A Review of Three Picture Book Biographies

As the year is coming to a close, we have more books than weeks left to post reviews. To keep the momentum of posting new titles, Cathy and I thought we would offer a combined post of some delightful and engaging recently published picture book biographies. One of the attractions of picture book biographies is a great introduction to the life of someone who changed the world. We look at it as whetting a persons appetite just enough that they want to know more.

We will go alphabetically by author.

Traveling Shoes: The Story of Willye White, US Olympian and Long Jump Champion
Alice Faye Duncan; Illustrated by Keith Mallett
Calkins Creek. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2023

Born in 1939, Willye White was born to black parents but she “was an oddball baby with green eyes and reddish hair. My body was a lump of dark blue veins and light-bright cocoa skin.” At three days old, her parents ran away and left Willye to be raised by her maternal grandparents. In 1950, at age ten, Willye was running on the high school track team. At age 16, in 1956, Willye qualifies for the Olympic women’s track team in the long jump. Told in poetry and prose, Duncan incorporates quotes by Willye at the beginning of each chapter. Mallett’s digital illustrations complement the narrative. The author weaves the turmoil and uncertainty of the Civil Rights Movement into Willye’s life. Included is a brief biography of Willye’s life, a timeline, author’s note, and bibliography round out this excellent title.

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage
by Lisa Rogers; Illustrated by Il Sung Na
a.s.b. anne schwartz books 2023

John Cage believed the sounds that surrounded him every day were music. 

“a garbage truck screeching/feet skipping/pigeons scattering/tires whispering/cats hissing/children giggling/balls bouncing/dog tags clinking/taxis vrooming…” The narrative is posed to readers as “What If’s.” “What if people stormed out of these concerts and said your music wasn’t music   but you still believed it was? Answer: “Then you’d be like John Cage.” The illustrations by Il Sung Na are a bit abstract and perfectly complement this inspiring and unusual composer. Added backmatter include an author and illustrator’s note, quotation sources, and a selected bibliography. The endpapers are amazing.

Shining Star: Vera Rubin Discovers Dark Matter
by Suzanne Slade. Pictures by Susan Reagan
Calkins Creek. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2023

Vera Rubin loved the stars. At night, she would study how the “twinkles of light slid across the sky. She memorized the names of constellations. Sometimes, she stayed up all night considering colossal, cosmic questions: Why did starts travel along curved paths? How did people tell time by watching stars move? Why did different stars appear in different seasons?”

Dr. Rubin’s work was important to the scientific community. She also worked hard to encourage women to study science and helped them obtain equal opportunities. Included is an author’s note, a brief description of Dr. Rubin’s Dark Matter Discovery, a timeline, additional reading, and lack & white photos of Dr. Rubin. Quotes by Dr. Rubin are placed in italics on every double page spread. The illustrations by Reagan, created with hand-painted watercolor washes and ink lines that are combined and enhanced digitally in Photoshop, reflect back the words and life of this very important female scientist.

Each book would be an excellent read aloud for all ages.

The Story of the Saxophone

The Story of the Saxophone  
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
illustrated by James E. Ransome
Holiday House, 2023

Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome are known for their award winning picture books. Many of their titles are biographies featuring well-known figures such as Harriet Tubman, Venus & Serena Williams, and Louis Armstrong. The Story of the Saxophone is a captivating picture book biography about Adolphe Sax, and a figure not known to most readers. 

As a young boy growing up in Belgium, Sax liked to tinker and build. He also played multiple instruments and made his own instruments. Sax created an instrument that had the high notes of a clarinet and the low notes of a trumpet: le saxophon. The story spans decades and continents as Sax brings his saxophone to Paris where it became a military instrument for the French Army before making its way to Mexico and eventually New Orleans as jazz music was beginning to spread. The narrative is inviting and lyrical, making it the perfect book to read aloud. James E. Ransome's illustrations use watercolor and and collage to portray life in the late 1800s in a realistic style with some humor mixed in at times. 

The Story of the Saxophone is a recommended purchase for school libraries, public libraries, and as a gift for children who like to tinker, create, or play music. Readers will admire Adolphe Sax's determination and ingenuity throughout the story. The Ransomes conclude the book by showing how Sax's invention had a profound impact on the world of music, specifically jazz music in the U.S. Don't miss the gorgeous illustrations of sax players on the end papers.

The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music by Robert Flack with Tonya Bolden

The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music

by Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden; Illustrated by Hayden Goodman

Anne Schwartz books. an Imprint of Random House Children’s Books.

2023

In this picture book biography, Roberta Flack, partnered with the amazing Tonya Bolden, shares her journey of how she came to be a five-time Grammy Award winner.

“It all started with a green piano.”

Music was a huge part of Roberta’s life growing up. Her father played the piano and harmonica. Her mother played piano in church. Her parents where so proud of Roberta’s gift that when she was three or four, she played at church. 

“I’d use my elbows on the ebonies

because my fingers were too short.

Mother and Daddy were so tickled by that —

and so proud of me.”

Even though her family was poor, they supported Roberta’s talent by making sure she had piano lessons, and, one day, her very own piano. Rescued from a junk yard, her parents cleaned it, tuned it, and painted it green. 

“I practiced for hours and hours. Teaching myself to play songs from the radio.”

This very entertaining story features an author’s note where Roberta gives more details about her musical journey. She explains, “I decided to tell the story about my green piano because I want all the young people who have ever felt marginalized, overwhelmed, bullied, or discriminated against to know they can make their dreams come true.”  

A career highlights timeline is also included.

The narrative and illustrations by Goodman make a perfect harmony.

Another great addition to the growing titles about exceptional women. 

Click here to hear Robert discuss this book on NPR. 

Pitch Perfect and Persistent! The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach by Caitlin DeLems; Alison Jay

Pitch Perfect and Persistent! : The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach.
Caitlin DeLems; Illustrated by Alison Jay
Calkins Creek. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2023

Amy Cheney Beach was a musical prodigy. Born in West Henniker, New Hampshire on September 5, 1867, Amy showed her musical gifts at an early age. At age two, Amy was able to sing an anthem from start to finish. “No mistakes.” Despite her mother’s strong religious beliefs to deny her musical interest in playing the piano, Amy would grow up to be recognized as the first female composer in America. Many of her pieces were performed by the Boston Symphony. 

Yet, society frowned upon middle class women having a career. Did that stop Amy? No!  By age sixteen, Amy performed at Boston Music Hall. 

“She performed two major works - Moscheles’s Concerto in G Minor, Chopin’s Rondo in E-flat Major. ALL from memory.” 

Beach would go on to spend her life composing full-time and limited public recitals. A frequent visitor to the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire, upon her death, Amy directed her royalties to be given to this now famous artist colony. 

The partnership of DeLems words and Jay’s signature illustrations, done with Alkyd paint (a quick-drying oil paint) with crackle varnish, brings this inspiring, musical biography to life.

Peppered throughout the narrative, in italics, are quotes from Amy Cheney Beach.

Included is an author’s note, timeline, musical glossary, and further reading. 

I have been a huge fan of Alison Jay’s art throughout the years and was tickled to see her work in this charming picture book biography. 

Click here to watch a film from Vermont Public on the life and music of  Amy Cheney Beach. Her music is moving and beautiful. 

She Sang for India

She Sang for India: How M.S. Subbulakshmi Used Her Voice for Change
by Suma Subramaniam
illustrated by Shreya Gupta
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2022

Young readers will find inspiration from the story of M.S. Subbulakshmi in the picture book biography, She Sang for India.

Kunjamma had a gift for singing from an early age, but the traditions of early 20th century India prevented her from singing in public.

After singing at school, Kunjamma was offered a recording deal and soon became known as Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi. Author Suma Subramaniam traces the rise of Subbulakshmi as a singer and activist in an engaging expository style. The story has references to songs in Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. 

Shreya Gupta's gorgeous illustrations are at times colorful and bold when Subbalakshmi is on stage singing or performing at festivals. The palette shifts to darker colors for serious events such as the partition of India and Pakistan divide and the assassination of Gandhi.

The book ends on an uplifting note when Subbulakshmi was invited to sing at the United Nations. As the first singer from India to perform for the U.N., Subbulakshmi spread her message of peace for the world. A timeline in the back matter will help children place the events in time. 

Dazzling' Dolly by Suzanne Spade

 

Dazzlin' Dolly: the Songwriter, Hit-Singing, Guitar-Picking Dolly Parton
by Suzanne Slade;
illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Calkins Creek; An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2022

This very inspirational picture book biography opens with a quote from Dolly Parton.

"If you're gonna make a dream come true, you gotta work it. You can't just sit around." 

An extraordinary performer, Dolly Parton has been entertaining audiences for six decades. Not only is her voice distinctive, she is also admired for her kindness and honesty. 

Born with a powerful voice, the young Dolly was always singin'. She sang to the geese who flew overhead, to the bobwhite at night, and when Mama snapped beans, "Dolly pounded a pot with a spoon and belted out her bean-snapping' tune." 

Her perseverance paid off. When she announced at her graduation her dream of going to Nashville and be a star, readers will learn just how much work the young Dolly put into getting that dream realized. "Nothing was going to stop her from run-in' full steam after her dream (in high heels!)"

Slade's charming narrative reads like Dolly herself is speaking. Paired with Fotheringham's double-page art created digitally on a tablet with a stylus, makes for an engaging story.

Included is More about Dolly, a timeline, and a selected bibliography.

A fun, inspiring book to share with others. 

Oh! Be sure to have some Dolly Parton music playing in the background.

The Greatest Song of All written by Megan Hoyt

 The Greatest Song of All: How Isaac Stern United the World to Save Carnegie Hall 
by Megan Hoyt;
Illustrated by Katie Hickey
Quilt Tree Books.
An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 2022

This informational picture book tells the story of how the violinist, Isaac Stern, upon learning that on March 31, 1960 the elegant Carnegie Hall would be demolished, fought to save this historic building in the heart of New York City, built in 1891. 

The narrative is engaging, and would work well for a terrific read aloud in music class to students of all ages. The addition of Hicky's art, rendered in gouache, coloring pencils, and Photoshop to create the digital illustrations, make this an overall engaging read. Read to students of all ages. Please!

Included is an author's note, more historical information about Carnegie Hall, more fascinating stories about Isaac Stern, a timeline, source notes, and the petition written by Stern that was signed by twenty internationally known musician. 

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln By Margarita Engle

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln

By Margarita Engle; Illustrated by Rafael López

Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2019

Teresa Carreño (1853-1917) was a musical prodigy. Born into a musical family in Venzuela, Teresa was composing her own music by age six. When war broke out in her country in 1862, the family relocated to the United States. “By the time the ship arrived in New York, Teresa felt lost. She was homesick. How could she ever play happy songs again in this unfamiliar country where she did not know a single friend?” How? She played music.

Traveling with per Papá, Teresa grew so famous that when she was ten years old she received an invitation to play at the White House for the Lincoln family, “she could hardly believe her eyes.”  There, despite a piano badly out of tune, Teresa brought a moment of happiness to a family still reeling from the death of their child. (Lincoln’s son, William, “Willie” Wallace died February 20, 1862)

Partnering with Engle’s rich narrative are beautiful illustrations by López. Rendered in mixed media (acrylic on wood board, using sticks and other tools to paint; watercolor; construction paper; pen; and ink: and then assembled digitally, Lopez’s art is colorful and perfectly accompanies the text.

Back matter only includes a note by the author.

This vibrant, richly told picture book biography would be a perfect classroom read aloud for all ages. Especially in high school.

Teachers, informational picture books are the perfect vehicle for opening up conversations with students.

To write this review, I borrowed this book from my local public library.

Sonny’s Bridge: Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins finds his groove by Barry Wittenstein

Sonny’s Bridge: Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins finds his groove

Barry Wittenstein; Illustrated by Keith Mallett

Charlesbridge. 2019

Grades 4 and up

Walter Theodore “Sonny” Rollins was born in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, 1930. The music and musicians of that time had a profound influence on Rollins. Sweet sounds of swing jazz swirl in the air./Sir Duke’s satin melodies./(That’s Duke Ellington, for you younger cats.)

This picture book biography tells the story of Rollins (who celebrated his 88th birthday in 2018) and events in his life that culminated in recording the album, The Bridge in 1962, an album he recorded after a two-year sabbatical. During those two years Rollins played “sixteen hours every day,/plays to his heart’s de-light./Suits Sonny just fine till the neighbor complains.” And his wife tells him their having a baby and he must find another place to practice.

Where does Rollins play where he won’t disturb anyone?

“The bridge, named Williamsburg/ connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn,/where he’s gonna connect the old to the new-/from what was to what will be./Isn’t that what bridges do?”

The jazz influenced narrative is complemented by colorful illustrations. The double-page spreads, created digitally using Procreate software and Adobe Photoshop, brings the story to life.

Back matter includes an author’s note, more information about The Bridge album, a time line, source notes for Sonny’s quotes, and resources to learn more about Sonny Rollins.

This is a great introduction to one of Jazz greats. Be sure to have Rollins’ music quietly playing in the background as you share this book.

To write this review, I borrowed a copy of the book from my local public library.