by Anne on October 27, 2008
Ruby Dee, actress and activist
Oct. 27, 1924-
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
Dee’s Broadway debut in South Pacific was in 1943. Dee was and is an advocate for social issues of our times.
Read a biographical sketch of Ruby Dee and listen to an interview with her and her late husband, Ossie Davis on the PBS African American World site.
Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President
Oct. 27, 1858-Jan. 6, 1919
Theodore by Frank Keating, illustrated by Mike Wimmer (Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster, 2006)
The oil-on-canvas illustrations in this book should be hanging in an art museum. Wow. This biography of Teddy Roosevelt, told in his own words, offered me more than facts. I felt as if I also knew Roosevelt’s heart
The Theodore Roosevelt Association hosts a web site devoted to TR. Teddy and the Children’s Room
Also check out the Smithsonian exhibit: Theodore Roosevelt: Icon of the American Century.
Nawal El Sadaawi, advocate
Oct. 27, 1931-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005
“N” is for Nawal, in this collective biography about women. El Sadaawi is an advocate for women’s rights, doctor and writer. Born in Egypt, she was imprisioned for her views of Arab women but has been released.
Visit Nawalsaadawi.net for more info.
by Anne on October 14, 2008
Dwight Eisenhower, U.S. President
Oct. 14, 1890-Mar. 28, 1969
A Picture Book of Dwight Eisenhower by David A. Adler (Holiday House, 2004)
Opening with a 1945 parade in New York City at which General Eisenhower was given a medal, this book then highlights his childhood, West Point career, family life, WWII leadership and presidency.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Library is the place to go for more information about this president.
William Penn, colonist
Oct. 14, 1644-July 30, 1718
William Penn: Founder of Pennsylvania by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Ronald Himler (Holiday House, 2000)
This book about William Penn, a strong Quaker, is also a lesson about the history of his time.
Quaker.org writes about Penn’s life and work.
by Anne on October 4, 2008
Rutherford B. Hayes, U.S. President
Oct. 4, 1822-Jan. 17, 1893
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Krull sums up Hayes’ contributions in one paragraph in this collective biography. The 19th president’s phone number was “1.”
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center invites visitors to learn more about this former president.
Buster Keaton, actor
Oct. 4, 1895-Feb. 1, 1966
Keep Your Eye on the Kid: The Early Years of Buster Keaton by Catherine Brighton (Roaring Brook Press, 2008)
Born into a vaudeville family, Keaton was nicknamed “Buster” because he could take a fall. And fall he did, over and over again onstage when he was a child. Audiences loved him. When Buster saw his first movie, he fell even harder. Eventually he made it to Hollywood and became a great comedic screen actor and movie-maker. Written in first person, this story is a class act.
The International Buster Keaton Society provides news, a biography, articles, and other resources related to this remarkable man.
St. Francis
Oct. 4 is St. Francis’ Feast Day
c. 1181/1182-Oct. 3, 1226
Francis: Poor Man of Assisi by Tomie dePaola (Holiday House, 1990)
Wealthy by birth, Francis gave away his possessions to help the poor and become a protector of animals.
The Catholic Encyclopedia writes about St. Francis.
by Anne on October 1, 2008
James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, U.S. President
Oct. 1, 1924-
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Carter was a peanut farmer and a former governor of Georgia prior to taking office. This 39th president was and is an advocate for the homeless.
Visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Georgia for more information.
by Anne on September 15, 2008
William Howard Taft, U.S. President
Sept. 15, 1857-Mar. 8, 1930
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Nicknamed Sleeping Beauty, this largest U.S. president learned to surf in Hawaii. Krull devotes one pithy page about number 27 in this collective biography.
Read his inaugural address, March 4, 1909 on The Avalon Project web site at Yale.
