WandaDionne.com - Wanda's Books

Little Thumb is dedicated to the little people who suck their thumbs, and the big people who love them.

Written by Wanda Dionne
and Illustrated by Jana Dillon
Pelican Publishing Co.
Gretna, La. ISBN: 1-56554-754-3

Little Thumb said,
"No, no, no.
Into your mouth,
I dare not go!"

"I want to be outside
--not out of sight.
I want to do fun things
In the warm sunlight."

REVIEWS:

"Little Thumb is a delightfully humorous story told partly from the thumb's perspective that includes a positive, playful plot and imaginative suggestions for engaging one's thumb. Having taught pre-school for 20 years, I was glad to see Ms. Dionne address this sensitive topic so creatively. And the illustrations are charming and colorful. This story guides teachers and parents as well as young children."
Sonja Borstner from The Woodlands, Tx

"Little Thumb is a delighful blend of rhyme, imagination and fun. Instead of lecturing preschoolers to early school age boys and girls about thumb-sucking, it uses child-friendly illustrations and verse to encourage little ones to put their thumbs to better use. Highly recommended for parents, day care centers, libraries and dentists' offices.
Reader, Texas, United States

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A Yank Among Us
Eakin Press
Austin, Texas
ISBN: 1-57168-108-6

Thrust into bondage on a Texas plantation during the Civil War, twelve-year-old Josiah, a freeborn Philadelphia black, learns his "place" while maintaining his dignity.

REVIEWS:

"Wanda Dionne has woven a tale of both spirited adventure and quiet contemplation, stitched together with simple yet elegant prose. Josiah Williams, captured at the Battle of Sabine Pass in September 1863, is torn away from his comrades at Camp Groce (a Texas military prison near Hempstead) and enslaved by his Confederate captors for the duration of the conflict. His struggle to maintain his dignity and sense of identity while denied his innate freedom on a sprawling Southern plantation lends this story poignancy and depth."

"Dionne's depiction of Camp Groce - the focus of my personal historical research - is strikingly accurate. She has a firm grasp on plantation life and operations as well..."

"Her characterization is rich...Her story is entertaining, yet thought-provoking. The narrative flows quite fluidly, couched in easy-to-understand simple prose...The combined effect of these qualities guarantees that youngsters and adolescents will read and enjoy this novel."
Amy L. Klemm, Historian,
Civil War POW Specialist

What would it be like for a freeborn black adolescent to go from Yankee prisoner to slave during the Civil War? Author Wanda Dionne takes this fascinating premise and makes it irresistable with memorable characters, clear prose, and more twists than a Texas Tornado.

"A Yank Among Us is an entertaining read for young people from fourth through eighth grade level. Parents and teachers will appreciate an accurate look at a little-known facet of Civil War history."
Colleen Thompson, aka Gwyneth Atlee, Colleen Easton
Author, Innocent Deceptions

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The Couturiere of Galvez by Wanda Dionne, Illustrated by J. Kay Wilson

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The Couturiere of Galvez
Eakin Press
Austin, Texas
ISBN: 1-57168-161-2

Hally Carter was only eleven years old when she was kidnapped from a Louisiana plantation and placed on a sailing ship bound for Galveston Island. It was the year the Civil War ended--1865.

This is her story, how she learned to sew and became a renowned dressmaker in a period of history when black women seldom had the opportunity to own their own business.

Hally's story coincides with the history of Galveston during its heyday. At one time the most prosperous port in Texas, the island city had to suffer growing pains, too -- yellow fever epidemics, hurricanes, and fires out-of-control.

Hally is a survivor and so is her beloved Galveston--both brought to their knees by the killer storm of 1900 -- both determined to make a "comeback."

REVIEWS:

"...There is an interesting love story woven into the history of Galveston told from a very personal perspective. Hally is a beautiful, light-skinned black heroine who, in a plucky, resourceful manner, faces prejudice, yellow fever, fire, and a hurricane. Wanda Dionne has created a suspenseful volume that will entertain young readers in grades five through ten who are drawn to absorbing history."
Review of Texas Books
Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas

"The Couteriere of Galvez" is a lively historical novel set in the 19th century in Galveston after the Civil War. Young readers will enjoy this story."
Round Rock ISD, Round Rock, Texas

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Reyna's Reward
Avon/Harper Collins
Ney York, NY
(Out of print)

A nice gentle romance for Young Adults with lots of historical facts.

Raised in a Spanish convent, Reyna is bound for Louisiana and an arranged marriage, until her ship is captured by pirates, who play an important role in the Battle of New Orleans, fought in early 1815, after the peace treaty was signed.

Reyna becomes a pawn in the intrigue between the Americans and British, a role that sweeps her into a personal battle for freedom and love.

REVIEWS:

" Reyna's Reward was a wonderful book. I really enjoyed reading it, in fact I found it was hard to put down. The book contained excitement and romance. It was a wonderful book in which I found no flaws. I would highly recommend it. "
Stephanie Walker, Student



Click for a larger version Little Thumb is dedicated to the little people who suck their thumbs, and the big people who love them. Written by Wanda Dionne and Illustrated by Jana Dillon Pelican Publishing Co. Gretna, La. ISBN: 1-56554-754-3 Little Thumb said, "No, no, no. Into your mouth, I dare not go!" "I want to be outside --not out of sight. I want to do fun things In the warm sunlight." REVIEWS: "Little Thumb is a delightfully humorous story told partly from the thumb's perspective that includes a positive, playful plot and imaginative suggestions for engaging one's thumb. Having taught pre-school for 20 years, I was glad to see Ms. Dionne address this sensitive topic so creatively. And the illustrations are charming and colorful. This story guides teachers and parents as well as young children." Sonja Borstner from The Woodlands, Tx "Little Thumb is a delighful blend of rhyme, imagination and fun. Instead of lecturing preschoolers to early school age boys and girls about thumb-sucking, it uses child-friendly illustrations and verse to encourage little ones to put their thumbs to better use. Highly recommended for parents, day care centers, libraries and dentists' offices. Reader, Texas, United States Order from Amazon.com Click for a larger version A Yank Among Us Eakin Press Austin, Texas ISBN: 1-57168-108-6 Thrust into bondage on a Texas plantation during the Civil War, twelve-year-old Josiah, a freeborn Philadelphia black, learns his "place" while maintaining his dignity. REVIEWS: "Wanda Dionne has woven a tale of both spirited adventure and quiet contemplation, stitched together with simple yet elegant prose. Josiah Williams, captured at the Battle of Sabine Pass in September 1863, is torn away from his comrades at Camp Groce (a Texas military prison near Hempstead) and enslaved by his Confederate captors for the duration of the conflict. His struggle to maintain his dignity and sense of identity while denied his innate freedom on a sprawling Southern plantation lends this story poignancy and depth." "Dionne's depiction of Camp Groce - the focus of my personal historical research - is strikingly accurate. She has a firm grasp on plantation life and operations as well..." "Her characterization is rich...Her story is entertaining, yet thought-provoking. The narrative flows quite fluidly, couched in easy-to-understand simple prose...The combined effect of these qualities guarantees that youngsters and adolescents will read and enjoy this novel." Amy L. Klemm, Historian, Civil War POW Specialist What would it be like for a freeborn black adolescent to go from Yankee prisoner to slave during the Civil War? Author Wanda Dionne takes this fascinating premise and makes it irresistable with memorable characters, clear prose, and more twists than a Texas Tornado. "A Yank Among Us is an entertaining read for young people from fourth through eighth grade level. Parents and teachers will appreciate an accurate look at a little-known facet of Civil War history." Colleen Thompson, aka Gwyneth Atlee, Colleen Easton Author, Innocent Deceptions Order from Amazon.com Click for a larger version The Couturiere of Galvez Eakin Press Austin, Texas ISBN: 1-57168-161-2 Hally Carter was only eleven years old when she was kidnapped from a Louisiana plantation and placed on a sailing ship bound for Galveston Island. It was the year the Civil War ended--1865. This is her story, how she learned to sew and became a renowned dressmaker in a period of history when black women seldom had the opportunity to own their own business. Hally's story coincides with the history of Galveston during its heyday. At one time the most prosperous port in Texas, the island city had to suffer growing pains, too -- yellow fever epidemics, hurricanes, and fires out-of-control. Hally is a survivor and so is her beloved Galveston--both brought to their knees by the killer storm of 1900 -- both determined to make a "comeback." REVIEWS: "...There is an interesting love story woven into the history of Galveston told from a very personal perspective. Hally is a beautiful, light-skinned black heroine who, in a plucky, resourceful manner, faces prejudice, yellow fever, fire, and a hurricane. Wanda Dionne has created a suspenseful volume that will entertain young readers in grades five through ten who are drawn to absorbing history." Review of Texas Books Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas "The Couteriere of Galvez" is a lively historical novel set in the 19th century in Galveston after the Civil War. Young readers will enjoy this story." Round Rock ISD, Round Rock, Texas Order from Amazon.com Click for a larger version Reyna's Reward Avon/Harper Collins Ney York, NY (Out of print) A nice gentle romance for Young Adults with lots of historical facts. Raised in a Spanish convent, Reyna is bound for Louisiana and an arranged marriage, until her ship is captured by pirates, who play an important role in the Battle of New Orleans, fought in early 1815, after the peace treaty was signed. Reyna becomes a pawn in the intrigue between the Americans and British, a role that sweeps her into a personal battle for freedom and love. REVIEWS: " Reyna's Reward was a wonderful book. I really enjoyed reading it, in fact I found it was hard to put down. The book contained excitement and romance. It was a wonderful book in which I found no flaws. I would highly recommend it. " Stephanie Walker, Student