Bartholomew: Squire of the Subway by Carol L. Lester

About the Book

Book: Bartholomew: Squire of the Subway
Author: Carol L. Lester
Genre: Children’s
Release Date: December 2019

Bartholomew, an intelligent iguana with brown-and-green mottled, scaly skin, loves riding the New York City subway. The underground railroad, which clatters and whooshes before it takes off, teems with people, but Bartholomew doesn’t mind. He enjoys his escape from his life in a museum exhibit and spends the morning observing other passengers.

On his ride, Bartholomew watches several Regulars and learns about their similarities, their differences, and how they interact or don’t interact with others. Bubbly Becky radiates joy, and she even sits next to Bartholomew. Fred always wears a bright scarf and sometimes hums, but he keeps to himself. Mrs. Hatmer keeps her four children organized, but some passengers are annoyed by the kids. By the end of Bartholomew’s ride, he learns about the value and uniqueness of each person. 

Bartholomew, Squire of the Subway includes questions in the back to encourage young readers to explore the lessons Bartholomew learns. Carol Lester’s children’s books spark discussions with adult and school-aged readers alike. With each book, Lester seeks to influence and shape lives, young and old.



Click HERE to get your copy. 

My Review

Bartholomew really held a special message, and the illustrations were vibrant and sweet. The New York subway is definitely somewhere you would meet a lot of the same people on a daily basis headed about their business. Bartholomew was cute and sweet and innocent like a child so I feel like he would be relatable. The pages were more like a long paragraph per page so it was a little wordy- probably best for your mid grade school age kids. I will say I felt a little bit of the language was a little dated and possibly hard for a kid to understand, but for the most part not. The book reminds us that everyone has a story, and that we should realize that everyone has a story that makes them them and rather than judge, know that everyone no matter how they act towards you may have past hurts that makes them the way they are. I think the book called for peace and being non-judgmental in a world that is increasingly divisive. So pick it up and check it out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are entirely my own.

About the Author

Carol L. Lester is a published author and has taught secondary English / language arts for over thirty years. She holds teaching certificates in three states with degrees in education and sport psychology. Carol lives in San Antonio, Texas, and enjoys her role writing children’s stories that educate and delight. She previously published Roo, the Kangaroo Cat.    

More from Carol 

I am so very thankful for all opportunities I have experienced thus far in my life, and they have been varied! As an Air Force brat, I traveled the globe and experienced languages and cultures about which other people only dream. I have embraced those times of travel in my adult life as well. For instance, I chaperoned 54 high school students to Europe one summer, and I have served as a missionary in both Ukraine and Kenya. In years past I have taught aerobic dance classes and sign language classes, but I owned my own jewelry business for ten years, too. That involved training other jewelers and marketing and selling my line of accessories. With all those experiences, I have served people from all walks of life. I am definitely a sports enthusiast, but college basketball is my passion, especially when it comes to the University of North Carolina Tarheels! (I am a Carolina alumnus and was actually named after the university.) I was blessed to serve as sole caregiver for my aging parents and now look forward to serving others in a new capacity as author and “coach.” I enjoy serving as a member of the Oak Hills Church Singers, but I have been a pianist and percussionist for over 50 years. (I served as the drummer and back-up vocalist for Keith Henderson Presents Elvis in the late 1970s!) My “claim to fame,” as it were, is that I was the first female drumline captain in the Atlantic Coast Conference (1976-78).

Blog Stops

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 6

Book of Ruth Ann, January 7

Mamma Loves Books, January 7

For him and my Family, January 8

Maureen’s Musings, January 9

Aryn The Libraryan 📚, January 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 12

A Reader’s Brain, January 13

Texas Book-aholic, January 14

Inklings and notions, January 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 16

Mary Hake, January 16

janicesbookreviews, January 17

Lighthouse Academy Blog, January 18 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of both of her books, ROO and Bartholomew, plus a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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/f45e/bartholomew-squire-of-the-subway-celebration-tour-giveaway