Margaret Olivia McManis

Books Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Thanksgiving Story

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025

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Full Disclosure: Margaret McManis shared this story with me when she was still working on the manuscript. I loved it then and I love it even more now with the perfect illustrations. Too many holiday stories are either silly or sappy. This one hits the mark. A great tale for Thanksgiving or any other holiday gathering. (Just remember to keep an eye on the timer if anything's cooking!)

- E. A. Kimmel

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic representative of the “melting pot” that is Texas!

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025

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I found the story to be a heartfelt and genuine homage to a lady whose heart and creativity might have far outweighed her culinary skills! The resolution seemed to represent Revelations 7:9 very well. Not only does this book teach creative synergy; it shows how PEOPLE are what make holiday traditions so special.

- Meghan

5.0 out of 5 stars Finger lickin good????????

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025

 
I love and lived this story/event during a much different time. A time when families sat down at the table to share an evening meal, even when it’s not so perfectly prepared.
This was such a fun story and a fun time in our lives.

- Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Always a great Children's book with this Author

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025

 
Having read Margaret McManis' other children's books, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed, and I wasn't. A great story based on a true story. What a fun book to read with your kids.

- K K Hart

5.0 out of 5 stars Tongue in Cheek Humor for a Great Texas Woman Who Shared Her Love for Texas

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2019

 
While touring the Hogg Mansion in Houston, I was browsing books about early Texas life in the Gift Shop.As I thumbed through a book about Ima Hogg, I came across a story about the Hogg Ranch and its unusual animals. There I met a woman who was looking in the children's section and she related a fictionalized humorous children's book about Ima Hogg and an Ostrich on the ranch. As the book was now out of print, I managed to find a copy in a elementary school library. Since I am a retired geologist and have known about the Hogg Family's oil interests, I was curious on how this story related to Ima's life in Texas.
I found the book to be a hilarious account of a race involving a horse and an ostrich and Ima's love of animals. The illustrations are beautiful and complement the colorful story about Ima's contribution to Texas children and Texas history. It gives young children joy and love of a life of a woman who had to endure hardships as a young child and yet contributed so much to the State of Texas in her later life.
I have read all of the reviews on Amazon which almost entirely give this light and colorful children's story a 5 star rating. However, there is one review which does not do justice to Ms. McManis' excellent effort to relate fictional humor to this great Texas Woman. The reviewer obviously has not understood that this is a children's fictionalized humorous story in order to honor Ima Hogg not berate her..
One person found this helpful

- Jim L

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2020

 
Great book, what a great thing to get children to read and the bonus .... to learn about Texas history!!!!??????

- Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to read for Go Texan Day!

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2019

 
I love this book. When I worked as a substitute in a Texas school district I was instructed to read this for Go Texan Day! I have loved this book every since. Great example of increasing the imagination of our children!

- Keisha L. Scott

5.0 out of 5 stars Super funny - super good - super weird

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2015

 
Comments made by my five year old grandaughter. Super funny - super good - super weird, girl riding an ostrich. Best Line - Even my toes were mad! Best part - that she kept her promise to her papa and didn't brag.

- Susan Count

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