CODE NAME: PRETTY KITTY - REVIEW

Rating: 7 out of 10 ; M. Hudson
Title: Code Name: Pretty Kitty
Author: Kathryn Thurman and Ravenna Alexander.
Publisher: Raven Guard Press, Del City, OK, 2003.
Description: 45 p.; paper.

The copy reviewed was a test run exploring the potential in a series about a fashion conscience orphaned cat who becomes a spy. The story would appeal to any 2-4th grader who was crazy about cats, fashion, or spies. It could also be enjoyed by younger children as a read-to-me tale. Pretty Kitty was lost in a tornado while traveling through Oklahoma and was taken in by her current family. Through a chance encounter she learns that there is a wide spread and well organized rat conspiracy of world domination. She bravely, and with a fine fashion flair, responds to the call of duty. The character is unusual and there is action with some suggestion of violence. Pretty Kitty is a fun read that, hopefully, will lead to further adventures of this winsome and aware little cat. Construction is simple staple with color cover and images so would not withstand library or classroom use but for personal libraries it will serve very well.

ELEPHANT HIPS ARE EXPENSIVE : REVIEW

Title: ELEPHANT HIPS ARE EXPENSIVE ;Review Rating: 8 out of 10. M. Ennis
Author/Responsible party: Marilyn A. Hudson ; illus. Haley Fulco Publisher: Hudson House Publications, 5658 NW Pioneer Circle, Norman, OK 73072
Date: Release date April 2007 ISBN: 978-0-9778850-2-2 Cost: $8.00 srp
Description: 64 pages, paperback, center staple; an early chapter book

Available: Whorlbooks

A charming story drawn from true events. A group of children join with others across the state in raising money to replace the elephant in the Lincoln Park Zoo in Oklahoma City. They face bullies and overcome obstacles to do their part. It is an inspiring story and the delightful black and white illustrations add a winsome quality kids will love. It is inspired by real efforts of Oklahoma children to raise money to buy what would ultimately be, Judy the Elephant. Perfect for children 1st through 3rd grade and enjoyable by all ages.

Additional review information from the FALL 2007 issue of The Territorial Tattler (used by permission):

Elephant Hips are Expensive
By Marilyn A. Hudson c. 2007 Illustrated by Haley Fulco
Published by Hudson House Publications,
5658 NW Pioneer Circle, Norman OK 73072 email whorlbooks@yahoo.com
Review by Rosemary Czarski, Territory Tattler (review Issue) FALL 2007

“Even the smallest things can realize the biggest dreams” is printed in small letters at the top of the cover of this book. This sentence gives one a clue to the wonderful story inside. Marilyn has taken an Oklahoman story and brought it to life for children in this book. She has told the story of the purchase of Judy the elephant for the Oklahoma City Zoo in 1949 in clear readable text. In the author’s note, she has given the background of how the children of Oklahoma gathered their pennies and dimes to bring a new elephant to the Zoo. Marilyn has given sources for further reading, included language arts, mathematics, social studies activities and fun songs and art activities for most ages through sixth grade. This is a wonderful addition to materials for children on Oklahoma during this centennial year. Teachers will find it an excellent book to read aloud for older elementary age children and a good starting or concluding to a unit on zoos, wildlife protection, Oklahoma, and other curriculum subjects. Storytellers, once they have gotten the author’s permission, will find it a wonderful Oklahoma story to tell all ages. The older adult audiences will be able to “remember when” and the younger adult audiences will find it a wonderful story of the Oklahoma spirit. I recommend this book to all schoolteachers and people looking for easily read stories about Oklahoma.

Strange State: Mysteries & Legends of Oklahoma: Review

Review Rating: 10 of 10 ;M. Ennis ****Excellent book in this field!

Title: Strange State: Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma, rev. Centennial edition.

Author/Creator: Cullan Hudson

Publisher: Hudson House Publications, Norman, OK 2006, rev.e d. 2007.

Cost: srp $24.00 ISBN: 0-9778850-8-9 Description: approx. 180 pgs., illus. perfect bound.

The first edition of this work was launched at the "Red Dirt Book Festival" in 2005. I first saw it then and was impressed by the scope of the contents. It was encyclopedic in nature and, more importantly, it revealed an inquiring mind. No wide-eyed fanatic of the paranormal. Just someone willing to explore the unknown. He was also willing to discard what could not stand up to examination and consider all possibilities in a reasonable way. Now, in this Centennial edition he has refined the work, and added more detail updating many of the previous stories. He has even added some that may not have been seen since the early 1900's! The result is a strong work that explores all the strangeness in Oklahoma with reason, imagination, and wit. A must for every public library collection. The cover art is edgy and vivid and reveals the background of the author as a contemporary graphic artist as well as a writer. Available: Strangestate Blog (Paypal)

Strange State: Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma
Written by Cullan Hudson
Copyright 2005, Hudson House Publishing
Norman, Oklahoma
hudsonhousepub@yahoo.com

2nd Review: "I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Many of my friends, however, are scattered across the country. I am always getting interesting e-mails about exciting and rather spooky happenings going on everywhere but here in Oklahoma. I never had anything interesting to tell them about this state, until I read Strange State: Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma by Cullan Hudson.

For instance, did you know that Oklahoma had its own mummy? How about those half-dozen lost treasures located throughout the state? Let’s not forget the ghost of Belle Starr or the mysterious lights seen in the skies over several areas of Oklahoma? Did you know that we actually have our own Dead Man’s Gulch and Bigfootville? Interested yet? How about those mysterious tales of Oklahoma’s past?

Strange State details a great many stories and a number of strange places in an easy-to-read format with a few points to ponder scattered through out the book. Cullan Hudson does an amazing job of finding obscure myths and legends (Downtown’s Chinese Tunnels, Edmond’s misplaced Bodies, and the town of Bethsheba) as well as some that are more widely known (The Stone Lion Inn, University of Oklahoma’s Cate Center, and the Skirvin Hotel). The truly interesting point of the book is the scope of it. It ranges from ghostly sightings and hauntings to UFOs and Big Foot. There is even a mention of a unicorn. Yes, I did say unicorn.

Curious about this strange state called Oklahoma, then be sure to check out Cullan Hudson’s Strange State: Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma. You’ll find a wealth of information gathered by Cullan, as he sought out the truth behind the stories and legends passed down from generation to generation. You won’t be disappointed. Freaked out, maybe, but not disappointed. " ----- Reviewed by Ravanne Alexander

ONE NIGHT CLUB & A MULE BARN: REVIEW

Title: ONE NIGHT CLUB & A MULE BARN: The first 60 years of Southwestern Christian University

Author/Creator: SCU History Committee (Marilyn A. Hudson, Megan Miles, John Chasteen, Terry Tramel, M.W. Murr, Mark Arthur, Gary Burchette, Patty Woodring).

Publisher: Tate Publishing, Mustang, Oklahoma Rating: 8 out 10 M. Ennis

Date: 2006 ISBN: 1-5988690x Cost: 11.99 Description: perfect; p.;141 p. Soon appearing in an audio format as well. Available: Amazon.com

So often history is like sand falling through our fingers; it is here and then simply gone. As Oklahoma celebrates its centennial it is good to see groups in the state begin to record their own past. A small history, One Night Club...,reveals a religious group with roots going back before statehood. A descendant of both the Holiness and the Pentecostal movements, Southwestern, opened in 1946 in rural Oklahoma County. It grew into one of the largest junior colleges in the state before troubles beset it and the junior college closed and the school shifted its educational focus. Proud of its spiritual roots, the book does not bog down and is easily read and understood by anyone - regardless of background. It celebrates its roots, it revels its wrinkles, and then goes on to show that Oklahoma determination that was on the faces of struggling people in the Depression era.. and the oil bust ...and numerous other tragedies of Oklahoma history. It is a story of a family really...and that family's joys, its faith, problems, and ultimately, its survival. It's attractive cover has eye appeal, it has several pages of illustrations, and will be of interest to collections of Oklahoma or religious history. Locales mentioned: Stratford, Oklahoma County, Kingfisher, Shawnee, Seminole, Tulsa, & Monte Ne (Ark).