Thanks for the Dreamers

Wangari Maathai’s native Kenya was a changed land, literally blowing away because its trees and growth had been destroyed. Rather than complain, she started a reforestation effort for which she was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Handsome illustrations combine with crisp text to tell the story of one person’s impact.

This is the story of librarian Pura Belpré, told through the eyes of two young children who are introduced to the library and its treasures just before Christmas. Lulu Delacre’s lovely illustrations evoke New York City at the time of the Great Depression, as well as the close-knit and vibrant Puerto Rican community that was thriving in El Barrio during this time. Bilingual Spanish-English text.

Edna Lewis grew up on a Virginia farm where she developed a deep appreciation for the rhythm of nature, the beauty in growing things, and the warmth in sharing a home cooked meal. Edna’s early life and passion led to a career as a professional chef known for preserving cooking traditions. Several recipes are included in this handsome, lively book.

As a child, “Josef Albers saw art in the simplest things…” His interest in color and the way colors changed forever altered the way color theory was taught. The author was Albers’ neighbor as a child and provides an assessible, engaging glimpse of how one man’s vision can change the way things are viewed.

Augusta Savage was a born artist, making clay figures even as a child. She pursued her passion, actually earning money for her family until she was old enough to travel from her rural Florida home to New York City where she studied at Cooper Union and became part of what is now known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Even though Leonardo da Vinci lived a long time ago (born in 15th century Florence), his ideas have intrigued inventors and scientists ever since. In cartoon-like illustrations and brief text, old “Leo” ideas are juxtaposed to newer “Neo” ideas. This playful book is informative and engaging and may inspire further investigation of man and inventions.

This fictionalized story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana, who changes his world with a small loan and one hen, is based on a real person. Kwabena Darko lives in West Africa and started a system of micro-loans in villages that would not otherwise have access. Additional resources and sources for further information allow readers to find out more.

When Dorothy and Henry see a notice that the city of Boston cannot afford to buy three trained elephants, they begin city-wide campaign to raise the needed $6,000. Working together, the children are successful and present the pachyderms to the mayor for the zoo. Inspired by actual events in 1914, this can-do tale will empower, engage and perhaps inspire.

Walter Anderson “may be the most famous American artist you’ve never heard of.” But he and his passion for nature on the U.S. Gulf coast are introduced through an evocative text and luminous illustrations. An extensive author’s note provides additional information and several reproductions of Anderson’s work.

Anna May Wong grew up in San Francisco in the 1920s, working diligently in her family’s laundromat but secretly daydreaming of becoming a movie star. When she set out to realize her dream, she soon discovered the lack of opportunity in Hollywood for Asian American actors. After traveling in Europe and China, Anna May ultimately decided to portray only roles she felt presented a positive image of Asians, leading the way for the many actors who followed in her footsteps.