Anne Bustard: Children's Author

From the category archives:

March

March 31 Birthday: Cesar Chavez

by Anne on March 31, 2010

Cesar Chavez, civil rights activist

Mar. 31, 1927-Apr. 23, 1993

harvesting_hope

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Yuyi Morales (Harcourt, 2003)

A heartfelt account of Chavez’s childhood, his days as a field laborer and as the nonviolent organizer of the 1965 grape boycott.

America’s Library posts several great stories about Chavez for kids.

March 29 Birthday: John Tyler, Jr.

by Anne on March 29, 2010

John Tyler, Jr., U.S. President

Mar. 29, 1790-Jan. 18, 1862

Lives of the Presidents

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

This collective biography devotes one paragraph to the tenth commander and chief. Interesting factoid: Tyler had more children than any other president.

Basic information about Tyler can be found on the Miller Center of Public Affairs University of Virginia site.

March 24 Birthday: Harry Houdini

by Anne on March 24, 2010

Harry Houdini, magician

Mar. 24, 1874-Oct. 31, 1926

houdini

Houdini: World’s Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Eric Velasquez (Walker Books for Young Readers, 2005)

Houdini sawed people in half and wrapped himself in chains—all in the name of magic. This biography offers a look inside his life, his challenges and his performances.

Visit the PBS American Experience site about Houdini, The Man Behind the Myth for a timeline, gallery, teacher’s guide and special features.

March 24 Birthday: John Harrison

by Anne on March 24, 2010

John Harrison, inventor

Mar. 24, 1693-Mar. 24, 1776

man_who_made_time_travel

The Man Who Made Time Travel by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003)

Harrison succeeded in figuring out how to track longitude for ships at sea…after five tries and over thirty-five years. Thank you for your perseverance, Mr Harrison!

The National Maritime Museum dedicates a page to Harrison and the Longitude problem.

March 18 Birthday: Grover Cleveland

by Anne on March 18, 2010

Grover Cleveland, U.S. President

Mar. 18, 1837-June 24, 1908

Lives of the Presidents

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

In one paragraph, the legacy of the 22nd president is summed up. Cleveland was the only president to marry in the White House.

Cleveland
facts are available on the IPL (Internet Public Library) site.