A 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

This is the extraordinary story of Queen Goharshad, a 15th-century monarch, who many historians now believe was the one of the most powerful women in world history. Ruling from the Timurid artistic and cultural center of Herat in western Afghanistan, Queen Goharshad ushered in a remarkable period when poetry, music, calligraphy, painting, and the sciences flourished as never before. A poet and an architect, she designed some of the most beautiful structures ever built on earth.

This story is a celebration of a remarkable woman-talented, generous, benevolent, and brave-whose achievements are an inspiration for young readers to use their strengths to make the world a more beautiful place.

Everyone in the village is thrilled because the king is coming to visit! Before his

arrival, the king commands the village baker to bake him a delicious bread, and he

commands the baker's wife to make him a beautiful handkerchief. However, their

bumbling causes a bizarre, wild mishap that terrifies the villagers. The couple's

fate now looks dim. Yet all is not lost, for the blundering couple discover hidden

talents within themselves that guarantee a happy future.

In her original folk tale, Maxine Rose Schur creates a comic story full of madcap

humor, which also delivers an important message about the hidden talents within

each of us.

A 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

This is the extraordinary story of Queen Goharshad, a 15th-century monarch, who many historians now believe was one of the most powerful women in world history. Ruling from the Timurid artistic and cultural center of Herat in western Afghanistan, Queen Goharshad ushered in a remarkable, rare period when poetry, music, calligraphy, painting, and the sciences flourished as never before. A poet and an architect, she designed a complex of buildings that were considered to be some of the most beautiful structures ever built on earth.

When Shnook the peddler arrives in the sleepy town of Korovenko, young Leibush runs to meet him. Every peddler brings merriment to the village, but simple Shnook brings more laughs than any of them.

On this visit Shnook's wares include beautiful, hand-carved dreidels. Leibush can't take his eyes off them! When Leibush notices one mistakenly left behind, he makes excuses for keeping the dreidel. It isn't until Leibush makes amends that he learns the peddler's simple ways might just be a cover for a wealth of wisdom and forgiveness. And when Hanukkah comes, Shnook leaves Leibush a gift to last a lifetime.

When a fisherman finds a baby girl in his net, he and his wife are overjoyed. Their wish for a child has come true! But as the years go by, Merella, their beloved daughter, has a secret longing - a longing that will lead the fisherman and his wife to a heartrending decision.

In this original folk story, acclaimed author Maxine Rose Schur presents a poetic fable, weaving themes of yearning, fate, and abiding love. Coupled with Milanka Reardon's exquisite illustrations, Child of the Sea delivers a lively, lyrical tale that confirms the universal need to belong and the liberating power of love.

All the animals from A to Z are just as busy as they can be. If you want to see all they do? Then this book is just for you

Here's an alphabet book to delight young and old with animals as familiar to children as the cow and duck, and as unfamiliar as the impala and the zoril. Rhyming words coupled with beautiful, detailed illustrations enhance the learning of the alphabet while also teaching about a variety of animals from around the world. Kids and grown-ups alike will have more fun than a barrel of monkeys searching for the hidden letters in the art. And to boost the educational value, the online accompanying fun activities are designed to strengthen a host of pre-school, kindergarten, and first-grade skills.

Princes and princesses are always finding that the path of true love totally fails to run smoothly. But when the path winds round and round a grandly constructed garden maze, the difficulties create a pretty pass indeed.

The Marvelous Maze is a richly romantic tale, unraveling the story of young Prince Eric, who has been lonely so long that he quite likes the counsel of his chief advisor to take a wife. Yet, how to choose? Clever, cool and arrogant to a fault is our young prince. And so he devises a scheme to select a princess as clever as himself. Hence his order to his head gardener, Burdock, to construct an enchanting maze: one that is richly embellished with garden ornaments, shrubbery and an abundance of flowers. It is also intricate; so intricate that forty-three princesses try their best and forty-three fail. But after the prince has given up all hope, there arrives a plump, plain princess named Gladwin. And the prince begins to learn the secret beauties not only of his own maze but of two hearts as well.

So hand in hand, the prince and princess made their way slowly through the shadowy paths of the maze towards the lights of the palace. First she guiding him, then he guiding her... Through the garden and ever after.

The Marvelous Maze will touch all hearts with its tenderness. The book is a lovely gift for engagements, weddings and Valentine's Day. The sumptuous depiction of the classic garden maze and appreciation of nature will appeal to every gardener. And children will be tickled by the disastrous adventures of the less clever princesses, while absorbing the lovely message of this book. It is truly an allegory for all ages.

The illustrators also work magic in depicting the Marvelous Maze in all its aspects, by day and by night, and imbue the story with wonderfully entertaining touches, as well as pure romance.

When the three sons of a poor widow go into the world to seek their fortune, the first two meet with misfortune. But when the third son, Finley, sets out, his intelligence, imagination, and hard work change his poor situation into a life of bounty for himself and his family.

In this original folk tale, Maxine Rose Schur weaves a lively story with themes of gratitude, ingenuity, and love. It's a story to be enjoyed as much for its delightful storytelling as for its wise, heartwarming message.

Poor Gus He's so gullible, he believes everything people tell him. Everything The other cowboys feed him lies and tall tales - just to see if he'll swallow their silly stories. Their teasing makes him sadder than dry soup. But luckily, Doc Hickory knows a cure for gullibility, and it starts with a visit to Fibrock, a town full of liars. Can the biggest fibber in Fibrock teach Gus the difference between fact and falsehood? Maybe it's not always clear which is which...

When a fisherman finds a baby girl in his net, he and his wife are overjoyed. Their wish for a child has come true! But as the years go by, Merella, their beloved daughter, has a secret longing - a longing that will lead the fisherman and his wife to a heartrending decision.

In this original folk story, acclaimed author Maxine Rose Schur presents a poetic fable, weaving themes of yearning, fate, and abiding love. Coupled with Milanka Reardon's exquisite illustrations, Child of the Sea delivers a lively, lyrical tale that confirms the universal need to belong and the liberating power of love.

All the animals from A to Z are just as busy as they can be. If you want to see all they do, then this book is just for you!

Here's an alphabet book to delight young and old with animals as familiar to children as the cow and duck, and as unfamiliar as the impala and the zoril. Rhyming words coupled with beautiful, detailed illustrations enhance the learning of the alphabet while also teaching about a variety of animals from around the world. Kids and grown-ups alike will have more fun than a barrel of monkeys searching for the hidden letters in the art. And to boost the educational value, the online accompanying fun activities are designed to strengthen a host of pre-school, kindergarten, and first-grade skills.

Zissel had everything her heart desired... but didn't know it. When Zissel got rich, she craved expensive jewelry, but the more she bought the sadder she became. In this wildly comic story, Maxine Rose Schur creates a fun yet heart-warming Jewish folk tale that proves we might already have all we would ever need and want.

By Authority of Czar Nicholas, the families of Molovsk are to present their sons for induction into the military.Terms of conscription is 25 years.

The Czar's soldiers are riding into villages throughout Russia, seizing boys for the military. Mendel knows that he too will be taken - unless he can escape. The woods are filled with bounty-hunters, and the border is heavily guarded by armed soldiers. Can Mendel cross the border to Hungary - and to freedom?

When traitors take over the kingdom of Wisland, Wynnfrith, a young orphan raised at court, must flee with Oliver, the five-year-old crown prince. In order to reach safety, the two children embark on a treacherous journey that pits them against the cruel Ugsome family. Though she is afraid, Wynnfrith is determined to keep Prince Oliver safe.

Aided by Mistress Plummety Peache, a feisty enchantress with a loving heart, and by the magical and mysterious Word Dancer, Winnfryth learns to use not just her head, but also her heart to ignite the full power of words.

If Wynnfrith can find within herself the way to unleash this magic, she might just be able to defeat the enemies of Wisland-and realize the true bravery within her.

When traitors take over the kingdom of Wisland, Wynnfrith, a young orphan raised at court, must flee with Oliver, the five-year-old crown prince. In order to reach safety, the two children must embark on a treacherous journey that pits them against the cruel Ugsome family. Though she is afraid, Wynnfrith is determined to keep Prince Oliver safe.

Aided by Mistress Plummety Peache, a feisty enchantress with a loving heart, and by the magical and mysterious Word Dancer, Winnfryth must learn to use not just her head, but also her heart to ignite the full power of words.

If Wynnfrith can find within herself the way to unleash this magic, she might just be able to defeat the enemies of Wisland-and realize the true bravery within her.

For years, readers have delighted in Maxine Rose Schur's award-winning travel essays. Now, all the tales of her unusual honeymoon are gathered in one illustrated volume in a new, revised edition. Whether camping in the center of Paris, dangling off a Panamanian tramp steamer or hitchhiking across Australia, her tales are funny, exciting, and tender. Looking back, she tempers her youthful encounters with midlife wisdom, capturing the spirit of all those she met and evoking memorable places in time. If you're looking for travel writing that blends insight with delicious surprise, fasten the seatbelt on your armchair and come along.

Best Travel Book of the Year North American Travel Journalists Association

Best Travel Narrative (Gold) Society of American Travel Writers

By Authority of Czar Nicholas, the families of Molovsk are to present their sons for induction into the military. Terms of conscription is 25 years. The Czar's soldiers are riding into villages throughout Russia, seizing boys for the military. Mendel knows that he too will be taken - unless he can escape. The woods are filled with bounty-hunters, and the border is heavily guarded by armed soldiers. Can Mendel cross the border to Hungary - and to freedom?