From the monthly archives:
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
Best known for her Earthsea fantasy series, Le Guin is featured as “U” in this collective biography of women.
Visit Ursula Le Guin’s web site to read more about the Earthsea series, current work and other facts.
Dizzy by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2006)
Everything changed the day Dizzy Gillespie’s music teacher gave him a trumpet. From that moment on, Gillespie channeled all his feelings into his music. Jazz was his music and with it he created a whole new sound, BEBOP.
Drop by PBS.org to learn more about the man and his music from Ken Burns’ Jazz.
Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Julie Maren (Dial, 2005)
When this salsa superstar was a child, her neighbors crowded the street to hear her sing to her family. Jewel toned illustrations add much to this vibrant story of her life.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History featured Celia Cruz in a exhibit called Azucar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.
Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)
A performer at nine, Jackson sang country for years. Until she sang with Elvis. Then she became known as the Queen of Rockabilly.
At Wanda Jackson.com you’ll find tour dates, photos, biographical info and the latest news on Jackson.
What Charlie Heard by Mordicai Gerstein (Frances Foster/FSG, 2002)
A composer of innovative music, Charles Ives realized his dream at 77 years of age! What an inspiration. This is one of my all-time favorite picture book biographies.
Visit the Charles Ives Society web site for background information, works, and useful links.
