by Anne on August 30, 2008
Mary Shelley, author
Aug. 30, 1797-Feb. 1, 1851
Through the Tempests Dark and Wild: A Story of Mary Shelley, Creator of Frankenstein by Sharon Darrow, illustrated by Angela Barrett (Candlewick, 2003)
Focused on the teen years “where some believe that Mary’s famous novel took root” this fictionalized picture book biography is a moving account of Shelley, who published her renowned Gothic at the age of nineteen.
A Wikipedia biography of Mary Shelley with additional links is available.
Read an interview with author Sharon Darrow (includes questions related to Through the Tempests) at Cynthia Leitich Smith’s blog.
by Anne on August 29, 2008
Charlie Parker, musician
Aug. 29, 1920-Mar. 12, 1955
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka (Scholastic, 1992)
The words feel like they’re bouncing off the pages of this lively picture book biography of the master of be bop. A read-aloud must.
Visit the Official Site of Charlie “Yardbird” Parker.
by Anne on August 27, 2008
Lyndon Baines Johnson, U.S. President
Aug. 27, 1908-Jan. 22, 1973
Lives of Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Although the Vietnam War dominated the 36th president’s two terms of office, Johnson’s legacy also includes important Civil Rights legislation.
Fantastic resources about LBJ and his presidency are available at the LBJ Library and Museum Kids Homepage
by Anne on August 26, 2008
Mother Teresa, humanitarian, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Aug. 26, 1910-Sept. 5, 1997
Mother Teresa by Demi (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon& Schuster, 2005)
Mother Teresa’s message of service shines through this eloquent biography about her and her devotion to serve the “poorest of the poor.”
See the CNN tribute, Mother Teresa: Angel of Mercy.
by Anne on August 24, 2008
Duke Kahanamoku, athlete
Aug. 24, 1890-Jan. 22, 1968
Duke’s Olympic Feet by Ellie Crowe (Island Heritage, 2002)
Duke Kahanamoku is known by many names: The Ambassador of Aloha, father of surfing, and Olympic swimmer. In this gloriously illustrated picture book biography, Kahanamoku’s challenges as an untrained swimmer who not only participated in the 1912 Olympics, but won a Gold Medal are recorded. Additionally, how Kahanamoku introduced surfing to Australia is chronicled.
Visit the Surfing Museum bio link for more information about Kahanamoku.
