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.
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.
by Anne on October 26, 2009
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.
by Anne on October 25, 2009
Admiral Richard Byrd, explorer
Oct. 25, 1888-Mar. 11, 1957
Black Whiteness by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Walter Lyon Krudop (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1998)
This is a harrowing account of the 1934 Antarctic winter Byrd spent alone at the South Pole. Brrrrr.
See what’s happening today at the South Pole at the Southpolestation.com web site.
by Anne on October 24, 2009
Sarah Hale, author
Oct. 24, 1788-Spr. 30, 1879
Thank you, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002)
It took thirty-eight years of letters to U.S. presidents from Sarah Hale before Thanksgiving became a national holiday. Lincoln made the day official in 1863. “Pick up your pen. Change the world.”
Visit WomenWriters.net to read more about Hale’s contributions as editor and writer.
Theodore by Frank Keating, illustrated by Mike Wimmer (Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster, 2006)
