Kid Review – The Two-Cent Piece – historical fiction picture book

About the Book

Book: The Two-Cent Piece

Author: Dennis Conrad (Illustrated by Courtney Smith)

Genre: Children’s Picture Book (Fiction)

Release date: September 3, 2022

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Anne wonders what secret her three older brothers are hiding. When she finds out they joined to fight with the Union Army and would leave the next day, she gives them each one of her favorite two-cent pieces and says, “I want you to take one of my new two-cent pieces. I learned these coins are the first to have the words ‘In God We Trust.’ I just memorized Psalm 91:2. ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’”

Out of a heart of love, Anne gives six of her special coins away hoping the message on the two-cent pieces will strengthen each person’s faith.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Conrad, Dennis. The Two-Cent Piece. Illustrated by Courtney Smith. Plymouth, MA: Elk Lake Publishing, 2022.

In God We Trust series

It isn’t often you see historical fiction for younger children. The Two-Cent Piece is an historical fiction picture storybook by Dennis Conrad. Set in the Civil War (although we don’t know that right away), it tells the story of a young girl whose brothers go off to the war. She gifts each of them with a two-cent piece from her coin collection. Not only is The Two-Cent Piece historical fiction, it also introduces the reader/listener to: a coin we do not have now, the history behind “In God We Trust” being on the coins, and a reminder that we should trust God (with scripture passages sprinkled throughout the text). 

Picture storybooks are often for preschoolers with a longer attention span and early elementary children. The content of the book seems more appropriate for older elementary or even middle school-aged children. With that said, it is the perfect book for a coin collector of any age. 

Each two-page spread has a one-page illustration by Courtney Smith. The illustrations are done in muted colors. They illustrate the text well but do not go beyond the text.  

Author Dennis Conrad closes the book with some read aloud hints (these are geared toward the youngest listener). He also includes some information about coin collecting and the history of the two-cent piece. 

The Two-Cent Piece is the first book in the upcoming In God We Trust series. I look forward to reading future books. 

The Two-Cent Piece could find a place in a K-12 Christian school library. Its biggest audience will be potential coin collectors. Unfortunately the book probably isn’t long enough to meet the book report requirements of most teachers. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Two-Cent Piece. This is my honest review.

About the Author – Dennis Conrad

A former coin collector for over fifty years, Dennis combines his love for the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins.

He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project.

He retired as a professor of Speech Communications from Barstow Community College. He and his wife served as English and public speaking teachers ten summers overseas.

The Two-Cent Piece is Dennis’s first of seven books in the In God We Trust Series from Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

More from Dennis Conrad – Coin Collecting

HOMESCHOOLERS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS –

Coin collecting brings together history, art, and the thrill of discovery.

Children who collect coins will LOOK at coins differently. They can…

Look for people. For example, who is on the nickel? (Hint: Thomas Jefferson)

The new quarters featuring women include coins with Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star; Nina Otero-Warren, who advocated for women’s suffrage and was a government official in New Mexico; and Wilma Mankiller, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Look for places. The state quarter series includes all of the states like California with Yosemite Valley.

Look for dates. Connect coins to historical events. For example, coins minted in 2001 were minted the same year as the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001.

Look at coins as art. The people who design coins are artists.

Look for and find coins in change. Let the great adventure begin.

Look and learn why some coins are more valuable than other coins. There is a difference between the face value of a coin (a dime is worth ten cents), and its value to collectors.

Are you a homeschooler, a teacher, or a family member who wants to help children start their first coin collection?

Get Free Resources about coin collecting by conveniently subscribing to Dennis Conrad’s newsletter.

You will receive a link to my resource page, where you will find two free resources. One for ages 5-6 year-olds, and another for ages 7 and up. Or you can choose both. Let the fun begin! https://dennisconradauthor.com/coincollecting5/

Blog Stops

Lots of Helpers, January 18

Girls in White Dresses, January 18

Library Lady’s kid Lit, January 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

For Him and My Family, January 20

Cover Lover Book Review, January 21

A Reader’s Brain, January 22

Mary Hake, January 22

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 23

Texas Book-aholic, January 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 25

deb’s Book Review, January 26

Pause for Tales, January 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 28

Labor Not in Vain, January 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 30

Lights in a Dark World, January 30

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, January 31

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dennis is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of The Two-Cent Piece!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23bc2/the-two-cent-piece-celebration-tour-giveaway

How about some bookmarks to color for Valentines’ Day? These are available in my Etsy shop.