Patsy S. Mink, U.S. House of Representatives, Hawaii:

“Pearl Harbor Child is an accurate, graphic book with marvelous photographs that depict what Hawaii experienced on December 7, 1941, and years after that until the war’s end. I celebrated my 14th birthday on December 6, 1941, and this book reminds me of my life during this terrible time. Thank you, Dorinda for this beautiful, historic book!”

Wilson Library Bulletin:

“Nicholson describes the confusion and fear of the first days after the bombing, the family’s eventual return home, and the constant nervous preparedness the Hawaiian Islands endured throughout the war. Gas rationing, victory gardens, censored mail, and blackouts are all part of her first-person story. Seventy photographs expand her fascinating account of one of the events that changed the course of American history.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books:

“This account of the events of December 7 and the aftermath — is told with directness and simplicity, and has a child-engaging attention to detail always sticking to the story as it happened then.”

Book Links:

“…a unique look at this momentous day.”

Benedict K. Zobrist, former director of the Harry S. Truman Library:

“I am delighted you were able to come to the Harry S. Truman Library to share the stories about your life included in your delightful book, Pearl Harbor Child.”

John Jewell, 5th-6th grade teacher, Broken Arrow School, Lawrence, Kansas:

“Her book and presentation was a great addition to our regular curriculum. It brought events of 50 years ago to a personal level that helped our students understand that period more fully… Not only have I used Pearl Harbor Child in many of my class activities, I have loaned my 15 copies of the book to many teachers in other elementary schools… my colleagues and I have found the book to be a valuable resource and will continue to make use of it in many ways.”

Betty Jo Taylor, library media coordinator, Raytown, Missouri School District:

“Dorinda Nicholson is a primary source to a major historical event.”

Valerie Jensen, 4th grade teacher in Grant, Michigan:

“I’m thrilled with finding this book… I teach 4th grade, and we study Hawaii as part of our Social Studies curriculum. During our study, we always discuss the bombing of Pearl Harbor and have access to many pictures. However, to be able to share insights from someone who was there at the time it happened will make such a difference in the students understanding… they will now be able to ‘connect’ with a child living through the attack on Pearl Harbor.”

Capt. Edward L. Beach, USN (retired), WWII Navy sub commander
 and author of Run Silent, Run Deep:

“…she tells us about watching our ships burn in the harbor, and digging bullets out of her kitchen wall, and what it was like to carry a gas mask everywhere. Dorinda not only provides us with a child’s unsophisticated view — from the vantage point of half a century later, her book also enriches that account with today’s deeper understanding.”

Midwest Book Review:

“Pearl Harbor Child will fascinate young readers and be of great interest to any adult concerned with ‘The Day of Infamy’ and the four long years that followed.”

Teacher comments: 

Mrs. Dorinda Nicholson, The Pearl Harbor Child, is a delight. She is entertaining, informative and professional. She came to Northeast Vernon county R-1 School for our annual Veteran’s Day Program. Her delivery was energetic and contagious. Students, teachers, staff and guests all agree she was well worth the time, effort and money to have her come to our school. Several want her back for another program. She makes history come alive and involves the students in her presentation.”

Parent: 

“I have seen you speak twice & both times moved me to tears & tore at my heart. I have 2 of your books. THEN I accidentally found your interview on TV Sunday night — awesome!!!”

Another Teacher: 

“The presentation you gave to our children was wonderful. I am still amazed at how you held their attention for the entire time. The information you presented was obviously new and very exciting to them. You have an engaging speaking style and I know that the kids learned a great deal, because I learned a great deal as well! Again, it was a wonderful presentation that I would recommend to any school group, anywhere!”