Nonfiction Picture Book Event-I Had No Idea-Biographies Of Known And Known People Who Changed Lives

Ever since the initial tweet went out over Twitter with the date for the upcoming #nfpb10for10 I have been trying first to center on a theme, and second to limit my choices to only ten.  Since participating in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge hosted by educator Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy, my reading of nonfiction picture books has multiplied substantially making it even harder for me to narrow my selections.  What I have found over and over in my reading of nonfiction picture books is the outstanding quality of writing and illustrations.  The efforts of these collaborating artists continue to amaze me with their engaging presentations of known or little known information about their topics.

This year I decided to focus on biographies; on men and women who at some point in their lives made a decision(s) which impacted a significant number of people at the local, national or world level.  It is important to me to include those titles I found fascinating in helping me to expand my thinking about these people. I was fortunate to have a conversation with author Barb Rosenstock earlier this week, voicing my thoughts on the elements present in picture book biographies which make them more engaging for readers.  She referenced an article, Biographies in Focus:  A Framework for Supporting Biographical Writing in the Classroom, which she co-authored with Donna E. Werderich of Northern Illinois University and Alice B. McGinty, children's book author.  (I am currently trying to find a way to make this article available to more readers. I believe if you have an EBSCO subscription you can gain access.) (Update:  I have received permission to post the article in its entirety.  Here is the link.  Posted with Permission by the Illinois Reading Council (IRC).  The Illinois Reading Council Journal is distributed exclusively to IRC Members.  To receive future issues of the IRC Journal, please call the IRC Office at 888-454-1341 to join today or online at www.illinoisreadingcouncil.org.  )  You might want to read this post at Two Writing Teachers, Biographies With Heart, referencing this article and how they used the ideas in a classroom project.

In these ten biographies plus one (Xena wanted to help) I have tried to feature different authors and illustrators.  I have found that these same authors and illustrators have consistently given readers exemplary titles.  In balancing this collection I have included five women, five men and one dog.

When Marian Sang:  The True Recital of Marian Anderson: The Voice of a Century written by Pam Munoz Ryan with illustrations by Brian Selznick, Scholastic Press, c2002

From the jacket text:
In this harmonious introduction to the life of one of our country's greatest singers, feelings accompany the facts as a piano accompanies a voice.

Marian Anderson is best known for her historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America.  While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of Marian's voice, the strength of her character, and the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story.

Marian's decision to continue singing and to find ways to study voice despite the prejudices directed against her allowed the world to enjoy her gift of song.  This was done in all things with dignity.



The Librarian of Basra:  A True Story from Iraq written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter, Harcourt, Inc., 2005.

From the jacket text:
Alia Muhammad Baker is the librarian in Basra, Iraq.  For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books.  Until now.  Now war has come, and Alia fears that the library---along with the thirty thousand books within it---will be destroyed forever.

Alia's decision to move the books after everyone else deserts the library and the governor denies her permission to do this, saves her city's cultural heritage.  She and her friends' courage in the face of war will impact many people for many years.



The Tree Lady:  The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed A City Forever written by H. Joseph Hopkins with illustrations by Jill McElmurry, Beach Lane Books, 2013.

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Kate's decisions to pursue her passion for nature and science changed the face of an entire city.  She imagined turning what was barren into a place for trees.  And nothing stopped her.



Brave Girl:  Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 written by Michelle Markel with illustrations by Melissa Sweet, Balzer + Bray, 2013.


My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Clara's decision to stand tall in a union meeting and declare they go on a general strike when no one else did changed the rights of workers across our nation.











Alice Waters and the Trip To Delicious written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin with illustrations by Hayelin Choi, Readers to Eaters, 2014.


My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Alice's decision to extend her love of food and friends beyond her restaurant to children in schools created Edible Schoolyards.

















A Nation's Hope:  The True Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis written by Matt de la Pena with illustrations by Kadir Nelson, Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011.

From the jacket text:
Once a boyhood dream, now
a people's hope
The weight of history hangs
on Joe's shoulders.
On the eve of World War II, African American boxer Joe Louis fought German Max Schmeling in a bout that had more at stake than just the world heavyweight title; for much of America their fight came to represent the country's war with Germany.

Joe's decision to continue to train, to make himself better, in the face of his first defeat by Max Schmeling was a defining event for the American people.




Martin de Porres:  The Rose in the Desert written by Gary D. Schmidt with illustrations by David Diaz, Clarion Books, 2012.

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Martin's decision to use his training for healing all those who came to him regardless of their background or wealth transformed a city. This man born of a former slave and Spanish nobleman became the first Black saint in the Americas.





Bill the Boy Wonder:  The Secret Co-Creator of Batman written by Marc Tyler Nobleman with illustrations by Ty Templeton, Charlesbridge, 2012.

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Bill's decision to continue writing the Batman comics, to create a hero birth story for him and to be the mind behind all aspects of the stories, even without receiving credit, gave the world of comics two heroes for all time.








Becoming Babe Ruth written and illustrated by Matt Tavares, Candlewick, 2013.

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Babe's decision to remember from where he came, to assist Saint Mary's Industrial School for Boys, elevates him from being a sports hero to a remarkable man.










Ben Franklin's Big Splash:  The Mostly True Story of His First Invention written by Barb Rosenstock with illustrations by S. D. Schindler, Calkins Creek, 2014.

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Who knew how Ben's decision as a boy at age eleven to invent swim fins would change everything for swimmers.  You are never too young to make a difference.











The Incredible Life of Balto written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy, Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Although most people familiar with the Serum Run of 1925 are aware of the value of another lead dog, Togo, Balto's decision to lead his team in the final run of this mission is historic in the saving of lives.  The best part about this title is knowing what happened to this amazing creature after the run.









There are changes this year in this event.  I encourage you to visit Refine & Reflect:  Building A Learning Community to get directions and see what other participants have listed for their best ten nonfiction picture books.