Books by W. Nikola-LIsa

From Lectern to Laboratory: How Science and Technology Changed the Face of America’s Colleges (Gyroscope Books, 2019, handsomely illustrated with 19th-century engravings). Traces the history of the changing face of America’s antebellum colleges with increased interest in science and technology.  

Folk Stories (Gyroscope Books, 2018, designed and illustrated by the author). Three original folktales capture the world of the oral tradition in all its magic and mystery. 

Dog Eared: A Year’s Romp Through the Self-Publishing World (Gyroscope Books, 2017). The author combines his reflections on the world of self-publishing with his writing experience over many decades. Recipient of an Indie Reader Discovery Award, an International Book Award, a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award and a Next Generation Indie Book Award.

Dear Frank: Babe Ruth, the Red Sox, and the Great War (Gyroscope Books, 2015). Using an epistolary format, the author captures a Boston family’s response to the Great War and the Red Sox’s new pitcher, George Herman “Babe” Ruth. Recipient of a Gold Award for Historical Fiction from Literary Classics Book Awards. 

Shark Man (Gyroscope Books, 2015). A semi-autobiographical account of the author’s early teenage years learning how to make friends and how, of all things, to surf. 

The Men Who Made the Yankees: The Odyssey of the World’s Greatest Baseball Team from Baltimore to the Bronx (Gyroscope Books, 2014, illus. with archival images). A fascinating look at the early years of the American League’s entry into major league baseball: recipient of an SCBWI Spark Award and a Literary Classics “Best Books” Lumin Award for Nonfiction.

Gaya Lives in a Blue House (Gyroscope Books, 2013, Barbara Cooper, illus.). An inspirational call to reach for the heights and become all you can. 

Hey, Aren’t You the Janitor? And Other Tales From the Life of a Children’s Book Author (Gyroscope Books, 2011). An exceedingly humorous account of the author’s experiences as a children’s book author and storyteller. 

Dragonfly: A Childhood Memoir (Gyroscope Books, 2011). The author explores his childhood growing up in South Texas. 

Magic in the Margins: Bookmaking in the Middle Ages (Houghton Mifflin, 2007, Bonnie Christensen, illus.). Follows a young boy through his initiate years in a medieval monastery’s scriptorium as he learns the gentle art of illuminated manuscripts. 

How We Are Smart (Lee & Low Books, 2006, Sean Qualls, illus.). Presents Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence through the eyes of a diverse multicultural cast. A Christopher Award recipient and New York Times Children’s Bookshelf review.

Summer Sun Risin' (Lee & Low Books, 2006, Don Tate, illus.). An understated homage to a family of color completing the chores their family farm demands. A State of Indiana Hoosier Award and New York Times Children’s Bookshelf review. 

Setting the Turkeys Free (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2004, Ken Wilson-Max, illus.). Uses the backdrop of Thanksgiving to explore the imagination of a young child whose world suddenly becomes populated with squawking turkeys, a hungry fox, and the urge to keep their worlds apart. 

My Teacher Can Teach…Anyone (Lee & Low Books, 2004, Felipe Galindo, illus.). A unique alphabet book that explores all the things kids can know and do—thanks to the guiding hand of their teacher.

To Hear the Angels Sing (Holiday House, 2002, Jill Weber, illus.). A holiday tale offers readers a charming poem as all the animals come from far away to celebrate the joyous arrival of Baby Jesus in the manager in Bethlehem.

Can You Top That? (Lee & Low Books, 2000, Hector Viveros-Lee, illus.). Plays on the old trope of kids trying to outdo each other, in this case bragging about the wild, funny, and rather unusual animals they supposedly have. 

America: A Book of Opposites (Lee & Low Books, 2000, illustrated by 12 artists of color). A visual celebration of America and a challenge to our children to cherish it, because they will one day inherit it.

The Year With Grandma Moses (Holiday House, 2000, with selected writings and paintings by Grandma Moses). The world of renown American painter Grandma Moses, a.k.a. Mary Anna Robertson, is presented through the cycle of seasons in word and image. 

Hallelujah: A Christmas Celebration (Atheneum, 2000, Cynthia Saint James, illus.). A boldly illustrated picture book describes the plum-purple sky, yew-green hills, silver stands of moonlight, and other colorful things which provide the setting for the birth of a black baby Jesus. 

Shake Dem Halloween Bones (Houghton Mifflin, 1997, Mike Reed, illus.). A host of lively fairytale characters sing and dance their way through this fast-paced and highly entertaining story. A recipient of the State of Wisconsin’s Golden Archer Award. 

Tangletalk (Dutton, 1997, Jessica Clerk, illus.). The topsy-turvy world of a dapper Bostonian and his mercurial cat dominate this tongue-twister tales. Reviewed for the New York Times Children’s Bookshelf.

Till Year's Good End: A Calendar of Medieval Labors (Atheneum, 1997, Christopher Manson, illus.). Follows the medieval calendar’s “Labors of the Months” providing a glimpse into life on a manorial estate. 

One Hole in the Road (Henry Holt, 1997, Dan Yaccarino, illus.). An urban tale of destructive wonderment—only a city dweller would understand. A Henry Holt/Bill Martin, Jr. selection. 

No Babies Asleep (Atheneum, 1995, Peter Palagonia, illus.). Ten babies come and go under he nose of their caretaker. I wonder who took them? You’ll find out soon enough in this bizarre nursery land. 

Wheels Go Round (Doubleday, 1994, Jane Conteh-Morgan, illus.). A rollicking rhyming verse that follows a variety of wheeled vehicles—trucks, trikes, cars, wagons, to name a few—throughout the course of a day. 

Bein’ With You This Way (Lee & Low Books, 1994, Michael Bryant, illus.), A multicultural cast of characters romp together in their neighborhood playground in this “ode to diversity” (Detroit Free Press). A Reading Rainbow selection, a CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books, an ILA/CBC Children’s Choice, a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book, a CCBC Choices annual selection, and an NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts. 

Storm (Atheneum, 1993, Michael Hays, illus.). In this lushly illustrated picture book, a brother and sister run for cover as a thunderstorm approaches their farm. 

1, 2, 3 Thanksgiving (Albert Whitman, 1991, Robin Kramer, illus.). An extended family of ten celebrates this special American holiday using a unique counting-up and counting-down format. 

Night Is Coming (Dutton, 1991, Jamichael Henterly, illlus.). A young child and her grandfather watch transfixed as night descends upon their family farm. An ALA Notable Children’s Book, reviews in Smithsonian Magazine, Booklist, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.