Louisa May Alcott is best known for penning Little Women, but few are aware of the experience that influenced her writing most — her time as a nurse during the Civil War. Caring for soldiers’ wounds and writing letters home for them inspired a new realism in her work, including Little Women, which was one of the first novels to be set during the Civil War.
Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women
The life of Marguerite Johnson, better known as Maya Angelou, vividly comes to life in free verse and swirling images. Young Maya found solace in language, the rhythm of words during her difficult childhood in “the seesaw of the South,” and fast-paced St. Louis. She became a performer, a poet, and a highly respected novelist. A forward by her grandson encourages discussion as the book is shared. Photographs accompany a timeline of Maya’s life which concludes this sophisticated book.
Rise! From Caged Bird to Poetry of the People, Maya Angelou
He was born in the jazz age so it’s not surprising that Walter Theodore “Sonny” Rollins loved jazz. He loved the saxophone and was a talented musician who became widely recognized. Free verse effectively explores Sonny’s life — including the hiatus he took from public performances, instead playing for himself on the Williamsburg Bridge. Jazzy illustrations enliven the handsome presentation.
Sonny’s Bridge: Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins Finds His Groove
Luminous illustrations and free verse combine to tell the story of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. When King arrived for the March on Washington in 1963, his speech was not yet completed. Nonetheless, he found a “place to land” to complete his historical speech then give it on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Focusing on this singular moment in history is powerful and stunningly presented in word and image.
A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation
The story of steamships and transatlantic travel is intertwined with Macaulay’s personal story of leaving the United Kingdom for America in 1957. Sophisticated readers will appreciate the detailed narrative describing the evolution of ocean voyages though the richly detailed illustrations are likely to have broader appeal. Photographs (including a young David) and an afterword are included.
Crossing on Time : Steam Engines, Fast Ships, and a Journey to the New World
Charles Schulz’s childhood seemed to portend his future work. Sparky (his nickname) enjoyed the newspaper comics, drew whenever he got the chance, was athletic, and had a dog with personality. Laid out as a comic strip, this brief, engaging, and revealing biography continues through Schulz’s military service during World War II and the creation of his classic strip, “Peanuts.” Additional information finishes the fascinating glimpse of a remarkable artist.
Born to Draw Comics: The Story of Charles Schulz and the Creation of Peanuts
For his 8th birthday, young Mario Molina got a microscope, which launched a career in science. His interest in chemistry led to a doctorate and work on the atmosphere. In an epilogue by Mario, the Mexican-born chemist declares he has now taken on global warming. Additional back matter adds even greater interest in this accessible and appealing biography. The book is also available in Spanish: Mario y el agujero en el cielo: Cómo un químico salvó nuestro planeta (opens in a new window).
Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved our Planet
Jean-Francois Gravele first performed as a child. Walking on ropes required skill, confidence, and daring, which Jean-Francois had in abundance. As an adult, he traveled from France to America and decided he would walk across Niagara Falls — on a rope! This fascinating character comes to life in lively language and dramatic illustrations. Additional information about The Great Blondin (as Jean-Francois became known) and photographs are included.
King of the Tightrope: When the Great Blondin Ruled Niagra
Like the life of Margaret Wise Brown, this is not a typical biography of an author. “Margaret Wise Brown lived for 42 years. This book is 42 pages long.” And while nobody’s entire life can fit in 42 pages, the important things can. In a conversational narration, key elements of Brown’s life and contributions are highlighted, illustrated in gently line and soft colors. Altogether, this is a fitting tribute to a singular author.
The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown
Aaron Lansky always remembered his grandmother’s immigration story when she was forced to give up her candlesticks and her Yiddish book. Aaron also loved books. An informal narration and darkly hued illustrations (which the illustrator notes pay homage to Marc Chagall) introduce a fascinating man whose work continues in the Yiddish Book Center. Additional information concludes this attractive and informative biography.
The Book Rescuer
Anna Mertz helps an orphaned black rhinoceros named Samia prepare for life in a sanctuary. How Anna and Samia became best friends forever is told with verve and humor, complemented by engaging, stylized illustrations. An afterword with information about Anna, Samia, and rhinos as well as additional resources is included.
Anna and Samia: The True Story of Saving a Black Rhino
Many years ago, Eleanor Foraker, better known as Ellie, “helped change the world with a needle and thread.” She and her team worked for a company that made clothing for women and babies. They entered a spacesuit design competition and won. Ellie and team’s A7L spacesuit was worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to walk on the moon. Actual events inspired this unique look at space exploration.
The Spacesuit: How a Seamstress Helped Put a Man on the Moon
Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach, but eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away…and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on? In this autobiographical graphic novel, Telgemeier gives young readers an honest and compassionate look at one girl’s struggles with anxiety.
Guts
From the first time she saw a shark in an aquarium, Eugenie was enthralled. Instead of frightening and ferocious eating machines, she saw sleek, graceful fish gliding through the water. After she became a scientist — an unexpected career path for a woman in the 1940s — she began taking research dives and training sharks, earning her the nickname “The Shark Lady.”
Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark
Alan Bean was not the first but the fourth man to walk on the Moon. However, he was the first astronaut to create paintings inspired by what he saw on and from the Moon. The highly readable, handsomely illustrated look at the Apollo 12 astronaut includes information gleaned from interviews with him as well as back matter (biographical information, a timeline and bibliography). This is a unique look at the moon and its impact on one artist/astronaut, sure to inspire others.
The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The True Story of Alan Bean
Yogi Berra was one of a kind. He didn’t excel in school but is still quoted today. And in spite of the naysayers, Yogi went on to become an admired ballplayer. His story is told in rich, detailed illustrations and lucid text, interspersed with “Yogi-isms”. In addition to more detail about Berra’s life and times, baseball aficionados will appreciate the statistics included in the back matter.
Yogi: The Life, Loves, and Language of Baseball Legend Yogi Berra
Velma Bronn Johnson, nicknamed Wild Horse Annie, was born in Nevada. In spite of having polio, Annie was able to ride horses again. Later, when she saw hundreds of wild horses killed to make room for cattle, Annie became an activist. She worked to pass the 1971 law protecting mustangs on federal land. Conversational text is accompanied by loose, swirling illustrations to present an overview of one woman’s fight to save a piece of the Wild West.
Wild Horse Annie: Friend of the Mustangs
Emily Warren was a bright girl who grew into a determined, intelligent, self-taught woman. After her husband, Washington Roebling, fell ill while building the Brooklyn Bridge, it was Emily who interpreted Washington’s drawings and carried out the plans over ten years. This is a fascinating examination of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and the people and engineering behind it, revealed in spritely illustration and accessible language.
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Build the Brooklyn Bridge
You may not have heard of Edwin Binney but chances are you’ve used his invention: Crayola crayons. Binney’s determination to come up with ways for children to create and draw with non-dusty color led to the invention. His life and legacy (and even how the name Crayola was crafted) makes a memorable story. Illustrated in color and brought right up to contemporary crayon making, this is a fascinating and well documented look at one man’s continuing legacy.
The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons
A picture book biography of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved writers of all time. Young Jane was a bit quiet and shy, but she observed people and loved to read. She devoured everything in her father’s massive library and before long, she began creating her own stories — and went on to invent an entirely new kind of novel.
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
Born in England in the early 19th century, Anna was encouraged by her father to observe, study, and document the natural world. Together, they also experimented with light as a way to photograph and record her botanic specimens. Unfortunately, none of the photographs exist today as the “prints faded over time, like memories.” Later she created books using cyanotype (known today as sun prints). Lush but muted illustrations in blues and white evoke the period and this scientist’s work. Additional resources are included.
The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs
Though Eleanor Roosevelt was born into privilege, she developed a keen sense of justice and fairness. In a highly readable narration, Eleanor’s life is presented, enhanced by photographs and primary sources. Also included are a timeline and bibliography.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Fighter for Justice
From a very young age, Barbara Jordan had a voice that stood out. The repeated refrain, “what can you do with a voice like that?” is answered as Jordan grows personally and politically. Even after retiring from the U.S. Congress, Jordan continued to use her voice to educate and inspire. Handsomely illustrated, this brief but informative look at the impact of one woman is highly readable. Additional resources are included.
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
Michelle Obama is revealed here through the lens of her official White House photographer and a brief but informative text. Obama’s verve and interests are evident throughout this lively book. For preschoolers, Alison Oliver’s board book, Michele Obama (opens in a new window), can inspire parents to talk with young children about how to “be inspirational” while remaining true to one’s self.