Large watercolor illustrations warmly portray Helen Keller—overcomer, speaker, and briefly, actress. This reading experience highlights Annie Sullivan's belief in Helen's potential, and Helen's increasing connections that strengthened her mind and ambition. Readers sense the importance of pushing beyond difficult limits. Large-print quotes give voice to Helen's dogged determination that hig ...

Watercolors rich with color and undertones speak to the deep character of Harriet Tubman, once General Tubman, Union Spy, Moses, Araminta, and more. Concise word selection shapes historical contrasts within short lines of verse on each spread, conveying poignant truth with hope and a relentless spirit bound only by freedom.

A perceptive look at how an artist discovers his skill, begins to play with it, and then, in spite of resistance and challenge, figures out how it becomes a way to express observations, ideas, and a unique perspective while serving those it captures. While this message could be presented in any arena, that it is a true experience of a black NFL player during a segregated era makes this a doubly po ...

Beautiful biography of a man who took the risk of doing on television what had not been done before: engaging children through authentic gentleness, imagination, and wisdom. Highly recommended!

More than a trailblazer, Patricia Bath was a brilliant and determined ophthalmologist. Overcoming doubt and obstacles was something she did over and over throughout her life, as if she believed that there is always a way. A remarkable and inspiring biography with a fascinating subject!

This thoughtful presentation highlights both the perceptive approach her music teacher took to understand Glennie's passion and open avenues of unheard-of possibility, and Glennie's same creative spirit that shaped her formative years. Her resilience led her to figure out ways to convincingly show what had not yet been done, could be done. An inspiring for young readers and teachers as well.

Lasky pens this colorfully illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's circumference.

John James Audubon was a boy who loved the outdoors and believed in studying birds in nature, not just from books. Capturing the early passion of America's greatest painter of birds, this story will leave young readers listening intently for the calls of birds large and small near their own homes.

Ronde and Tiki are each other's best friends and biggest fans, and now they are on the same football team. Tiki gets all the glory for his touchdowns, but Ronde feels slighted because if he hadn't led the way with his blocking, Tiki wouldn't have scored.

No dream was too big to imagine and bring to life for the boy who was to become the 26th president of the United States. This picture book tells the story of Teddy Roosevelt, a boy who followed his dreams. Full color.

Heartwarming watercolor illustrations depict the delight Harry Coleburn, military veterinarian took in his new charge, Winnifred the black bear. While the storyline follows the endearing role Winnie played among soldiers at military camps, it conveys the critical role animal health played during World War I, a time when horses played the role of today's heavy equipment. The well-woven story comes ...

At 4 years old, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews found the music of his New Orleans hometown irresistible. He joined crowds of musicians, mimicking them with homemade instruments, and eventually playing right along on a found, beat-up trombone. His insatiable appetite for playing music sends a powerfully important to readers; hard work doing something you love and are gifted to do is not only fulfil ...

Winner of 2021 Orbis Pictus Award! The story of Elgin Baylor, basketball icon and civil rights advocate, from an all-star team Hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of basketball's all-time-greatest players--an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African-American players, he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games ...

Shetterly highlights an important segment in US History by focusing on four intelligent ladies whose skill earned them places in what is now NASA. Their acceptance into this program was blocked, at first, because misguided beliefs about their skin color and gender prohibited their participation. Context, setting, and a timeline of events is beautifully conveyed and displayed for readers to underst ...

Muted, neutral tones covey the gravity of war, while leaving room for the emotional warmth only a dog's devotion can elicit. One of the earliest-known "mascot dogs" allowed in the U.S. Army, Rags became trench mouse catcher, messenger, and guard dog. Even in the thick of battle, Rags and his owner worked together as one. A difficult sadness punctuates the text toward the end, but thankfully the ep ...

While this is meant to honor the role of the black soldier during World War I, the irony in some of the text's prose and the saturated dark illustrations bring it just short of a celebration. Jim Reese, the charismatic leader of the band of musical players, eventually-turned Harlem Hellfighters - the 369th Infantry Regiment, embodied the soulful passion, talent, bravery, courage, and plight of thi ...