by Anne on October 13, 2009
Art Tatum, musician
Oct. 13, 1907-Nov. 5, 1956
Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum by Robert Andrew Parker (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2008)
Mostly self-taught, Tatum began playing the piano as a young child. Because of his poor eyesight, he could not participate in many activities. The piano was his refuge and strength. Word spread and soon he was playing in cafes, bars and the local radio station in his hometown of Toledo. Written in first person, this is a humble story of a gifted child who becomes one of the all-time jazz greats.
Watch and listen to Art Tatum play “Humoresque” on YouTube, his signature tune.
Frida Kahlo, artist
July 6, 1907-July 13, 1954
Frida by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Ana Juan (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002)
Kahlo, a Mexican painter, often used herself as the subject of her work. She was married to muralist Diego Rivera.
The Tate Gallery in London posts an exhibit and information about Kahlo on its site.
Rachel Carson, biologist
May 27, 1907-April 14, 1964
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
Back in the day, Carson’s book Silent Spring, published in 1962, had a huge impact on the environmental movement…and still does.
RachelCarson.org is a “website devoted to the life and legacy of Rachel Carson.
by Anne on November 14, 2008
Robert Fulton, inventor
Nov. 14, 1765-Feb. 24, 1815
Robert Fulton: From Submarine to Steamboat by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth (Holiday House, 1999)
Fulton’s name is synonymous with steamboats. But first he was a sign painter, air-gun inventor and apprentice jeweler. Read all about his life and inventions in this picture book biography.
An article about Robert Fulton and the War of 1812 is posted at Casebook.org.
Claude Monet, artist
Nov 14, 1840-Dec. 5, 1926
A Blue Butterfly: A Story About Claude Monet by Bijou Le Tord (Doubleday, 1995)
In the style of Monet’s work, Le Tord uses impressionistlike paintings to illustrate this snapshot of his later years.
View Monet images at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Museums, including one of the famous Water Lilies paintings.
William Steig, writer and illustrator
Nov. 14, 1907-Oct. 3, 2003
When Everyone Wore a Hat by William Steig (Joanna Colter Books, 2003)
In this picture book autobiography, Steig looked at the year he was eight, when the world was at war, and he had dreams for the future.
A cartoonist for the New Yorker, Steig was in his 60s when he began writing and illustrating children’s books. Stop by the Official Site of William Steig for articles on Steig, his books, reading guides and more.
by Anne on October 13, 2008
Mary Kingsley, adventurer
Oct. 13, 1862-June 3, 1990
Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa by Don Brown (Sagebrush, 2000)
Kingsley traveled through the pages of the books in her father’s library as a child. Caregiver of her parents until the age of 30, upon their death, Kingsley traveled to Africa. When this British explorer returned to England, she wrote about her observations.
Living on Earth Today has an online profile of Mary Kingsley.
Art Tatum, musician
Oct. 13, 1907-Nov. 5, 1956
Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum by Robert Andrew Parker (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2008)
Mostly self-taught, Tatum began playing the piano as a young child. Because of his poor eyesight, he could not participate in many activities. The piano was his refuge and strength. Word spread and soon he was playing in cafes, bars and the local radio station in his hometown of Toledo. Written in first person, this is a humble story of a gifted child who becomes one of the all-time jazz greats.
Watch and listen to Art Tatum play “Humoresque” on YouTube, his signature tune.
