Pocket Bios by ​Al Berenger

"You would need a big pocket to hold one of these." commented an adult when first encountering one of these micro-biographies. Measuring 5 3/4" tall by 7 1/4 " long, these little gems fit nicely into a small space and are perfect for small hands. Think ultra-thin board book. For such a small package, Berenger manages to pack in a sizable amount of information. Arranged chronologically, each page highlights in simple text a significant life event. Dates are boldly centered on the page's  bottom. A facing page illustrates the event in full color. Illustrations feature cartoon-style figures with proportionately large heads. Arresting bold color covers with a single cartoon image catch the eye. The unique size, shape, and color of the series presents an interesting shelving consideration. For the purposes of my users, I will shelve these tiny volumes as a series.

Path to the Stars:
​My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist 
by Sylvia Acevedo

Meet Sylvia Acevedo, daughter of a Papa, Texas chemist originally from Mexico and Mami, a native of Mexico who didn’t speak English. She recalls this story of her birth: ​Some of the babies had blond hair. Some had brown hair or no hair at all, and nearly all of them had fair skin. Only one baby had very dark hair. “That was me!” Acevedo grew up in Las Cruses, New Mexico, surrounded by a close-knit family. Young Sylvia had the desire to learn about her world and the drive to excel in a wide variety of endeavors. She credits the Girl Scouts with helping her learn to set goals and work to achieve them. From childhood she realized that she had an affinity for numbers and a curiosity to learn how things work. By the age of thirteen, she assumed the responsibility of maintaining the family vehicle, including changing the oil. In junior high school, she opted out of home economics class, choosing instead to take an additional math course. Interestingly, one of the most challenging Girl Scout badges for her to earn was the cooking badge.

​I was nine years old, living in a small desert town. And on that day I decided I would go to Stanford someday.

They'd never had a woman engineer, so they didn’t even have a bathroom for women in the test labs.

From Brownie to NASA scientist. Still the same winning smile!

My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist (English edition)   ​is also available in Spanish:  Camino a las estrellas: Mi recorrido de Girl Scout a ingeniera astronáutica This autobiography is enhanced with liberal use of personal and family photographs inserted throughout the text. The author's "Note about Girl Scouts Yesterday and Today" provides context.

Companion Reading

Super Women: ​Six Scientists Who Changed the World

First Girl Scout: ​The Life of Juliette Gordon Low

Hidden Figures: ​Young Readers Edition

How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace
by Carole Boston Weatherford ill Frank Morrison

Carole Boston Weatherford uses pairs of end-stopped couplets to create a lyrical retelling of the life of John Newton and the origins of this famous hymn. The pictures book chronicles the history and popularity of this hymn, sung by African Americans, Cherokees, Civil War soldiers, activists, gospel singers, recording artists, and even a president of the United States. Back matter includes a current version of the lyrics, an Author's Note, and suggestions for further reading and viewing. All enhance the value of this compelling story.

Marvelous Art

Multi-talented artist Frank Morrison painted classic images that are well-suited to the text. I had the opportunity to view some of Morrison’s original work for this book. The framed paintings are awe-inspiring. He has eloquently captured the heartfelt emotion reflected in the song's lyrics. Below are my photos of two Morrison paintings, paired with the illustrations and accompanying text as they appear in the published book. ​​This picture book, signed by the artist, is now one of my treasures.

Amazing Sounds

Grandad Mandela
by Zindzi Mandela , Zazi Mandela, and Ziwelene Mandela
​ill Sean Qualls

Eight-year-old Zazi and six-year-old Ziwelene discover an old photograph. Their grandmother Zindzi Mandela,  the youngest child born to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and President Nelson Mandela, recognizes the photo immediately. It is a picture of her father. Through a series of questions, the great grandchildren learn about their heritage, their great grandfather's legacy, and the struggle to dismantle apartheid and win the freedom for all peoples in South Africa. The deprivation, pain, and imprisonment Mandela endured are explained. However, Grandmother lovingly frames the story in a positive light, pointing out the strength and dignity of her father and his firm resolve to remain true to his principles.  ​"I want to see you strong, ​you must hold your head up high."

Grandmother continues, relating Mandela's release from prison and his subsequent South African presidency, as well as his tireless efforts to champion equality and justice for all. The children are encouraged to honor him by volunteering and working to create a better world. Ambassador Zindzi Mandela, with her grandchildren Zazi and Ziwelene have written a personal and powerful tribute to Mandela's life and legacy.   Grandad Mandela is an exquisite volume and a treasure for children throughout the world.

Additional Resources

Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson​

A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagar

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code:
A Navajo Code Talkers Story
by Joseph Bruchac ill Liz Amini-Holmes

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker's Story is an inspiring retelling of the life, courage and important contributions of Chester Nez. Joseph Bruchac organizes Nez's story chronologically, using descriptive names of Navajo months as page headings. In October 1929, Month of Small Wind, an eight-year-old boy named Betoli leaves his family home to attend boarding school. Immediately he is stripped of his Navajo name and given the English name of Chester. The school's objective is to help Navajo children "survive in the white man's world." They accomplish this by systematically removing and erasing all traces of Navajo language, religion, and culture. While Chester successfully masters the English language, he loves and longs for the language and traditions of his people. He makes a concerted effort to retain his Native tongue and his connection Navajo heritage.

In 1941, during the Month of Crusted Snow, tenth grade student Chester Nez resolves to serve his country. Along with a group of Navajo men who speak both English and Navajo, he develops an unbreakable code developed to relay information in the Pacific Theater during World War II. This code becomes a key communication component used by the U.S, military. Using simple, yet powerful language Bruchac conveys the majesty and enduring strength of Navajo religion, traditions, and language. The book makes it clear that pride in his heritage and a determination to retain his identity and language is a defining aspect of Chester Nez’s character. Illustrations by Liz Amini-Holmes boldly fill each page with images that are both realistic and highly symbolic. Large black birds flying off with strands of his shorn locks is graphically arresting. Likewise, the two-page spread with a praying altar boy facing a boy praying outside a Hogan stand in stark contrast to each other.

Keeping the Language Alive

Found it! The perfect gift for one of my literary-loving friends. She works as a children's librarian and is also an ardent fan of Jane Austen. It's mind-boggling to consider that a quiet little novelist, who never published a book under her own name and died at the age of 41, remains a model of literary excellence. Two hundred years have not diminished interest in her life and writing. Her works have been made into multiple adaptations for television and movies. No one could have predicted that her work would be the inspiration for pop culture hits such as Clueless and Bridget Jones. ​Purists delight in Austen’s perceptive portrayals of life: gently skewering the pompous, revealing the mind of the ardent searcher, and lovingly sympathizing with the tender-hearted.

Brave Jane Austin: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel
by Lisa Pliscou ill Jen Corace

Lisa Pliscou's Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel is a thoughtful introduction to this well-known British author. Pliscou paints a portrait of a close-knit family who valued education and literary pursuits. The well-stocked family library included a globe and microscope. Her father read aloud to the family and her mother wrote poetry. When family finances permitted, Jane and her sister were sent away for schooling. Jane's remarkable determination to remain true to herself and direct her own life is one of the distinguishing features of this narrative. Austen "presented the idea that a girl could use her intelligence to help her live the best life possible." Back matter includes a brief statement on "The Life and Times of Jane Austen," selected quotations from the her writings, accolades from well-known authors, and a listing of additional resources.

Pour Your Heart Out:
​A Journal of Wit, Wisdom, and a Touch of Charm
quotes by Jane Austen ill Clare Owen

This attractive journal features quotations from all six of Austen's novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey. Each quotation is followed by a journal entry prompt. For example, this quotation is paired with the following prompt.  Quotation: "There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves. It is not my nature." Writing prompt: "What are the craziest things you would do for a friend?" Jane's feminist nature is revealed with statements such as "Songs and proverbs, all talk of women's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men" ​Clare Owen's calligraphy and lovely graphic designs add just the right touch to this easy-to-personalize journal.

Additional Austin-inspired Gift Ideas

Zippered Pouch

Pemberly postcards

Mr. Darcy Quote Pillow

Obstinate Girl Mug

Bonus: Ten Jane Austin Adaptations

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu

Recently I received a box of artisan chocolates. This was not your ordinary drug store variety. Each bonbon was a unique creation with a complex blend of flavors. Think burnt caramel, tarragon grapefruit, Piedmont hazelnut. Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World is the literary equivalent to a box of artisan chocolates. The gorgeous case holds a selection of biography bonbons. Like an assortment of confections, the micro-biographies are presented without regard to chronology, geography or sphere of influence. Entries showcase distinctive details of each woman's life, morsels to be savored.

Pénélope Bagieu has created a fascinating and highly entertaining compendium of female trailblazers. Each vignette consists of an introductory portrait with basic biographical  information. Most pages follow a six or nine panel-per-page format. Black and white line drawings are punctuated with bright spots of color. A chapter's color pallet is unique to the life and reflects the personality of the highlighted woman. Each entry concludes with a gorgeous two-page full color illustration, celebrating the life of this woman and her contributions to her world. Emphasis is placed on the circumstances which compelled each to take a stand. Bagieu's adds her own observations and witty asides to the narrative. Sometimes her tone is slightly sardonic. This is not an exhaustive in-depth historical treatise. The author is here to tell the story of rebels. In keeping of her purpose, she at times merely alludes to and occasionally omits historical details.

Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon
​by Annette Bay Pimentel ill by Micha Archer

Meet Bobbi Gibb, a determined young woman. Annette Bay Pimentel chronicles her story in Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon. The narrative begins during a bleak New England winter.  Bobbi, a young student, gazes longingly out the classroom window, turning her back on the students’ domestic activity. Bobbi is a runner and she wants to run. After viewing a Boston Marathon, her goal becomes to participate in this annual event. Wearing a pair of nurses' shoes (running shoes for women have yet to be manufactured) she trains for two years.  When her application to participate in the Boston Marathon is denied "women are not physiologically able to run twenty-six miles and furthermore the rules do not allow it"​, Bobbi decides to participate anyway.

Images from Girl Running

Women Who Dared

Charlie Takes His Shot:
​How Charlie Sifford Broke the Color Barrier in Golf
 by Nancy Churnin ill by John Joven

The color barrier in USA professional sports has a long and painful history. Probably the most well-known athlete who pioneered entrance into major league sports is Jackie Robinson, who first played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Over time, gradual advances in overcoming bigotry within the major leagues have been put into place.  Removing discriminatory practices has been a long time coming. Take professional golf. Because it is an individual competition as opposed to a team sport, overturning discrimination has been a slow and lonely process. Nancy Churnin's Charlie Takes His Shot chronicles the story of Charles Luther Sifford, the first black man to gain admittance into the Professional Golfers' Association of America. ​

Back matter includes a time line and an author's note with supplemental historical background. John Joven's Illustrations bring vitality and a sense of determination to each page. Action is evident, particularly on the golf course. Golfers taking shots give the story extra pizzazz. Joven also does a nice job of showing the passage of time as Charlie progresses from an aspiring youngster in knickers to a seasoned athlete mopping his brow.

Victoria: Portrait of a Queen by Catherine Reef

British Royalty in 2017

Queen Elizabeth II and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh married 1947

Prince George, Prince William Duke of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte

Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle

Before all the public scrutiny of this royal family, there have been numerous historical accounts of House of Windsor dynasty. Queen Elizabeth II is the daughter of King George VI and granddaughter of King George V. Her paternal great grandfather is King Edward II and her great-great grandmother is Queen Victoria. Until recently, Victoria was the longest-reigning queen in England. However, Elizabeth II has recently surpassed this record, becoming the longest-reigning British monarch on 9 September 2015. On 6 February 2017 she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee, commemorating 65 years on the throne.

The Victorian Era 1819 - 1901

Victoria: Portrait of a Queen by Catherine Reef gives young readers insight into the life and times of Queen Victoria, who served as Britain's reigning monarch for over sixty-three years.  This chronological account delves into the personal life of Victoria beginning with her overprotected childhood, her marriage to Prince Albert, and the birth of her nine children. Reef does not shy away from detailing Victoria's willful and stubborn temperament, her deep anguish on the death of her husband, and her unusual relationship with servants John Brown and Abdul Karim.   The biography is also excellent source material regarding these significant historical events: decline of the Ottoman Empire and the conflicts between Muslims and Christians, Crimean War, Zulu War, governance of India, and the question of independence for Ireland.

Illustration Fit for a Queen