty of springtime.
