by Anne on January 15, 2009
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights advocate
Jan. 15, 1929-Apr. 4, 1968
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Jump at the Sun, 2001)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words live on. His most famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” stirs hearts today. The youngest man to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. King, Jr., a gifted African-American political leader, minister and peacemaker is honored by a U.S. Federal holiday on his birthday.
Check out The Seattle Times for a photo gallery, timeline, quotes, and a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a great American hero.
by Anne on November 11, 2008
LaVern Baker, musician
Nov. 11, 1929-Mar. 10, 1997
Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)
“Tweedle Dee,” a top song recorded in 1954 and “Jim Dandy,” a 1956 hit made Baker, a jazz-and-R&B-vocalist-turned-rocker famous. As an African American, Baker suffered backlash from her early records being labeled “race records.” But she continued to record and eventually the barriers came down.
Read more about Baker’s life and music at a site dedicated to her.
Eric Carle, artist and writer
June 25, 1929-
Flora and Tiger: 19 Very Short Stories from My Life by Eric Carle (Philomel, 1997)
Peek into the life of renowned children’s author and illustrator Eric Carle via the stories he tells about his childhood and present day life.
Take a field trip to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA and explore the exhibits and resources.
George H. W. Bush, U.S. President
June 12, 1924-
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Bush banned broccoli from the White House. Number 41, was a former director of the CIA and the father of five, one whom would become Number 43.
The George Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Texas A&M is the source for Bush info.
Anne Frank, writer
June 12, 1929-February/March, 1945
A Picture Book Biography of Anne Frank by David A. Adler, illustrated by Karen Ritz (Holiday House, 1994)
The world knows Anne Frank because of the diary she kept while the Nazis reigned. This book describes Frank’s life before, during and after she and her family went into hiding.
Read the story of Frank, visit the museum, try the activities and catch the latest news of the Anne Frank House.
Helen Lester, writer
June 12, 19??-
Author: A True Story by Helen Lester (Houghton Mifflin, paper, 2002)
A lively account of how Lester, an acclaimed picture book author found her passion.
Lester’s website offers an interview with her, a photo album and a look at her books.
