She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer by Sally Hobart Alexander and Robert Alexander

Fifty years before Helen Keller, there was Laura Bridgman. She lost her hearing, eyesight, and most of her senses of taste and smell, to scarlet fever. An exceptionally bright child, Laura was taken at age seven to the Perkins School for the Blind, where she became the student of Samuel Gridley Howe. She learned to read raised letters (not Braille) and to understand and to "speak" language through finger spelling. Later in her life she was Annie Sullivan's teacher. This excellent biography will lead students to a better understanding of the deaf-blind and their accomplishments. The author herself is blind and somewhat hearing-impaired. Bridgman's story is told in a lively, readable style and is heavily illustrated with photographs and period illustrations. An index, bibliography, notes, and websites are included. Highly recommended for middle school. It can easily be paired with "Helen's Eyes."

George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden

Published in association with The Field Museum in Chicago by Abrams. This is a picture book biography that is definitely middle grades in level. Excellent, clear discussion of the specifics of Carver's research and aims without talking down to the child audience. Lots of primary source illustrations and photographs, including reproductions of Carver's paintings made with his own vegetable dye paints. Has very neat end papers with floral designs.

Whaam! The Art & Life of Roy Lichtenstein by Susan Goldman Rubin

Fantastic picture book biography of Roy Lichtenstein. The book begins with the two possible stories that led to his immersion in the pop art movement. It contains great biographical information interspersed with a large number and variety of Lichtenstein's work that spans his career. There are also works (identified) done by a number of other famous artists of the time. It explains his technique and how it developed over time and shows how his work grew and changed over his life. The book contains a glossary of art terms and names. There is also a very complete notes section, references a list of museums and other public places to find Lichtenstein's work and an index. This may appeal to some of the same lovable dweebs that like the Creators of Superman. Great for upper elementary art lovers and on through ms and hs. It would be a great resource for art teachers.

Show & Tell : Exploring the Fine Art of Children's Book Illustration by Dilys Evans

While this is not exactly a children's book, it is recommended for grades 7 and up in SLJ's Best Books of 2008. A handsome, well-designed volume, it details the life and works of twelve well-known children's book illustrators. The illustrations in picture books are described as a form of fine art "worthy of celebration and recognition." The author has not tried to create an exclusive "best-of" list but rather to offer a wide spectrum of styles representing excellence in both art and storytelling. There are many well-chosen examples of each artist's work. This book will send you straight to the stacks to read and appreciate anew the art of the picture book. It could be useful to art teachers and to language arts teachers who use picture books as a teaching tool for older kids. Or it can just be read for pure pleasure.

Wangari's Trees of Peace : A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter

For a slightly younger audience than "Planting the Trees of Peace" (previously nominated), this is another picture book about Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.Brightly colored acrylic paintings illustrate the simply worded biographical information. Maathai is a strong female role model and an example of how one person's actions can bring about major change. SLJ starred review. Highly recommended.

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangara Maathai by Claire A. Nivola

This ALA Notable picture book tells the story of Wangara Maathai who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work with the Green Belt Movement in Kenya. The environmentalist changed the fate of Kenya's future by teaching Kenyans of all ages to plant trees on the country's barren land. Over 30 million trees have been planted since Maathai founded the movement. The watercolor pictures beautifully illustrate the story. The Author's Note at the end provides the history of the project and describes Wangari's role as an activitist in her country. A great read aloud for grades K-4, it really could be used with all ages to discuss the environment and the subject of activism.

Note - there is another 2008 picture book on this same subject, Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa that received positive reviews as well.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne, Ill. by Eric Puybaret

Manfish is a picture book biography that tells the story of Jacques Cousteau from birth to becoming one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. The book is illustrated with modern, rich acrylic paintings and uses a variety of formats throughout - from full page illustrations to panels, as well as a gatefold center that opens up to represent the deep sea.

This book could be used in a biography unit, but it also includes poetry and touches on environmentalism. There are also author's notes at the end that highlight Cousteau's films, books, and the Cousteau Society.

Overall, a gorgeous book!

Recommended for ages 4-8.

Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth by Jane Yolen

Illustrated by Jim Burke. Yolen presents an interesting mix of fact and fiction in this picture book biography. Parchment style inserts include a 4-5 line verse followed by The History of Chapman's life from birth to death. At the bottom of the pages are interesting facts such as what he wrote in an IOU note to his father / brother. The illustrations are realistic and the natural colors blend well with the text. One standout illustration shows large hands with tiny apple seeds in the palms. This would be an interesting read-aloud and it could be used across the curriculum with Grades 1-4.

Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann

Illustrated by Duane Smith. Grades 3-5.

This picture book biography of Robert Smalls, a slave from South Carolina who later became a U. S. Congressman, focuses on his life as a young slave working as a ship's wheelman. Using his knowledge of navigation and the trust of the ship's officers, Smalls executed a plot to commandeer a Confederate ship secretly loaded with the black crew's families and cannons to the North. This factual account reads like a suspense story as Smalls risks the lives of all on board to gain their freedom. The impressionistic art enhances the story and will keep young readers involved. An afterword gives details of Smalls' life through his distinguished career in Congress. A bibliography is also included.

A Song for Cambodia by Michelle Lord

Illustrated by Shino Arihara. The life of Arn Chorn-Pond, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge killing fields, is told in this picture book biography. Chorn-Pond survives a children's work camp through his skill at playing the khim, a traditional Cambodian musical instrument. The foreword and the afterword provide historical perspective as well as describing Chorn-Pond's accomplishments in human rights in Cambodia and the U.S. Because of the tragedy and violence in the story, I would recommend this multicultural title for Grades 4-6. It is a powerful tale of how music helped ease suffering during war. Good for social studies or music units.

Lincoln Shot: A President’s Life Remembered

This book stands tall literally (12x18 inches) as well as in quality. Designed to look like a yellowed memorial issue of the 19th century “National News” one year after the assassination, this account starts with the shooting and recovery of the assassins. Then it follows Lincoln’s life, starting with his youth, and continues with his marriage, his political career, and the Civil War. Bing’s illustrations are sure to engage young readers. They include period-style advertisements, wood-cut engravings and archival photographs. I am currently planning a 4/5th grade book club using some of the materials that we obtained from an ALA We the People Bookshelf grant relating to Lincoln and the theme “All Men are Created Equal.” This volume will add to what their teacher and I hope will be an authentic experience. I must note, however, that I will proceed with caution to help them understand that this realistic memorial should not be taken literally. One of their teacher’s requests for our study is to help his students understand the passage of time from the Civil War to segregation beacuse he feels that they do not yet think linearly. We’ll see what happens!

Wanda Gag : The Girl Who Lived to Draw by Deborah Kogan Ray

Here is a picture book biograpy for the younger set. In 1928 Wanda Gag created what some have called the first modern picture book, Millions of Cats. The story of her life is one of overcoming hardships. Although she experienced a happy childhood, her father died when she was fifteen, making it difficult for her to pursue her dream of drawing as a profession.How she accomplished that dream makes for an inspriring story. Every page of text has a quotation from Gag's diaries. The pictures are brightly colored and appealing. Grades 1-4.

Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman by Marc Tyler Nobleman; Illustrated by Ross MacDonald

When you read this book, I believe you will know just the hands into which you will put this story. It tells the tale of the two dweebish outcasts – Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster – whose fascination with pulp fiction and comic strips helped them escape from their Depression era teenage lives of unheated homes and missing parents. The two used their talents – Jerry’s imagination & writing and Joe’s imagination & drawing – to create a character that helped others through the end of the Great Depression, through a world war and continues to offer entertainment and escape for people today.

There is a long note at the end which offers facts about the legal battles between Siegel, Shuster and DC Comics, a bibliography at the end and a note that all dialogue between the two came from interviews.

The illustrations by Ross MacDonald are fabulous – done in the style of the era and genre.

Helen’s Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller’s Teacher by Mefe Ferguson Delano

An abundance of well-placed and well documented sepia photographs help tell the story of “Miss Spitfire” in a way that is accessible to older elementary school students on up. Annie Sullivan’s life is chronicled, starting with her very early years at Tewksbury Almshouse continuing through her education at Perkins and on to her phenomenal teaching of and dedication to Helen Keller. There are numerous artifacts and illustrations that serve to further young students’ understanding of the topic and the time period, including a map of the various places they lived, a braillewiter, a Keller family teacup and a comic book, depicting Annie and Helen, circa 1945. Also included is a chronology of significant events in both Annie and Helen’s lives as well as a resource list of books, web sites, film, special collection and places to visit. A full page index references over 100 topics.
Additional note: The forward is written by Helen Keller’s great grand niece.