Anne Bustard: Children's Author

February 12 Birthday: Charles Darwin

by Anne on February 12, 2010

Charles Darwin, naturalist

Feb. 12, 1809-Apr. 19, 1882

thetreeoflife

The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin by Peter Sis (Walker, 2003)

Darwin’s life and ideas are detailed through the text and illustrations. Notes and diary entries from Darwin’s work as well as maps and timelines illuminate the text.

Read what orchidologists have to say about Darwin, his work with orchids and its impact on scientific knowledge.naturalist

February 12 Birthday: Abraham Lincoln

by Anne on February 12, 2010

Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President

Feb. 12, 1809-Apr. 15, 1865

youngabelincoln

Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days 1809-1837 by Cheryl Harness (National Geographic Children’s Books, 1998)

Lincoln was a man of great determination and compassion. This book about his early years shows the roots of those qualities.

Go to the White House for more details about Lincoln’s life.

Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth, social activist

Feb. 12, 1884-Feb. 20, 1980

whattodoaboutalice

What to Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic Press, 2008)

Alice Roosevelt had an appetite for life. She had spark. And verve. Because her father was the president of the United States, her enthusiasms were well documented. Thank goodness. Among other things, young readers will love knowing she had a snake named Emily Spinach and that she interrupted her father’s second term swearing in ceremony.

Learn more about Alice Roosevelt at the Theodore Roosevelt Association.