A lovely feature article from School Library Journal came out last week, highlighting The Traveling Camera as a great pick for exploring portraits of American history with middle grade and young adult readers. Click to read!
“This fictionalized account sparkles with detail […]. Through careful prose and detailed illustration, the book reveals the steps involved in creating delicate tapestries that appear as vibrant today as they did over 300 years ago.” – Literary Kids
“The vibrant imagery and detailed story […] simply draw readers into the fascinating story, delighting them with surprises.” – Maine News Online
“If you are looking for a book for your child that stretches the imagination and encourages them to push and challenge the status quo, you will not be disappointed. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is poignant, but exciting. […] This work is a true treasure for your child’s library.” – BlogCritics (chosen for BC’s Editor Picks)
“[Thérèse Makes a Tapestry] is filled with narrative detail and lively artistic illustrations of the setting in 17th Century Paris, in the well known Gobelin Manufactory…” – Midwest Book Review
“Thérèse’s story is told with great attention to detail and lovely language, while accompanying illustrations are beautiful and will help readers really get lost in the story.” – San Francisco Book Review
“[Thérèse Makes a Tapestry] offers a child-focused window into a time-honored artistic tradition.” – Publishers Weekly
“This charming narrative of a determined girl’s artistic talent and will to succeed in the family business makes a compelling story on an unusual topic.” – Kirkus Reviews
“This picture book seamlessly blends factual and fictional information into an engaging narrative. Thérèse’s story is inspired by real tapestries, real people and a real place, and Hinrichs has done her homework, researching the workings of the Gobelins Manufactory and the lives of the people whose work we still marvel at today.” – L.A. Parent
Early reviews of Thérèse Makes A Tapestry are beginning to emerge. They are all positive so far (yay!), but I know that I already have the best review I could ever receive. ![image of iPhone text from my mother reading: "Alex your book is incredible. The illustrations of your writings seem to compliment incredibly. I am so proud of you and in awe of your abilities And while I know what an amazing writer you are, knowing you accomplished this with a toddler n baby on board is another thing altogether. [emoji of clapping hands] Congratulations dear Alex. [kissing face emoji]](https://i0.wp.com/alexandrahinrichs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_0868.jpg?resize=300%2C425)
My mother gave me her official review last spring. She passed away in July. The dedication of the book to her was supposed to be surprise when it came out in print. I remain grateful to the team at Getty Publications for overnighting a final draft for her viewing in the days before she died. So yes. Thanks, Mom. I’ve already won the review game.