by Anne on October 30, 2008
John Adams, U.S. President
Oct. 30, 1735-July 4, 1826
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
An early riser, this president had the longest life of any in this office. Adams was the 2nd U.S. president, served one term and had a horse named Cleopatra.
Read more about Adams at the WhiteHouse.gov page devoted to him.
Charles Atlas, athlete
Oct. 30, 1892-Dec. 23, 1972
Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas by Meghan McCarthy (Knopf, 2007)
Angelo Siciliano was a one-man revolution for fitness. Tired of being a weak and skinny kid, Angelo embarked on a quest for physical health. A trip to a local museum where he saw a statue of Hercules, and a visit to his favorite thinking place, the zoo, where he watched a lion stretch his muscles fueled Siciliano’s inspiration. He took a new name to go with his new muscles—Charles Atlas—and was ultimately named “The World’s Most Perfectly Developed Man.” Atlas inspired millions to exercise, eat right and live right.
Print out a copy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [PDF Version - 7.8 MB) to learn more about keeping healthy.
by Anne on October 28, 2008
Lady Liberty, statue extraordinaire
Oct. 28, 1886 dedication
Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick Press, 2008)
Vignettes written from the perspective of those who created the Statue of Liberty offer moving accounts of her inspiring story. From Edouard De Laboulaye, a professor of law in France who dreamed of giving this birthday gift from his country; to Emma Lazarus, who wrote a poem in Liberty’s honor; to Florence De Foreest, a young girl who was one of more than 100,000 people in America who contributed to the campaign to raise funds; this is a story of honor and hope and love. One of the best book cover designs, ever. And the interior art is glorious, too.
You can visit the Statue of Liberty online. Take a look at the beautiful photo gallery, read about Lady Liberty’s history and take the Junior Ranger Program self-guided program for kids.
by Anne on October 28, 2008
George Washington Carver, scientist
c. 1864-Jan. 5, 1943
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki (Aladdin, 1988)
Born a slave, George Washington Carver loved to learn and became one of America’s most important agriculturists.
Visit the George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri preserved by the National Park Service.
by Anne on October 27, 2008
Ruby Dee, actress and activist
Oct. 27, 1924-
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
Dee’s Broadway debut in South Pacific was in 1943. Dee was and is an advocate for social issues of our times.
Read a biographical sketch of Ruby Dee and listen to an interview with her and her late husband, Ossie Davis on the PBS African American World site.
Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President
Oct. 27, 1858-Jan. 6, 1919
Theodore by Frank Keating, illustrated by Mike Wimmer (Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster, 2006)
The oil-on-canvas illustrations in this book should be hanging in an art museum. Wow. This biography of Teddy Roosevelt, told in his own words, offered me more than facts. I felt as if I also knew Roosevelt’s heart
The Theodore Roosevelt Association hosts a web site devoted to TR. Teddy and the Children’s Room
Also check out the Smithsonian exhibit: Theodore Roosevelt: Icon of the American Century.
Nawal El Sadaawi, advocate
Oct. 27, 1931-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005
“N” is for Nawal, in this collective biography about women. El Sadaawi is an advocate for women’s rights, doctor and writer. Born in Egypt, she was imprisioned for her views of Arab women but has been released.
Visit Nawalsaadawi.net for more info.
by Anne on October 26, 2008
Mahalia Jackson, musician
Oct. 26, 1911-Jan. 27, 1972
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001)
Renowned gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson “brought the blues feeling into church music.” Born in New Orleans, she moved to the city of Chicago when she was a teenager. It was there that Jackson found her voice.
America’s Library has a small feature on Mahalia Jackson with photos that would be of great interest to children.
