Have you noticed the wonderful biographies being published as picture books these days? Have you noticed that there still tend to be more biographies written about men than about women? Julie Cummins has done an excellent job of researching and writing the story of an Amelia Earhart contemporary, a female who was not very well known, but one whose life makes an interesting story. Hip hip hooray for Julie Cummins and for Ruth Elder! May many more women find their way into children's literature!
Along with the story of Ruth Elder, here are three more biographies of men and one almost true story!
Flying Solo: How Ruth
Elder Soared into America’s Heart
By Julie Cummins, illustrated by Malene R. Laugesen
Ruth Elder was a female pilot in the 1920s and 30s, a
contemporary of Amelia Earhart. Cummins details her accomplishments and shows
how this strong, adventurous woman made a place for herself in the annals of
American flight. The end notes give more information about Ruth and other
famous and not so famous female flyers.
Papa is a Poet: A
story about Robert Frost
By Natalie S. Bober, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
While this is a cleverly illustrated picture book, the text
and the context are clearly meant for older children. Told in the voice of his
oldest daughter, Lesley, the story covers her early life when her father,
Robert Frost, was a poet and a chicken farmer. Describing a dreamy, somewhat
idyllic existence, the story also includes some worries about money and alludes
to the difficulty of being a poet when everyone expects you to be more worldly
successful. Upper elementary students who are studying poetry may find this a
useful resource.
The Mad Potter: George
E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius
By Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
Told in short chapters, this is a comprehensive biography of
George Ohr. The author uses George’s own description of himself as a duck born
to a hen, when a strange egg was snuck into her next. But, when he first
discovered a potter’s wheel, he felt like a duck who had found his water.
Scattered throughout the book are pictures of George and his family as well as numerous
pots that he designed and formed. His pottery shop was a tourist attraction at
one time, with George giving demonstrations on his wheel. But, his pottery was
not recognized as the art that it is until after his death. Today, there is a
museum in Biloxi dedicated to his pottery. The end notes include a description
of what to look for when examining a piece of pottery. Definitely for older
readers.
Randolph Caldecott:
The Man who Could Not Stop Drawing
By Leonard S. Marcus
A picture book is the perfect way to honor Randolph
Caldecott, one of the most beloved children’s book illustrators of all time.
Because of the award named after him, even very young children will recognize
his name. But, this book is for older children and particularly for those who
have an interest in art. As a child in the middle of the 1800s, Caldecott was
not exactly encouraged in his art, and when he left a safe bank clerkship to
pursue illustration, there were many who thought he had made a mistake. Marcus
not only explores his life, but his illustrative style and includes numerous
reproductions of Caldecott’s work in these pages. Again, a great book for
middle aged readers.
A Single Pebble: A Story of the Silk Road
By Bonnie Christensen
Mei, a young girl in Chang’an yearns to travel the Silk Road
with her father, but must stay at home. Instead, she sends a pebble with him to
be given to a child at the end of the road. The pebble changes hands many times
and each person who carries it, adds another gift to be given to the child at
the end. The end of the road turns out to be Torcello, within the Republic of
Venice and the young boy who receives the pebble, paraphrases Mei’s words as he
says, “It’s cool like the breeze, and green like seaweed, and smooth like the
water.” A gentle, poetic story and one that can be enjoyed on many different
levels for children of all ages.
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