Radioactive!

By Winifred Conkling

Published by Algonquin Young Readers

This is a little known story about how two female physicists groundbreaking discoveries led to the creation of the atomic bomb.  Their names were Irène Curie (Marie Curie’s daughter) and Lise Meitner.

Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass

By Dean Robbins and Illustrated by Selina Alko

Published by Orchard Books

In Two Friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, are having tea together and talking about their fight for women’s and African American’s rights. The concept for this story is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York.

Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor

By Emily Arnold McCully

Published by Square Fish

With her sketch book and her father’s toolbox Mattie could made many things.  When she grew up she invented a machine that made square-bottom paper bags that we still use today.  A man sued Mattie and claimed he invented it.  He said Mattie, a woman, was not smart enough to have designed it.  In court, Mattie proved him wrong.

To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space

By Carmella Van Vleet and Dr. Kathy Sullivan; Illustrated by Nicole Wong

Published by Charlesbridge

Young Kathy Sullivan wanted to go everywhere an explore things, but there was one problem.  Only men were supposed to do those things. Kathy didn’t care.  She followed her heart and did what she wanted to do.  She became a NASA astronaut and was the first women to walk in space.

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

 By Johnny Ray Moore and Illustrated by Amy Wummer

Published by Ideals Children Books

This board book with only 200 words tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. This simple account begins with King’s childhood, which will make it easier of little ones to relate to his story.

We March

By Shane W. Evans (Author and Illustrator)

Published by Square Fish

We March takes place on August 28, 1963, when over 250,000 people gathered in Washington D. C., to march for jobs and freedom. The march began at the Washington Monument and ended with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Doreen Rappapoort  and Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Published by Hyperion Book CH

This award winning picture is my favorite book about Martin Luther King, Jr.  The book interlaces Dr. King’s words with his life story.  It is a memorable portrait of the man whose dream changed American.

HAPPY READING! 

In 1890, just in time for the Christmas season, Harper & Brothers published Nast’s book of Christmas drawings entitled Christmas Drawings for the Human Race. The booked featured drawings that had previously appeared in Harper’s Weekly from 1863 to 1886 and new drawings Nast created just for the book.

Nast used holly, mistletoe, and evergreen boughs to enhance his drawings.  His five children modeled for him and he used the rooms in his house as a stage for many of his drawings.

Christmas Flirtation

In a drawing entitled Christmas Flirtation, Nast drew his daughter Julia standing in front of the fireplace mantel below a sprig of mistletoe covered with berries. In England, it was a custom for boys to pluck a berry from the mistletoe every time they kissed a girl. When all the berries were gone, the privilege of kissing ended. Evidently, Nast was implying that Julia did not want the privilege of kissing to end too soon.

Another Stocking to Fill

Christmas Eve was a joyous occasion in the Nast home. Nast arranged presents around the candle-lit family Christmas tree.  Intermixed with the presents were big elaborate paper dolls that Nast created for his children.

Thomas Nast loved Christmas and was inspired by Clement Moore’s poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Moore, a biblical scholar at the Episcopal seminary in New York City, wrote the poem for his children as a Christmas gift in 1822. The poem was first published a year later in the Troy Sentinel and began with the famous words, “’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;”

Santa Claus and His Magical Reindeer

In his drawings, Nast portrayed Santa Claus as Moore described him in his poem as a round-bellied white bearded man of “good cheer.” Nast also drew Santa riding around on Christmas Eve, distributing toys to good little girls and boys in a sleigh pulled by eight magical reindeer—Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.

Naughty or Nice

To Moore’s Santa Claus, Nast added a red suit trimmed in white fur and a workshop at the North Pole. The North Pole was an isolated place where Santa Claus could work without interruption. From the North Pole, Nast drew Santa Claus watching children through his telescope to see if they were being naughty or nice.

Letters for Santa Claus

Then he showed Santa Claus documenting their behaviors in his account book. Nast also originated the idea that children could send Santa Claus mail at the North Pole and he read all their letters.

Marooned: The Strange but True Adventures of Alexander Selkirk, the Real Robinson Crusoe 

By Robert Kraske and Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker

Published Clarion Books

After arguing with the ship’s captain, Alexander Selkirk, was thrown off the ship and put ashore on an uninhabited island.  He spent four years alone.  After he was rescued, his adventures became of basis of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe.

The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill: Growing Up Billy Cody in Bleeding Kansas

By Andrea Warren

Published by: Two Lions

This is the story of Buffalo Bill Cody the showman, scout, hunter and one of the greatest entertainers of his era.  His shows featured cowboys, Indians, trick riding, and sharpshooting.

Dr. Seuss: The Great Doodler

By Kate Klima and Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

The story of how Theodore Geisel, the great doodler, became the beloved Dr. Seuss.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind 

By William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Published by Puffin Books

This bestselling memoir from William Kamkwamba, a young inventor who bought electricity to his Malawian village, has been adapted for young readers.

Happy Reading!

For Thanksgiving in 1869, Harper’s Weekly published a drawing entitled Uncle Sam’s Thanksgiving Dinner by Thomas Nast.  Nast intended his drawing to support the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibited the denial of voting rights due to race.

In the drawing, Uncle Sam is carving a turkey and sitting around the table are Americans from around the world:  Germany, France, Britain, Africa, China, Italy, Spain, and Ireland. Also seated at the table is an American Indian.

On the wall above the table are portraits of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Ulysses Grant. Next to Grant’s portrait is a painting of Castle Garden. Before Ellis Island was established, Castle Garden was the main entry point for immigrants entering the United States. The painting is labeled “Welcome.”

At the bottom of the drawing on the left side Nast wrote, “Come One Come All,” and on the right side, “Free and Equal.”

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

By Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Greg Shed

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Joseph Bruchac has written a moving thanksgiving story about how Squanto, a Native American, who helped the passengers of the Mayflower survive after landing in the new world. He felt the newcomers and his tribe could be friends and live in peace. After a good harvest, Squanto’s tribe and the pilgrims celebrated with a feast which is now and American tradition.

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

By Laurie Halse Anderson and Illustrated by Matt Faulkner

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

This tale of persistence has always impressed me.  For thirty-five years Sarah Hale petitioned for thanksgiving day to become a national holiday.  President Abraham Lincoln finally signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863 and Thanksgiving Day became a national holiday.

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade

Written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

One of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving morning is the watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. In “Balloons over Broadway” Melissa Sweet tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg whose giant helium balloons became the trademark of the parade. Sweet’s charming mixed media collages brilliantly illustrate the story.

Happy Reading!

George Eastman, the  inventor of photographic film and founder of the Eastman Kodak company, liked to bake.  His favorite dessert was Lemon Pie.  He always ate at least two big slices.  I obtained his recipe from the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York.

George Eastman’s Lemon Pie recipe

6 eggs

2 lemons

1 cup sugar

Beat the yolks of six eggs with one cup of granulated sugar.  Add grated rind and juice of two lemons.  Cook fifteen minutes in double boiler, stirring constantly.  Take from fire, and when cool, add the beaten whites of three eggs.  Fill a pie crust that has been baked a light brown.  Make meringue with the three remaining egg whites, top off, and put in oven to brown.

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

By Lindsay Matick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This is an endearing true story of the bear Winnie, who inspired the character Winnie-the- Pooh.

Sally Ride: A Photobiography of America’s Pioneering Woman in Space

By Tam O’Shaughnessy

Published by Roaring Brook Press

This intriguing photobiography covers the life and achievements of astronaut Sally Ride.

Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American

By Don Brown

Published by Roaring Brook Press

The story behind the most famous duel in American history between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.

White House Kids: The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pratfalls of the Presidents’ Children 

By Joe Rhatigan and Illustrated by Jay Shin

Published by Imagine

Life you the White House has a lot of perks but there is a down side.  Check out what the President’s children had to say

I am often asked why I write biographies for children. Since my favorite books are biographies, the answer is simple—because I like to read them. Every life has a story and nothing pleases me more than to curl up with book about someone I want to know more about. My favorite biographies are historical. I want to know about the times the person lived in and the choices they made in their lives.

I became fascinated with George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak, after visiting the George Eastman House, in Rochester, New York. The grounds were gorgeous, the house was filled with beautiful furnishing, and an organ any church would be proud to own. From the docent I learned that George Eastman invented the word Kodak and it became his companies’ trademark. Then I went upstairs and viewed a display of Brownie cameras. The display mentioned a big camera give away that George Eastman sponsored. I remembered my grandmother telling me she had been given a Brownie camera, from her local camera shop, when she was twelve years old. I was hooked.

Fifty percent of the success of a biography depends on WHO you write about. The other fifty percent is having enough interesting material to make  books appealing to young readers. It didn’t take me long to realized I had made a good choice. The archives at the George Eastman House and University of Rochester were filled material.

I spent six months gathering my research and compiling it in to lengthy typed notes (my script.)  I cited my source on each page of my notes. Then I came up with my story in a sentence to keep me on tract while writing my manuscript. Two of Eastman’s quotes helped me create it.

George Eastman was determined to make is company, Eastman Kodak, “the largest manufacture of photographic material in the world” and he didn’t “believe in men getting ready to die “before using any of their money for helpful purposes.”

My next step was to organize my notes by chapters following a chronological time frame and develop a short outline. Then, I picked my hook chapter and began writing. I took me five months of research and three months of writing to complete my manuscript.

Book Giveaway: Comment on this post and you may win a copy of George Eastman: Bringing Photography to the People.