by Anne on November 6, 2008
George Crum, chef
1822-July 22, 1914
George Crum and the Saratoga Chip by Gayila Taylor, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Lee & Low, 2006)
Thank you, George Crum. For inventing a most tasty treat. August 24 is National Potato Chip Day, though by all accounts, Americans celebrate potato chips every day of the year. Crum, part African-American and part Native America is the king of snack-makers.
The Lemelson-MIT Program hightlighted George Crum as an Inventor of the Week earlier this year.
by Anne on October 28, 2008
George Washington Carver, scientist
c. 1864-Jan. 5, 1943
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki (Aladdin, 1988)
Born a slave, George Washington Carver loved to learn and became one of America’s most important agriculturists.
Visit the George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri preserved by the National Park Service.
by Anne on September 26, 2008
Johnny Appleseed aka John Chapman, ecologist
Sept. 26, 1774-Mar. 1847
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg (HarperCollins, 1988)
Kellogg blends fact with fiction in this story about an American icon. I love the illustrations—big and lush.
Note: There are many, many books published about Johnny Appleseed. This is one of my favorites.
Read an article about Chapman from Harper’s New Monthly Magazine from 1871 posted on Cornell’s web site.
George Gershwin, composer
Sept. 26,1898-July 11, 1937
Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)
Gershwin wrote Broadway show tunes galore. Thanks, George (and your brother, Ira, too,) for Rhapsody in Blue, Swanee, I Got Rhythm and more.
Visit the Official Web site of George and Ira Gershwin.
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.
by Anne on February 23, 2008
George Frideric Handel, musician
Feb. 23, 1685-Apr. 14,1759
Handel, Who Knew What He Liked by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick, 2001)
Here’s a humorous (and detailed) take on Handel’s life and music, including the a debunking of the myth that the tradition of standing during the Hallelujah Chorus began with the king.
Read an introduction to the Handel House, it’s history, restoration and about Handel’s London at the Handel House Museum.
