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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.
Through the Tempests Dark and Wild: A Story of Mary Shelley, Creator of Frankenstein by Sharon Darrow, illustrated by Angela Barrett (Candlewick, 2003)
Focused on the teen years “where some believe that Mary’s famous novel took root” this fictionalized picture book biography is a moving account of Shelley, who published her renowned Gothic at the age of nineteen.
A Wikipedia biography of Mary Shelley with additional links is available.
Read an interview with author Sharon Darrow (includes questions related to Through the Tempests) at Cynthia Leitich Smith’s blog.
Mary McLeod Bethune by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (HarperTrophy, 1994)
Dedicated to education for all, Bethune sought opportunities for African-American children in South Carolina after the Civil War.
The Lakewood Public Library hosts a biography of McLeod Bethune on their site.
Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 2003)
Anning discovered the bones of an ichthyosaur as a child and from then on fossils dominated her life.
For more information, read about Anning on the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology site.
Mary Kingsley, adventurerUncommon 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.
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.
