Tag Archives: Biographies

Nature’s Friend: The story behind the story

At the age of 60, after seven years of writing, and at least 20 drafts of the story, my first picture book was published this summer—Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story. (Sleeping Bear Press; Ages 5-9.) I find it fitting … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Book Reviews for Ages 6-9, Interviews, Late Bloomers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Late Bloomer: Author Cynthia Surrisi

  I’m pleased to present the first in a series of guest posts at “A is for Aging, B is for Books.”      Late Bloomers defy age stereotypes and help show us the way to tap into our creativity … Continue reading

Posted in Late Bloomers | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

5 Picture Book Biographies Highlight Older Role Models

Picture book biographies including the third stage of life offer huge benefits to young readers. Kids absorb adventure, perseverance, creativity and joy shown over the course of an evolving life. Unlike the majority of picture books with an older character, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews for Ages 6-9, Especially For Teachers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 5 Picture Book Biographies Highlight Older Role Models

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton

Written and illustrated by Don Tate Peachtree Publishing 2015, ages 7-10 Topics: African-American pride, creativity, life experience, literacy, perseverance, poetry, slavery This award winning story begins, “George loved words. He wanted to learn how to read, but George was enslaved.” … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews for Ages 6-9 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau: An A is for Aging Book Review

The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau Written by Michelle Markel & illustrated by Amanda Hall   (Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 2012) For ages—5-9 Themes/Topics—Arts, creativity, non-fiction bio, perseverance, resilience Opening— “Henri Rousseau wants to be an artist. Not a … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews for Ages 3-6 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children By Jan Pinborough; illus. by Debby Atwell (Houghton Mifflin, 2013; ages 6-9) “Once in a big house in Limerick, Maine, there lived a little girl name Annie Carroll … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews for Ages 6-9 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman.  (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014) Ages 5-8                                             … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Book Reviews for Ages 3-6, Book Reviews for Ages 6-9, Especially For Teachers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Mr. Cornell’s Dream Boxes

Mr. Cornell’s Dream Boxes by Jeanette Winter. Beach Lane Books 2014. Non-fiction ages 4-8. Themes: Arts, bio, creativity, dreams, intergenerational, memory This selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday begins, “If you had lived on Utopia Parkway not so long ago, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews for Ages 3-6, Book Reviews for Ages 6-9 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

6 Picture Book Bios Show the Joy of Long Lives

I’m a big fan of picture book biographies, especially since finding six that showcase the arc of a long life well-lived. And when the subject labors with joy and tenacity at a career that brings them happiness and satisfaction late … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Book Reviews for Ages 3-6, Inspiration and Profiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Henri’s Scissors: An “A is for Aging” Book Review

Henri’s Scissors is a picture book bio of artist Henri Matisse featuring burgeoning creativity in old age–and the cherry on top? Author/illustrator Jeanette Winter is herself past midlife—a veteran artist showing us her own talents. She traces the early life … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Book Reviews for Ages 3-6, Book Reviews for Ages 6-9 | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments