[Car Posts: 965 Status: Offline WWW]

Hi,


I'm looking for suggestions for outstanding/well-reviewed picture book biographies. They should preferably be newer-ish (no older than 2010). Longer books okay but would love to hear about shorter (under 1000 words) books especially.


Thanks so much for any and all suggestions!!


 

[erinobrien Posts: 50 Status: Offline]

I recently read ON A BEAM OF LIGHT: A STORY OF ALBERT EINSTEIN by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. It has a lower word count. It's more of an overview of his life and addresses the way he thought. I thought the language and illustrations moved beautifully. It received great reviews as well.

[LeslieG Posts: 220 Status: Offline WWW]

LOOKING AT LINCOLN by Maira Kalman
THOMAS JEFFERSON: LIFE LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF EVERYTHING also by Maira Kalman

[carrots Posts: 744 Status: Offline]

Just this week I checked out two to inspire me to get cracking on my PB bio WIP. Both are fewer than 1,000 words, with one published in 2010 and the other in 2012. They're wonderful, to boot!!


A BOY CALLED DICKENS by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix


THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY) by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

[RebeccaL-G Posts: 1,223 Status: Offline RA SCBWI Cen-Cal WWW]

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel.  Pictures by Melissa Sweet. 2013 Balzer & Bray. 

[Franzilla Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

I was excited when I read this request because I have read some outstanding biographies lately!


One is THE TREE LADY, by H. Joseph Hopkins and Jill McElmurry. It's about Kate Sessions a woman who changed San Diego forever, by having a passion for trees/plants and planting. It's wonderful. I read it to my six-year-old and she was so inspired, she started dancing around the room declaring she would turn our apartment into a jungle!

Another fabulous one, is ME... JANE. It's deceptively simply but oh-so-wonderful. It's about Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee researcher.

Oh, and MRS HARKNESS AND THE PANDA Alicia Potter, Melissa Sweet). Another one about a woman going against the odds, and animals. Beautiful and funny, touching, lovely.

I also love the two about Jacques Cousteau. There's MANFISH, illustrated by Eric Puybaret; and also THE FANTASTIC UNDERWATER LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU, by Dan Yaccarino.

I hope you enjoy these. I adore them!

[Mike Jung]

I like JUST BEHAVE, PABLO PICASSO! by Jonah Winter and Kevin Hawkes.

[LeslieG Posts: 220 Status: Offline WWW]

Also one about Julia Child: MINETTE'S FEAST by Susanna Reich

[anningalls Posts: 13 Status: Offline WWW]

Can I suggest a book I co-authored with Maryann Macdonald, my dear sister?

LITTLE PIANO GIRL (Houghton Mifflin 2010) is the childhood story of Mary Lou Williams, the First Lady of Jazz. As far as I know, it is still the only picture book about Mary Lou Williams. It was a Crystal Kite finalist, something about which Maryann and I are quite proud. Give it a read and please let us know what you think.

Ann

[Franzilla Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Can I suggest a book I co-authored with Maryann Macdonald, my dear sister?

LITTLE PIANO GIRL (Houghton Mifflin 2010) is the childhood story of Mary Lou Williams, the First Lady of Jazz. As far as I know, it is still the only picture book about Mary Lou Williams. It was a Crystal Kite finalist, something about which Maryann and I are quite proud. Give it a read and please let us know what you think.

Ann

I'll just step in here to say, Yes, you can suggest your book. But only because it's also GREAT! Not surprised you're proud of it.

[Dionna]

You'll love this website, the nonfiction books reviewed, and the many biographies featured!

 http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/

[Franzilla Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

You'll love this website, the nonfiction books reviewed, and the many biographies featured!

 http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/

What a great site!

[Dionna]

It is, isn't it!

[Liz Posts: 1,196 Status: Offline]

Check out books by Ann Malaspina!

Touch the Sky

Heart On Fire

[Stephanie Leeth Posts: 362 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

George Ferris: What a Wheel
by Barbara Lowell