New Releases by Dorothy Butler

Dorothy Butler Gilliam, whose 50-year-career as a journalist put her in the forefront of the fight for social justice, offers a comprehensive view of racial relations and the media in the U.S. Most civil rights victories are achieved behind the scenes, and this riveting, beautifully written memoir by a "black first" looks back with searing insight on the decades of struggle, friendship, courage, humor and savvy that secured what seems commonplace today-people of color working in mainstream media. Told with a pioneering newspaper writer''s charm and skill, Gilliam''s full, fascinating life weaves her personal and professional experiences and media history into an engrossing tapestry. When we read about the death of her father and other formative events of her life, we glimpse the crippling impact of the segregated South before the civil rights movement when slavery''s legacy still felt astonishingly close. We root for her as a wife, mother, and ambitious professional as she seizes once-in-a-lifetime opportunities never meant for a "dark-skinned woman" and builds a distinguished career. We gain a comprehensive view of how the media, especially newspapers, affected the movement for equal rights in this country. And in this humble, moving memoir, we see how an innovative and respected journalist and working mother helped provide opportunities for others. With the distinct voice of one who has worked for and witnessed immense progress and overcome heart-wrenching setbacks, this book covers a wide swath of media history -- from the era of game-changing Negro newspapers like the Chicago Defender to the civil rights movement, feminism, and our current imperfect diversity. This timely memoir, which reflects the tradition of boot-strapping African American storytelling from the South, is a smart, contemporary consideration of the media.

Dorothy Butler (OBE) is recognised internationally as an authority on children''s books and reading. She has won many major awards for her work in England, Japan, the United States and New Zealand and was declared a Distinguished Alumna of Auckland University. As well as her academic achievements, Dorothy has been a successful teacher, an innovative bookseller and the author of many much-loved children''s books, all the while raising eight lively children with her husband Roy. Now in her eighties, she lives in the heritage home in Karekare that her family lovingly restored. In All This and a Bookshop Too, Dorothy shares the story of her adult life. Picking up from the first volume of her autobiography, There Was a Time, Dorothy writes eloquently of her many consuming interests, her notable friendships and her family. This is both an affecting account of private triumphs and tragedies, and a salute to the golden age of children''s book publishing in New Zealand.

On her many travels, a small girl takes many things, especially her brown bear Barney.

The adventures of Martha the toy monkey who accompanies the young narrator everywhere. Suggested level: junior.

When Harriet receives a yellow umbrella from her Grandpa for her birthday, her family arrange the hose so that everyone at Harriet''s party can enjoy using the umbrella in the rain. Suggested level: preschool, junior.

A rhyming story to be read to children. A boy and a girl march to a picnic, followed by more and more animals. Each page has one line of verse, and is illustrated in full colour.

A little girl and her brown bear Barney have a busy week, getting into all kinds of mischief.

The Brown family eagerly awaits the return of their eldest son John who is arriving on the steamship Wakatere with a special present-- a pet monkey. Suggested level: junior, primary.

Autobiography of an adventurous octogenarian who has been mountain climbing, bush walking and cycling in many parts of the world. Dorothy Butler was awarded the Australian Geographic Society''s Gold Medallion as Adventurer of the Year in 1988.

Both good and bad luck accompany Mabel as she tries to get across her island to her new home.

On her many travels, a small girl takes many things, especially her brown bear Barney.

This children''s counting book has a strong theme: the counting is based on birds, but there are also many other objects, in the pictures, to be counted.

On reading books with babies and young children.

A tale of the family cat, Ginger, and her prized possession.

Butler and Clay present easy and informal ways to prepare a child to begin reading and to help him or her respond positively to written words.

"A collection of stories and poems by New Zealand writers, but for children all around the world. Mysterious and chilling, dramatic and exciting, warm and funny by turns: there''s something here to entertain every child. And as an added bonus he or she will learn more about the beautiful land of New Zealand."--Page 4 of cover.