Millie and Me
by K.L. Corgliano
illustrations by Gary Laronde
$24.95
Millie and Me is the first in the series of K.L. Corgliano's children's books. It's about a lively, redheaded girl and her love for horses, something in which most little girls can relate. Candace Cate, or CC for short as she is referred to in the book, is just like any other 10-year-old girl from Texas. Her favorite thing to do is ride her horse Millie.
One morning as CC was grabbing the saddle for a ride, she heard a voice in the barn behind her. She discovered that her beloved horse, Millie, could talk. CC was so excited and couldn't wait to tell her friends about Millie, but CC was sworn to secrecy.
Millie warned CC that if people found out about a talking horse, they would put Millie in a circus. The book continues to share all of the adventures that CC and Millie embark upon, and it really is a tale of true friendship.
Corgliano wrote a second book about Millie and CC called Fourth Grade Field Day, where the excitement continues.
In addition to the sweet story about a girl and her horse, illustrations by Gary Laronde make this book a charming keepsake. Laronde's drawings are expressive and fun, including many barnyard animals that children will enjoy.
The Millie and Me series is intended for ages 4 – 8, but most parents will get a laugh or two from these adorable books.
Cold War
Peacemaker
by Don Pyeatt and
Dennis R. Jenkins
$32.95
For lovers of military and aviation history and the story of Fort Worth's involvement in both, Cold War Peacemaker is a grand treat.
It is packed with information - on the politics that brought Air Force Plant 4 to Fort Worth on the eve of World War II through the role Consolidate Aircraft Corp. played in producing B-24 bombers and on to the design and production of the B-36.
No one knows for sure what might have happened without a B-36 in the arsenal, but what we do know is that during the dangerous Cold War period, one of the deterrents on the expansionistic Soviet Union was the long-range nuclear-capable bomber fleet of the United States.
"The Allies needed a super weapon to stave off the perceived Soviet threat, and they needed it immediately," Pyeatt and Jenkins write. "Unfortunately, the only super weapon available to Europe and the United States was a skillful use of intimidation - starring the B-36."
The plane that existed wasn't the plane it would become, but clever and deceptive promotion "bought time to develop the airplane into what it was originally intended to be through a series of modification programs," they write.
Jammed with photographs, facts, figures and the history of Air Force Plant No. 4, Fort Worth and the B-36, this is a book that belongs on the shelf of those who consider themselves students of the city, military aviation and the Cold War. -Paul K. Harral
Texas Got It Right!
by Sam and Andrew Wyly
$19.95
Father-son authors, Sam and Andrew Wyly, explain the secrets of Texas" success in Texas Got It Right! The book describes how Texas leads the nation in many economic areas, such as job growth, affordability, imports and exports, business creation, deregulation of the energy market and political clout.
Interestingly enough, neither of the book's authors was born in Texas. They just "got here as fast as they could," as most Texans like to say.
The book came about from the authors" observation that America was being pulled in two very different directions. On one side there was California, where high taxes and regulations were really setting back entrepreneurs. And then there was Texas, where an unprecedented number of entrepreneurs were moving to set up shop.
Questions emerge throughout the book like "Why is Texas the only state gaining four new seats in Congress?" and "Why does Texas lead the country in wind turbines?"
After lengthy descriptions of why Texas is best, the authors provide a 10-step policy guide in how the other 49 states can be more like Texas.
Texas Got It Right! covers a wide range of topics from Sam Houston to the creation of South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival.
Insightful and sometimes silly commentary captivates the reader, as do the plentiful photo essays.
Texas Got It Right! is a must-read for anyone just moving to the Lone Star State or those of us who have forgotten what we learned years ago in Texas history classes.
