Anne Bustard: Children's Author

Unknown Birthday: George Washington Carver

by Anne on October 27, 2009

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.

October 27 Birthday: Nawal El Sadaawi

by Anne on October 27, 2009

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.

October 27 Birthday: Theodore Roosevelt

by Anne on October 27, 2009

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.

October 27 Birthday: Ruby Dee

by Anne on October 27, 2009

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 biography of Ruby Dee and listen to her interviews on the National Visionary Leadership Project site.