From the monthly archives:
Benjamin Harrison, U.S. PresidentLives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
“Human Iceberg” Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd U.S. president and grandson of a president is highlighted in one paragraph in this collective biography.
See a snapshot biography of Benjamin Harrison at the White House Kids site.
William “Bill” Clinton, U.S. PresidentLives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
The jazz sax playing 42nd president of the U.S. is highlighted in humor and fact within the pages of this collective biography.
To learn more about Clinton and his presidency, visit the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Into the Air: The Story of the Wright Brothers’ First Flight by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Bill Wylie (Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2002)
Trial and error. And lots of perseverance and smarts. That’s what it took to get the first successful flying machine off the ground. Comic-book style art brings the Wright’s triumph to life.
Find an online biography of Wright at NASA as well as information at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Roberto Clemente, athleteRoberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Raul Colon (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2005)
Inspirational. From Clemente’s childhood of poverty to World Series triumph, and then tragic death, Clemente lives on as a role model on and off the field.
Continue reading about Clemente at his Official Web site or find out more about him at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
A Picture Book Biography of Lewis and Clark by David A. Adler, illustrated by Ronald Himler (Holiday House, 2003)
The spirit of adventure is captured in this book about Lewis and Clark’s most celebrated journey—the expedition of the West.
Visit Discovering Lewis & Clark, an online “hyperhistory in progress” and retrace the steps of these explorers and more
See also: Aug. 1, William Clark.
Davy Crockett, “King of the Wild Frontier”A Picture Book of Davy Crockett by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner (Holiday House, 1996)
Remember the Alamo. The life and times of Davy Crockett, real-hero and folk hero, are brought to life in this picture book biography of an American icon.
Visit The Alamo.
Play Ball! by Jorge Posada with Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raul Colon (Simon& Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2006)
Dreams can come true. New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada’s perseverance and hard work are captured in this story based on his childhood in Puerto Rico. Way cool–this book is also available in Spanish.
To learn more about Jorge Posada’s stats, visit Baseball-Reference.
George Littlechild, artist and authorThis Land is My Land by George Littlechild (Children’s Book Press, 1993)
Part autobiography, part history, Littlechild matches his words with his bold, colorful art in this book about his life and the lives of other Native American peoples. Littlechild is a member of the Plains Cree Nation.
Resources about George Littlechild can be found in the Native American Authors Project page.
The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani (Charlesbridge, 2008)
Not yet published, but in the queue, this bio about the brothers who invented eye-popping colors is sure to be a hit.
