Meet Alonso, Holata, Thomas, Madeleine, and Ruby—five young people who lived through some of the most pivotal events in America's 27th state.
Imagine you and your best friend are soldiers storming an enemy fort in the middle of a hurricane! Or you are a young Indian warrior helping rescue your people. Imagine fleeing from a cloud of mosquitoes so big it blocks out the sun. Or moving as a ten-year-old to a tropical paradise. Imagine not being able to attend school until you are nine years old, and then jumping right into learning because your whole future has taken a turn for the better.
Original color illustrations, timelines, questions to answer, and suggested "Places to Visit" help young readers connect to these stories about life in Florida. Once you get to know the Florida Heritage Kids, your view of the Sunshine State will never be the same!
George S. LeMieux served as Florida's thirty-fourth United States senator in the 111th Congress as well as Florida's deputy attorney general, and as Governor Charlie Crist's chief of staff. A practicing attorney, he currently serves as the chairman of the board of Gunster, a statewide Florida-based law firm and is the founder of the LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. George is also the author, along with Laura E. Mize, of the award-winning book Florida Made: The 25 Most Important Figures Who Shaped The State. Florida Made won the 2019 National Indie Excellence Awards, "History" category and was named to the Florida Education Commissioner's Back-to-school Reading List for 2019.
Laura E. Mize is an award-winning book author, an independent journalist, and a former reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She is the author, along with George S. LeMieux, of the award-winning book Florida Made: The 25 Most Important Figures Who Shaped The State. Florida Made won the 2019 National Indie Excellence Awards, "History" category and was named to the Florida Education Commissioner's Back-to-school Reading List for 2019. Laura's work has been picked up by the Associated Press, published in newspapers across the country, and aired on National Public Radio.
Bonnie Lallky-Siebert has been a professional illustrator since 1985. She is an award-winning alumni of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and has been recognized by the Society of Newspaper Design, Florida Press Club, and Parenting Publications of America for her historical character drawings, wildlife and scientific diagrams, illustrated maps and informational graphics in several regional newspapers and magazines. Scientific and historical illustration clients include South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, South Florida Parenting Magazine, Sunshine Magazine, Pompano Beach Historical Society, Florida Fishing Weekly and The Coastal Star.
She has designed and illustrated children's coloring books for Baptist Health South Florida, Children's Diagnostic Center and Sleep Diagnostic Centers. Her illustrated festival posters for music and fine arts have won several awards by The Society of Illustrators NYC, Dimensional Illustrators Awards, Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, and The Addy Awards.
Illustrated scientific diagrams and informational graphics have been featured in the books Dancing Honeybees and Other Natural Wonders of Science and Andrew! Savagery from the Sea.
"We must be mindful of our heritage, culture, and natural resources, so that we preserve and share the specialness that drew all of us here in the first place. Indeed, Florida Heritage Kids helps do this by growing the next generation of leaders and stewards of Florida." - Harvey E. Oyer III, author of the best-selling The Adventures of Charlie Pierce children’s book series; Florida’s Distinguished Author, 2013; fifth-generation Florida native and descendant of early Southeast Florida pioneers.
"Developing stories with five children, each representing an age in Florida's history, the authors deftly weave engrossing narratives of the life and times in five eras. Both educational and engaging, this is an excellent introduction to Florida's history for young learners." - Susan Weintrob, Next Generation Indie Book Awards Judge
"Should almost be considered a 'must read' for Florida K-12 students. … This book would also be an excellent addition to any reading list for Florida students, such as the Commissioner of Education's Summer Reading List. I cannot recommend this book highly enough as a valuable resource to help Florida students understand the history of their state and better prepare them for college, career and citizenship." - Kevin Hoeft, then Education Policy Development Director, Florida Department of Education
"As a homeschool mom and a native Floridian I was surprised at how much I learned alongside my kids while reading Florida Heritage Kids. Living books like this make learning delightful. Each of the stories engaged our imaginations while yet telling the true history of Florida." - Lindsay Potts, homeschool mother of 3 and Florida native
