by Anne on November 27, 2011
Jimi Hendrix, musician
November 27, 1942-September 18, 1970
Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (Clarion Books, 2010).
Meet the heart and soul of the rock ‘n’ roller who electrified the 1960s–before he became a star. Through vibrant language and dynamic illustrations, readers are introduced to Hendrix’s childhood friends, his inspirations, his songs, his fire.
The official Jimi Hendrix website offers news, video, music, album information and a bio of this pioneer.
by Anne on November 27, 2011
Bruce Lee, athlete
Nov. 27, 1940-July 20, 1973
Be Water, My Friend: The Early Years of Bruce Lee by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee (Lee & Low Books, 2006)
A master of Kung fu, Chinese American Bruce Lee turned the West on to martial arts.
The Bruce Lee Foundation preserves the legacy of Bruce Lee.
by Anne on November 24, 2011
Frances H. Burnett, writer
Nov. 24, 1849-Oct. 29, 1924
Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)
Burnett, the author of the children’s classic, The Secret Garden, originally illustrated by Tasha Tudor, was nicknamed “Fluffy.” Who knew?
A brief biography of Burnett is posted on a UK site devoted to fantasy.
by Anne on November 23, 2011
Franklin Pierce, U.S. President
Nov. 23, 1804-Oct. 8, 1869
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
One paragraph about the 14th president who put the first Christmas tree in the White House can be found in this collective biography.
Read Pierce’s Inaugural Address on Friday, March 4, 1853, posted on The Avalon Project at the Yale Law School.
by Anne on November 22, 2011
Sieur De La Salle a.k.a. Rene-Robert Cavelier, explorer
Nov. 22, 1643-Mar. 20, 1687
Despite All Obstacles: LaSalle and the Conquest of the Mississippi by Joan Elizabeth Goodman, illustrated by Tom McNeely (Mikaya Press, 2001)
Follow La Salle from his birth in France through his Mississippi adventures through a text filled with excerpts from letters, diaries and journals.
The Handbook of Texas Online provides a biographical sketch of La Salle.
