Books with author Darleen Bailey Beard

A novel told in a strong Southern voiceRuth Ann Tillman loves to sing, especially the solo in the annual Babbs Switch, Oklahoma, Christmas Tree Celebration. And no matter what Elden Larrs says teasingly, she’s good. But this year, 1924, Mom and Pop won’t let Ruthie perform. The problem is Daphne, her sister. At sixteen, four years older than Ruthie, Daphne still carries her one-armed, bald-headed doll for comfort and reaches out to stroke anything soft and soothing. When she almost smothers Mrs. Larrs’s baby this way, Mom and Pop know they’re in trouble – and that Ruthie had better not appear on the schoolhouse stage. Ruthie is indignant. Why does she have to share her life with such an oddball sister? Christmas Eve arrives, and Ruthie goes to the celebration, even though she can’t participate, and even though “daffy” Daphne is at her side. At least she can see Elden. Then the schoolhouse catches fire, as it really did on that night in Babbs Switch, and Ruthie discovers what her sister means to her. Inspired by a tragedy, Darleen Bailey Beard’s tribute to Babbs Switch is nonetheless filled with humor and warmth and the charm of first romance.

Mom for mayor!Election day is fast approaching, and twelve-year-old Cornelius Sanwick discovers a secret: his mom is running for mayor! That would be pretty neat, except that his dad is the incumbent. Corn feels torn -- surely he should warn his father. But if he does, his mother won't stand a chance. In 1916, Oregon is one of only eleven states in which women can vote, and they have to take office by stealth. Corn wonders what kind of mayor his mom would make. Would she be able to get the streetlights turned back on? Would she corral the chickens and keep their poop off the streets? And what would she do if the pickpocket Sticky Fingers Fred showed up in Umatilla? Friendship, first love, and above all filial devotion play their parts in this charming story set during the Great War and based on a true episode in the history of Umatilla, Oregon -- the female takeover of the town's government.

On a scorching July day in 1950, a fabulous fat man drives into Wetumka, Oklahoma. F. Bam Morrison is selling tickets to Bohn's United Circus Shows, and the townspeople are buying―all, that is, except ol' man Swank, who says F. Bam Morrison is a two-faced weasel. Smitten with Morrison, ten-year-old Bobbie Jo Hailey―and mean Clara Jean Knox, whom she befriends―unwittingly joins the effort to bamboozle Wetumka. When Bobbie Jo realizes her mistake, Morrison is on his way out of town, leaving her disappointed but intact―and greatly enriched by her relationship with the flimflam man. Lovingly illustrated by Eileen Christelow, Darleen Bailey Beard's delightful story is based on a real episode in Wetumka's history, still celebrated annually as Sucker Day!

Mom for mayor!Election day is fast approaching, and twelve-year-old Cornelius Sanwick discovers a secret: his mom is running for mayor! That would be pretty neat, except that his dad is the incumbent. Corn feels torn -- surely he should warn his father. But if he does, his mother won't stand a chance. In 1916, Oregon is one of only eleven states in which women can vote, and they have to take office by stealth. Corn wonders what kind of mayor his mom would make. Would she be able to get the streetlights turned back on? Would she corral the chickens and keep their poop off the streets? And what would she do if the pickpocket Sticky Fingers Fred showed up in Umatilla? Friendship, first love, and above all filial devotion play their parts in this charming story set during the Great War and based on a true episode in the history of Umatilla, Oregon -- the female takeover of the town's government.

Mom for mayor!Election day is fast approaching, and twelve-year-old Cornelius Sanwick discovers a secret: his mom is running for mayor! That would be pretty neat, except that his dad is the incumbent. Corn feels torn -- surely he should warn his father. But if he does, his mother won't stand a chance. In 1916, Oregon is one of only eleven states in which women can vote, and they have to take office by stealth. Corn wonders what kind of mayor his mom would make. Would she be able to get the streetlights turned back on? Would she corral the chickens and keep their poop off the streets? And what would she do if the pickpocket Sticky Fingers Fred showed up in Umatilla? Friendship, first love, and above all filial devotion play their parts in this charming story set during the Great War and based on a true episode in the history of Umatilla, Oregon -- the female takeover of the town's government.

Annie Glover's grandma is always protesting something, but she goes too far when she chains herself to a century-old tree and names it Elmer. Elmer is scheduled to be cut down to make way for a new swimming-pool complex and Grandma is trying to save him, but Annie wants that swimming pool—and so do all her classmates. Now she must endure all the other fourth graders asking her embarrassing questions and that pesky Leroy Kirk calling her a "tree lover." However, as Annie considers what Elmer means to her town and to herself, she begins to think that maybe Grandma's not so crazy after all. Adorable illustrations perfectly capture Annie's scheme to save Elmer—with the help of her teacher, her best friend, a zany trio of parachuting Elvis impersonators, and, yes, even Grandma.

Annie Glover's grandma is always protesting something, but she goes too far when she chains herself to a century-old tree and names it Elmer. Elmer is scheduled to be cut down to make way for a new swimming-pool complex and Grandma is trying to save him, but Annie wants that swimming pool―and so do all her classmates. Now she must endure all the other fourth graders asking her embarrassing questions and that pesky Leroy Kirk calling her a "tree lover." However, as Annie considers what Elmer means to her town and to herself, she begins to think that maybe Grandma's not so crazy after all. Adorable illustrations perfectly capture Annie's scheme to save Elmer―with the help of her teacher, her best friend, a zany trio of parachuting Elvis impersonators, and, yes, even Grandma.

Lily loved recess. Then along came Rosie Ross, Recess Boss. Will Lily ever enjoy recess again? In this book, beginning readers in prekindergarten to grade 1 can join Lily as she learns positive ways to solve a problem on her own.This illustrated picture book series features social/emotional issues as plot drivers. Youngsters are introduced to a variety of experiences, while caregivers are given a jumping off point for discussing and guiding their child's social/emotional development