Clara and Dave

CLARA AND DAVE: THE TRUE STORY OF YOUNG CLARA BARTON by Patricia Polacco. Scholastic.

Young Clara Barton
Becomes a famous nurse thanks
To her brother Dave.

Slice of Life

A PICTURE BOOK OF DANIEL BOONE y David Adler with illustrations by Matt Collins. Holiday House, 2013.

ANNE FRANK'S CHESTNUT TREE by Jane Kohuth with illustrations by Elizabeth Sykes. Random House, 2013.

JFK by Jonah Winter with illustrations by AG Ford. Katherine Tegen Books, 2013.

Here are three books that provide a slice of life glimpse into the life of Anne Frank, JFK, and Daniel Boone. All three forms and formats are a bit different from the other. Provide sets of books like these to kids (and the age range here can be from beginning readers to high school depending on the final product requested/desired). Allow time for comparison and contrast. Bring in next other sets of biographies about these three individuals (that should not be tough at all). Compare and contrast information, approach, story, etc. There really is no limit to what can be done in a classroom with these books.

Life lessons

As I did yesterday, I am forgoing a simple recitation of the contents of the picture book biographies below. They represent people who have made contributions in a variety of fields. Some are key players (Mandela) and some may be unknown to readers (Lodner Phillips). However, there are a couple of approaches to using this set of books:

1. Have students create a reading ladder with them. The ladders could be organized from simplest to most complex text or from least to most important contributions. This can be done in a group or individually. Ladders would then be displayed in the walls or on the classroom blog.

2. Use these as a jumping off point for older students. They can select one to read. Make notes. Then as them to pursue other sources of information (this might just prevent Google or Wikipedia from being the initial contact for information).

3. Compare and contrast these picture book biographies from an artistic perspective. Why certain color palettes? Why different media and techniques?

4. Compare and contrast cover design and talk about how each "sells" the book.

5. Have students locate other books by these authors. Do they write biographies exclusively? What observations can me made about the author? Perhaps, an author study?

WHEN THE BEAT WAS BORN: DJ KOOL HERC AND THE CREATION OF HIP HOP by Laban Carrick Hill with illustrations by Theodore Taylor III. Roaring Brook Press, 2013.

FLYING SOLO: HOW RUTH ELDER SOARED INTO AMERICA'S HEARTS by Julie Cummoins with illustrations by Malene Laughsen. Roaring Brook, 2013.

NELSON MANDELA by Kadir Nelson. Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, 2013.

PAPA'S MECHANICAL FISH by Candace Fleming with illustrations by RIS Kulikov. FSG, 2013.

THE BOIY WHO LOVED MATH: THE IMPROBABLE LIFE OF PAUL ERDOS by Deborah Heiligman with illustrations by LeUyen Pham. Roaring Brook, 2013.

Go, Diego, Go!

DIEGO RIVERA: AN ARTIST FOR THE PEOPLE by Susan Goldman Rubin. Abrams, 2013.

The life and loves of Diego Rivera are captured in this picture book biography by Rubin. From his fascination with the working class as subjects for his murals to his marriages, to his weight: Rubin gives readers some insight into the man and the artist and his legacy.

biographes

YOU NEVER HEARD OF WILLIE MAYS? by Jonah Winter and Terry Widener. Schwartz and Wade, 2013.

From the cover which moves between two illustrations of Mays to the details of his childhood to his life in the majors, fans of the game will appreciate this biography. More about dedication and determination than simply sports, this is a good example to share as a mentor text with readers.

THE BEAUTIFUL LADY: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE by Pat Mora with illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. Knopf, 2013.

Mora offers readers the story of the lowly peasant who was visited by Mary and asked to deliver a message to the bishop about the need for a church to be built. Fancher and Johnson's illustrations add depth to the story, mirroring the culture in which the story is set.

A SPLASH OF RED: THE LIFE AND ART OF HORACE PIPPIN by Jen Bryant with illustrations by Melissa Sweet. Knopf, 2013.

A self-taught painter, Horace Pippin's story shows grit and drive. Severely wounded during World War I, Horace had to learn to paint and draw using hi left hand. His work is featured in many modern museums of art.

Narrative Nonfiction: Biography and History

WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN'T BE DOCTORS: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH BLACKWELL by Tanya Lee Stone with illustrations by Marjorie Priceman. Holt 2013.

A perfect picture book to share with kids about the determination of one woman to become the first female doctor. This slice of life biography takes Blackwell from childhood to her graduation from medical school. Contemporary students need to see examples of those who came before and fought for rights. Here is a good place to start. <708>

HENRY AND THE CANNONS by Don Brown. Roaring Brook Press, 2013.

After the British occupied Boston, Washington knew that he needed some heavy artillery to force them out again. He wished he could have the cannons at hand. Thanks to the planning and dedication of Henry Knox, the cannons were transported to Boston where they caused the British to flee. The work of ordinary citizens during the Revolution shows how there were many people who played important roles in the battle for freedom. <709>

Martin and Mahalia

MARTIN AND MAHALIA: HIS WORDS AND HER SONGS by Andrea Davis Pinkney with illustrations by Brian Pinkney. LBYR, 2013.

Two titans of the Civil Rights Movements are together in this lustrous book by Pinkney and Pinkney. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson both lent their voices during the struggle. The story moves back and forth between the two life stories and unites there at the Washington Monument. Here is a picture book which should be shared with readers of all ages. <614>

Short biographies for Young Readers

SPIRIT SEEKER: JOHN COLTRANE'S MUSICAL JOURNEY by Gary Golio with illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez. Clarion Books, 2012.

John Coltrane's music
Grew from childhood exposure
To song and sorrow. <528>

NOAH WEBSTER AND HIS WORDS by jeri Chase Ferris with illustrations by Vincent Kirsch. Houghton Mifflin, 2012.

Webster loved his words
And made it his lifetime goal
To gather them all. <529>

Nonfiction Picture Books

WRITE ON MERCY: THE SECRET LIFE OF MERCY OTIS WARREN by Gretchen Woelfle with illustrations by Alexandra Wallner (Calkins Creek 2012) is a must have picture book to fill in gaps in textbooks, especially gaps about the contributions of women and other underrepresented populations in terms of contributions to history, science, and the arts. Mercy Otis Warren wrote about politics but did so mostly in secret. In the 1700s, women were not permitted to have a clarion voice. Warren's family and friends knew her as a published author, but it was some time before her identity was known to the general public. <229>



SILENT STAR: THE STORY OF DEAF MAJOR LEAGUER WILLIAM HOY by Bill Wise with illustrations by Adam Gustavson (Lee and Low 2012) tells the story of how William Hoy managed to rise from back lots to the major leagues despite a childhood illness that caused him to lose his hearing. As a matter of fact, because of Hoy's deafness, coaches began to use the now commonplace hand signals for batters. <230>




Connie Nordheim Wooldridge's JUST FINE THE WAY THEY ARE with illustrations by Richard Walz (Calkins Creek 2011) is subtitled FROM DIRT ROADS TO RAIL ROADS TO INTERSTATES. It presents information in a bouncy narrative about how transportation has progressed over time as well as how some folks were happy with things the way they were. Pair this with Gail Gibbons' NEW ROAD. <231>




I, GALILEO by Bonnie Christensen (Knopf 2012) tells the story of Galileo as if it were an autobiography. Galileo tells of his discoveries and how he was castigated by the church for daring to contradict their teachings despite his scientific observations to the contrary. Tie this one to Peter Sis' STARRY MESSENGER. <232>




BON APETIT: THE DELICIOUS LIFE OF JULIA CHILD by Jessie Harland (Schwartz and Wade 2012) tells of the life of one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. From her childhood to her adolescence and finally her adulthood, Hartland presents the story of Childs' life and her eventual passion with French cuisine and with writing cookbooks. Recipes, maps, and all manner of information crowd around illustrations giving readers plenty to chew on. <233>





If A BLACK HOLE IS NOT A HOLE (Charlesbridge 2012), then what is it exactly? Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano answers this central question in clear language with plenty of illustrative examples (courtesy of illustrator Michael Carroll) served with a healthy dollop of humor as well. Despite the rather complex science behind black holes, this text will be accessible to many readers. Science teachers will want to add this to their collections. <234>

Celebrate Picture Books All Year: Nonfiction Selections

SECRETS OF THE GARDEN by Kathleen Zoehfeld with illustrations by Priscilla Lamont (Knopf) is subtitled FOOD CHAINS AND THE FOOD WEB IN OUR BACKYARD. Science teachers will appreciate this examination of how the food chain works as well as the information on things kids can do in their own backyards. Though a fictional story, there is plenty of fact here. <599>



Ruth Kaiser's THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS (Golden Books) takes ordinary objects and looks at them from a different perspective. See, on the cover, how a handbag, an electrical strip, and other objects become smiley faces. Pair this one with Arlene Alda's ABCs and some of Tana Hoban's work such as LOOK AGAIN for good ways to show kids how to look at things and see more than meets the eye initially. <600>



MRS. HARKNESS AND HER PANDA by Alicia Potter with illustrations by Melissa Sweet (Knopf) is the true story of a woman whose husband died while on a trip to China to bring a panda back to America. And so she decided to complete his expedition at a time (1936) when women most decidedly did not do that sort of thing. Harkness was successful in her quest and returned to America with Su Lin (a little bit of something cute). <601>



GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY is billed as a MOSTLY TRUE STORY by Margaret McNamara with illustrations by Barry Blitt (Schwartz and Wade). In a book that is story with factual notes on the pages as well (at the bottom of the page in different type face and in a box), readers will learn about young George and his adventures and dreams. An afterword by George himself will delight readers. <602>



Journey back in time to meet A BOY CALLED DICKENS by Deborah Hopkinson with illustrations by John Hendrix (Schwartz and Wade). Here is a perfect book to let kids know about an author whose work came from his own childhood experiences as a street urchin of sorts while the rest of his family languished in debtor's prison. Later, introduce readers to Diane Stanley's biography of Charles Dickens, DICKENS: THE MAN WHO HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS. <603>



10 VALENTINE FRIENDS by Janet Schulman with illustrations by Linda Davick (Knopf) is a counting book perfect for sharing at Valentine's Day (of course). Rhyming couplets explain the card choices made by each of the ten friends. <604>



Anita Lobel tackies colors and numbers in 10 HUNGRY RABBITS (Knopf). Join the rabbit family as they gather yellow peppers, red tomatoes, blue blueberries and other veggies and then wait for Mama Rabbit to make a delicious meal from their harvest. <605>



Set in Africa during the Great Depression here in the US, MY HEART WILL NOT SIT DOWN by Mara Rockliff with illustrations by Ann Tanksley (Knopf) is the story of a young student who is distressed when her teacher talks about how so many people in America are going without food and shelter in the tough economic times. Though her own village has little, she manages to convince everyone to donate what they can to send to America to help. Until she does this, her heart will not sit down. Based on a true story. <606>