The story of Maryland’s three southern counties is really the story of the beginnings of the state itself. On March 25, 1634, the first European settlers came to the area in hopes of finding religious freedom and economic opportunities, led by Leonard Calvert. Counties of Southern Maryland describes the early settlement and traces the region’s history through the end of the twentieth century in the area that now comprises St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties. This is the third book in a series about Maryland’s counties that is designed for elementary school children studying their state. The authors approach each region of the state by introducing what is common to the counties, including their history, climate, geography, and wildlife. They describe the facets of each county that are unique: its establishment, county seat, growth, government, major towns, churches and other religious organizations, schools, businesses, agriculture, and places of interest. Clever line drawings by Marcy Dunn Ramsey accompany “Fun Facts” and “Not-so-fun Facts”. Middle grades–ages 10-13.
Author Biography:
Born and raised in Ocean City, Maryland, Elaine Bunting received a BA from James Madison University and a MS from Towson State University. She is retired from Harford County Public Schools as an elementary school librarian. Bunting is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Harford County Reading Council, the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, the American Association of University Women, and Harford County Historical Society. Patricia D’Amario, coauthor of the Counties of Maryland series, was born and raised in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated with a BS from Towson State University (magna cum laude) and a master of education degree from Johns Hopkins University. She started teaching at age seventeen in the parochial school system in Baltimore and taught grades two through eight in various U.S. cities until her retirement. D’Amario was a schoolwide enrichment specialist for the Harford County School System. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. The Counties of Maryland series includes: Counties of Central Maryland, Counties of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, Counties of Northern Maryland, and Counties of Southern Maryland. Artist and longtime illustrator of children’s books, Marcy Dunn Ramsey is a graduate of Emmanuel College where she received a BA degree. She lives with her family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Ramsey has been painting and drawing all her life, and since beginning her illustration career in 1988, has produced more than fifty books, including Awesome Chesapeake, Counties of Central Maryland, Counties of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, Counties of Northern Maryland, Counties of Southern Maryland, It’s Up to You, Griffin!, Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure, Oyster Moon, Rosie’s Posies, Santa Claws: The Christmas Crab, Secret of Belle Meadow, Suppose, The World Turned Upside Down, Osprey Adventure, and Beetle Boddiker. Ramsey’s long experience with children has helped her keep in tune with their likes and dislikes. Her greatest efforts are directed at communicating a sense of humor, excitement, and spontaneity in her work that encourages children to continue their discovery of the magic of reading.
